Editor-Voice Actor Process
step 1) The voice actor (narrator) will record their book then upload their chapters individually to a shared folder using Dropbox, Google Drive or WeTransfer.
The voice actor can upload their book all at once or upload after each recording session
chapter by chapter.
Those files must be:
a) wav files recorded in mono
b) RAW-no effects added (compression, limiting, normalization, EQ)
c) recorded using Punch & Roll (no long open gaps of silence & no multiple takes of the same line)
step 2) Once I have the files, I first MASTER the audio (bring levels etc all up to ACX specs & adjust spacing before & after each chapter making sure all chapters are consistent)
The reason I master first is because:
I can listen at final levels-editing is much more efficient this way.
(learned that one from tech guru-Don Baarns)
step 3) PROOFING:
I'll listen to your audio while following the pdf script noting any mistakes on a spreadsheet.
step 4) Once that is complete, I'll send the voice actor a CRX (corrections pack ) which includes:
a) spreadsheet (xlsx file)
b) marked up pdf
c) audio reference mp3
step 5) The voice actor will record their pickups then send me one wav file containing all the pickups
with each pickup separated by 1-2 seconds.
step 6) I'll master and edit then insert the pickups into the existing audio.
At this point the voice actor is done but sometimes I do hear additional words/phrases that
may need to be re-recorded as I go through the editing process.
step 7) I EDIT (cleanup) all audio removing unwanted breath sounds, stomach growls, plosives, sibilance, fine tune timing if necessary and adjust room tone/noise floor.
step 8)
I'll rename then upload the final mastered mp3s for you to download to your computer.
You can then upload to ACX or to an outside publisher.
step 9) I'll e-mail you an invoice.
I accept Venmo or Zelle.
Proofing
I'll listen to your audio while following along
the script listing any mistakes on a:
1) Excel Spreadsheet
(sample screenshot below)
which includes the following:
chapter # - page # - timestamp
issue - said - should be - notes
audio issues I'm focusing on:
misreads - mispronunciation - cut-off words
distracting breath sounds- missing words
missing lines - diction - distortion
I'll also send you:
2) marked up pdf (script)
highlighting sentences/phrases that need
to be re-recorded.
Along with the spreadsheet & pdf script will be:
3) reference audio mp3
an audio version of all the lines
that need to be re-recorded.
Excel spreadsheet
Editing
Editing aka cleanup, addresses all the unwanted sounds/noises that creep into a recording.
I use iZotope RX audio restoration software to
accomplish this.
I work in the Spectrogram 3-D view (below) where audio issues are easily spotted.
This program has an arsenal of tools to take care of pretty much any audio issue.
Editing also includes inserting your pickups back into the audio making sure they blend seamlessly.
Spectrogram view in iZotope RX
Mastering
is the "polish" on your audio.
This is where we bring your audio within specs.
I use compression, limiting & EQ to achieve this.
The result is an overall consistent sound throughout
the entire audiobook.
Below are the specs I comply with unless instructed otherwise.
ACX specs:
-measure between -23dB and -18dB RMS
-have -3dB peak values
-a maximum -60dB noise floor
-be a 192kbps or higher MP3,
constant bit rate (CBR) at 44.1 kHz