Woohoo! Are you ready to start recording? Audiobooks are a powerful way to connect with your audience and emphasize your language, emotions, and experience for greater impact. The words you’ve written already hold power, but speaking them through your voice infuses so much more. We’re excited for you to get started.
YOU’VE GOT THIS! It’ll be a breeze.
Before You Get Started
You’re probably ready to dive in and immerse yourself in the book you’ve written. We encourage you to pre-read each section out loud prior to recording and be intentional in embracing each word and speaking it out with confidence.
Review this guide, and return to it as often as you may need.
Familiarize yourself with the equipment included. Batteries and SD card are already to go!
Please keep the audio equipment in a dry and safe place (out of reach from children).
Set a time to record and limit the distractions around you.
When you record, reduce as many background sounds as possible. Here’s a quick list of the most common sound-makers: open doors and windows, general background noise, the table and chair you sit at to record—if it creaks or wobbles, televisions, radios, music speakers, fans, air conditioners, heaters, vacuums, blenders; the list could go on and on.
Place (or tape) the please don't disturb sign on the outside of your door.
Tell the people around you that you’ll be recording your audiobook, and let them know when you’re hoping to be finished. Keep in mind that you won’t need to record your full book in one shot. We encourage you to break it up a little. Just remember to keep the same tone of voice when you return to record more sections.
Grab a copy of your printed book or manuscript, take some deep breaths, and know that God is with you. Commit this process to Him, and He will guide each step.
While Recording
Just a few reminders to keep you on track and efficient:
When you’re ready to start your recording, turn on the recorder and press the record button. This may take a few practice rounds as you get started. That’s okay!
While reading, speak in a soft tone unless you need to express or emphasize a word, phrase, note, verse, reference, sentence, or paragraph. Keep your voice natural, and speak at a bit slower of a rate. We can always speed up your voice if necessary, but it’s harder to slow your voice down while keeping it sounding consistent and real.
In case you make a mistake while reading and speaking, take a break to rest your voice, find where the mistake was made, go back a few sentences before the error, and start speaking clearly again. Please refrain from stopping the recorder when a mistake is made. We will edit out the text that doesn’t belong, so the final product will sound flawless.
Each time the recorder starts recording and then stops, it creates a new clip file. Please stop recording at the end of each chapter so that each chapter is in its own file clip. Try and limit how often you press the record button within each chapter as it makes things smoother in the long run. It is easier for us to edit out a mistake than to piece together different audio clips. Having too many clip files may delay your project in Post Audio and Finalization. We want everyone honoured and valued to the time invested within our projects, but we will always extend grace, as we know you may be new to this.
When you begin a session, we recommend that you say the chapter or section title and what “take” you are recording. For example, say “Introduction <pause voice> Take 4 <pause voice>”, then start reading the text out loud. Here’s another example, “Chapter 10 <pause voice> Wisdom Is Key <pause voice> Take 2 <pause voice>”. These are known as “Audio Cues” to help the Audio Engineer identify what they are editing or mastering. This is extremely important and helpful. Please start each front or back matter section or chapter with Audio Cues. Thank you!
We encourage you not to worry about any “Ums”, extra long pauses, awkward moments, and everything else that probably shouldn’t be in your final recording. Our Audio Engineers will make your audio sound professional and clean by taking out any of these things that don’t belong. They do excellent work and will ensure the most professional product possible. If you make a mistake, just go back one sentence and start again. There’s no need to go back a whole paragraph **unless you don’t like the tone/level of enthusiasm!
While you speak into the lapel mic during reading, be aware of any body movements that may cause sound and thus influence your recording. This could include heavy breathing, speed of page turns, sniffles, scratches, toe tapping, fidgeting, knee bouncing, sneezing, teeth picking, and whatever else you may feel compelled do while reading and speaking. Be mindful and focus, and you’ll get this audiobook complete in record time.
Attach the provided lapel mic to your shirt about 3 inches away from your mouth. Keep the Zoom recorder on the table so you can stop the recording when necessary. Please remember that you’ll be attached to the recorder and adjust your movements accordingly so they don’t fall and get damaged.
While recording each front or back matter section within your book, we recommend that you give us at least 2-3 retakes. This will help us choose the audio clip that best represents your voice and the section you’ve read.
Keep repeating this process until all your chapters and matter sections are complete.
Sections to Avoid Recording
You’ve done a lot of recording so far. It’s okay to skip all the copyright information, table of contents, end notes or foot notes, pull / page quotes, endorsements, your bio, ads or other promotions, contact info and where to find / connect with you. We will be adding some of these sections for you.
