Book Narration Tips and Tricks
Housekeeping: Most of what I do in the world of voice over is narrating books. I have developed a system to help stay organized and avoid recording again work which you should already have. It goes like this;
When you start a project, make sure you can find it. Like in a documents folder with a Projects subfolder, with further folders labeled with each project name. In the individual project subfolder place three further subfolders labeled RAW, Edited, and Mastered. You could have a fourth here but I find that three works well and I will explain below.
Documents -> Projects -> BookOrProjectName ->Raw, Edited, Mastered
Record your project in your preferred method by chapter or session, but avoid roll on editing unless you make very few mistakes because it just takes longer. Save this work in the Individual Project file folder if you prefer the sessions method otherwise save each chapter in the Raw File Folder.
(Side Note: Split your work into chapters if you worked in sessions and save each chapter in the RAW File Folder.)
Each Chapter should end up with a filename that makes sense. Prologue-BookName.wav, Chapter1-BookName.wav and so on. These are your raw files Most audio programs are destructive and so once you have edited it, closed it, then re-opened it you can't undo what has been done. RAW files are IMPORTANT.
You can now edit any time during the entire process because you are organized!! Open your first file recorded, we'll call ours Prologue-BookName.wav, then immediately save it as Prologue-BookName-Edited.wav to the Edited File Folder. Now that you have saved it, you have to work on it, but you can do this at up to 2.5 times speed (see audition tips and tricks) and the only thing you are doing first is cutting out second or third takes and shortening long pauses, erasing long deep breathes, etc. You are just trying to make it one continuous file that matches the copy. Save it when done (file name is already good to go.)
Time to master it!! Open the edited file (Prologue-BookName-edited.wav) and immediately save it as Prologue-BookName-Mastered.wav in the Mastered File Folder. Boost the audio levels using normalizing to around -6db so you can hear all the bad stuff. Now you can get rid of mouth pops, replace breathes with room noise, and any number of things (all of which should be done at normal listening speed in good headphones with the volume UP). You may find at normal speed you missed or overcut some things while doing step two. No worries, you have the raw audio and can fix anything! When finished follow your normal routine of mastering and save it.
You could boost the audio post editing and before mastering, saving it as ad additional step as Quality Controlled, but I prefer this three step method.
This should cut down normal 6x time to record, edit, and master to around 4x the length of record time.
If this doesn't make sense, feel free to comment, and I can further elaborate on anything that doesn't add up.
Until Next Time,
Happy Editing
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Thanks, Percy!
This was really useful!
Biggest tip I could ever give: READ THE MATERIAL FIRST.
I recommend reading a chapter, making notes, and then recording it. Continue this process until you are done. Trying to read a book unfamiliar to you is going to be cause for considerable unnecessary edits, a perplexed face and time taken to ponder how a section is to be read, and will not leave for any necessary communication between book author or publisher to clarify any other unforeseen difficulties.
Thanks, Percy!
I 100% agree with you. One of the most important keys to success when reading any type of script, not just books, is to get familiarized with the text. I know we don't always get the time, but the more you can read it and understand it, the better!