Actors typically like the sound of their voice. If that wasn’t the case, why do most of them pop up anywhere and everywhere there is a microphone? No judgment. But authors aren’t necessarily like that. I believe they are explorers. They set sail with an idea to investigate, a process to teach or a story to share. But they don’t do it to hear the sound of their own voice. They have much to share, but doing that in front of a microphone is often not an author’s primary goal. But I believe this humility shouldn’t keep authors from going where their audience is, with a profitable audiobook. Being uncomfortable in frontof the mic shouldn’t limit their revenue opportunities.
I’ve been an audio engineer for a long time, so I know authors may like the sound of an audiobook, but have concerns about the “other” sounds. Like:”How will I sound?”
“What do I do if it doesn’t sound right?”
“Is my voice okay?”
In this blog I’ll deal with some of those questions about “sound.” We will touch on eight points to assure you that any author can do this.
I don’t want anything standing in the way of you enjoying the process and receiving income from your very own audiobook. Sound good?
When I record, what should I read from?
Read from a script on a digital device, like a phone or another tablet. This removes any page turn noise created when using a printed manuscript.
A digital script is quieter and produces less frustration when you go to edit. You could use a computer but with caution. If the internal fan turns on, you get excessive noise in the recording.
Do I have to read it in one sitting?
Absolutely not. This is the beauty of editing.
Your voice won’t last for eight hours of straight reading. I suggest taking individual chapters in one sitting with breaks in between.
Never break your recording in the middle of a chapter, especially if you’re going to rest for any significant amount of time. The change in your voice (from a tired voice to a rested voice) becomes VERY noticeable to the listener.
The average reading and comfortable listening rates are 2.5 words per second. At this pace, a 30,000-word manuscript takes about seven hours to record, and a 35,000-word manuscript takes about eight hours. Any variation of 5000 words changes the time by about an hour.
What if I don’t like the sound of my voice?
Most of us don’t so you’re in good company. Why? Your voice sounds different to you than it does to everyone else. It’s possible that even though you may not like the sound of your voice, others do. Don’t rule it out without some input from people you trust.
If you determine you don’t want to record your book in your voice (or there are reasons why you can’t record your audiobook), I can hire a narrator for you. I have a list of vetted, talented narrators if you need one.
Is there something special about breathing when I record?
Breathing is a natural part of the conversation, and people expect you to breathe when you talk to them. Therefore, it sounds natural to hear breathing when listening to an audiobook. However, excessively loud breathing, or multiple breaths during a sentence, sound unnatural and should be avoided. Read for meaning and phrasing as they work together.
How do I keep from recording my whole book, finding out there is a problem, and having to start over?
That would be rough, but I can save you that frustration. I usually have you start with a sample recording using the suggestions in the DIY, online video course—5 Ridiculously Simple Steps to Record Your Audiobook at Home. Then you send me a 30-60 second sample recording.
I will give you professional written feedback on any issues and how to make them better. We can discuss the issues via an online video chat and correct them if necessary.
What time of the day should I record for the best sound?
Several variables determine recording times.
Consider these:
- When is your recording space the quietest?
- When your vocal strength is at its highest.
- When you’re the least tired.
Determine your optimal recording time based upon those three criteria. If you’re best in the morning, and your voice is strongest in the morning, that’s your optimal time to record.
What clothes should I wear when recording?
Recording is all about comfort. If you’re comfortable, you sound more natural, and your listener feels at ease. Wear comfortable clothes. Avoid nylon because it is noisy, and you’ll hear that noise when you move.
Cotton or jersey knit fabric is an excellent option because it is a quieter material. Never thought of cotton as a “quiet” fabric? You’re not alone.
What do I do if I make a mistake?
The question is, “What do I do when I make a mistake” because you will make mistakes. You are human, and therefore mistakes happen.
When you make a mistake, stop, pause briefly, go back to the beginning of the sentence, and re-read the sentence the same way you read it the first time. Use the same inflection, tone, and volume without emphasizing the word you misspoke.
This gives you multiple places for a seamless edit when you (or I) go back and clean it up.
Please don’t let any worries about the sound of your recording keep you from this enjoyable process. I have never had anyone not finish because it was too hard. Almost every single author I work with remarks on how satisfying and fun the process is.
You can do this. The world is waiting to hear from you.
Not sure where to start? Explore your options. Or just reach out.
