[Part 3] Room Setup — Half the Battle in Audiobook Narration 🎧

If you missed the earlier parts of this series, you can catch up here:

• Part 1: Getting Started with Audiobook Narration in Audacity

• Part 2: Choosing the Right Microphone

Now, let’s dive into Part 3: Room Setup.

In Part 2, we talked about microphones — and how even the best mic won’t save you if it’s used incorrectly.

But here’s the truth: even with a good mic, your room setup can make or break your audiobook narration.

When preparing your recording space, there are three main things to consider:

1. Outside Noise

This is the sound you can’t control that leaks into your recordings. Think traffic, planes, trains, or even noisy neighbors.

• If you live in a busy area, record at quieter times of day.

• Shut windows and doors to block out as much as possible.

• Be aware of sudden noise spikes (sirens, horns) and pause your recording when they happen.

2. Inside Noise

These are the hums and buzzes inside your own home that you might not notice until you listen back.

• AC units, fans, heaters, and refrigerators all create steady noise.

• Computer fans and electrical hums can sneak into recordings.

• Even clocks ticking or squeaky chairs can ruin a clean take.

Turn off what you can, and use a quiet chair and desk setup for recording.

3. Room Acoustics

Even in a quiet room, reflections and echoes can make audio sound hollow. Bare walls, wooden floors, and windows bounce sound right back into the mic.

Simple fixes that work:

• Record in a closet — smaller spaces with clothes or fabric around you absorb sound very well.

• Hang blankets, duvets, or use curtains to reduce reflections.

• Place rugs or mats on hard floors.

• Put a bookshelf behind you — it helps scatter sound naturally.

Here’s the key point: a $1000 microphone in poor acoustics will sound worse than a $50 microphone in a well-treated room. Otherwise, clean and crisp audio quality wouldn’t be such a big deal.

If it were that easy, anyone could grab a mic, hit record, and get professional results.

But that’s not the case — and that’s exactly why expensive studios exist.

Do a quick test: record a passage in your untreated room, then again with blankets or rugs around you. The difference will surprise you.

Special Announcement

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

📅 Dates: Thursday, Sept 11 & Friday, Sept 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 everything — 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 only the first 5 people who sign up will get it for just $49. If you still see the $49 price available, book it before the opportunity disappears.

Reserve your seat here

In the next email (Part 4), we’ll talk about recording smart inside Audacity — simple settings and habits that save you hours of frustration later.

Talk soon,
Akhtar
Master Editor

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