How To Set Up A Home Recording Space To Record Audiobooks And Podcasts

Audiobooks and podcasts have become the most sought-after option by readers, and some need more time to read and like the possibility of sharing this with other tasks. And of course, technology now also allows this option in an easier and faster way because, as we currently know, you can access a broader multimedia world anytime and anywhere. It is enough for someone to tell an interesting story for everyone to pay attention to that voice.

And If You Wonder, What Is The Difference Between Audiobooks And Podcasts?

A podcast is an episodic series of audio content run by one or more hosts, ranging from quick news roundups to roundtable discussions. The podcast allows people to get new episodes right away. Instead, the audiobook is a professional audio recording of a text, usually a book. Their content is always in a different format. Unlike podcasts, audiobooks are released as a single product and are not episodic.

There are different applications for listening to audiobooks, book reviews, interviews, or literary works:

• Audible
• Storytel
• Scribd
• Audio Library

And we leave you some podcast options:

• Non-Fiction
• The Shelf
• Back Covers
• Why Read

Audiobooks And Podcasts, The Great Trend In Literature

 Doubtless, audiobooks and podcasts have become a huge trend and will continue to claim their place as an entertainment option. So, do you like audiobooks and podcasts? Which ones have you heard?

Have you ever considered recording an audiobook on your own? Today, we want to discuss the main aspects of creating an audiobook.

How To Create A Recording Studio For Audiobooks And Podcasts At Home?

It is essential to have certain basic elements that allow you to design high-level productions to create a home recording space or studio. Need help figuring out where to start? These are the essential elements to consider when choosing an audio interface. Of course, the number of inputs and channels will depend on the requirements of each person.

Choose the right room

One of the first important decisions when wanting to set up a recording studio at home is choosing the ideal room. By ideal, we mean the one that is furthest away from noise pollution, that is, from outside noise, such as traffic or people, and from inside, such as household appliances, television, etc. The more isolated your recording studio is, the less post-production you will have to do in the future.

A home recording studio cannot always be acoustically conditioned, but you can improve its quality by isolating the sound in the best way. As a recommendation, you can use acoustic panels, also called acoustic foam panels; These will help to prevent the sound from leaking or escaping, in addition to giving the room a little better sound.

The key is the microphone

The most crucial piece of equipment in any recording studio is, without a doubt, the “microphone.” For this reason, choosing the right equipment will be vital since the quality of all your projects, recordings, etc., will depend on it. Therefore, select a microphone designed for home and professional recording studios with a large diaphragm to record the sound with complete clarity of any musical instrument, voice, and more.

The ideal computer

Whether it is a desktop PC or a laptop, what matters is the capacity they have to support all kinds of editions (audio or video), processing, and mastering. Because platforms and packages are increasingly demanding in terms of speed, storage space, and compatibility, it will be necessary for your computer equipment to be at the forefront.

The essential characteristics that your computer must have are the following:

• Minimum 8 GB RAM. The advisable thing is 16 GB, and the optimal 32 GB
• Storage unit from 256 GB SSD or higher
• HDMI ports, USB 3.0, USB-C, and card reader
• i5 or higher processor

Audio editing software or DAW

So that your workstation is complete and you can carry out activities such as audio recording, mixing, editing, and mastering, it is essential to have exclusive audio software. Said program must allow you to work with large files, different digital formats, and the appropriate tools to manipulate and develop high-quality projects.

Currently, there are different programs for audio editing and most offer free versions, of course with limited functions, but they are an excellent option to test which one suits your needs.

Use USB audio interface

You must have a USB audio interface to manage both the audio inputs and outputs on your computer. In addition to facilitating transitions, it will allow you to make cleaner and better-quality recordings. You will also be able to analyze the sound in detail and adjust it before reaching the rendering process.

With an audio interface, you can transfer the sound of both voice and musical instruments, but you must have certain features and inputs to perform these actions. Some of the essential requirements are the following:

• Low-impedance XLR input to use different types of microphones
• High impedance ¼ plug input for connecting musical instruments
• USB input to connect to your computer
• Headphone jack for deep monitoring
• Audio input and output channels (minimum 2)

Use monitoring headphones

Monitoring headphones are the ideal tool for post-production and mastering processes since they will allow you to make more accurate editions, clearly understand the tempos, and evaluate your productions with greater professionalism.

What Equipment Do I Need To Record Audiobooks And Podcasts?

You will need equipment to record your voice correctly if you want to start recording your professional audiobooks and podcasts from home. We are going to see what equipment you need to record properly.

Room acoustics

We put it first because we consider it the most crucial element. It will only be useful to have a $1,000 microphone if you have an acoustically conditioned room. The quality of the sound source is always paramount. We can only make a good salad if the raw material is of good quality.

