Audiobooks
Audiobooks are an exciting and growing medium to reach a whole new audience of book lovers. Whether they’re commuting, working out, or simply multitasking, busy readers can still enjoy your book on the go. If you’re ready to expand your fanbase through audiobooks, let’s get started!
Our goal is simple: to help you turn your book into a professionally produced audiobook that reaches listeners worldwide. But how? Every author’s journey is unique, and there are three different paths based on your needs. Below, we’ll explore each option, breaking down the pros and cons of each.
Whether you choose to self-record, work with a sound engineer, or use a professional voice, we’re here to help you create an audiobook you can be proud of.
Let’s bring your book to life!
Self-Recording (DIY)
Recording your audiobook yourself might seem like a great way to save money – if you’ve got the right equipment and experience, it could be! But for many authors, the process can be overwhelming and not as cost-effective as expected.
Pros
- Potentially the cheapest option, depending on your equipment and voicing skills.
- You control the recording schedule and work at your own pace.
- You keep all the royalties, with no need to share them with producers, narrators etc.
Cons
- Without the right equipment and setup, it can quickly become expensive.
- Creating a professional sound environment (e.g., soundproofing) is often necessary and costly.
- ACX and other platforms have strict audio standards, which can be difficult to achieve without experience.
- Without a Sound Engineer, you might spend the time and money on equipment, only to ultimately find you need to re-record due to a poor quality recording.
Most in the industry advise against self-recording for these reasons, but if you’re set on giving it a go, we’re here to help! Whether you need advice on equipment, guidance on acoustics, or feedback on your recordings, we’re just a message away.
We also offer mastering services to bring your self-recorded files up to ACX standards. Mastering costs £60 Inc. VAT per hour, but the total time depends on the quality of the original files. Reach out for a personalized quote!
Recording with a Sound Engineer
If you’d like the best of both worlds – reading your own book while getting professional support – renting a studio with a sound engineer could be your solution.
At Narratable, our sound engineers bring over 20 years of experience to guide you through the process, ensuring your audiobook sounds professional.
Pros
- Our sound engineer handles the technical side, so you can focus solely on your narration.
- No need to invest time and money in recording equipment, environments, or software.
- Real-time editing means your audiobook is completed faster, with fewer delays in post-production.
- You keep all the royalties.
Cons
- First-time narrators may find the process challenging, leading to longer (and more expensive) recording sessions.
- Fiction with multiple characters can be difficult for untrained voices to manage.
If this sounds right for you, check out our Studio Hire section for more details.
Using a Narratable Voice
Rather than you voicing yourself, another option would be to use one of our in house voices.
As mentioned before, we have a sound engineer with over 20 years of recording experience who will oversee the session, but as well we can provide a voice who is experienced in spoken word to record your book. This is usually done on a “Per-Finished-Hour” basis, which basically means once your book is finished, we will charge on how long your finished book is. You can find more information in the Narratable Voice section.
Getting one of our in house voices to read your book is the best all round solution for getting a high-quality audiobook, whilst not having to give away additional royalties to voices, producers etc.
Pros
- High-quality narration by a professional voice actor, overseen by an experienced sound engineer.
- No need to invest time and money in recording equipment, environments, or software.
- Your audiobook will be ready to publish on the platform of your choice.
- You keep all the royalties.
Cons
- It may be more expensive than the other two options.
If you’re interested in using one of our professional narrators, visit our Narratable Voice section for more details and availability.
Let’s bring your book to life!
Whether you choose to self-record, work with a sound engineer, or use a professional voice, we’re here to help you create an audiobook you can be proud of.
Pricing Options
We have a range of Pricing options, so you can pick the one that works best for you! All pricing options include a Studio Engineer overseeing the recording and complimentary beverages, so you can focus on your Audiobook while we handle all the technical aspects of your recording.
Studio Hire
Looking for a top-tier recording studio?
If you’re a publisher seeking studio time or an author eager to create a professional audiobook, we’ve got you covered. Our bespoke soundproof booth eliminates background noise, while our cutting-edge equipment ensures the best possible recording quality. Plus, our expert studio engineer is here to guide and coach you through the entire process.
Rates
- Studio Hire: £60 Inc. VAT per hour.
- Full post-production (includes detailed editing for breath sounds, harsh frequencies, etc.): £160 Inc. VAT “Per Finished Hour”.
Mastering for ACX is included with every session. The time needed to record varies based on your experience, so feel free to contact us for more details or to schedule a session.
Get in touch with us if you have any questions or want to bring your story to life!
Narratable Voices
Bring your book to life with Narratable Voices
Whether you’re an author or publisher, our goal is to help you produce a high-quality audiobook that captures your audience’s attention. Our bespoke soundproof booth is equipped with industry-leading gear and a skilled studio engineer with over 30 years of experience. Plus, we offer a range of professional in-house voices to give your audiobook the perfect sound.
Rates
We charge on a “Per-Finished-Hour” basis, with 9,000 words roughly equating to 1 finished hour of audio. There’s a one-hour minimum per book. As every book is very different, it is very difficult to give an accurate price, so contact us about your book and we can work out the best solution for you.
Let's Talk
about bringing your audio project to life.