What authors should know before recording their first audiobook
So, you’ve written a book. Congratulations! Converting your masterpiece into an audiobook is whole other feat. On Air specializes in voice over recordings and has experience with audiobook recordings.
If you’re voicing your own book or hiring a voice over artist, there are some essential things you should know.
1. There’s more to it than just reading. Take time to prepare.
Recording an audiobook isn’t just reading your book aloud. It takes energy, focus, and endurance, especially if your book is long.
Before you even hit the studio, read your book out loud at least once. This helps you catch awkward phrasing, tongue-twisters, or sections that may need tweaking. Practice your pacing, breathing, and tone to maintain an engaging and consistent delivery throughout.
Decide early on who will be doing the VO. If it's you, be ready for long sessions. If you’re hiring a voice actor, finding someone who matches your tone and intent is key. On Air works with a vast pool of voice over talent and can help you find the perfect voice for your project.
2. Don’t be afraid to mark up your script
Even if you know your book inside and out, taking the time to mark it up for audio can make a huge difference. You’ll want to add cues for pauses, breathing, inflection, or emotion, and make notes about character voices or shifts in tone.
Breaking the script into manageable sections also helps keep recording sessions focused and efficient. Think of it less like reading a book and more like performing one. Need some tips? We can also help with that. Just contact us!
3. It will take some time. Set realistic expectations.
Recording a full audiobook takes time, and it’s usually more than most people expect. A general rule is two to three hours of studio time for every finished hour of audio. And that’s not counting retakes, vocal breaks, and the post-production work like editing and mastering.
It might feel like a bit of a marathon, but we’ll make sure to take some coffee breaks! Plan to space out your sessions and be upfront with the team if you need to take more time than expected.
4. Know what to bring to the studio
Come prepared for comfort and focus. Bring a clean, marked-up copy of your manuscript, plenty of water, and quiet snacks to keep your energy up. Avoid crinkling chip bags!
Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t rustle or squeak, as your microphone will pick up everything. And most importantly, bring patience and a sense of humour. You’ll probably flub a few lines, and that’s totally normal.
Also, remember to silence your phone, warm up your voice before you start, and don’t stress too much. Your raw audio will be edited and mastered by the pros.
Record your audiobook with On Air!
Whether you're narrating your book or hiring a voice over professional, we guide you through the process with expert support, high-quality equipment, and professionally mastered results.