Has someone told you that you have the right voice to narrate audiobooks? Are you looking for a source of passive income? Do you have the time and dedication to take advantage of a fast-growing medium? If so, becoming an audiobook narrator may be right for you.
Audible Studios’ reach extends beyond the US to digital stores in the UK, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan that serve customers in nearly every country across the globe. In addition to the Audible websites, Audible Studios’ releases are featured in the iTunes, Amazon and Kindle stores. How to professionally record audio for audiobooks Recording quality matters. First things first, in order to provide the most enjoyable experience for your listeners, you want to make sure that the recording quality is top-notch. Spend time on proper microphone setup and placement to capture the cleanest audio recording possible.
The voice-over world was once the exclusive realm of artists in major markets such as Los Angeles and New York City. But today the field is open to thousands of part-time and full-time, home-based voice-over professionals.
There are many avenues through which a self-employed voice-over artist can find work. Two of the main sites dedicated to uniting voice actors and potential employers are Voices.com and Voice123.com. Both sites require a premium subscription to reap real benefits and receive customized audition notices. The beginning voice actor will need to spend considerable time creating a profile, as well as recording and posting demos. See my Voice123 profile for an idea of what a finished profile should look like.
As lucrative as these sources can be, competition is tough. A beginning voice actor will receive many rejections before landing that first voice gig. Persistence pays off.
However, I found earlier success auditioning for Audible, the top online seller of audio books. Their interface between voice actors and book rights-holders is called ACX.
Best and easy editing software. By picking the right books, submitting high-quality auditions, and preparing for the time and effort it will take to complete an audiobook project, even inexperienced voice actors can find themselves with a production contract.
- Voice Record Pro is an all-rounder and one of the best audio recording apps in the niche. The UI has a vintage feel to it, which looks cool. Press the REC button to begin recording immediately.
- Audiobook Recorder is easy to use text to audiobook (MP3) converting software. It can also read any text using different human voices. The only text-to-speech software with unique 'Smart Pause.
- Price: Free BandLab is an above average audio recorder. It’s mostly for whole band or musician setups. It features a 12-track mixer, a bunch of audio samples, a looper, a guitar tuner.
This can be a long and complicated process. But that shouldn't discourage you from giving it a try.
Here are the three main things you must accomplish to become an Audible narrator through ACX.
1. Set up your digital audio workstation (DAW)
If you already have a moderately good computer - laptop or desktop - you're about halfway there. The other main components to an adequate workstation are a condenser microphone, a preamp/interface, reference monitors (a fancy term for speakers), studio monitors (a fancy term for headphones), and audio recording and editing software.
Your booth or recording space
To achieve a high-quality sound you also must prepare a silent recording room or space. There are hundreds of ways to do this, from building a blanket fort to spending thousands of dollars on a high-end isolation booth.
My first recording space was a customized closet. I tacked carpet remnants onto the walls and added Auralex acoustic foam where needed.
When we moved to a smaller home, I had a custom-designed recording booth built into the corner of a bedroom. My increased level of experience warranted the extra expense. The result is a superior-sounding space that gives my clients a better product and gives me an advantage over other narrators.
![Audible Recording Software Audible Recording Software](https://img.usaudiomart.com/uploads/large/927464-altec-lansing-voice-of-the-theater-speakers.jpg)
The point isn't how much you spend, but whether or not you can achieve the totally 'dead' microphone sound necessary for audio book recording. Search YouTube for a wealth of DIY recording booth and workstation videos from amateurs and professionals all over the world.
Recording and producing equipment
The choices of microphones, software and other gadgets can be dizzying. Some experts will tell you to invest thousands in the best mic available. Others will say you can get by with a $120 USB mic. The point, as with your recording space, isn't the money but which mic will give you the best sound at the best price.
My equipment of choice: Best hybrid drive for macbook pro.
- Apple iMac with 8 gigabytes of RAM and a 'Super Drive' - a combination solid-state and disk-based hard drive. This iMac is very quiet and fast, with plenty of processing power for audio work. The Mac Pro would be far too powerful and expensive. A MacBook Pro would also be a good choice.
