Creating Audiobook Samples for ACX

How to Create an Audiobook Sample for ACX

1. Selecting a Book for the Sample:

   • Visit Project Gutenberg at gutenberg.org to find books in the public domain.
   • Choose a book you know and love, such as "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow".
   • Download the book in a format suitable for narration.

2. Preparing Your Digital Audio Workstation (Adobe Audition):

   • Open Adobe Audition and create a new audio file.
   • Record a short excerpt from the chosen book to showcase your narration style.
   • Edit out any unwanted sounds, breaths, or mistakes using the editing tools in Adobe Audition.

3. Editing and Formatting the Audio File:

   • Remove any mouth clicks and reduce plosives using effects or manual editing.
   • Ensure the sample is properly formatted with room tone at the beginning and end.
   • Normalize the audio to -3dB to ensure consistent volume levels.

4. Checking Amplitude Statistics:

   • Verify that the Peak Amplitude does not exceed -3dB.
   • Ensure the Total RMS Amplitude falls between -8dB and -23dB.

5. Uploading the Sample to ACX:

   • Log in to your ACX account and navigate to your profile.
   • Upload the audiobook sample with a descriptive title and genre tags.
   • Provide additional details such as voice style, genre, and performance notes.

6. Diversifying and Recycling Samples:

   • Upload multiple samples showcasing different genres and styles.
   • Regularly update and recycle samples to stay visible in search results.
   • Remove older samples to make room for new and improved recordings.

7. Utilizing Audition Recordings as Samples:

   • Samples from auditions can also be used as audiobook samples.
   • Repurpose audition recordings to showcase your voice and narration skills.

8. Continuous Improvement and Practice:

   • Regularly practice and refine your narration skills to enhance sound quality and performance.
   • Replace older samples with fresh recordings to demonstrate growth and improvement over time.

By following these steps, you can create compelling audiobook samples for ACX that effectively showcase your narration abilities and attract potential authors and publishers.