How to Record an Audiobook | PUBLISH ON AUDIBLE | Audacity Tutorial

These are the most important things you need to know to make an audiobook at home. I've been making them in my free time for the last 6 years. These are all the most important things you need to know without any waffle.
I record at home in my hallway without professional equipment. If you want to get started you only need ~$150. Links to some recommended equipment are below:
Amazon Affiliate Links
🎤 Entry USB Mic: geni.us/AT2020_USB
🎙️ Entry XLR Mic: geni.us/R0deNT1A
🦾 Mic Arm: geni.us/RodeArm
🎧 Headphones: geni.us/Headphones_M40x
My recordings on Audible: geni.us/VoxStoicaOnAudible
Donate via PayPal: www.paypal.me/RobinHomer
Shortform 20% discount: shortform.com/vox
LinkTree: linktr.ee/VoxStoica
👾 Join the Discord: / discord
🧧 Mandarin Course: • Guided Mandarin Course
Plugins Mentioned:
Declicker: forum.audacityteam.org/upload...
Desibilator: forum.audacityteam.org/t/upda...
ACX Check: wiki.audacityteam.org/w/image...
Timings:
Intro 0:00
Microphones 0:32
Extra Equipment 3:42
Recording Space 5:38
Recording Setup 7:29
----------------------------------------------
Audacity Setup 9:30
Plugins 12:11
Volume 12:27
Things to Keep in Mind 13:36
Shortform 17:04
Punch & Roll vs Continuous 17:33
Mouth Clicks 18:54
----------------------------------------------
Mastering Chain of Effects 20:16
Keyboard & Macro Shortcuts 21:13
Step 1 Remove 80Hz 21:45
Step 2 Amplify 22:13
Step 3 Denoise 22:39
Step 4 Editing
Step 5 Declicking 24:59
Step 6 Reduce Breaths 26:35
Step 7 EQ 27:38
Step 8 Amplify Max 28:26
Step 9 Limiter or Compressor 28:44
Step 10 Deesser or Desibrilator 30:48
Step 11 Organise For Distribution 31:50
Video 34:36
Closing, Discord & Language Course 35:02

[@VoxStoica]

🎤Entry USB Mic: geni.us/AT2020_USB | 🎙Entry XLR Mic: geni.us/R0deNT1A 🦾Mic Arm: geni.us/RodeArm |🎧Headphones: geni.us/Headphones_M40x My Free Mandarin Chinese Course is here: www.youtube.com/@guidedmandarin

[@St1cKnGoJuGgAlO]

Hello sir. You had a recording of the book of five rings that I can no longer find. I was very disappointed to realise I would no longer be able to listen to your recording. I wasn't sure if this was intentional or if you where even aware or perhaps if it was an issue on my end but now you know. I would love to be able to access the mentioned video again somehow.

[@VoxStoica]

@@St1cKnGoJuGgAlO Yea sorry, took it off KZbin, Partner program issues. You can still find it on Odysee: odysee.com/@VoxStoica:6/the-book-of-five-rings-(audiobook)-by:d And Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/video/wJ57Jl01aT0/

[@St1cKnGoJuGgAlO]

@@VoxStoica no problem sir. I greatly appreciate the reply. There are several other recordings out there but yours is by far the best and I would listen to it once a week or so. Thanks again.

[@JamesLawther]

Head and Shoulders above every other audiobook video on KZbin. Thank you

[@TheSoundman60]

An astonishing amount of critical information, presented with clarity. Thank you!

[@JustTheseGuysYouKnow-nd3mg]

Beyond the masterful presentation of critical information - I felt like I was listening to the original BBC broadcast of "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy!" I found myself mesmerized and drifting off to various scenes of Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect! I will be relistening and periodically shaking my head briskly whilst doing so, in order to stay concentrated on the educational elements! Great job me mucker!

[@VoxStoica]

The Hitchhikers Guide is one of my all time favourite audio performances. I used to listen it all the time as a kid, maybe the style has seeped in!