When Finished Recording
You’re on the path to success! Great job. When you come to this point, after all the hard work, reflect and feel good about what you’ve just accomplished. We are so proud of you. You are ready to pack up all the equipment and supplies and ship them back to us.
What We Will Add or Do When We Finalize Your Audiobook
We will professionally record all your intros, endings, contact info and anything else we may find necessary.
We will add our royalty-free license music to any pertinent sections of your audiobook.
You will get a chance to review your full audiobook and all the added elements before we upload for distribution.
Adding Bonus Matter
If you would like to add a bonus section to your audiobook, please feel free to get creative! It must be under 10 minutes long. This bonus section could be a backstory to your book sharing how it all got started, a story that you might have wanted to add to the book but never did, or a blessing message to your listener. This bonus section would be exclusive on your audiobook and not found anywhere else. You get a chance to speak directly to your listener and really get their attention. This may help your promotions by being a special offer for your readers and listeners. If you have questions about this, please get in touch with us to give you more suggestions and ideas for this bonus section. This will add tremendous value to your audiobook and overall marketing strategy. You’ve got 10 minutes.
Shipping Everything Back to Us
Congratulations, you have made it to the end! Now it’s time to ship everything back to us so we can process your recordings, touch up and smooth everything out, finalize your audiobook and submit it to our partnered distributors. We will continue to cheer you on to the next level. Here’s what to do next:
Check the packing list above, place all the audio equipment within the prepaid envelope supplied, seal it, find time to drop it off at your local post office, and you’re done! Your job is complete. We will take it from there once we receive the equipment–and let you know when your audiobook is ready!
Final Words
What a journey you’ve been on! Not only have you written a book, but now you’ve spoken your book out loud in your voice, in your style, in your expression so you can keep on doing what God has called you to do. This one stepping stone in the plans that are before you marks a whole new level you’ve just achieved.
Contact Us
- General Queries: team@yairus.com
- Audiobook Guru: audio@yairus.com
- Executive Publisher: daylon@yairus.com
Improvements
We would love to hear from you about your audiobook experience. We are here to help when you need it.
Was this guide helpful? Did you feel prepared to get started well? Did you find the information easy and relevant? Do you have any suggestions to help us improve our services or share some advice? Would you recommend us to a fellow friend or family member?
Please send reviews, referrals, testimonies, advice or suggestions to review@yairus.com.
Your Responsibility
The Author (YOU) agrees to handle with care our audio equipment and other provided supplies during the recording process of the Author’s audiobook. Any damages that occur to our audio equipment during the Author’s possession and handling is subject to an equipment replacement fee of $450.00. This replacement fee will be added to the Author’s account, and all further royalty payments will be withheld until the full amount is repaid by the Author and the equipment is replaced by the Publisher. The Publisher provides a pre-paid envelope and the Author is not responsible for any damage incurred during shipping.
Extra Pro Tips
Using The Device: On the F2 recorders, initiate by toggling the power lever from OFF to ON. After a few moments, once the green light has ceased its flashing, the recorder stands ready. To begin, press the RED record button. For an enhanced security measure, slide the lever to the HOLD position. This action ensures the recorder doesn't inadvertently cease recording. Upon concluding your narration, revert the lever from the HOLD setting and press the RED record button to halt recording.
Recording Attire: When selecting attire, opt for a soft-buttoned shirt. Steer clear of sweaters or fabrics that might create friction against the mic, as this can introduce noises that challenge post-production. A shirt equipped with buttons—particularly the top ones—is highly beneficial. Weave the mic cable beneath your shirt and let the microphone emerge between the buttons. By neatly tucking away the microphone cable, you mitigate the potential for noise disturbances resulting from inadvertent cable movements, especially amidst narration.
Voice Matters: Maintain optimal vocal health, especially on the days you're recording. Ensure you refrain from consuming certain foods and drinks at least two to three hours prior to recording. Such items include dairy products, caffeinated drinks, sugary beverages, and sticky or salty snacks like peanut butter or chips. To stay hydrated, drink ample water in the lead-up to your session. If you notice any dryness in your mouth—possibly due to nervousness or other factors—here's a nifty trick: munch on a small piece of a Granny Smith apple, followed by a few water sips. Intriguingly, only the Granny Smith variety has this effect. This is a well-kept secret in professional voicing studios, often keeping a stash of these apples handy for their talents. Repeating this regimen intermittently can significantly reduce unwanted mouth noises and ensures your voice remains moistened.
The Clicker: We've provided you with a handy clicker. Clasp this device while you're recording. Should you err in your narration, produce a single click using the clicker, take a brief pause, and revisit the sentence preceding the mistake, and proceed. This audible and visual signal in the recording assists our producers in efficiently pinpointing and rectifying errors, streamlining the post-production process.