Audiobooks are the fastest-growing segment in publishing and podcasting is one of the best ways to market audiobooks, since you are already in people's ears, but both require good quality sound recording. In this article, I'll outline how I (finally) built my own audio sound booth.
I've been podcasting since 2009 and recorded my first audiobook in 2015, when I hired a professional studio and audio producer.
I found the process exhausting and decided to work with pro narrators for my books, but of course, you have to find a good ‘voice' match for your work, and I believe voice brand is going to become even more important as time passes.
[Here's why you should consider narrating your own audiobooks.]
In late 2018, after voice coaching for improvement, I started recording more audiobooks — The Dark Queen, and A Thousand Fiendish Angels, both in my walk-in closet at my old flat. [Links to all my audiobooks here.]
Then I decided to double down on audio and make it a significant part of my author business, so when we moved house in May 2019, I wanted a proper audio booth so I could record better quality sound. Of course, it can be cleaned up later, but the base level sound quality takes the files a long way towards the finished product.
There are options for your home studio, including a full-on professional self-contained booth with ventilation and fan installed (basic starts at US$5000 on VocalBooth.com), all the way to putting an audio blanket over your head in a closet.
I thought I was going to go for the expensive pro setup, but then my wonderful audio producer, Dan Van Werkhoven, sent me this article on the best DIY vocal booth from Musician on a Mission, which includes some basic options as well as some more developed ideas. We decided to build a variation of the blanket booth, option 4.
Once in my new house, I called a local carpenter who measured up the available space and built a simple timber frame for £320 (around US$400). It's sturdy but I can still lift it, and it can be disassembled if we move house again.
I covered the frame with 4 audio blankets (£250, around $310) and linked them together with shower curtain rings so they hang down either side of the booth as well as around both ends.
[Specifically VB72G Sound Absorption Panels Producers Choice – White- Black. Size 200 x 243 cm, with Grommets from Vocal Booth To Go, who also have other options.]
It's perfect 🙂 I can go inside and seal the door behind me with a bulldog clip and the sound is brilliant. It's incredible how much difference the blankets make.
I've been using this new booth for my podcast introductions for the past month and have also recorded Successful Self-Publishing as an audiobook, with 3 more audiobooks on the way.
The process is much easier as I just move my laptop into the booth, plug in the microphone, close the door and start recording. Since my energy is variable during the day, I can do a couple of hours and then work on something else.
Here's a list of all the equipment for the whole booth with prices in USD:
- Wooden frame – $400
- Sound blankets – $310
- Curtain rings – $6
- Bulldog clips to hold the door shut – $5
- Microphone stand – $45
- Blue Yeti microphone – $90
- Pop filter – $10
- Light – $20
- Small fan (although obviously, you can't have that running when you are in the booth, only in between sessions) – $5
- Music stand – $9
- Barstool to put my laptop on – $30
TOTAL: $930
I have had different setups over the years in rental property but now I have my own office in my own house, I am really happy with this booth and it will last a while.
Considering my audiobook sales have doubled twice in the last 2 years, I am anticipating doing a lot more audio, so the investment is already paid for.
Do you have a home audio setup? Any recommendations or tips? Please do leave a comment and join the conversation.
I was recording sample stories with a huge thick blanket over my head and the microphone. It improved sound quality, but it got kind of hot during long recording sessions. Yours looks like a much higher tech version, and probably less smothering. 😀
I’ve got the perfect space already but it’s got a pair of bats in it. I’ll have to get them to move house. Thanks for the prompt.
Thank you for this, Joanna! I’ve been so curious about your at-home recording booth. I might have to give a similar set-up a try. I’ve long wanted to narrate my non-fiction myself, but living in a remote place, I haven’t had access to a professional recording studio.
The PVC option mentioned in the article you link to looks like a good option for me, as I don’t have a place in my home where I’d want to leave a booth up long term. With the PVC option, I’d have to set it up and take it down more often, so it would be a bit more trouble, but that would work well with my living space. Love that these things are even an option!!!
Glad it’s useful 🙂 Putting it up and down a lot would be annoying but you could set aside some time to record after a book is finished, do that and then take it down. Would work well!
I’m currently setting up as a narrator-for-hire, as I’m an actress as well as an author. I’ve voiced my first book, which went pretty well. At the moment, unfortunately, my audio booth consists of every single mattress in the house set up as a little fort, with a tiny table and chair. It’s also covered with all the kids’ duvets. It works pretty well and is quite cheap, but, when the neighbour needed to borrow part of my audio booth because she had family coming to stay, it didn’t work quite so well. I like your set up of a frame (which I think my husband could build) and those audio blankets. Perhaps when I’m more established as a narrator.
