Audiobook Services
Audio Post Production
Audio post production is the general term for all stages of production happening between the actual recording in a studio and the completion of a master recording. It involves editing, quality control and mastering.
Post Production Editing
After the author or a professional narrator records the audiobook, audio post editing consists of engineers locating and removing narrator reading errors, breath noises, background noises, pops, clicks, hisses and other other noises not intended as part of the book. Editing also fixes stop and go breaks, pacing and long pauses.
Post Production Quality Control
After audio post editing, a second engineer goes over the edited recording with a copy of the book and marks anything that the narrator or author missed, notes any changes in words, mispronunciations of words, and ensures that the audiobook reads exactly as written. This is particularly important for Kindle’s Whispersync function.
Post Production Digital Mastering
Different audiobook distributors require that the audiobooks they distribute meet certain audio standards for retail sale. Audio post digital mastering is similar to the formatting that takes place on the interior pages and cover of a book, except that it is to ensure that the audio digital file meets the requirements of each distributor. Mastering includes ensuring the voice levels play back within the set parameters of the various distributors and that chapters are divided and indexed properly.
Post Production CD Mastering
If CD versions of the audiobook are desired (charged separately from other packages), audio post CD mastering insures that the compact disk versions of files meet the required parameters of the various distributors. CDs are not always required as most audiobooks today are digital downloads, however, CDs used to be the main way audiobooks were distributed. Mastering includes ensuring the voice levels play back within the set parameters of the various distributors and that chapters are divided and indexed properly.
Self-Record with Director
Authors may save the cost of hiring a professional narrator by reading their books themselves. However many authors do not prefer to also manage the recording session (the least expensive method of producing an audiobook, DIY Author Audiobook). Self-recording with a director allows authors to focus exclusively on reading their material. The director is also there to run the recording session and coach the author on his or her reading quality and style. The director will ensure the recording is done right. Authors seeking to self-record with a director may need to travel to Los Angeles to record their audiobook. In rare cases a studio may be desired and additional studio charges may apply, so check with your publishing consultant. Travel and accommodations are not included in any package. For authors who prefer not to travel to Los Angeles, please contact your publishing representative for other options, which may be available to you.
Audio Full Production
The term full production refers to Media City and our professional audio engineers handling the entire recording process from the beginning. This ensures the absolute best production of your audiobook. Rather than engineers fixing files done outside of our studios, the entire recording happens in house and under precisely controlled conditions. Like post production, full production covers Editing, Quality Control and Digital Mastering (as well as CD Mastering, if requested).
Full Production Editing
After the professional, in house recording of the audiobook, audio full production editing consists of engineers locating and removing narrator reading errors, breath noises, background noises, pops, clicks, hisses and other other noises not intended as part of the book. Editing also fixes stop and go breaks, pacing and long pauses.
Full Production Quality Control
After full production editing, a second engineer goes over the edited recording with a copy of the book and marks anything that the narrator or author missed, notes any changes in words, mispronunciations of words, and ensures that the audiobook reads exactly as written. This is particularly important for Kindle’s Whispersync function.
Full Production Mastering
Different audiobook distributors require that the audiobooks they distribute meet certain audio standards for retail sale. Audio full production digital mastering is similar to the formatting that takes place on the interior pages and cover of a book, except that it is to ensure that the audio digital file meets the requirements of each distributor. Mastering includes ensuring the voice levels play back within the set parameters of the various distributors and that chapters are divided and indexed properly.
Full Production CD Mastering
If CD versions of the audiobook are desired (charged separately from other packages), audio full production CD mastering insures that the compact disk versions of files meet the required parameters of the various distributors. CDs are not always required as most audiobooks today are digital downloads, however, CDs used to be the main way audiobooks were distributed. Mastering includes ensuring the voice levels play back within the set parameters of the various distributors and that chapters are divided and indexed properly.
Professional Narrator
A professional narrator is a professional voice actor trained to read your book with the proper pacing, style and energy to convey your story as you intended. Media City’s professional narrators have years of experience working on audiobooks for big 5 publishers as well as independents. You will be given samples of a number of narrators from which to chose. Professional narrators often manage their own recordings and do no require the use of a professional director. Nonetheless, a professional director can help a narrator do an even better job.
Professional Narrator with Director
A professional narrator with a professional director is the one-two punch gold standard of audiobook production. A professional narrator reads your book and a professional director runs the full recording session in studio. This is the highest quality audiobook production available.
Multiple Professional Narrators with Director
This option is a trendsetting new method of producing audiobooks that are the equivalent of full-on radio productions complete with music and sound effects. It is the closest authors can come to having a audio movie for their listener/readers to enjoy. This is also a perfect option for screenwriters who which to inexpensively transform their screenplays into a format that can be enjoyed by an audience directly without the need for expensive film production. This audio format is best used with fiction stories that contain multiple characters. However, nonfiction books, including memoirs, would be an excellent use of this format as well.
Book Stubs for Audio
Book Stubs for Audio are the same book stub promotional cards used for books, but with a code for a free audiobook download. Learn more about Book Stubs here.
Audible.com (Amazon) and Itunes Audio Sample
This is a function of the editing service. Author’s have the option of selecting the particular portion of the audiobook, which they would like to serve as the listening sample on the various distribution or retail sites. Under full production, this sample is selected by the director for the greatest impact.