Audio Book Recording

ACX Audible Ready

Heathcote Studio records poets, storytellers and authors. We meet Audible’s strict quality requirements to enable you to sell your audio book online.

We deal with all the techy stuff, all you have to do is read your book the way it was meant to be read, all in a clean, warm, relaxing, comfortable studio.

You are welcome to visit us to see how the recording process works.

Note: According to Hayhouse publishers audiobook sales have doubled in the last five years and will soon outstrip ebook sales.

How Long Does It Take?

According to ACX, the company that enables authors to sell their audio books on Amazon, if you listen to an audio book for 1 hour – it will be around 9,300 words. This works out to around 155 words per minute.

So, if your book is made up of 50,000 words, it will be just under 5.5 hours listening time.

The rule of thumb is it takes around 4 hours to record, mix and master each hour of audio….

… So, a book of 50,000 words will take about 21 – 22 hours recording time to get everything perfect to enable your audio to pass the quality controls put into place.

This takes into consideration set up, sound check, editing speaking mistakes, removing things like growling stomachs, mouth noises, loud breath noises, any external noises, re-recording drop-ins, loo breaks, managing sibilance, editing EQ and compression, adjusting mix levels, controlling peaks and mastering.

Obviously it might take less time – or more time – depending on how you read – but this gives you a rough estimate.

Recording Costs?

Heathcote Studio didn’t record Catherine Williamson’s podcast GOBSMACKED! However, we did record Catherine’s audio book! Catherine’s podcast is about “Ordinary People With Extraordinary Stories”. Herbook descibes the story behind the podcast, allowing Catherine to weave her own story among her guests. Listening to her reading, you can hear the emotion and energy which drives her. Both book and audiobook are available via Audible and all good bookshops

Listen here

Recording Costs?

Our prices are transparent – if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Less than 50,000 words = £1250 including vat
Up to 60,000 words = £1500 including vat
Up to 70,000 words = £1750 including vat
Up to 80,000 words = £2000 including vat

Prices includes

Set up & sound checks
Ongoing advice/ direction as you read your book to get the best out of your recording
All edits
Mixing & Mastering

Please note that we do not take on Royalty only projects.

These prices are to be used as a guide. Every book is different and every recording needs to be treated individually.

Get it touch, I will be happy to discuss your project.

Narrators

Not everyone wants to read their own book – and speaking into a microphone can be daunting at first … so you may want to consider one of our narrators to read your book for you. Their rates are very competitive and we can arrange auditions for you to get the right voice to suit you. But if you have written a book, it is very special for the listener to know that it is being read by the author. Only you know how difficult it was to write your book, only you know where to put the right amount of emotion.

If you want to try it… get in touch today and we will give you a screen test. It is actually fun to do!