- Sennheiser MKH 416 microphone, which is becoming an industry standard choice for voice work. This model was created for use in location filming, often mounted on a pole. It performs superbly in live, outdoor settings and can be bought with numerous accessories for camera mounting. Somewhere along the way, someone discovered how well it works for voice-over. I took the recommendation of several friends in the business and I'm thrilled with it. For the first seven years in voice-over I used the Audio Technica AT-4050 microphone, an excellent mid-priced model with a built-in 'high-pass filter' that blocks very low frequencies from passing trucks, trains, and aircraft. Both of these are condenser microphones.
- Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 preamplifier. A condenser mic like my AT-4050 requires preamplification before its signal reaches the computer.
- I record using GarageBand software (available only for Mac) and edit using Adobe Audition (Mac or PC).
- Mackie CR3 reference monitors
- Audio Technica ATH-M30x studio monitors
- Palette Gear controllers for Adobe software. These configurable devices have revolutionized my workflow. Although a bit pricey, they are worth every penny. I can't tell you how much faster I can edit my audio tracks thanks to Palette Gear. They work with almost any Adobe CC application, so if you also use Photoshop, Illustrator, or Dreamweaver, you can maximize your productivity with these add-on devices.
There are hundreds more gear options at every point on the price spectrum. Take the time to find the setup that's right for your budget and skill level. Recording and processing a single audio track doesn't require a lot of computer power. You won't need the latest, greatest machine for the job.
I caution against using cheap plug-and-play USB microphones, such as the popular Blue Yeti. Many of these models do sound quite good. But for a few hundred dollars more you can get a much higher-quality condenser microphone that will achieve a superior sound.
About speakers and headphones: Do not use or purchase standard, consumer-level products. Your typical household audio gear is designed to make music sound good, not to provide an accurate representation of spoken-word audio.
Studio and reference monitors, on the other hand, provide a 'flat' frequency response. There's no bass boosting or high-end attenuation you'll find in products such as Beats headphones. You need to hear the closest possible representation of what your voice sounds like. It will take some time to train your ears to appreciate the difference. But trust me .. this is a critical detail you should not ignore.
The Mackie reference monitors I use are hard to beat. You can opt for larger versions at a higher cost, but I have found this model to be more than adequate. It's important that you mount or position your monitors to point directly at your ears. You can find stands or mounting equipment to achieve this goal.
Your studio monitors should be comfortable enough to withstand hours of recording time. Any of the ATH models would be an excellent choice, depending on your budget. Ensure that whatever you purchase is an over-the-ear model, not on-ear. This will help isolate your voice as you record and block out any external noises.
Once you have everything set up, it's time to test your recording environment. I strongly recommend you submit some sample recordings to a qualified audio professional before your first audition. Get the opinions of a knowledgable person about whether or not you have truly achieved the right sound. It may be worth the expense to pay for a personal sound consultation before you begin auditioning.
2. Establish a profile on AXC
ACX is the online interface between audio book narrators and book rights-holders. There is no cost to join ACX, but you'll have to do the work to establish a proper profile. See mine for an example.
Next, scan the list of available book titles seeking narrators. There are usually a couple of thousand titles on any given day. Begin by selecting male or female from the gender filter. That way you can at least immediately narrow down the books according to what rights-holders want.
After that, it's up to you to find the right book for an audition.
In my experience, it rare that a rights holder will contact you out of the blue to offer a recording deal, although I did land my most recent contract this way. The two or three other times this has happened to me I have turned the projects down because the books did not match my personal requirements or preferences.
It's much more likely you'll have search through available titles and send in auditions. Here are a few tips that may save you some time in this process. Ask yourself ..
- Can I devote the time for this project? Each 'finished hour' of an audiobook will probably take you four to five hours to produce. Will you be able to complete it by the contract deadline? Some rights-holders are lenient about deadlines. But don't assume.
