| My name is Alan Twigg and I'm writing this article to | | | | computer using the USB cable provided. I then set up |
| offer advice to anyone thinking of creating their own | | | | my microphone and attached the microphone cable |
| professional audio books. | | | | to the MIDI interface. After installing the software, I |
| In the New Year I came up with the idea of creating | | | | was ready to go. |
| professional children's stories and offering them for | | | | The results have been great and I find Wavelab |
| download on the internet. The thing was, however, | | | | software powerful and incredibly easy to use. |
| while I had someone to write the stories - my | | | | Some Audio Book recording tips |
| mother - and someone to market the stories - me, I | | | | I first get my entire copy ready before starting the |
| knew nobody who knew about how to record the | | | | recording. I pin the sheets of paper with the text |
| stories professionally. I knew it must be reasonably | | | | that I am going to read in front of me onto the wall. |
| easy, since I only wanted to create an audio book | | | | Then, at about 8 inches away from the microphone, |
| containing speech. | | | | I start to talk. The more natural you can be the |
| I started doing research on Google - but all the | | | | more interesting you will sound to your listeners. I |
| articles I found contained so much technical | | | | found that the best thing to do is to stand in front |
| gobbledygook - I was soon put off. So I went to my | | | | of the microphone and make gestures in the same |
| local music store for advice on what to buy. I | | | | way as you would when talking to a close friend. If |
| decided to use my computer to create the audio | | | | you stand there stiff like a statue, you'll come across |
| books and this is what I bought: | | | | in the same way in your recording. |
| 1 microphone stand | | | | Another thing that I like to do before starting the |
| 1 pop-screen (that's a piece of material that is placed | | | | recording is to get myself into a really good mood. |
| just in front of the microphone to stop your "Ps" | | | | Again, this will add to the impact of your recording. I |
| from popping) | | | | always listen to a few uplifting songs and get |
| 1 studio microphone | | | | enthusiastic before starting. You should also try to |
| 1 software program (Wavelab) | | | | make sure that you keep the same distance from |
| 1 USB Audio/MIDI interface (TASCAM US 122 with | | | | the microphone. |
| phantom power) | | | | And that's it - I hope that this article will save you a |
| 1 pair of heaphones | | | | little bit of time setting up your own home recording |
| It all came to 650 euros (800) dollars. | | | | studio and I wish lots of success with your audio |
| I connected my Audio/MIDI interface (this is basically | | | | books. |
| a really good sound card in an external case) to my | | | | |