Audio Streaming Information

How to Create Professional Audio Books from Scratch


My name is Alan Twigg and I'm writing this article to offer advice to anyone thinking of creating their own professional audio books.

In the New Year I came up with the idea of creating professional children's stories and offering them for download on the internet. The thing was, however, while I had someone to write the stories - my mother - and someone to market the stories - me, I knew nobody who knew about how to record the stories professionally. I knew it must be reasonably easy, since I only wanted to create an audio book containing speech.

I started doing research on Google - but all the articles I found contained so much technical gobbledygook - I was soon put off. So I went to my local music store for advice on what to buy. I decided to use my computer to create the audio books and this is what I bought:

1 microphone stand

1 pop-screen (that's a piece of material that is placed just in front of the microphone to stop your "Ps" from popping)

1 studio microphone

1 software program (Wavelab)

1 USB Audio/MIDI interface (TASCAM US 122 with phantom power)

1 pair of heaphones

It all came to 650 euros (800) dollars.

I connected my Audio/MIDI interface (this is basically a really good sound card in an external case) to my computer using the USB cable provided. I then set up my microphone and attached the microphone cable to the MIDI interface. After installing the software, I was ready to go.

The results have been great and I find Wavelab software powerful and incredibly easy to use.

Some Audio Book recording tips

I first get my entire copy ready before starting the recording. I pin the sheets of paper with the text that I am going to read in front of me onto the wall. Then, at about 8 inches away from the microphone, I start to talk. The more natural you can be the more interesting you will sound to your listeners. I found that the best thing to do is to stand in front of the microphone and make gestures in the same way as you would when talking to a close friend. If you stand there stiff like a statue, you'll come across in the same way in your recording.

Another thing that I like to do before starting the recording is to get myself into a really good mood. Again, this will add to the impact of your recording. I always listen to a few uplifting songs and get enthusiastic before starting. You should also try to make sure that you keep the same distance from the microphone.

And that's it - I hope that this article will save you a little bit of time setting up your own home recording studio and I wish lots of success with your audio books.

The author of this article is Alan Twigg. My business is Playtime books, which offers new and contemporary audio books for the 3 to 10-year-old age group. You will find this site at http://www.playtime-books.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

ASEAN Automotive News

F11 BMW 5-Series Touring - first looks
ASEAN Automotive News
The audio system can now also play audio from a Bluetooth Audio Streaming source other than the existing CD, USB, iPod and aux in sources. ...

and more »


BART to Webcast its board meetings
San Jose Mercury News
AC Transit's board last month began audio streaming its meetings. Franklin said he first asked the board staff about webcast feasibility in October 2006, ...

and more »


Jabra Extreme
PC Magazine
Mostly, the Extreme fares OK thanks to its audio streaming and low price, though plenty of other headsets sound better for voice calls. ...



CNET

2010 Nissan Xterra S 4x4
CNET
There's no Bluetooth connectivity available for hands-free calling or audio streaming. There's also no USB port or iPod integration tech available at this ...

and more »


CORRECTING and REPLACING Newport Digital Technologies Develops First LED ...
MarketWatch (press release)
"The 3G, Wi-Fi and WiMax features will enable this signage solution to have video and audio streaming connectivity anywhere there is 3G, Wi-Fi or WiMax ...

and more »


Rumor: Multitasking coming to iPhone OS 4.0
CNET
Nokia Ngage also had other factors (plural) that the iphone lacked besides what I mentioned previously such as bluetooth audio streaming, tethering by both ...

and more »


GTspirit

2011 Nissan GT-R Pricing Starts From $84060
Nitrobahn
... part of the standard equipments, as is the USB iPod interface, Bluetooth audio streaming, “near-black” alloy wheels, and XM weather and traffic capability.
2011 Nissan GT-R Priced From $84060, Base Model EliminatedMotor Authority (blog)

all 20 news articles »


CNET

2010 Mini Cooper S
CNET
Navigation is DVD-based and Bluetooth doesn't feature audio streaming or phonebook import. The bottom line: The Mini Cooper S can be polarizing with its ...



MSU's 2010 Softball Broadcast Schedule Announced
Mississippi State Buldogs
Mississippi State's 28 Southeastern Conference games, along with any SEC and NCAA postseason action, will be broadcast live for free via audio streaming on ...
MSU Softball Hosts Tennessee in SEC OpenerMississippi State Buldogs

all 4 news articles »


Electronic House

Pioneer Adds 7.1 Receivers with iPhone Control
Electronic House
Pioneer's VSX-1020-K Receiver is 3D ready and includes Dolby ProLogic IIz, iPhone certification, Bluetooth audio streaming and more. The VSX-920-K ($399), ...


Google News

Index | Site map
2009 VirBooks  Home
PLAE  | Solar System