VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

It depends. I have done about 10 audiobooks and I do my own editing, but I also had a decent audio editing background from doing radio production. (not the same thing as audiobooks I know, but I think it has helped.)

Aside from the editing, do you have what you need to properly master the final product? That would be a primary consideration I would think.

But as Scott Pollak pointed out, 1.5 finished hours is nothing in my experience. Most of the ones I do are more like 8-10 finished hours.

vkuehn · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 4:25 pm Post subject:

I read conversations where it appears that some people use the words edit and master as interchangeable.

Your post, as I read it, seems to suggest they are two totally different processes. Maybe having no kinship.

Bring me up to speed on the terminology.

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:18 pm Post subject:

It doesn't sound like audiobooks are a major part of your business, correct? Anyone who does audiobook narration full time outsources or works with publishers who do the grunt work.
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DenaliDave · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:36 pm Post subject:

I don't think professional sound engineers would considering themselves "grunts".

Correct, full-time talent does outsource, but I'm not "full time" right now.

When I do manage to achieve that level, however, I'll have a firm grasp on what is going to happen to my audio when it's sent to be edited.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:37 pm Post subject:

DenaliDave · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:40 pm Post subject:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:45 pm Post subject:

I know nothing about your skill, but if I had a nickel for every person who THOUGHT they knew how to do something and didn't... Hence all the crappy audiobooks you've listened to.
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Deirdre · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:37 pm Post subject:

I'm keeping an eye on this thread.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:43 pm Post subject:

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Bish · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:03 pm Post subject:

I've done a relatively small number of books. They became laborious because of the editing. I can edit... but I find it takes me an inordinate amount of time (because I spend all the time procrastinating) and now, unless it's a short story, I outsource.

The math is simple. Doing everything, I have a production ratio of around 6:1 (which is not particularly good... see earlier comment about being slow). Let's assume a 10-hour book for $300 pfh. 60 hours of work for $3K, that $50 per work hour. Now, if I outsource the editing/proofing at $50 per finished hour, I'm actually working around 25 hours for $2,500 ... $100 per hour.

I can edit well... but I can get a little granular and it takes me a long time. When I pay someone else, I'm paying for their skill and expertise... which usually translates into them being able to do the job far more quickly than I can. I appreciate the comments about hearing yourself and honing your skill, but I think it's just as valuable to have another set of ears on something before it's released to the publisher.

Edit a finished hour, see how long it takes you and then get a set of independent ears to review it. You'll then know a) if you can do it, and b) whether you want to take the time to do it. The biggest issue for me was letting go of it, but once I did I was able to look forward to the narrating rather than dread the editing!
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Scott Pollak · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 9:44 pm Post subject:

I'm picking up on a common element in this discussion. Some of us come from radio and/or radio production backgrounds. I did, with 30+years in the biz. I began doing DIGITAL audio editing in 1996. So I have decades of experience doing it, and I also greatly enjoy it.

Some folks either labor at it or find it to be an odious task.

If you are skilled at editing and enjoy it, then edit your own.
If you are NOT, then don't.
If you have so much work it is more cost effective to outsource the editing, then you should.

Contrary to what some may believe, one answer does not fit all.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:14 pm Post subject:

The other reason not to proof/edit your own stuff is because you WILL miss things. That time you read it wrong while narrating? There's a good chance you will miss it in the proofing stage, too.

My editor will often send me back a pickup and it will take me 3 times to listen to that section of audio before I realize I said it wrong.

You absolutely need a fresh set of ears to hear for mistakes.
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DenaliDave · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:55 pm Post subject:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:04 pm Post subject:

richvoice · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 11:52 pm Post subject:

I don't think it's an easy answer, although it seems to me that you are interested enough in producing a good product that investing the time to do ALL of the work yourself is a worthwhile endeavor.

How much do you know about compression? Using an expander? Noise floor? Applying compression/gating/anything else in such a way that it has the desired effect, but isn't noticeable to non-engineers (and, hopefully, engineers) listening to the final product? Do you already have a plan in place of how to master your files in such a way that they will meet ACX standards (I assume this is an ACX gig)?

For beginners, there is a LOT to learn in order to edit/master your files yourself so that the end result is a great product. And it's COMPLETELY separate from the acting. I think I'm doing a really good job because I've never had anything bounced back by ACX and the rights holders I've worked with have been very happy with the end product (and some are at publishing houses outside of ACX), and I still consider myself maybe one rung up from "rank beginner." If that.

I respect Jeffrey's opinion a lot, especially in the field of audiobooks, but I disagree with the advice, "Always hire an editor," as much as I disagree with any "Always..." advice. But be very, very sure that you want to invest the time it's going to take to do a GOOD job editing and mastering your own work before you go down that road.
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