For Beginners: Narrating on Audible: ACX 101, complete audiobook production guide

[@SamuraiFingers]

Thanks for watching! Please feel free to leave me questions/comments/etc. here.

[@jacksonndiritu6718]

How can I start Woking online

[@jacksonndiritu6718]

Am interested can you help understand and start Woking online am from Kenya plz

[@Misutoslope]

What range are you boosting in EQ to deepen your voice so much? Or is it more the mic/technique

[@stevehorton9865]

Thanks for your super hero effort here. I really appreciate it as it helped me feel more comfortable with the entire process. Wishing you great success and a wonderful Fall.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it helped! Thanks for leaving a comment and good luck with your narration! 😃

[@Nikodymus]

This was tremendous. Thank you so much for taking the time to make this and share your insight!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@businessthinkdigital]

This is a great video. I have written a couple of books that I want to put onto audible but had no idea where to start. I’ve filmed many KZbin videos and recorded music using GarageBand and Adobe Audition, but this video has shown me that recording for Audible is a different. Nick takes you through each step from settings for the DAW software (different from music and video recording), Audible requirements and so on. What I found really useful, which surprised me, was the tips on performance itself, which Nick suggest may sound obvious. They may be obvious to someone in production, but those simple tips are really going to make a difference on the quality of the recording from a content delivery perspective. So it’s a great blend of technical necessity and advice. Thanks for making the video Nick. Yes it’s 90 minutes long, but I found every minute useful.

[@SamuraiFingers]

AWESOME! I'm so glad to hear it was helpful! Thank you for your comment and such a glowing review! Good luck with your audiobook production! If you need any help/consultation feel free to email (email listed on my youtube about me page)! Merry Christmas and all the best for the new year!

[@SAY.8.18]

Fantastic! Thank you so much. I'm just getting started in the world of digital audio. Your references were exactly what I needed.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SAY.8.18]

I'm noticing that you don't have a pop filter. Is a pop filter necessary ​@@SamuraiFingers

[@SamuraiFingers]

I talk about this in the video. 😀

[@SAY.8.18]

Thanks. I see that now at the 40-minute mark. I kept rewinding and watching the Logic Pro section. I am using an Android device. Any suggestions on the best app for an Android tablet? If not , no worries. I will just keep rewinding your video and getting better at what I already have. ​@SamuraiFingers

[@SamuraiFingers]

I would not do this work on a mobile/tablet device of any kind.

[@IAmGarimon]

Hey, just wanted to say this was really really great. All the little tips were really the sort of thing I needed, especially the bit about not doing it over and over and never getting anything done. The software techniques are going to be hugely helpful, thanks again!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!! Cheers!

[@nathanshatzer1646]

Perfect video for starters to know what we are getting into, thanks for going through all the fine details.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@thebagelboyjr9351]

This is amazing! You have such a knack for explaining and getting across your ideas and thoughts! This guide really helped me on my way to becoming a beginner voice-over artist. I followed your tips and got a snowball ICE usb microphone with a pop filter as well as downloading Audacity. I'm 17 and saving up money for when I go to college in a year; voice-over artistry will really help with this. Thanks again!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Thanks for your kind words and I'm glad the video was helpful!

[@Drifters_Productions]

Thank you so much!! My channel is a project to get me into the voice over and narration field. Ive been feeling recently that im lacking a tremendous amount of polishing and this is amazing. Thank you!!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad to hear this was helpful for you!

[@cthomas98cox]

Thank you so much for this! After watching several other videos, this is the best! I know it's long but I love that you went through ALL steps in one video. I watched the entire video and took notes. This makes me more confident in getting started. I feel like I have a better understanding of things including lingo that I had no clue what they were. It also feels less intimidating now. I do plan on using Audacity so hopefully I can take the information you've given and place it in Audacity without too much trouble. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@semi_di_luce_meditazione]

Thank you for your video! It has definitely been helpful! I will come back to it in the coming days 🙏🌀🙏

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fennixshark2584]

This was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this detailed process!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Rock on!

[@BrianPenn-gw8lb]

Good evening to you. I just watched this video and I've learned a ton. I started recording an audiobook and this tutorial was very helpful. I've got work to do but not all is lost. Thanks again!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wrighttrackz]

Excellent video and breakdown from start to finish! I use Logic Pro as well, just getting started on my first audiobook!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad it was helpful for you!

[@michaeljarmstrongjr5569]

Gratitude my friend! 🙏

[@SamuraiFingers]

You are very welcome

[@YuliiaUkraineR]

it was very helpful!!!

[@alexamin5003]

Is there anyone else out there who doesn't own a Mac? Or am I the last of my kind...? 😭🤣 ...When I start making money through audiobook narration and voiceover work, I'll invest in one and revisit the Logic Pro section; until then, sayonara and godspeed my friends. And thank you Nick Morrison for all the helpful information in this video!

[@SamuraiFingers]

Cheers!

[@aileyaddams]

For the sound dampening, I wonder if semi-surrounding the mic itself with a foam shield or some type of desktop foam cubicle panels might work out?