Then there’s the trouble with the internet. I kept having strange noises showing up in the recording, though I couldn’t hear anything while I was doing it. I finally turned off our broadband and put my phone and laptop in ‘aeroplane mode’ and they disappeared. I have no idea how to solve that issue without having to do that. Any suggestions?
When planes fly overhead, I have to stop for a while – if I hear them in the first place (I can be concentrating too hard and only hear it when I’m editing, grrrr!).
Great article – thank you!
I also make sure wifi is turned off on my laptop and my phone is set to airplane mode. Tech makes invisible sounds that turn up later 🙂
The audio blankets stop noises of planes and you also might check the settings on your mic as it should be directional and not pull in sound that far away.
Hi, Susan and Joanna!
I also have planes flying directly over our house, every three minutes or so. Lots of decibels there.
I will have to work out recording between planes.
:^)
Michèle
You might try layering the sound blankets and use a directional mic?
Hi Joanna
How do you optimize the post production process after audio recording. This takes soooo long !
Any tips or methods ? Self made or outsourced ?
Thanks for the valuable sharing
I do the editing myself in Amadeus Pro. I copy the raw file into another folder so I always keep the raw, then I go through and edit, removing all the repeats, sounds etc – yes, it takes ages! – and then Dan Van Werkhoven does my mastering, so he does another pass on sounds and masters. You can learn all the sound stuff but it’s definitely another skill altogether!
You don’t have to worry about turning off HVAC when you record in here, do you? I feel like that would be a pain.
I decided I wanted to make audio recordings of my blogs so people can listen instead of read if they like. A more comfortable place where I can control the sound would be great. Also, I will probably be doing an audio version of the book I’m trying to finish as well. I think I would make mine out of PVC pipe like the example you adapted so it’s not as permanent in the space.
I don’t have air con so that’s not a problem. You’d have to see what works for you.
Thank you for all of your ideas! I absolutely love visiting your site! I have recorded one audio-book and I am working on the second. I am loving the process. Creative and learning a new skill!
Fantastic 🙂 Self-development is always worth doing and you’re adding another income stream, too!
Thanks for sharing this. Makes me want to move even more so I can have a space to set something like this up. I am anxious to get my books into audio. Your podcast episodes about your recording journey have been inspiring me to be brave myself.
Great 🙂 It’s such a good skill to expand into and changes your writing as well — for the better!
I started recording in my walk in wardrobe, too, but had to find another option when we moved house. As a military spouse, we will move every three years, so I needed a portable option.
I got hubby to build 4 timber frame panels, hinged together in pairs. He stapled packing blankets to them and I have an extra blanket to throw over the top as a roof. I set it up in the lounge room, then pack it away.
Glad you found a solution that works for you 🙂
I also have to pause for military planes and helicopters. Guess that’s what happens when you live near a base. But one trick for editing is clapping in front of the mic after you make a mistake and then sowing the retake. The visual spike in the waveform makes editing faster! I also do my own mastering but I worked with a sound designer one-on-one to get that process up and running. Now I need to work on my craft. I’m considering hiring a voice coach. Any tips for hiring the right person? Can put hire an online coach? I want to spend my money wisely.
Scary! I would not want to be in that small space.
It’s kind of important for sound quality 🙂
Thank you for taking time to record your latest audio adventure. I am always on the lookout for audio advice to step up the quality of my Monday podcast (https://wp.me/p8RkfV-2e9).
I am currently using GarageBand (which came with my MacBook Pro) and a Yeti mic to record and edit my audio. I drape a large towel over my desk in front of me when I record. My mic is suspended by a shock mount and includes both a windscreen and pop filter.
I record in my basement office that has insulated walls (because I did my own carpentry). I am told that my many book shelves also help dissipate sounds. Generally ambient noise does not show up in my recordings, especially when all doors are shut, but I would welcome any feedback on my link above.
I am curious about how you learned to edit audio and what improved editing software adds to your recording. I feel rather unschooled in editing and would like to learn more.
BTW. My podcasting about doubled my traffic during 2018. I might like to do more, but it cuts into my writing time already, taking about a day to edit each week.
I just learned by doing. I used Audacity at first and then moved to Amadeus Pro on the Mac. I do very basic stuff myself e.g. cut and put in music, but my sound engineer, Dan does more when he produces the podcast. I’m about to start using Descript.com for editing the interviews. Hope that helps 🙂
Could you use the blankets on the walls of a closet?
