In the short time that Ooligan has been creating audiobooks, we have usually used outside resources, such as a freelance producer, to edit and master our audiobooks. This process is a key step in the creation of an audiobook that ensures that Ooligan’s audiobooks meet ACX standards, the platform that Ooligan uses to distribute audiobooks.
However, with our most recent audiobook title Faultland by Suzy Vitelllo, Oolies are now in charge of the entire production process. This is an exciting opportunity for students to get hands-on experience during a vital part of the audiobook production process. Although it may sound daunting, editing audio is an incredibly satisfying process, as well as a marketable skill that students can add to their growing repertoire of publishing qualifications.
To measure how long editing an hour of audio might take, we use the term “per finished hour” or PFH. For beginner audio editors, it can take between two and three hours of editing to create one finished hour of audio. This process can be time consuming since most audiobooks contain at least seven hours of finished audio, so utilizing the many students at Ooligan helps this process happen in a timely manner.
Editing takes place in the application Adobe Audition. There is also a free software called Audacity that is very similar to the setup of Audition. Students in Ooligan have the choice to use either when they are editing audio files. These audio files go through multiple rounds of editing at Ooligan, so we usually focus the first round of editing on taking out any bad takes or repeated lines. This often happens if a narrator stumbles on their words or wants to try out different emotions when reading a certain line.
Because narrators are human they also make human noises, like taking deep breaths or their stomachs might gurgle. These moments are another aspect that audio editors look out for. These noises can be distracting and take away from the pacing of the story in an audiobook, so we look out for any noises that might distract from the overall story. This is usually the focus during our second round of edits.
After two rounds of edits, and a round or two of proof listening—a process similar to proofreading where students compare the audio recording to the text PDF—the audio is ready to be mastered. Mastering involves ensuring that the audio is of good technical quality which allows the narrator’s vocal talents to shine and ultimately improves the listening experience for the reader. Until recently, this was also a process that Ooligan outsourced, but students will now be in charge of this step as well.
At Ooligan, the audiobooks department is only just getting started. Keep an eye out for future Ooligan productions directed and produced—and even sometimes narrated—by PSU publishing students.
Blog written by Kari Olson.