[@JustTheseGuysYouKnow-nd3mg]

@@VoxStoica I found the original BBC broadcast buried in the BBC archives and will use that as my fall-back listen-to if I can't find a good podcast while on a long drive! I am still hearing nuanced jokes and storylines that I missed the past 30 times I listened (read the book, listened to the audiobook, saw the TV show, saw the movie). In fact, I named our podcast "Just These Guys, You Know?" in homage to Gag Halfrunt. Whenever anyone would praise Zafod Beeblebrock, Dr. Halfrunt would reply, "he's just a guy, you know?" Anyway, thanks for the excellent tutorial on Audacity. I am endeavoring to make an audiobook of my book. "Twelve Two: How To Transform Your Mind." Random question, if I recorded the audio, would you be interested in doing the editing and mastering?

[@lynleystace6873]

This is honestly the most helpful guide on how to record voice on Audacity that I've come across. The guys who specialise in this topic and have posted 20 vids have nothing on you. Clear, concise, perfectly pitched. Thanks for posting it!

[@VoxStoica]

Thank you, Lynley. I guess I'm motivated to only ever make one video on the topic! Best of luck with your recordings.

[@antalperge1007]

💖 Wow... Never seen such a vid from a content creator, whose content isn't about gadgets, voice over, etc. WELL DONE! Cheerz from Hungary 🇭🇺😍

[@chilledweb8767]

Thank you so much! .. The best advice for voice recording on the internet .. I've been googling for what seems like days! You have everything anyone (who is looking to start) could possibly need. Thank you so much for taking the time to create this excellent and invaluable tutorial .. straight away its made my recording infinitely better .. thank you!

[@reflux-ds4cs]

Absolutely amazing video. Thank you so much.

[@AllFather19]

Geez. I wish this video had come out years ago, when I first started narrating! Even still, I learned a lot and was reminded of some things I sometimes forget. The information here is pure gold.

[@sahamal_savu]

Thank you very much for this, I listen to your audiobooks pretty much every day and have been toying with the idea of doing a recording of some books to release for free on KZbin. 👍

[@pagesalivetheater]

Great summary for a newbie. Your voice is perfect for this! But more importantly you are quite considerate of what someone new would want to know- like how the different mic/room setups sound. Thank you immensely. I have your video saved to rewatch multiple times as I learn!

[@stephenbyrne3512]

!!!!Seriously!!!! - this is golden advice - thank you so much. I have enormous respect for you for putting this together and sharing with the yt community. I also just checked out one of your philosophy videos on Marcus Aurelius - the sound quality was just perfect - the content was profound and pithy. Where did you learn all the sound engineering concepts? In any case - I highly recommend this video to anyone who is wishing to learn competently how to create clean impressive sounding audio files. It is very expert without being overcomplicated and is perfectly edited and easy to comprehend. I will be returning to this video again and again until I have absorbed all of its distilled wisdom.

[@72ibises]

Thanks, I’m a huge fan of your works and have been looking for some concrete tips for my channel. I can’t wait to implement your expertise!

[@Kristopher342]

Thank you nobody ever talks about equipment requirements, the most crucial element of recording, awesome voice by the way.

[@moesanrath]

into the saved folder this will go. to much useful information to take in with just one viewing. ty for taking the time to make this video.😀

[@marcusaurelius8605]

Outstanding video. Thank you for a comprehensive insights on recording.

[@sionthomastate3821]

Best video on KZbin about this, 23 useless with technology but wrote a poetry book over the past year, this video leaves no meat on the bone, its the real deal thanks a bunch. 😁 (P.S) you do the best audio book of mediations ive ever heard.

[@chriscoope2144]

Excellent, a must listen, so much valuable information thank you..

[@catsmad48]

Brilliant video. Best yet....and what a voice 😊 .

[@eri7-11]

wow your voice! I listen 100s videos a day, your voice special!

[@chrismelikian]

Thank you Robin, this is excellent advice! Extra points for the inclusion of The Day Today (Peter you've lost the news!! 😂). Thank you also for the summary of Marcus Aurelius. It's brilliant and a go to recording for me when I have a long walk. 👍

[@Sphnxfr]

Thanks for this, I've got a bunch of essays and stuff that I want to turn into yt videos at some point.

