Audiobooks have been around since the first one was made in 1932 in a recording studio dedicated for resources for the blind. Nowadays audiobooks are available for a variety of books, providing a dynamic auditory experience for the listener. Audiobooks can create a more immersive experience for the listener, as the tone and emotion of the narrator can shift the story in any desired direction. Sound effects can also add depth to the story and put the listener inside of the book and in more of the position of the character.
After some research, I found the process for recording audiobooks to be more similar to making a movie than some may think. The first step is casting. Depending on what the author and director of the audiobook (yes there are directors for this) have in mind, they choose a voice that best suits the title. They may look for someone that’s voice is the right age, gender, and tone of the main character and vibe of the book. Auditions are held for voice actors and a casting decision is made.
Enter the recording phase. Audiobooks are recorded in a professional studio or home studio. The director will make many of the recording decisions during this process. A director is useful for the voice actor/narrator to answer any questions they may have and guide them in the direction agreed upon by the author and director. Directors are only used if the budget allows.
Audiobooks run time is specific. The narrator should adhere to following 9000 words per hour. So you take the total number of words in the book and divide it by 9000 to get your final estimated run time. This helps with figuring out how much time should be spent in the studio for budgetary and schedule issues.
After recording sessions, post-production is in order. Editors are hired to take out any unnecessary sounds, ambience, or plosives. They then can add chapter headings and they look for anything that might have been misread. Quality control looks over everything sent to them by the editor and if specifications are met then it goes to distribution.
Audiobooks have become an increasingly popular way of “reading” over the years as it allows people to multitask, enhances comprehension, can save time, and increases accessibility for those with reading impairments. I had not realized the long process of creating an audiobook and it surprised me that directors and castings were held, although it definitely makes sense. Overall, I think that audiobooks are a great option when it comes to indulging in a book, as they provide an immersive experience for the listener to enjoy.