[@SamuraiFingers]

It can work - you’ll have to experiment to find what works for you. Obviously don’t cover the mic itself or you won’t get any input at all. I do find more often than not - the closer the foam is to the microphone (the closer the surround) the more I can “hear” it. It ends up shortening the sound waves somehow and the recording sounds “crushed” or “too close” so experiment and see what works for you!

[@jonathanwilson7988]

This is gold!! Thanks

[@SamuraiFingers]

You're welcome!

[@catcatdogdijon]

thank you, sensei!

[@SamuraiFingers]

You bet!

[@Bubblehead640]

Thank you. This is great info for a newbie like me. Also enjoying the distraction of your guitars. Can you say what you have hanging behind you?

[@SamuraiFingers]

Glad you found it helpful! As far as guitars go (left to right) - Jackson San Dimas Strat, Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci signature model from 2003, Gretsch 6120, and a Yamaha AX2.

[@TanyaThomas-s7p]

I love this tutorial! Is there a microphone package that is attached to your headphones that you might recommend?

[@SamuraiFingers]

No. Keep your headphones and microphone separate

[@kennymarotta9924]

Hey wow this video is really helpful. Just wanted to be clear tho are you suggesting for beginners that usb microphone kit and that interface together? In my case ill be using garage band with my mac mini. Just wanted to be sure 👍 thanks again!

[@SamuraiFingers]

If you use a USB mic there is no need for an interface. Sorry I wasn’t more clear! Glad this helped!

[@YuliiaUkraineR]

Thank you very much!!!!

[@SamuraiFingers]

You're welcome!

[@DavidMargolis4]

Thank you Nick. Very detailed and helpful. Little confusing, is that you at the beginning of the video?

[@SamuraiFingers]

I don’t know what you mean. What’s confusing? It’s all me 😃

[@J_International]

Thank you for making this video. Very helpful. You mentioned for scenes where shouting may be required, that the narrator may wish to take a step back from the microphone. I was wondering given ACX limits on audio range, if a loud scream is required in the book one is narrating, is it better to scream at full volume and reduce the decibels in post production to fit into the range or is it better to retrain yourself and avoid from screaming at volumes way louder than the majority of the audio?

[@SamuraiFingers]

You're most welcome! Glad it was helpful! That's a hard call. Ideally - you never want your mic to peak past it's clip point (ie go over it's or your equipment's limits which causes distortion) once you peak and get clipping you can never fix it. You could really do it either way - step back to get more "room" sound into it so you can get the full feeling of the scream, or - as you mention do a volume correction through automation or some compression/limiting via automation for that moment. You'll have to play around with it to find what works best for you, and ultimately the production you're working on. It might even be a combination of both - move back, get the full volume scream, then use some post-production tools to bring the presence of the scream up a bit more. Or even do a modified "scream" that has intensity and power, but low volume. HTH!

[@stephenmassam3793]

Awesome thanks 👍

[@SamuraiFingers]

No problem 👍

[@dustinporter1776]

I’m interested in your recording space. I keep hearing from people the space you’re in and how it’s treated for sound is probably as much or more important than your gear. Do you record in your large room with the foam tiles sparsely placed and still get good dead sound? Many other people are cocooned in a foam cave to get that effect.

[@SamuraiFingers]

I address this in the video starting at 9:58. 😃

[@J_International]

Thanks for answering my question about shouting when narrating. I have another question for you. When reading a book often the dialogue tags/attribution are critical. for example, James said, Jane shouted etc. But if one is creating different character voices or acting out these passages, is it ever advisable to omit the dialogue tag even if it is part of the original text? For example instead of saying. "I'm leaving you!" Jane shouted. Would you ever just read I'm leaving you! and omit the Jane shouted? Especially if you shouted the line when narrating and it's clear Jane is speaking based on the voice?

[@SamuraiFingers]

I'd speak to your book writer/owner/publisher to see what they prefer. =)

[@J_International]

@@SamuraiFingers In this case I am the writer and self publishing so I'm not sure! LOL.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Then do as you please! IMHO - I think there is a good balance between the two - for some passages "....." said Erica. is fine and then others, where there is more emotion/action - you should just say/yell/express the thing in the tone that you want, and it doesn't require the "shouted David". (especially if you have clearly defined/sounding characters.

[@marktaylor9771]

I'm looking for a mic stand to fit my new CAD E100Sx. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Ohh - that’s a hard one. But any mic stand should work - you just need to get a special sleeve for the CAD as it doesn’t have a mount directly on the unit itself.

[@Misutoslope]

What range are you boosting in EQ to deepen your voice so much? Or is it more the mic/technique

[@SamuraiFingers]

It's mostly the proximity effect (I usually get right up on my mic) and the characteristics of the SM7 - it's got a very nice smooth and bassy sound. I do end up eq-ing a bit, but you can play with it and see what works for you. You can add/play around in the 138-276Mhz range to see how it affects your voice. Good luck!