- Would I read this book myself? If a book isn't something that interests me purely as a reader, I won't audition for it. Your enthusiasm for the material will reveal itself in your recording. Plus, if you get the contract, you'll have the added benefit of reading the book for free.
- Can I accept a royalty contract, or will I only work for a payment per finished hour? Most of the contracts available on ACX are royalty-only. You have to decide if you think the book will sell well enough to be worth your time and effort. Of course, you can help out by promoting the audio book through your social network. ACX recently added a Royalty Plus feature that allows you to negotiate some upfront money along with a royalty contract.
- If this is a fiction title, do I have the skill to voice multiple characters? Fiction authors will want this from you. Do you have a theatrical background, or are you more of a straight reader? If you're unsure, pick nonfiction titles until you get a few under your belt. If you really do want to pursue fiction titles, I recommend taking some acting classes, or even auditioning for a community theatre production. I have personally performed in about 20 stage productions, both comedies and dramas. They have been invaluable experiences in learning the skills of vocal characterization.
- Is this project truly something I can put my name on? Once your book is finished, your name and profile will be associated with it through Audible, iTunes, and Amazon. If there is any hesitation about whether or not this title is right for you, don't do it.
3. Complete your first ACX project
Being awarded that first contract with Audible is both thrilling and frightening. You'll inwardly doubt whether or not you can really get it done. Pressing on and doing your best despite your fears will be a great accomplishment and will prepare you for future projects.
Here are some tips that will get you to the finish line more quickly and with less stress.
Be communicative. Keep a dialogue going with your rights-holder. You can do this through the ACX message interface or via your own email or phone. Ask as many questions about the book as necessary. If you have problems, let them know right away.
During production of an 18-hour book I came down with an illness that wrecked my voice for three weeks. I thought it would ruin my reputation. But being honest with the rights holder helped us both come to an agreement to extend the deadline. They're going to want the best product possible from you. That will mean being patient if you get sick.
Be consistent. Nothing is worse than having one chapter sound different from another, or forgetting how you voiced a character from one scene to the next. Write up character descriptions if you have to. Keep listening back to previous chapters. It hurts to have to do it, but re-record when necessary rather than settling for mediocrity.
Be caring. Your voice is your instrument and your livelihood. Be realistic about how much it and your ears can handle. You only have so many good hours a day of recording and editing before fatigue sets in. Don't push it. You will discover your limits by trial and error. My personal limits: three hours of recording and five hours of editing per day, period. Drink a lot of water. Get adequate rest. Avoid contact with people who are sick, if possible.
Be your own calling card. Every audiobook you complete can become an advertisement for your next gig. It isn't just a product you help sell. It's a digital resume that helps sell you!
So, be ruthless about quality. Allow for more time than you think you will need. Learn as much as you can about audio editing. Keep pushing yourself for better performances. Do not settle for a meager product or hope they won't notice the mistake.
And one more critical point .. Back up your work every night. I don't need to tell you how devastating it would be to lose your recordings forever before you're able to submit them for approval.
Beyond these three basic items, your journey toward becoming an Audible narrator will differ depending on your skill level, determination, and sometimes just plain luck.
Don't give up. Seek advice from online voice-over communities. There is more free help and information out there than you could ever use.
I hope to hear you on Audible soon!
Have any questions? Ask them in the comments section.
Dan Kassis is the creator of Theodio, a blog and podcast that bring classic theology to life for the modern audience.
He is the narrator and producer of Coffee: A Comprehensive Guide to the Bean, the Beverage, and the Industry. Listen free with a 30-day trial of Audible. Or view all 15 of his titles available on Audible.
Dan is a digital content manager, voice-over artist and community theatre performer in Nashville, Tenn. Find him on Twitter: @DanKassis.
Why convert Audible to MP3? Almost all audiobooks downloaded from Audible.com are in .aa or .aax format which is protected by Audible's Digital Rights Management (DRM). That means Audible .aa and .aax audible books cannot be played on non-audible-approved devices even though they are purchased legally from Audible. In the contrast, MP3 is the most popular audio file type and can be played on almost all audio players. It is no hard to understand why everyone wants to convert Audible AA/AAX in MP3.
