VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Moosevoice · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 4:02 am Post subject: Audiobook Newbie

I have a prospective audiobook job coming but I've never recorded audiobooks before. I'd like to get back to them soon with answers but needed some guidance here.
They had a couple questions for me and wanted to see if I could get some of you audiobook pros' input.
Their questions:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 7:33 am Post subject:

Given the nature of your questions, I think you may not be ready for audiobooks. They are the marathon of VO. But the answers are as follows:

Question 1. What is your turnaround time? This should be easy to answer. How much audio can you complete daily? How long will it take you to do a 10 hour book?

Question 2. Mastering, if you've never mastered an audiobook, you'll want to outsource it. audible has very specific requirements for how audio should be compressed and normalized.

Question 3. Rate. Not sure where you got that 136 number, but it's low. Union rates are around $225 per finished hour, add another $75 for full production.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Moosevoice · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 7:45 am Post subject:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 8:13 am Post subject:

Doesn't really matter what I think in that regard. If you want to do audiobooks, then go for it. Just know that it is a completely different beast than regular VO work.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

Bruce · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 8:30 am Post subject:

I'm guessing Jeff isn't commenting on the quality of your narration, it's the lack of information you appear to have on producing audiobooks. There's a fair amount you need to know before you jump in. With some research here and elsewhere, such as the Audible.com site, you will learn everything you need to get started. Just know that it takes 4 to 6 hours of your time to record and edit each hour of an audiobook, depending on complexity and such. Divide that into you PFH rate and you'll see that we don't do them for the sacks of cash.

Mastering is a bit of a trick the first time even for experienced editors, but George Whittam has a good video lecture on how to do it Audible's way for a reasonable price.

Try these searches here:

audiobook

audiobook AND rate

audio AND book AND rate

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

Moosevoice · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 8:44 am Post subject:

Excellent. Bruce, Jeff. Thanks for the advice.
_________________
www.moosevoice.com

Bish · Posted: Thu May 08, 2014 12:32 pm Post subject:

Just to expand on the turnaround time. Do not underestimate the length of time a finished hour will take. If you include the following items:

Pre-read, including character identification & development, and pronunciation research.
The actual read (either punch'n'roll or marking'n'removing)
Editing for final production.
Content proofing and pick-ups.
Mastering & QC

Others are much quicker, but my rough figure for a work of fiction is 6:1 ... an hour of finished taking a total of six hours (if you include all the prep time). That may equate to an hour a day, so basically if you don't allow an absolute minimum of two weeks for a 10-hour book (yes, I believe in weekends) you may be painting yourself into a corner.

At your nominal rate of $200 per finished hour, that pays you $33 per hour. Having done a number of them already, if someone asked me to do another fully finished 10-hour fiction, I'd probably run away screaming if it was anything under $300 (a nominal $50 per hour). Even if it was over that threshold, I would probably still run... but remember, the higher rate will allow you to outsource the editing & proofing. That can make all the difference.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

georgethetech · Posted: Fri May 09, 2014 12:33 am Post subject:

...and if you are really up against a wall, we've got this service to consider...
Highly recommended if you intend to take on the entire production from mic to MP3 yourself.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

Moosevoice · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 1:08 pm Post subject:

vkuehn · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 2:25 pm Post subject:

If I am reading all of this correctly... particularly your most recent post... you guys are dealing directly with each other and you have no "publisher" or "agent" such as ACX between the two of you... and BOTH of you are NEWBIES at this. This may be an interesting ride.

If this a direct deal between you and the author... the answer to a lot of your questions is: What ever the two of you agree on when it comes to timing and turnaround and delivery dates.

Moosevoice · Posted: Sat Jun 28, 2014 4:12 pm Post subject: