Recording an audiobook isn’t just reading into a microphone.
It’s performance. Endurance. Precision. And preparation.
A professional audio book recording session moves quickly, and the more prepared you are, the smoother the process becomes. Whether you’re an author narrating your own work or a professional voice artist stepping into a new project, preparation directly impacts performance quality, editing time, and overall production cost.
Here’s how to prepare properly for a professional audiobook recording session.
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This is the most important step.
Before entering a professional Recording studio:
Mid-session script changes slow everything down and create editing inconsistencies later.
Audiobook sessions are often recorded over multiple days. Consistency matters — and that begins with a locked manuscript.
Reading silently is very different from reading aloud.
When you read out loud beforehand, you’ll notice:
Mark your script with:
This prep reduces retakes and builds confidence in the booth.
If your audiobook includes dialogue, consistency is critical.
Before the session:
Small, repeatable distinctions are far better than dramatic ones that collapse halfway through chapter five.
Audiobook recording is physically demanding.
You may speak for:
To prepare:
Mouth noise, fatigue, and vocal tension are harder to fix than most people expect.
A professional audiobook session is highly sensitive to:
Inside a professional recording studio, engineers will guide you — but being mindful of:
will drastically improve recording quality.
Remember: audiobook recording is intimate. Small sounds are magnified.
Clothing noise is real.
Avoid:
Soft, quiet fabrics work best.
Even subtle rustling becomes obvious in a controlled studio environment.
Audiobook sessions move faster than most first-time narrators expect.
Professional studios are structured to maximise efficiency. That means:
The better prepared you are, the more enjoyable the process becomes.
Confidence reduces retakes. Retakes reduce fatigue. Fatigue reduces performance quality.
Different audiobook distributors have different requirements.
For example:
Professional studios are familiar with these standards, but it helps to clarify the destination platform beforehand.
You can review ACX technical requirements here:
ACX: Audio Submission Requirements
Knowing where the audiobook will live helps guide production decisions.
Bring:
Leave behind:
Audiobook sessions require sustained concentration. The studio environment is designed for clarity and focus.
Professional audiobook engineers are listening for:
They may stop you mid-sentence. That’s not criticism — it’s efficiency.
The goal isn’t to interrupt your performance. It’s to prevent bigger problems during editing and mastering.
Collaboration produces the best result.
A professional audio book recording session is part performance, part discipline, and part technical precision.
Preparation isn’t about perfection — it’s about reducing friction.
When your script is final, your voice is warmed up, and your pacing is intentional, the studio becomes an environment where your story can shine.
At Moreish Studios, we approach audiobook recording with the same attention to detail we bring to music production: clean signal paths, accurate monitoring, and a workflow designed for clarity and efficiency.
If you’re preparing for your first professional audiobook session and aren’t sure where to start, having that conversation early can make all the difference.
For a helpful overview of spoken-word recording considerations (plosives, sibilance, mic technique), this guide is useful:
Voice Over Warm Up Exercises
Learn more about our Recording services, or get in touch to book your session and plan the workflow.