How can I convert audible files to mp3? You will discover 4 different methods in this article.
Before converting audible into mp3, the basic and the most important step is to download your audible books to computer.
1. [Official Method]Convert Audible to MP3 with Audible Converter
Step 1. Download and install Epubor Audible Converter
Epubor Audible Converter is designed to convert audible .aa, .aax format to DRM-free mp3 or m4b audio formats It supports both Windows and Mac, including Mac 10.15 Catalina system.
Step 2. Add audible to Epubor Audible Converter
To add Audible books, you can either click on the ' +add' button to navigate the folder stored your downloaded Audible books or just drag your Audible books directly to the main interface. Epubor Audible Converter will auto display the book cover, title, author and book length.
If you failed to find audible files, Where are Audible Books Stored on PC/MAC/Android/Kindle Devices will give you the comprehensive answer.
Optional Step Convert audible to MP3 with chapters
Epubor Audible support splitting audiobook into chapters as well. There is an option button at the end of each book title. Just choose 'split by chapters' and then click on 'OK' button. If you want to apply this option to all added Audible books, tick the box before 'Apply to all'.
Step 3. Remove audible DRM and convert Audible to MP3
Click on the button' Convert to mp3' at the bottom of interface to start the conversion. This conversion contains the process of removing Audible DRM as well as converting Audible files to mp3. Once the conversion has been finished, the Audible DRM will be removed and the Audible books will be converted to MP3.
Meanwhile, the folder holding the converted MP3 files will pop up automatically. As you can see that there are folders and MP3 files in this output folder. If you split Audible file into chapters, you will get a folder with splitted mp3 files. Otherwise, you will get the converted MP3 files stored at the output root directory.
Pro tip 1How to Convert Audible to MP3 on Android with Epubor Audible Converter?
Pro tip 2How to Preserve Chapters while Converting Audible Audiobooks?
Pros:- It keeps 100% original quality of audible books.
- Its conversion speed is 60X faster.
- It can split audible into chapters.
- It can convert audible books without iTunes.
- It even support audible books downloaded via kindle eink device and audible for android app.
- It will maintain the metadata of audible books.
- It supports both Windows and Mac Os, including MacOS catalina 10.15.
- The trial version will help you convert 10 minutes of each book.
With this powerful Audible converter, you can convert Audible books to MP3 format with 100% original quality in 60x faster speed. Compared with the following mentioned methods, this is the easiest and best way. That’s why I recommend this method as the official method.
2. Convert Audible to MP3 by Recording
Another path is using a recording software, Moo0 Voice Recorder, another application which works on Audible to mp3 conversion. Actually, it can not convert the Audible .aa or .aax to MP3 directly, but it can record the Audible book and rip Audible books to MP3 format.
1Install necessary apps
Apps you need to install:
1, Audible for PC app--Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows Phone 8
2, Moo0 Voice Recorder--Windows
1, Audible for PC app--Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows Phone 8
2, Moo0 Voice Recorder--Windows
First of all, you need to install the above two software. Audible app is released by Amazon company, which allow you manage your Audible books in library. Since Audible books can be play on limited player, I choose to play Audible books on this player.
Moo0 Voice Recorder is a very simple and easy to use sound recorder. Since this program can capture any sounds on your PC, you may use it to record Internet radio, streaming music, Skype calls and even some songs from your video files.
2Recording Audible book and save as MP3 file
When above two apps have been installed successfully, you can start the recording. Open the Moo0 Voice Recorder, select recording folder, choose MP3 as the output format, and then click on 'Start Recording'. At the same time, play the Audible books you want to convert from AA/AAX to MP3. Then what you have to do is waiting. Once the recording finished and click on ' stop'. Your recording will be saved as MP3 file.
It may take a full night to record one book, but that's a way of doing it.
Pros:- The software mentioned in this method is free.
