[Part 2] Choosing the Right Microphone for Audiobook Narration 🎤

In Part 1, we talked about how audiobook narration is a methodical process — more straightforward than you might think once you follow the steps in order.

Now let’s talk about the first real decision you’ll face: which microphone to use for audiobook narration.

At the beginning of my audio consulting journey, I was honestly overwhelmed by how many people didn’t know that you actually need a dedicated microphone for clean audiobook-quality audio.

Many people try to record with their laptop’s built-in microphone or a cheap mic bundled with a low-budget headset. The result is thin, noisy audio that no amount of editing in Audacity can fully fix.

And more importantly, no amount of editing can pass the strict scrutiny of ACX if you record your audiobook with a built-in laptop mic. You can see the official ACX Audio Submission Requirements here.

Now, we can’t really blame beginners for not knowing this. If you’ve never used a proper external mic before, you just don’t know how big the difference is until you hear it.

Using the Microphone Correctly

Even though many people use a proper microphone, they don’t always use it correctly.

Another common mistake is not knowing the “strong side” of the microphone. Some mics pick up sound equally from all directions (omnidirectional), while others are designed to capture best from one side (cardioid).

That’s called the polar pattern, and it’s essential to understand. If you talk into the wrong side, your audio will always sound off.

Talking angle and proper distance from your mouth to the mic are just as important. Too close, and you’ll get distortion and harsh plosives. Too far, and your voice will sound weak and distant.

The sweet spot is usually 6–8 inches, angled slightly off-center. Why off-center or off-axis?

Because that will prevent plosives in the recording and will result in fewer mouth noises.

This concept is so important that I dedicated an entire lecture on it in my Audacity for Beginners course — and I can’t tell you how many students thanked me for clearing up that one detail.

USB vs. XLR

Another question I get all the time is: “Which specific mic should I buy?”

Well, it depends on two things: budget and flexibility.

• If you travel a lot, or want something simple and portable → a USB microphone is the way to go. Plug it straight into your computer, and you’re ready.

• If you want more control and long-term flexibility → a professional XLR microphone is the standard. But keep in mind, XLR mics require an audio interface — which can sometimes cost more than the mic itself.

For beginners, I recommend a microphone in the $50–$200 range. Once you’re comfortable with the workflow, you can always upgrade later.

And before you buy, check out some review videos on YouTube. While your results won’t sound exactly the same (room setup and voice differences matter), reviews can help you understand the details you may not know to look for.

I’ll Inquire About Your Mic

Over this series, I’d love to hear what microphone you’re currently using. Just hit reply and let me know.

And inside the live workshop, I’ll talk about the most common microphones people mention, explaining their pros and cons specifically for audiobook narration.

That way you’ll know whether your mic is working for you — or holding you back.

Special Announcement

On Thursday, September 11th, and Friday, September 12th, I’m running a 2-Day Live Audiobook Workshop in Audacity.

📅 Dates: Thursday, September 11 & Friday, September 12, 2025
🕖 Time: 7 AM PT / 9 AM CT / 10 AM ET / 3 PM UK
📍 Each session is 1 hour live on Zoom (with replays included)

We’ll cover the whole process — microphone selection, room setup, recording, editing, and processing — all the way to formatting, checking, and exporting ACX-compliant files you can confidently submit.

The workshop is normally $97, but the first few people who sign up will get it for just $49. I can’t guarantee how many $49 seats will be left when you check. If you still see the $49 price, grab it before the opportunity is gone.

Reserve your seat here

In the next email (Part 3), we’ll talk about the thing that is more important than the microphone.

Talk soon,
Akhtar
Master Editor

P.S. Workshop link again in case you missed it: Reserve your seat here