Creating ACX Audiobooks Using Audacity

The Audacity Channel

Let's talk about Audacity's powerful tools for ACX audiobook production. Audacity lends itself seamlessly to ACX audiobook production. Meeting the ACX requirements for audiobooks can be a real challenge but it's a challenge that Audacity simplifies if we know where the right tools are and how to use them. In this episode we look at:

• RMS level requirement and how to get there using Audacity
• Peak audio requirements and how to get there using Audacity
• Sample rate requirements and how to get there using Audacity
• Noise floor definition and requirements using Audacity
• How to check your audio before uploading it using ACX Check
• Meeting MP3 file requirements using Audacity

A Look Ahead at Season 2:
This episode of the Audacity Channel podcast brings Season 1 to a close. We'll resume in Season 2 beginning March 1st. Season 2 will consist of 10 episodes dropped over a 10-week period and the entire season will be dedicated to making our initial recording as good as it can be. In Season 2 we'll explore topics like room conditioning that doesn't have to cost a lot, microphone types and their strengths and weaknesses as it relates to podcasting and audiobook narration, microphone placement and microphone technique. We'll also take a look at the role of an audio interface and we'll talk about sample rates, bit depth, and bit rates and what each of those terms is referencing. We'll also talk about non-destructive editing and using realtime, stackable effects, and I'll show you the order of effects I usually use and we'll take a look at my recording hardware chain. We have a lot to cover in Season 2 and I will see you there, beginning March 1st.
The Link I Mention in This Episode:
For a deeper dive into using Audacity for ACX audiobooks, be sure to check out my online, on-demand video course, ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity at https://www.audacitybootcamp.com/p/acx-audiobook-production-using-audacity
Other Places You'll Find Me:

1. The Audacity Bootcamp online school for podcasters and ACX audiobook narrators. The school consists of the following online courses:
   • Audacity Step-by-Step: Beginner to Advanced
   • ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity
   • Audacity Version Updates
2. The Learn Audacity YouTube Channel
3. The Learn Audacity Homepage
4. The Audacity Channel on YouTube
5. Facebook

• Contact Me

Chapter

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. RMS Level Requirements and How to Achieve It (00:01:42)

3. Peak Audio Requirements and How to Achieve It (00:04:03)

4. Sample Rate Requirements and How to Achieve It (00:05:01)

5. What Is Noise Floor and What Does ACX Require? (00:06:19)

6. Recap (00:08:55)

7. Running ACX Check (00:09:46)

8. MP3 File Requirements (00:11:16)

9. ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity (00:11:54)

10. Closing (00:13:24)