Audible For Pc
Cons:- Recording audible to mp3 will take long time.
- Recording may cause the quality loss.
- This software works on windows only.
3. Convert Audible to MP3 iTunes (Burning a CD)
Some ebooks lovers asked 'how to convert Audible files to mp3 using iTunes'? This part will show you the detailed steps on converting Audible to MP3 with the help of iTunes. To convert Audible .aa or .aax in MP3 format, you can use iTune to import the .aa book to create an audio CD, and re-import the audiobook off the CD using iTunes built-in MP3 encoder. It is a little bit complex, but you can also get what you want.
1Install iTunes
Download iTunes to your computer here. After the iTunes has been installed, you have to authorize your Audible account by selecting Account>>Authorization > >Authorize Audible account. Then it will pop up the Audible.com information. You just have to fill in your account information and click the 'Click here to complete your activation! ' to finish the authorization.
2Add Audible books to iTunes
Open iTunes, click File>>new>playlist to creat a new playlist and name it after the title of the audiobook. Then, drag the audiobooks into the new playlist.
3Burn a CD via iTunes
To burn a CD, first of all, insert a blank CD to your compuer. Select the playlist and click 'Burn Disc', then choose your CD burner and write speed, and click on' Burn' to start the process. If the audiobooks are very long and not fit onto one single CD, a warning will be popped up. You can choose burn the file accross multiple CDs if the options are given.
4Import MP3 audiobook
Open the “General Preferences”, click' Edit>Preferences' . Then click “Import Settings” and ensure you are selecting“MP3 Encoder.” Click “OK” to save the changes.
Reinsert the burned audiobook CD. Highlight the CD in iTunes' sidebar and select 'import'. iTunes will begin to import the file back to your iTunes library in MP3 format.
This work also can turn your Audible AA/AAX to MP3 audiobooks, but it will waste your CDs because almost all Audible books are very long.
Pros:![Software Software](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51zUMtQMaHL._SX218_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_.jpg)
- This method will help you burn audible into mp3. And the CD is portable and can be played in your car.
- The software mentioned in this method is free.
- You will spend some money on CD cause the audible books are very long.
- You need to authorize your audible on iTunes.
- This process is little bit complex.
4. Convert Audible to MP3 online, free
To convert Audible to MP3, how about using the Audible to MP3 online conversion service? There are many online Audible converters, but they are not totally free. You can have a trial of the Audio Converter online which is totally free.
Compared with other methods, you do not have to download any apps this time. You only need to upload the Audible .aa or .aax file to the website.
1Upload the Audible files online
You can upload the Audible books from your computer, Google Drive, Dropbox or URL. Please remember that the maximum size of the uploaded file is 10 MB. If it is over 10MB, when you try to convert the file, it will pop up a dialogue that 'conversion error occured'.
2Convert Audible file
Once the file has been uploaded to the website, choose the MP3 as the output format and click on 'convert' icon to finish the conversion. When the conversion process has been finished, please click download to download the MP3 file.
Audible Software For Windows 10
Although the online Audible converter does not have installation requirements, you need to keep your internet on all the time. If your internet is down, this method would be meaningless. You have to upload your .aa or .aax file and convert them again. This method is not recommended because you may not find any of your Audible books are less than 10MB.
Pros:- It is free.
- It has audible size limitation. Your audibles should be less than 10MB. So it can handle the large size of audible files.
- You need to keep your internet connected well in the whole process.
Audible Recording Software Online
Conclusion
Audible Recording Software Free
Above are the four methods of converting Audible AA or AAX to MP3 format. Compared with other methods, converting Audible to MP3 with Audible converter is the easiest way which ensures even the newbie can unlock their audible .aa/.aax files within seconds on both windows and Mac. With Epubor Audible Converter, converting a 18 hours length Audible aax to mp3 only takes it 7 minutes according to my test. So why not just download the free trial now to give a shot?
Download Audible Manager
Iris Yan joined Epubor since 2017. She always wants to share everything related to ebook reading and improve your reading journey.