ACX requires finished retail-ready audio—rough, unedited narration won't cut it. Whether you’re new to audiobook performance or are a seasoned narrator hoping to become a more proficient producer, study up on our ACX Audio Submission Requirements, and then watch these helpful video tutorials to see exactly how to get that high-quality result. Then, visit the ACX blog for even more video instruction.
The room you record in will have a massive influence on your finished work. A great set-up will allow you to quickly and efficiently produce audiobooks that sound great, while a poor set-up will make your work very hard and can ruin otherwise great performances.
Of course, the equipment you use is important, too, but if you’re on a budget, spend more on getting the room right than on top-end gear.
Putting together your first home studio can be a daunting task. To help make this easier for you, ACX has compiled an Amazon wish list containing much of the gear you’ll need to get started. All products are highly rated by the audiobook-producing community.
Make the very best recording you can the first time around. Be well prepared: Make sure you're rested, well-fed, comfortable and familiar with the material.
If you don’t get a good initial recording, you’ll have a very tough time producing a great product profitably.
ACX can help you become more proficient at the recording process. We’ll also teach you how to polish your recordings through effective editing – which is as much an art form as a technical endeavor.
It takes practice to become truly skilled at recording and editing, but doing a great job at both will make a significant difference in your finished product.
Mastering is, to many, the most mystifying part of audiobook production. Getting a good result requires a bit of trial and error—but, fear not. What you do in mastering can be undone, and you can try again. Plus, if you're consistently recording in the same space using the same recording settings, you’ll be able to save your mastering settings and use them over and over again for every audiobook you produce.
As a reminder, files submitted to ACX should measure between -23dB and -18dB RMS, with peaks hovering around -3dB. Your noise floor should fall between -60dB and -50dB.
We also encourage you to download and listen to these sample files. Open them in your audio software of choice and listen critically. They highlight both what to aim for and common mistakes to avoid. While you can play them right from this page, opening in your recording software will help you see and hear how they compare with your own work.
These were produced in well-planned home studios that were properly treated and insulated from extraneous sounds, and with much care put into the entire process, from recording and editing to final mastering. Plus, these examples sound just as good (if not better) than what can be produced in studios costing many thousands of dollars.
Good Sample 1 |
Good Sample 2 |
Good Sample 3 |
Before being released for sale, every audiobook is given a quick check by the Audible staff to ensure it meets our quality standards. Titles with flaws such as these can result in a poor listening experience and may be rejected.
Bad Gating Sample 1 |
Bad Gating Sample 2 |
Bad Room Sample |
Unacceptable Sample 1 |
Unacceptable Sample 2 |
Distortion Sample |
You'll find a lot of good books dedicated to the craft of audiobook performance. There are also many great schools and workshops you could attend to help you become an even better narrator. We encourage you to read and study a lot.
In the meantime, this video gives you a solid start...it's designed to help professional actors learn about audiobook performance.
Want to hear some great narrators talk about the best titles they ever voiced? Check out
Stefan Rudnicki and Gabrielle de Cuir of Skyboat Media, both award winning narrators, producers, and directors, lead a round table discussion with a small gathering of audiobook narrators who are relatively new to the game. This candid discussion is filled with valuable tips, tricks, and insights that narrators of any level may benefit from. With multiple Earphones Awards, Audies, and even Grammys between them, Stefan and Gabrielle have proven industry experience!