Noise is more important & critical than you think - Part 4 - Audiobook Narration Series

(Read part 3 of the Audiobook Narration Series here)

Noise is one of the biggest challenges beginners face in audio recording. Many approach it incorrectly due to limited understanding.

However, if your goal is to produce professional-grade audio at home, solving this problem is essential.

By “professional,” I mean audio quality suitable for voice acting, audiobook narration, or any high-end content.

ACX, a standard in the industry, sets guidelines on acceptable noise levels in audio.

According to ACX’s audio submission requirements, the noise floor should be below -60 dB RMS. This guideline on noise floor applies across various purposes, not just audiobooks.

So, if you’re working on professional voice-over, audiobook narration, content creation, or podcasts, this is a valuable benchmark to follow.

Why should the noise floor be below -60 dB RMS? The answer is simple: as ACX explains, "Each file must have a noise floor no higher than -60 dB RMS to avoid background noise distractions." 

The goal is to keep any background noise low enough that it won’t distract your audience.

Maintaining a noise floor under -60 dB RMS ensures that listeners stay focused on the content, free from background interference. 

Despite its importance, many people don’t realize how much noise is present in their recordings. Noise is one of the main obstacles to achieving polished audio. 

Without an understanding of your noise levels, it’s hard to make progress.

It’s also crucial to note that noise level is measured in the final processed audio. The -60 dB RMS standard applies to the finished product, not just the raw recording. 

Even if your noise floor was under -60 dB during recording, the final audio must still meet this requirement.

If there’s one compelling reason to consider my courses, services, or personalized EQ, it’s to address the noise issue. I thoroughly analyze your audio and offer detailed, personal feedback to help you improve.

Many beginners struggle to keep the noise floor below -60 dB RMS. Often, they try the wrong solutions to fix it. Unfortunately, the wrong approach to noise reduction can be costly.

The noise issue is complex—even professional voice-over artists struggle with it. Could this struggle be avoided?

Yes, but only with a clear understanding of the issue. Here’s an experience I had with one of my clients.

This client, a voice-over artist for radio and TV, wanted to start his own career. He was confident in his success, given his experience in TV and radio.

Yet, he found himself losing more auditions than he expected. He couldn’t understand why, as his performance skills weren’t the issue.

His voice acting was strong, backed by years of experience.

When I analyzed his recording, I noticed two things. First, his acting skills were excellent—one of the best samples I’d received.

But second, the noise level was shockingly high. I didn’t expect this from a professional.

At that time, he was using Audacity. I asked him about the noise, and he said, “I’m using Audacity to remove it.”

But that’s not how it works. He hadn’t set up a proper recording environment, nor did he notice the issues with his setup.

He was unaware of the key details of a clean recording environment.

It might seem surprising that a seasoned voice-over artist could miss this, but there’s a simple reason. In his radio and TV work, recordings were done in professional studios, managed by audio engineers.

He assumed audio engineers had “magic” fixes that made every recording sound professional, but that’s far from reality.

An audio engineer’s first job is to ensure proper recording levels. After that, they optimize the recording for loudness and clarity.

If the recording has loud noise, there’s little an engineer can do to fully correct it. This is a technological limitation.

Modern tools, including AI-based plugins, can improve poor recordings. Plugins like Waves Clarity Vx or Supertone Clear are better than typical DAW noise reduction tools.

But you can’t rely on them for professional-quality audio.

Professional audio needs a clean recording. Clean audio means no disruptive background sounds and minimal white noise. Examples of irregular background noise include car horns, barking dogs, TV sounds, voices, and any other loud noise.

White noise, on the other hand, is a faint hissing sound. Most recording equipment generates some white noise.

If you use quality equipment with proper cable connections, this noise should be minimal.

Other white noise sources, like AC units, fans, or nearby vibrations, can also interfere with recordings. Modern AI-based plugins are often best for managing these (Waves Clarity VX, Supertone Clear).

If the hissing noise is consistent and mild, these plugins provide satisfactory results.

You may wonder why I recommend AI-based plugins over traditional noise reduction tools. For instance, Audacity’s noise reduction introduces harshness when reducing over 12 dB of noise. Even at 12 dB, the audio can sound slightly dull.

With good headphones in a quiet environment, you’ll notice this difference. If you apply more than 12 dB of reduction, the harshness and hollowness are even more obvious.

Software like Adobe Audition offers better noise reduction, but overuse still leads to hollow or empty-sounding audio.

The key takeaway? Aim to record clean audio from the start. Find a quiet space where no external noise reaches your microphone.

With a solid recording setup, you can capture audio that sounds professional without excessive editing or reliance on plugins.

P.S. If you are looking for premium audiobook narration or voiceover consulting, you can book it here.