OpenTube

How I Record Audiobooks as a Professional Narrator

Jay Myers Voiceover

18,536 views

An inside look into the process of recording audiobooks as a professional narrator. From how I set things up, shortcuts I take, technical aspects that save me time and improve my recordings, even through to how I process and proof my audio for produciton.

Become a better narrator with my interactive Audibook Academy :
🍏📱 https://studio.com/jay-myers/audioboo...

SUBMIT YOUR SAMPLE for Subscriber Feedback:
📄 https://forms.gle/qG4gzAARFaeb1vDn6

Get coaching and other resources here:
🌐 http://www.jaymyersvoiceover.com/coac...

Ways you can support this community:
♥️ Become a "Booth Buddy!" and get access to membership perks:
@jaymyersvoiceover
☕ Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/jaymyers...

⭐️ Use my links below to purchase your new gear, equipment, or software! Those small commissions add up and really help sustain this channel.

All the gear I use and recommend:
⚙️ https://www.notion.so/Jay-s-Recommend...

Music by Epidemic Sound.
🎶 Try Free for 7 days: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

My Recommended Starting Gear:
➡️Rode NT1 Bundle: https://geni.us/jYq4A

My Interface:
➡️Apollo Solo: https://geni.us/LXbkB

My Favorite Mics:
➡️Neumann U87ai: https://geni.us/WmJI2
➡️Neumann TLM 103: https://geni.us/NvigA
➡️Earthworks ETHOS: https://geni.us/lFBYg
➡️Sennheiser MKH-416: https://geni.us/1Hh4c
➡️Shure KSM 32: https://geni.us/lFBYg

Other channels and talents I've found helpful:
➡️podcastage
➡️@audiouniversity
➡️boothjunkievo
➡️@inthemix

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Music provided by Epidemic Sound

#microphone #reveiw #VoiceOver #tutorial #howto #Voiceacting #professional #audio #audioengineering #audiobooks #recording

20 Comments

@JadoVO 2 years ago

In a world of voice over talent that all seem to passively aggressively attacking each other (if you haven't seen it yet, you will, keep searching YouTube), Jay is such a refreshing change of pace. I admire your humility and the feedback you gave me on my first attempt at a self-made demo - you could've been brutal but your were very kind with excellent constructive feedback (love the shrug). I have, for quite some time now, wanted to get into audiobooks but it is a bit daunting and I tried ACX but felt like my auditions were sent into the ether just to disappear into the cosmos. In any case, I loved this video and will likely rewatch it several times. Come on everyone, come on algorithm, let's get Jay to a million subs and beyond!

@zionbrock 1 year ago

I've just been asked to narrate my first book, and this is extremely helpful

@burntscribe7919 10 months ago

I want to get into narrating, and this gentleman appears to be the best to learn from.

@erikacalvert9481 2 years ago

Outstanding as usual and super helpful! Thank you so much!

@grantcolbster738 2 years ago

Thanks for the video Jay,
I appreciate taking the time to show us what pozotron is like, as well as a nicer way of doing things than I expected. One long track seems like it saves a ton of headache on these longer projects, where I was thinking about having to adjust individual files for each chapter.

Also echoing Kids-worth, it would be interesting to see how the different tools between Reaper and Audition compare in different scenarios as I am only familiar with Adobe, but love to look at new tools as I learn more about them.

@TerryWyce 6 months ago (edited)

I’ve recently switched over from Adobe Audition and Reaper is outstanding for when I do audiobooks! I literally followed your instructions step-by-step took a little getting used to, but man it has really made my workflow smooth. Thank you so so much for this!! All the best, Terry

@erikacalvert9481 2 years ago

Thanks!

@SetFreeLifestyle2025 9 months ago

Thank you that was gold!!

@londondario006 7 months ago

Superb video, thank you!

@jonlobb 2 years ago

Great update, Jay!

@voicesbygoldie 1 year ago

This is sooo helpful.

@AUPackmule 2 years ago

Keep up the great work. How has AI affected your work load?

@thehammurabichode7994 8 months ago (edited)

@jaymeyersvoiceover I'm a bit worried by your recommendation to record the audio book as one solid piece of audio. What if your software crashes? You'd lose everything.

EDIT: Remember to frequently save your work!

@Kids-worth-RobYoung77 2 years ago

Excellent vid Jay, really interesting & educational to see your process. Thanks for sharing this. Have you now completely switched to Reaper from Audition. Never been a fan of the subscription model Adobe uses.
/Rob

@jeff55555 4 months ago

I assumed you'd read all the parts by character to stay ... in character.

@kellys3629 2 years ago

How is this software with the noise the gate? I’m struggling most with plosives and mouth sounds. Your video with using that in adobe audition is great, I’m just curious if reaper is just as good with it.

@OURNEWGLOBALSYSTEM 1 year ago

I am gonna record an audiobook in a semi truck on a macbook pro and I don't have much space to store equipment. got any advice?

@SaturnsWorldView 11 months ago

might you have a config file we could get if we give you an email? 😊

@AluminumBird 6 months ago

Thanks for this. I'm brand new to voiceover. Your setup is nice and simple to use. I'm setting up my Logic template similar to yours.

When I saw that you track with your channel strip live on your DSP I was sorry that I didn't think of that when I was gearing up, but IDK... I wonder if starting out, maybe it's better that I hear all the rough edges of my performance - let the [phenomenally detailed JLI Serena] microphone teach me - does that make sense? When/why did you switch to live monitoring with your plugin vocal chain? Is that more for fatigue? I can see how it would be easier to listen to a polished sound vs raw. Or is it more so you're performing the actual finished sound? I guess I'm wondering whether it is more information or less when you monitor through your actual vocal chain. And which is better for a beginner?