Yes, absolutely 🙂
This is awesome Joanna. I’m wondering how I can find a voice coach. Any recommendations? I had a podcast review from someone who said she can hear me gulp when I talk. I was (an am) horrified. I would love to narrate my books but feel I need a little work.
Thanks!
Many do coaching on skype so you can just do a google search. I have an interview coming up with Sean Pratt – https://www.seanprattpresents.com/ who does coaching, he is super-knowledgeable although I haven’t had coaching with him myself.
I will have the perfect place when I get moved….a walk-in closet in my going to be office. Line it with the sound blankets. put in a shelf for the computer, a microphone stand and music stand with a light and I’m good to go. When I was planning the house, that was one of the things I decided to include in the office….that and a library. It’s my room to set up as I want it so it’s functional. I made sure it was away from the main living rooms of the house and all humming appliances so I could do the audio for my books.
Holy COW! You paid Way too much! I built my own recording studio, that is Much better than yours (no offense), for next to nothing. I’m so sorry you got taken advantage of. Good luck producing your recordings.
You’re welcome to post a link giving all the directions to build something like yours. That would be helpful 🙂
Hi Joanna, Love, love, love your work. Starting on my audiobook recording journey. I just opened up Garage Band, and tried a test. Don’t even know how to open the file up and listen to it. I will get it. But I am scared of the technology for now. Will you please provide a few first steps on the technical side of recording an audiobook? (before the editing phase).
Hi Verla,
The problem with the technical side is that every program is different. I use Amadeus Pro, many people use Audacity, some use GarageBand, and the controls are different. You’re best off watching some YouTube videos or tutorials on the software you have chosen in terms of editing. I outsource the mastering.
All the best with it!
Thank you Joanna. Do you use these Amadeus Pro and Descript for your podcast too? Trying to cover both (narrating and podcasting) as they are 2 goals. I will definitely outsource the mastering. Do you have affiliate links for Dan Van Werkhoven, Amadeus Pro, and Descript?
Yes, I use Amadeus Pro for audio editing for the podcast and audiobooks – no affiliate 🙂
I use Descript for transcripts and audio snippets – You can use http://www.TheCreativePenn.com/descript – for 100 free minutes
Dan Van Werkhoven does my audio for podcast and audiobooks, but I have no affiliate for Dan. He’s fantastic, though 🙂
Wonderful. Thank you so much. What directional mike do you use for narrating and podcasting please?
Your posts on narrating your own audiobooks are very inspirational! I’m currently giving it serious consideration.
I notice in the photo of your sound booth, that your script is on sheets of paper. Does the sound of them being turned over not get picked up by the mic?
Lots of things get picked up by the mic and you will need to edit anyway, so paper sounds are just part of the process if you choose to narrate with them.
I have now moved to using an iPad though which is quiet 🙂
Thanks, Joanna. Yes, that’s a great advantage!
Just bought your audio for authors book via Derek Doepker email. Excellent and very comprehensive practical information. I’m a retired “professional” radio/TV/documentary reporter/producer and have hosted radio shows, and now do my own YouTube videos. Instead of a million dollar studio in Lower Hutt (NZ) my home “sound studio” here in the US is a cardboard box lined with acoustic foam – a $40 DIY investment as good as some that cost up to $1000…BUT the next step is a booth such as this one, which I can build myself. I have three books to turn into audio versions, and your personal experience convinces me that this potential market is well worth getting into. I might even start a podcast. Many thanks. Michael Knight. .
Glad you found the info useful, Michael. It sounds like you have all the skills necessary to make audiobooks a success! Wishing you all the best.
This is incredibly helpful! Thanks, Joanna! I’m having trouble finding sound blankets and wondered if you could tell me how you found yours, and/or which company makes them? Are they considered “noise curtains”? I’ve been searching for “audio blankets” and “acoustic blankets” and curtains are the closest product I’ve found so far. Thanks so much! I also wanted to thank you for your Q&A today. It was a lot of fun! Thanks so much!
Hi Dana, I used https://www.vocalboothtogo.co.uk/ and the link is in the post. Specifically VB72G Sound Absorption Panels Producers Choice – White- Black. Size 200 x 243 cm, with Grommets.
Glad you enjoyed the Q&A!
Hi Joanna,
I enjoyed reading your article! I’ve been recording audiobooks since 2018 and simply use a small closet in a spare bedroom. Hanging clothes make great sound-proofing and the room works well using my laptop and Yeti microphone. It does get warm after about 30 minutes, though. I do my production in my home office.
Great! Keep it simple 🙂
That’s exactly what I did for a few years but when we moved, I decided to build my own dedicated space.