You should bear in mind that conditioning the sound in the room is not the same as soundproofing. We explain:

Acoustic conditioning

Conditioning the room is not the same as isolating it from outside noise (soundproofing). Acoustically conditioning a room means eliminating unpleasant reflections that occur when we have bare walls.

Rock wool acoustic panels

Think that the denser a material is, the more it reflects sound. That’s why it sounds so bad if we leave the walls uncovered. You can use the clap trick to find out if your room sounds good or bad. It has to sound dry.

You can use the clap trick to find out if your room sounds good or bad. It has to sound dry.

A professional option to improve the room’s acoustics is to add materials such as foams or acoustic panels. It’s not such an expensive solution, and it greatly improves the sound.

Soundproofing

Soundproofing a room from outside noise is already a much more difficult task. For this, we should already build a room inside another, known as a box in a box, or a box inside another requires carpentry or construction work.

We should completely seal any opening through which sound could enter from the outside and leave a chamber with materials of different densities, weakening the sound wave. This is quite expensive, and it’s about getting decent results in a standard room on a normal floor.

Think that if air enters from somewhere, sound and cold or heat enter there, so in addition to gaining something in the sealing of your window at an acoustic level, you will also achieve better thermal efficiency.

Microphone stand

The microphone must be attached to a stand or a standpoint. Don’t hold it by hand! The microphone will record noises when you manipulate it while you are recording, and you will not have your hands free to gesture or be comfortable.

Audio interface

As with microphones, this is another ocean within the market supply. Today the truth is that even the cheapest interfaces give very good results and with which you can record great voiceovers. As with almost any electronic device, the same thing always happens. The quality curve is not linear—you spend a lot more to get more quality every time.

So if you’re starting, don’t spend a bundle. Instead, we recommend you invest beforehand in your training in terms of the knowledge of sound.

Recording software (DAW)

But what is a DAW? Those acronyms come from Digital Audio Workstation, a digital audio workstation. It is the program where you record, edit, mix, and do everything.

There are several free options you can try:

• Garage Band
• Audacity
• Reapers
• Cubase LE
• Pro Tools First
• PreSonus Studio One Prime

And there are many more, but here are the best-known ones that we recommend you take a look at. As you can see, the options are endless, and the good thing is that almost all of them have a starter or trial version to start with and see which one you like best.

In the end, it is best to focus on one and master it to gain agility when using its interface, editing, applying effects, etc.

Are You All Geared Up For An Audiobook?

 The audiobook is a book read aloud and recorded in a physical or digital format. In its beginnings, it was common to find them on cassettes or CDs, but nowadays, the most common thing is to download them from the Internet.

Audiobooks have gained enormous popularity in recent years thanks to digitization and its many advantages. This way of consuming written content stands out for its convenience and speed and is perfect for combining it with other activities (playing sports, driving, cooking).

Several studies on this format showed that listening comprehension was closely related to reading comprehension. Consequently, listening to a book is very similar to reading it.

As if that were not enough, they have strengthened the publishing industry and writers who can offer their works new support without altering their meaning.

What You Should Learn Before Recording Audiobooks

• Interpretive skills: like a radio actor, the audiobook narrator only has his voice to guide the reader through the plot. Taking care of the intonation and nuances is essential to bring the text to life.
• Voiceover techniques: your way of narrating the audiobook must be refined enough so the reader can follow you without problems. A good part of how to make an audiobook is to offer impeccable diction, a neutral accent, and respectful pauses.
• Technical aspects: always choose professional software and hardware to make your recordings. Also, it would be good to learn how to soundproof the room where you want to make the audiobook recording.

Tips To Record Audiobooks With Your Voice:

• Create an account on a website that specializes in recording audiobooks. The most popular is ACX, owned by Amazon.
• If you are going to proceed to the recording of other people’s audiobooks, you must have the permission of its author so as not to get into legal trouble.
• Remember that your voice is a limited resource, so you should do something other than marathon recording days: you’ll look tired, and that will bore the reader.
• Proceed to record the audiobook taking care of the reading speed. Put all your efforts into making the text as understandable and enjoyable as possible since you will have to play all the characters in the story.
• Now you can give away or market your audiobook by uploading it to the platform of your choice.

As you can see, if you want to learn how to make a good audiobook, you need more than just reading aloud in front of a microphone.

Can a writer record their audiobook or podcast?

Being able to record it can, but let’s keep focus because you may be detracting from your work by saving that money. We are sure that writing your book has taken a lot of time and cost you a lot to make it a reality, and why now throw that work overboard with a badly done audiobook?

Many book publishers offer you the possibility of contracting with them the recording of your work to turn it into an audiobook. You can also contract it on your own with a voiceover artist like me or one of my fellow voiceover artists, all specialized in this type of recording.