[@Misutoslope]

@@SamuraiFingers Awesome, I'll check that mic out. Great video, thank you - you have a very clean sound

[@briandoll7101]

I wasn't initially, but now I'm hearing an echo when recording on Logic Pro. Turned off "Software Monitoring" but I'm unsure if I accidentally changed a setting that caused this echo. Any guidance would be much appreciated.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Hard to diagnose without seeing your session or your recording setup. Is the echo there when you play back your recording? If it's not there then it's either software or hardware monitoring.

[@briandoll7101]

@@SamuraiFingers Sorry for the delay in this reply. Thanks so much for getting back to me. I ended up scrapping that project and duplicating the settings, and it worked. Not sure if that means it was a glitch, but oh well!

[@misterscopey2309]

Question regarding DAW... would it be acceptable to just record my audio sessions in Streamyard? They have really great built-in equalizers and noise-cancellation. I sound better there than I do in the test runs I've done with Audacity. So that, with my Elgato Wave 1's built-in noise cancellation and equalizer makes for a good combo I think. Spoiler alert, I'm a noob when it comes to sound but I know *some* things.

[@SamuraiFingers]

I’m not familiar with sound yard. But my guess is you won’t be able to control the output as much as a traditional DAW. But end of day- if it works, go for it.

[@misterscopey2309]

@@SamuraiFingers Thank you. Streamyard is this website that you can pre-record stuff or go livestream whatever. It's pretty cool.

[@Robotti18]

What do you recommend more? Garage band or audacity?

[@SamuraiFingers]

I use logic personally. And if you have a Mac - GarageBand is already there with nothing to download/install. So GB is probably a better option.

[@Robotti18]

@@SamuraiFingers do you recomend to get an audio interface or is the usb c enough?

[@SamuraiFingers]

USB is probably enough to get you started but you’ll eventually want to move to a better, dedicated more professional setup.

[@Robotti18]

@@SamuraiFingers thanks for your answers!

[@colossuse8575]

The amount of information I just absorbed right now makes me feel like Neo. I know Sound-Fu 😂

[@SamuraiFingers]

And winner for comment of the day goes to!

[@JanisHarper]

I'm going crazy trying to figure out a way to simply delete ALL of the automatic clicks Audacity makes! I can't delete one at a time--besides it would eliminate my voice too. The "click removal" does nothing. I'm using Audacity 3.4.2. I didn't have this issue with another Audacity! Help, please.

[@SamuraiFingers]

I'm sorry as I'm not an audacity user, so I can't speak to it specifically. But what I've seen happen in other DAWs/systems are 1 of 2 potential issues. Please bear in mind, without hearing the specific issue your DAW/recordings have - I can't really tell. BUT - I THINK you're either experiencing buffer latency or dirty power/ungrounded cables. Keep in mind - both of these issues, if present, are recorded as part of the recording - so they are there now. (in other words, you'll have to re-record your project once you figure it out) Buffer latency: This is usually caused by slower systems, or a low amount of RAM, or both. (basically the processor can't keep up due to all the background tasks your computer is always doing) SO - if you change your buffer settings to make the buffer bigger, it might help. So start with more than 100ms and test, then make it bigger. If you've got some budget - you can try upgrading to more RAM. Also, be sure all other programs are shut off in the background when you run Audacity. I would even shut off your wifi (no need to be connected to the internet while recording) Bad ground - This one is MUCH harder to test. But I would start with replacing your power brick/power cable. Then you can start looking into power conditioners and cable isolations/cloud lifter devices. IF it is a grounding issues (either equipment or you've got dirty power in your house) there is no way to fix it other than to throw money at the problem. A power conditioner might be a good solution as it will even out the spikes and valleys of the alternating current and hopefully give your system something to ground to (however, if your home isn't grounded properly no amount of power conditioner will permanently solve the issue). Hope that helps, and good luck!

[@JanisHarper]

@@SamuraiFingers, thank you so much!

[@BrookeMcCallum]

Expensive and not on sale ATM, but RX 10 by iZotope (Standard) will pretty much clean up your audio without too much effort. @@JanisHarper

[@SamuraiFingers]

There's only so far software will get you when it comes to power issues though and/or audio buffer overrun/underrun - but I agree the iZotope plugin is MAGIC!

[@dustinporter1776]

Try hitting the Z key when deleting a segment. This will automatically place the start and end points of your edit at the ‘zero points’ which may help to avoid clicks from your edits.

[@melodygroves6680]

Quick to recognize four to six inches, my guy. . . no, sorry. this video was really helpful, thank you.

[@SamuraiFingers]

Yeah, mic placement is important. 4-6inches Is usually optimum distance when micing up guitar cabinets too. Although sometimes a very close mic technique or distance mics can be good as well. But in the case of narration - 4-6 is optimal! Thanks for watching!

[@mysweetlavendar]

But Audible hardly pays anything for narrating books.

[@SamuraiFingers]

It’s the individual publishers/authors. Good contracts are out there. But like anything you have to build up your skills.