If you’re here, it means you’re ready to start recording your audiobook remotely using the “Your Voice” package. This step by step process will ensure a successful setup:

Step 1: Recording Gear You’ll Need to Start

If you already have a pro microphone/pop filter and know how to use it, then congrats you can skip this, and head to the Initial Audio Assessment section. If you don’t have a mic or experience recording, we will make it very simple for you!

We recommend one of the most popular and affordable usb microphones on the market, it’s called The Blue Yeti. You can get it on Amazon here:

Above is US, for CAD Buy Here

Next you will need a Pop Filter to go with it, this helps remove harsh plosive sounds when you’re recording, here is our recommendation:

Above is US, for CAD Buy Here

Side Note: Find a small quiet room to record in (with carpet, furniture, or anything that absorbs sound). The less echo/background noise the better.

*We know life gets in the way in terms of external noise in your recordings and we can remove a lot from our end, so don’t worry. Don’t aim for perfect, aim for authentic when narrating your audiobook and your audience will appreciate it!

Step 2: CHoose free recording software to use

In order to record, you’ll need recording software. There are two free options that are great depending on wether you use a Mac or PC:

Step 3: learn how to start recording fast

These videos are concise, to the point, and under 4 minutes! Based on which software you’re using watch the related video:

Step 4: Setup your Blue yeti mic PROPERLY

Now that your audio gear has come in, it’s time to set it up properly for audiobook recording!

Turn your mic around, you will see the gain knob which adjusts the loudness being captured by the mic. Remember, it's easier for us to make a quiet sound louder than it is to save a recording that's distorted from being too loud, so start with the gain knob all the way down and then bring it up to about 30% for a cleaner recording. See image below for reference:

Below that you’ll see a lot of different symbols, those are different recording modes. Set it to the one that looks like a little heart, it’s called Cardioid mode.

Don’t speak into the “top” of the microphone. The Blue Yeti is a side-address microphone, meaning you speak into the side of it.

See the image below to understand the proper way to position it:

Make sure your between 4 - 9 inches away from the Blue Yeti microphone when speaking into it (not the pop filter) the pop filter will be closer to you because it will be in-between that space.

Step 5: Install your pop filter

It’s fairly straight forward, just clamp and twist it on the lower metal part of the frame until it is securely in place. You can view it below:

Now that you’re all set to record, we’ll need to give you the go ahead to begin recording your audiobook. In order to do that follow the steps in the Initial Audio Assessment section below.

STEP 1: Record an audio sample of you reading your book

In order for you to start recording your audiobook, it is important that we analyze a short audio clip of you reading a paragraph of your book. This will allow us to give you feedback, make sure you are on the right track and give you the green light to start!

*Don’t use any effects/editing when exporting, so we can analyze the raw audio (on GarageBand make sure Noise Gate is unchecked when exporting). Leave the audio recording level as is in the software, even if it seems quiet, we’ll be able to assess if we can use it.

Once you record your sample, Export it in MP3 format and Title it: “Your First/Last Name Sample”. Learn how to do that fast here:

Step 2: Send us your audio sample via email

Now that your audio sample is exported, send it over to us via an email attachment by replying back to your Form Submission email thread.

Once we receive the file, wait up to 2 business days for us to get back to you with feedback, adjustments, or the green light to start your audiobook project. Once you get the green light, go to the Audiobook Recording Tips section below to ensure successful file transfers:

Congrats you have gotten the green light to start recording your audiobook! In this section we will explain the processes you’ll need to follow to ensure a smooth delivery of your audio files to our editing team.

Anytime you mess up while recording, make a ticking sound with your voice and start from the last sentence.

This will help us know where there is any area that needs to be edited, while still keeping you in flow without having to stop.

STEP 1: Try not to make any sounds on/around the desk the mic is on

Moving around papers, objects, fidgeting, or even kicking your desk while recording can cause the mic to move and all that can get picked up in the audio. Now that you’re ready to officially start, just keep that in mind while recording your audiobook project. We can fix a lot from our end, however the cleaner the audio, the better!

Step 2: Record and export each chapter separately

Each uploaded audio file must contain only one chapter/section per file, with the section header read aloud:

Consistency in announcing section headers throughout the audiobook is important to avoid confusion and potential delays in release, as missing headers may cause revisions during the ACX QA review and lead listeners to perceive missing content.

Make sure you create a new track for every chapter, and title the exported mp3 file, the name of the chapter and number them in the correct order for better organization in the editing process. You can view an example here:

When exporting you will need to export each chapter separately. In Audacity all you’ll have to do is press the Solo button for the one track you want to export. For GarageBand you’ll need to mute all the audio tracks except the one you are exporting, here is how to do it:

SIDE NOTE: If you need to pause the recording in the middle of your session you can! ( e.g. to get water, for a washroom break, etc…)

You can stop the recording and pick up where you left off, just make sure the recording line is not on top of your previous recording. You can leave a little space to make sure and then it should be good to go.

Make sure this line:

is not over top of any of the recording you already did when you press record again because if it is it will record overtop of what you already did.

STEP 3: Keep all files organized in a folder on your computer

We recommend adding all the exported files to a folder on your computer titled:

“Name of Your book” Audiobook Files”

This will help you keep every file organized and allow you to easily access any file when needed.

Once you complete the first chapter, let us know via email. Then we will send you a dropbox link where you can upload Chapter 1 and all future files until your project is fully on the cloud and with our editing team.

After we start receiving files, you pass on the work to our team of expert editors and audio engineers to have it professionally edited, mixed and mastered!

We will keep you updated via email as we start making progress, and send you completed files as we finish them to get your feedback along the way until the process is complete.

STEP 4: Record your opening credits and closing credits

*Make sure the opening credits and closing credits are recorded and exported as separate files, and name them properly