#AUDIOBOOK CONVERTER FOR MAC RATINGS SOFTWARE#
#AUDIOBOOK CONVERTER FOR MAC RATINGS FREE#

This isn’t meant to be a detailed tutorial on Garageband, so I won’t go into terminology, or every setting, but basically here’s what to set in everyday language: Alternatively, I’ve created a Garageband file with the settings I use applied to the master track and first track. Start recording! Fire up Garageband, create a new voice track, and go. (We use foam baffling circled pretty tightly around the microphone. Use blankets, foam, whatever you can to dampen the sound. Also, open spaces with nothing on the walls can bounce the sound all over. Any extra room noise can ruin a recording, so choose a space with very little ambient noise. From my experience, basic headphones should be fine. If you want to monitor yourself (not a requirement, but a good idea), you’ll need a pair of headphones. For a great mic that plugs directly into an iPad as well as a PC, try the Apogee MiC 96k ($229) I found a great article comparing several, but here’s the quick - for a basic, good sound, try The Blue Microphones Snowball ($55). If you don’t feel like plunking down $800 before you’ve even started, here’s the good news: there are plenty of USB mics that are good enough for this work, and can plug directly into your computer or iPad. But I also have a USB interface called a DUET2 that the mic plugs into (another $600). I use an AKG C3000 (about $200, there are a lot of good mics in this price range). You could try to get away with the internal mic on your computer or iPad, but for a cleaner, less noisy sound… you’ll want to have a better mic. That’s not an endorsement, but to let you know that recording options aren’t limited to mac folk. I’ve heard from several people after this post was published that Audacity is freeware and it’s great. If you’re working on a PC, you’ll need an alternative. For more complicated projects at our studio, we use ProTools, but for a single voice, Garageband is perfect.

#AUDIOBOOK CONVERTER FOR MAC RATINGS FREE#

Garageband is the name of the app that comes free with a Mac. I use a Mac (my business is copywriting/design/advertising, so Macs are the standard), and as a recording author, this has a great benefit - because every Mac comes with… Of course, by studio I mean anywhere you can set up.

Export at 192kbps MP3 at 44.1kHz (again, it sounds hard but it’s easy)Ģ.

Reduce noise on the low end, and make sure it’s not louder than -3dB (Don’t worry, I show you how in the video).

Leave silence at the beginning and end of each chapter, and read the chapter headings aloud.

You have to include separate opening credits, chapter files, closing credits, and a 1-5 minute sample.

When you start your account, all you’ll need is your bank information (so they can pay you royalties - that’s a good thing), and to find your title in the Amazon database. Once you have your account created, take a look at the Audio Submission Requirements. They help build and manage audio content that gets sold on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. But I’m happy to answer any specific questions you have, so head on over to the Contact page and fire off a question at any time.ġ. Create an account with ACX.

This is meant to be an overview, not a tutorial.

#AUDIOBOOK CONVERTER FOR MAC RATINGS SOFTWARE#

For my demonstration, I’m using certain gear and software you may not have, and I’m talking exclusively about Amazon, but the general principles will still apply.

You should have access to a computer or an iPad.

If not, take care of that first and return to this post later.

You should already have your book done and published.

In fact, here’s a really smart article outlining numerous reasons why you SHOULDN’T narrate your own book. But if you’re still into it after reading that, any author that’s a bit technical can do it, without breaking the bank, using tools you already have (or that won’t cost you an arm and a leg to buy). There are many small things to do right, and many small things that can make a recording awful. You, an independent author, can narrate and publish your own audiobook - for free! (Or close.) When I finished writing and publishing Where the Hell is Tesla?, I looked at the book page, noticed the absence of an audiobook/CD, and said to myself “Hmmm.

Audiobook converter for mac ratings