1. Before You Begin: Preparing Your Script

Finish your manuscript first
Only narrate from a final, polished version of your book.
Recording from a draft leads to wasted time and frustration later. Fix any spelling, grammar, or layout issues before you start.

Break it into sections
Think in small chunks; chapters, scenes, or natural breaks.
This makes recording more manageable and keeps your energy consistent.

Mark up your script
Go through your manuscript and lightly mark pauses, emphasis points, or voice changes.
This helps you sound natural and stay in control as you read.

Practice tricky words
Say names, technical terms, or unusual words out loud beforehand.
If you are unsure how to pronounce something, check it now rather than guessing during recording.

Decide your delivery style
Ask yourself: should your tone be warm, serious, relaxed, energetic?
Choose a style that matches the content and stick to it across the whole book.

2. Setting Up: The Right Equipment

Microphone
Use a good-quality XLR microphone, not your laptop mic, such as a Rode NT1, Audio-Technica AT 2020, or Aston Origin — they are affordable and give professional results.

Pop filter
A pop filter is a simple screen that sits between your mouth and the microphone.
It softens harsh sounds from letters like 'p' and 'b', making your audio much smoother.

Headphones
Use closed-back headphones like Sony MDR-7506.
They let you hear background noises, clicks, or mistakes while you record, so you can fix them straight away.

Computer
Most recent laptops or desktops will work.
Make sure your computer’s fan is quiet. If it roars into life, it will spoil your recording.

Recording software
– Audacity (free, Windows or Mac) is a great place to start.
– GarageBand (free on Mac) is another easy option.
Both are simple to use for clean, basic recording.

3. Setting Up: Your Recording Space

Silence your surroundings
Before you record, switch off anything that makes noise such as fridges, fans, clocks and phones.
Even small background sounds can become very noticeable once you listen back.

Tame the room
Sound bounces off hard surfaces, causing echoes.
Record in a small room with soft furnishings. Hang up duvets, place cushions around you, or even sit inside a walk-in wardrobe if you can — it all helps absorb the sound. Try a removal blanket; lightweight with great sound absorbency.

Get comfortable
Use a stool or chair that keeps you upright but relaxed. Make sure it's silent, not squeaky or creaky!
Have a glass of water nearby, your script ready, and everything at hand so you do not have to move around mid-recording.

4. Performance Tips: How to Sound Your Best

Warm up your voice
Before you start recording properly, read aloud for five minutes.
This wakes up your voice, smooths out stiffness, and helps you find a comfortable speaking rhythm.

Pace yourself
Speak slightly slower than normal conversation.
Audiobook listeners need time to absorb what you are saying, especially with more detailed or emotional material.

Breathe naturally
Focus on calm, silent breaths.
Aim to breathe through your nose where possible. Loud gasps between sentences break the listener’s immersion.

Stay consistent
Each time you record, use the same settings, setup, and speaking style.
Consistency is important so the audiobook sounds seamless, even if you record it over several days.

Smile occasionally
You do not have to overdo it, but a gentle smile now and then naturally lifts the tone of your voice, making it sound warmer and more engaging.

5. Recording Tips: Making It Easy for Yourself

Record in small sessions
Do not try to record for hours at a time.
Work in five to ten minute blocks, then take a short break. This helps maintain good energy and reduces mistakes.

Handling mistakes
Mistakes are normal; do not stop recording!
Instead, clap your hands once firmly, pause for a second, and then start the sentence again from the beginning.
The clap creates a clear, visible “spike” in the sound wave when you look at the audio file.
Later, during editing, you (or your editor) can quickly find these spikes, jump straight to the mistake, and fix it easily without hunting through the whole recording.

Why this method matters
It saves hours of frustration.
Without clear markers, finding mistakes can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Take session notes
If you notice a problem (for example, you feel your energy dropped or mispronounced a word), make a quick note.
You can review or re-record specific parts without needing to start over.

Save and back up
Save your work after every session.
Keep at least two copies' one on your main device and one backed up to a cloud drive or USB stick. This protects your work from technical disasters.

6. After Recording: What Comes Next

Listen back carefully
Play your recordings through headphones.
Listen for mistakes, big changes in tone, background noises, or anything distracting.
Mark any sections you might need to fix.

Light editing only
Cut out obvious mistakes and loud noises, but avoid trying to scrub out every tiny imperfection.
A few light breaths or small voice variations are natural — listeners expect and prefer it.
Over-editing often makes the recording sound robotic or lifeless.
Aim for clean but natural, as if you are speaking directly to the listener.

Prepare your files
Export your recordings in high-quality format: 16bit WAV/WAVE file
Use a sample rate of 44.1kHz if your software allows it.

Send it to VoomVox
Once you are happy with your recordings, send them over to us.
We will professionally enhance, polish, and prepare your audiobook to Audible standards — ready for the world to hear.

Final Thought

Recording your own audiobook can feel daunting, but it is absolutely achievable with the right setup and a bit of guidance.
Take it step-by-step, trust your natural voice, and remember; nobody gets it perfect on the first go.
You have a story worth telling, and at VoomVox, we are here to help you make it shine.