[@michaelrudert3406]

👍 Very good introduction to the subject! Really good and efficient pointed out.

[@BlackDragonNationalPresident]

Your is the BEST information I've found on this subject as I am now producing my second audio book as the sales of the first were most amazing. Just when I thought I might know a little bit about what I was doing I ran into this video only to find out I am woefully uneducated. Thank you so much, I am immediately subscribing. Plus, I've always wanted to learn Mandarin Chinese. :-)

[@mrpopo8298]

Thanks, I have been thinking about buying a mic and doing some recording, so this couldn't have come at a better time for me.

[@jalbers3150]

this is invaluable information. thank you

[@Meditationsfindme]

Thank you for this

[@oliviaalmonds2255]

I listen to you daily! These are very helpful. Please make videos about books of Schopenhauer and nietzsche

[@intuendaecivilization9365]

lol, have already done this. I have translated your videos and the stoic books, which you have linked, into Danish and made audio files out of them (for personal use). Thank you so much for making these videos and for inspiring me. :)

[@VoxStoica]

Nice. If you've translated the Meditations Summary and would like to share it, I can add it as a pdf link to the description (There's currently Turkish, Italian and Bhasa)

[@intuendaecivilization9365]

I would love to. I will have to revisit it first though, but when i have i will send you the link. 😁

[@higherpurpose3764]

Thank you very much for this video

[@ilikethiskindatube]

Your content is outstanding

[@sprinkles_091]

I used paper egg cartons. Here in the us, they come in a platter 12x12 and are made of compressed recycled paper. Works amazing!

[@paxnominus]

Thank you!

[@irfanatic2404]

Thank you 😊.

[@charandeep7ingh]

very elaborative sir thankyou for sharing godbless you

[@pauldiffenderfer]

Wow, thank you for your work sir! It is a great value to culture. Practical and to the point information. There are so many rare but important texts which deserve to have a beautiful audio present - like those which you have done. all the best to your in all your pursuits

[@bishopscore]

You are the best

[@AdoreDasia]

Thank you thank you thank you

[@captainwdr]

Thanks! Very helpful. Creating an audiobook is very time consuming.....

[@VoxStoica]

Thank you. Good luck with it!

[@lenfant_kirikou6065]

Hi, great video. Do you have any advice/tips on voice projection?

[@VoxStoica]

Not especially. Is this for public speaking?

[@keithnorton8647]

"And that's how I lost my lamp. " The way he said that....is classic.

[@thelvey1]

Would selecting the Filter Curve EQ factory preset "low rolloff for speech" work similarly, as well as, or not not as well as your step 1 of

[@safashaikh2894]

I want more videos stoica to cover other variety of topics The book of 5 rings by Miyamoto Musashi and a breakdown of that philosophy

[@taniakeldin]

Very clear and thorough. Can you possibly do the same with Adobe Audition instead of Audacity?

[@VoxStoica]

I'm sure you can. Being a premium paid service Adobe Audition is probably much more powerful. I've not used it myself though.

[@glenrager8834]

Good morning Vox, thanks for all the great work. Wanted to ask what happened to your Book of 5 Rings audiobook? That was my favourite on your channel and I used to listen to it every now and then during training. Have searched your channel and your Audible but can't find it; I could've sworn it was on your channel not too long ago - feels like I'm going mad ! 😂

[@VoxStoica]

Yes sorry I moved it to Odyssey in an attempt to get reaccepted into KZbin's partner program. You can view it here: odysee.com/@VoxStoica:6/the-book-of-five-rings-(audiobook)-by:d

[@glenrager8834]

@@VoxStoica thanks a lot, that's great news. I feared the overlords may have removed it for some reason. much appreciated!