What is the cost of the recording?

It depends greatly on the type of work and the number of pages.

Can I create sound fiction from my written work?

Yes, it is also a fun job and an enormous collaboration between all the parties involved.

Guide to effortlessly recording an audiobook and podcast

You may have heard of audiobooks and podcasts. It is a format that has gradually gained relevance, and although it was already a very popular product in other countries, it is experiencing a great explosion in our country. If you need an audiobook or podcast speaker, we can help you. Discover how to make your audiobook step by step.

What is an audiobook and podcast recording?

The word defines an audiobook and podcast: that can be listened to. It is a sound recording of its content. The most popular, especially with the entry into the market of large companies, such as Amazon, are fiction novels in which a story is told. However, historically audiobooks and podcasts have also had a long way to go in academic content, and many people have used them as a means of memory or to learn new content while driving or doing chores at home.

For decades, audiobooks have been recorded on physical supports so that more people could access any history, from those who had little time but wanted to continue enjoying reading to blind people who do not know the Braille alphabet.

What Should A Good Recording Of An Audiobook And Podcast Have?

 As is logical, one of the first things that come to mind when discussing a good audiobook and podcast is its recording quality. We must remember that many people will listen to us through speakers at home or in the car, but many will also use headphones or headphones to hear the stories we want to tell while walking or taking public transport.

Quality

In any case, good recording quality is essential. Unwanted noise and poor sound quality can make a good story truly unbearable. We must always remember that audiobooks and podcasts are listened to for hours and that the listener has to listen to the audiobook to get all the details actively, so it will be essential to ensure that this is okay.

Storyteller

In the field of narration, the person in charge of voicing must be a professional speaker who guarantees good diction and clear vocalization of everything intended to be transmitted. In this sense, the narrator has to get involved in the text and make it his own, but always keep in mind that the story belongs to someone else (the writer) and that the true protagonists are the characters in the text. It is like shaking hands with the story and presenting it to the listener, not so much being an inseparable part of it.

Production and sound resources

In addition, to accompany all the stories and the hours we will be in the listener’s ears, a production to match must be guaranteed, with sounds and music that accompany the text and help its setting. As with the announcer’s voice, the music should not be the protagonist either, but a well-understood use of it and the sound effects will help to give color to the setting that will allow the final product to gain many integers.

Professional Recording: 5 Steps

 As in all audiovisual products, it is about achieving harmony between the components to add a whole where nothing is essential but where each piece is an essential part of the final piece.

1. Planning

Planning is the first thing to consider before recording an audiobook or a podcast. It is important to know our ease with the medium and analyze the difficulty of the text. For example, content in which technical terms or foreign names are protagonists can take us a little longer to record. An approximate idea of the times will help us better plan the time we need to make the recording and give our client a realistic delivery date. In this sense, it is vital to ask the client about the pronunciation of the names or foreign words that we need clarification on since a mispronounced word during the entire work can greatly extend the review of the recording in the future.

2. Choosing a decent space or place for recording

 With this in mind, we must be able to work in a studio or, what is now more common, have a home studio at home, with a space enabled to make a professional quality recording. We must avoid places that are too open and accompany all recordings with a quality microphone, which captures all the clarity and color of our voice. Having a recording program at the height is essential, allowing us to make the necessary adjustments to leave our voice clean of all noise.

3. Recording process

During the recording process, we will take the opportunity to clean up all possible undesirable noises that may arise, such as minor knocks on the table or changes in our posture. Ideally, as announcers, we know the product we must present to make a small adjustment if necessary by ourselves, but also to correct our mistakes when narrating the text.

4. Review and corrections

With a first finished copy, the file is sent to the client, who will listen to it and notify us with the proper corrections to change possible errors that have gone unnoticed, bad vocalizations in foreign names, and other small details. Once this review is done, we will send the final product to begin the post-production process and include ambient sounds and music, if deemed appropriate.

5. Voices to record

There are as many voices to record an audiobook or a podcast as characters we find. There are fictions in which the deep male and female voices prevail.

But also others in which youthful or even childish tones prevail. You can find all of them in other voicebanks with a wide spectrum of tones and styles that will fit your project. In addition, you can always hire professional voice talents, which alleviates waiting times and improves our flexibility when facing new projects.

The announcer must understand the manuscript they are fronting and his involvement in it, something for which professionals have been trained and whose knowledge has assimilated.

Conclusion:

Now you know the main elements to design your recording studio for audiobooks and podcasts at home and thus achieve professional and creative productions. Remember that if you want to achieve the best audio quality, choose professional services with cutting-edge audio technology that will undoubtedly take sound to another level.