Difference between voice-over and audiobook editing

If you learn audiobook editing, can you use that skill for voice-over editing and vice versa? Interestingly, the skills needed for both types of editing are very similar, with a very small difference.

I will discuss that slight difference just in a bit. Let me first point out the similarities. Regardless of which type of voice editing you do, you should know about ACX Audio Submission requirements.

If your audio fulfills the ACX requirements, it is good enough for audiobook narration or professional voice-over.

You have to use the same audio effects for audiobook narration and voice-over. You may wonder, if the audio requirements are the same for both kinds of jobs and use the exact effects, what’s the difference then?

The main difference is that two audio effects are used: EQ and Compressor. The purpose of these two audio effects will be different, leading to different configurations.

For audiobook narration, you have to use a basic EQ that removes unnecessary frequencies. It is up to you if you wish to use an enhancing EQ.

It is not necessary to have an enhancing EQ, but a good thing to have. But for professional or commercial voice-over, you can’t rely on basic EQ only.

A proper EQ must elevate the emotion you want to convey through voice-over. Depending on the type of voice-over, you may need to elevate warmth, crispness, clarity, depth, etc.

If such tones were not required, the job of an audio engineer would have become so simple.

The Compressor effect is also used differently in audiobook narration and in voice-over. In audiobook narration, Compressor is the effect to control RMS.

If the RMS level is okay in audiobook narration, you don’t need to think much about Compressor. Sometimes, a simple compressor configuration is good enough to set the proper RMS.

On the other hand, compressor plays a big role in achieving a tone in voice over. EQ is not enough to achieve the tone of a voice-over.

The proper combination of Compressor and EQ does the trick. If you don’t know, there are 4 types of compressor effects.

It is outside the scope of this post to discuss compressors in detail, but you should understand that there are some reasons for having such different types.

If you are using Audacity or Adobe Audition at the surface level, you may not be familiar with them but know that there is so much more at the Advanced level.

The summary of all these talks is these:

1. Voice-over and audiobook narration require the same recording and editing technique

2. For audiobook narration, a basic EQ and Compressor will be good enough. However, if you want people to fall in love with your narration, you have to think of it as a voice-over job.

3. To stand out as a voice-over professional, proper EQ and Compressor are needed to elevate your voice.

If you want to learn the concepts in detail, I suggest exploring my different tutorial series from my blog.

If you want me to make a custom EQ and Preset/Macro that suits your voice, please check out my custom EQ Service: https://shop.master-editor.com/products/get-customized-eq-macro-and-preset-for-your-voice-unlimited-revision