[@magicalwolf4474]

I have a question plese answer this.. in audiobook do they use any effect ,or compresser...there voice sound deep

[@VoxStoica]

Using compressors is very common but it doesn't necessarily alter the bass frequencies. Personally I don't use them. Most use EQ to boost some frequencies, again I don't. If they boost the 100-400Hz it'll sound deeper and warmer, but it's usually done quite subtly. I dont think too many Audible ones do this to make it super deep. But lots do on KZbin when they're pirating a book, so it doesn't get picked up by KZbins copyright checker.

[@Y0UT0PIA]

another question: which parts of the post-processing/editing process you talk about here are optional and which ones are the bare-bones essentials for just getting started? the macros and hotkeys stuff seems a lot to take in all at once, for example.

[@VoxStoica]

I'd say: Noise Reduction, Amplifying, Soft Limiter I briefly show a table of minimums vs optionals at the start kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2HLooGidsyCpdE&lc=UgwQvw9ghPy4i-TKCIN4AaABAg&t=23

[@oliviaalmonds2255]

A little request...Will you please make videos about more philosophy books? Schopenhauer especially?

[@Pseudo-numenien]

You should do a reading of simplicius's commentary on the 'handbook of epictetus'

[@mwaikul]

The face behind the voice :)

[@eri7-11]

Which audacity (simple & free but quirks & limitations) or Audition (the best but subscription) or Reaper (It can be free but can be complex for some but good for those who also make music) or Studio One (one time payment and seems decent) or Twisted Wave (dunno much about it), thoughts? Which version of izotope?

[@Abdullah21038]

Though I don't know if you would do this, do an audibook on this thing called Aqeedatul al Waasitiyyah

[@haruka42069]

I noticed your "Book of Five Rings" audiobook is getting and it's one of the best! Is there any way to still listen to it?

[@VoxStoica]

odysee.com/@VoxStoica:6/the-book-of-five-rings-(audiobook)-by:d kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnLCZ6l6d5iHba8

[@ZeroFucksLeft]

May I ask why you removed the "Go Rin No Sho" audio book from your channel?

[@valdie6614]

Hey Vox your video on the book of five rings is gone, don´t know if you knew. Anyway it´d be great if you could get it back up, it´s a great listen!

[@VoxStoica]

I've removed it from KZbin due to Partner Program issues. You can still find it on Odysee: odysee.com/@VoxStoica:6/the-book-of-five-rings-(audiobook)-by:d And Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/video/wJ57Jl01aT0/

[@valdie6614]

@@VoxStoica Thank you! You are doing great work Vox.

[@graysaco9781]

Please re upload your narration of the book of five rings (go rin no sho) no one can do it as good as you, I miss hearing your beautiful buttery smooth voice when I re listen to that book. If its on a paid platform or your not allowed to have it on youtube then dm me the file via whatever works for you, thank you for your work :)

[@graysaco9781]

My bad I just seen your response to a different comment about this same question, thank you again :)

[@gaelicpros]

Sorry. What is the Zed key you keep referencing with edit? I looked at two other tutorials which mentioned simply pressing the Z key. But that didn't work with my manual plugin keyboard. I always knew that cuts were done with Ctrl + Z

[@VoxStoica]

Cuts are Ctrl-X. Undo is Ctrl-Z Pressing the Z key by itself before a cut creates a "zero crossing" moving the selection to a midpoint. Zoom in on one of the ends of your selection before pressing Z to see the effect. Here's the Audacity manual reference: manual.audacityteam.org/man/select_menu_at_zero_crossings.html

[@Musicarchicve]

where did you pick up the foam dampeners you bought for 150 quid? Please

[@VoxStoica]

www.gbfoamdirect.co.uk/product/acoustic-treatment-kit/

[@Y0UT0PIA]

sooo, what's the video on punch and roll in the top right?

[@VoxStoica]

It's details on how to do punch and roll. I'd avoid it when getting started.

