Recording an audiobook isn't a casual task; it’s a meticulous process that demands precision and attention to detail. If you're interested in discussing your audiobook, email us. 

 

Here's how we make sure your audiobook meets the highest standards — every step carefully executed.

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1. Recording

​We begin in our ultra-quiet isolation booth, designed to eliminate external noise and capture your voice with maximum clarity. Every session uses professional-grade equipment to ensure the cleanest possible sound. We like to break these recording sessions in 1-3 hour increments as to keep the narrator’s voice fresh. Any time left over from a record session give us a chance to catch up on editing.

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      A couple quick recording tips:

1. Come to the session well-hydrated, but no over-hydrated.

2. Do not wear “loud” clothes (think Nike track suit) and jewelry. Be comfortable.

3. If you have access to one, bring in a PDF of the book on an iPad/tablet. This allows for the quietest operation.

4. The next best format is a quiet laptop with a PDF – assuming the fan is quiet.

5. If needed, a printed copy of the book will work, but we need to then be mindful of page turns.

6. Practice reading the first chapter aloud prior to coming into the studio. Record yourself on the voice memo on your phone. Chances are you’ll need to slow down. Listen to your pace and keep it natural.

7. Be mindful of the content. A non-fiction book will have a different delivery cadence than a Sci-Fi epic.

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2. Editing

Post-recording, we meticulously remove unwanted noises, pauses, or stumbles. Each chapter is smoothed out so the listener never notices the work behind the scenes.

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3. Re-recording

If a take falls short — wrong inflection, a stumble, or tonal inconsistency — we re-record. Consistency is everything. Sometime we only uncover some of these problems during the editing phase, so a short re-recording session is usually required one the initial recording session is complete.

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4. Quality Control

Every chapter undergoes rigorous checks to ensure continuity, volume consistency, and tonal cohesion. The goal: a seamless listening experience that feels like one voice telling a story, not a patchwork of files.

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5. Mixing

Mixing an audiobook isn’t about fancy EQ. It’s about intelligibility, clarity, and listener comfort. We carefully manage compression, EQ, and de-essing so long sessions don’t fatigue the ear.

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6. Mastering for ACX Standards

Mastering is the final stage. We ensure your audiobook meets every ACX technical requirement:

• File Format: MP3 (192 kbps or higher, CBR)

• Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz

• Bit Depth: 16-bit (we prefer 24-bit during recording, then convert)

• Peak Level: Maximum −3 dB

• RMS Level: Between −18 and −23 dB

• Noise Floor: Below −60 dB

• Silence: ≤ 0.5 seconds at start and end of each file

• File Length: ≤ 120 minutes per file

• Metadata: Proper chapter labeling, consistent file naming, embedded ID3 tags

• Retail Sample: Include a separate 2–5 minute MP3 sample of the book for preview/marketing

• “The End” Marker: Add a spoken or written “The End” at the conclusion of the final chapter

 

At the end, you’ll be given the master audio files for your records and upload to Audible’s ACX.

 

If necessary, we can utilize Audible’s ACX Audio Lab to ensure files are compatible prior to delivery. There are a few 3rd party testing apps like Second Opinion that can be helpful for audiobook producers as well. Audacity also offers an “ACX Check” plugin that can be helpful for Audacity users.

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Every audiobook we produce is custom, human-crafted, and fully ACX-compliant, from recording to the final export. No algorithm guesses, no sloppy shortcuts — just careful attention to meters, noise floors, and listener experience.