[@gaelicpros]

Funny how you mention about saving chapter work as an Audacity file, because it's never allowed me to do this. Keeps giving me error popups that they're not external or Audacity files, to save them manually on my hard drive 🤔 even after applying a title 🤔 evidently I'm doing something wrong lol

[@VoxStoica]

Are you trying to export multiple Audacity files? Is there a time stamp you're referring to? At 32:03 I mention multiple exports based on labels but it's for mp3s/wavs

[@gaelicpros]

@@VoxStoica after rewatching the part where Audacity file save opened for you, it finally did this for me too. Now just curious to discover how the files save differently on my hard drive. As prior they were all saved as external wave files Peace - out ‍🏍

[@DesiStoic]

Question : can you throw some light on copyright, can we record any book?

[@gareth7762]

Wondering this too

[@VoxStoica]

No. Generally speaking books are in copyright for up to 70 years after the author's death. In the US, books published before 1964 which did not have their copyright renewed in their 28th year, are in the public domain. (this can be difficult to find out) Here's some info: onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/renewals.html If you can find it on Wikisource it's almost certainly public domain.

[@DesiStoic]

Thanks for this, and also thanks for the video, will definitely give it a try :)

[@charlyfoodie]

Why did you stop making content bro

[@Club40Audio]

The Declicker and De-sser plug in link is not working

[@VoxStoica]

Thanks for letting me know, looks like they updated their forum. Here are some updated links: Declicker: forum.audacityteam.org/uploads/short-url/tY6KucbT2Rzs3F8h9DU2BpBQJln.ny Desibilator: forum.audacityteam.org/t/updated-de-clicker-and-new-de-esser-for-speech/34283/199

[@jackellock7113]

My favorite voice ever was Don LaFontaine.

[@zell9058]

I have 4 young kids and a beagle. There is no such thing as a quite space in my home.

[@Human_Evolution-]

Where is Didymus?

[@DanZiemecki]

And here I was thinking the easiest way would be to write a book, then give you 50% of the take to get it on Audible. 😉

[@VoxStoica]

Outsourcing is always is the easiest way 😉

[@spokengreats]

Robin, Thanks for all the great narrations you've done over the years, I've followed your stoic recordings for a long time, and it was only when I saw this tutorial that it even occurred to me to try narrating audiobooks. As an absolute novice to all this, I can confirm your tutorial is more than enough to get started! So here's my first audiobook: Napoleon's Maxims of War, thanks to you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpTdlKeZaJp4fM0

[@VoxStoica]

Nice one, I'll reply on the vid...for the algorithmz

[@spokengreats]

@@VoxStoica I'm a month into uploading videos regularly, things are growing nicely but I'd love to see what you think. Are there are any glaring issues with my audio?

[@VoxStoica]

​@@spokengreats Sounding good so far, very clear diction, good quality recording and a good cadence to the speech. I'd suggest boosting the volume a bit and experimenting with adding more energy and variability to the reading, especially for novels like the Great Gatsby.

[@hossamsulleman]

my guy vox stoica u remeber me posted ur videos and got a strike why dont you post quality work any more theres alot to be explored with your million dollar voice like the works of shopenhour

[@chrisa6592]

I didn't say he stole the money had me shook.

[@Kugel--]

Ngl, its very strange hearing Marcus Aurelius say "50 quid usb mic"

[@shedin_based]

And then he disappeared, his legacy will echo for all eternity.

[@Abdullah21038]

Do an audiobook on some chapters of the Quran

[@TyranyFighterPatriot]

Step 1 Dress up as the different characters lol

[@clerenceaustin4380]

Hello Mr Vox i dont know how to contact you anywhere else but this is the best way right now I noticed that one of your videos has been removed (Go rin no sho) May i know why please? I really loved it🥺

[@VoxStoica]

Hey Clerence. Yes I've taken it down from KZbin (Partner program issues). You can still find it on Odysee: odysee.com/@VoxStoica:6/the-book-of-five-rings-(audiobook)-by:d And Bitchute: www.bitchute.com/video/wJ57Jl01aT0/

[@clerenceaustin4380]

@@VoxStoica Thank you💪🏻❤

[@graysaco9781]

@@VoxStoica I actually just left a comment on that lol, thank you for responding to the community :)