In my last article for narrators, I wrote about 3 ways to become a computer super user. One piece of software that all audiobook narrators need is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). Coaches and new narrators often ask me where they can learn how to use their DAW.
The 7 options listed below in no particular order will help you learn the DAW software.
1) The Deyan Institute offers classes in Pro Tools for Production and Pro Tools for Post-Production, as well as an option for 6 hours of Pro Tools instruction.
2) Edge Studio offers webinars in Audition, Audacity, Pro Tools, Reaper, and Twisted Wave.
3) Global Voice Acting Academy has several webinars on recording and occasionally offers classes.
4) Lynda.com is a FANTASTIC site with professionally produced video courses on Pro Tools, Audition, and Studio One, plus tons of other courses on things like WordPress, marketing, etc. Anyone can get a free 10-day trial using this (affiliate) link.You may be able to access Lynda for FREE with a library card as described in this article.
5) YouTube overflows with how-to videos for numerous DAWS. One excellent source for Studio One videos is the Red Baarns channel created by audio engineer Don Baarns. He also has created tutorials that show how to use iZotope RX products to clean up your audio.
6) Udemy.com offers a number of courses in Audacity, Adobe Audition, Reaper, and Pro Tools. I haven’t used any of these courses, but some of them look pretty comprehensive.
7) You might find a course at a local college or hire a student to teach you. For example, I took an enrichment class on Pro Tools offered on successive Saturdays at the Art Institute of Atlanta.
By the way, if you learn the basic shortcuts keys discussed in the previous article, you have a head start as they will work in your DAW!
Updated 4/19/18 to remove links to deleted courses on VoiceOverExtra. com and add the link to Udemy.com
Hi Karen.
I’m writing to you since you appear to be, by and large, one of the most knowledgeable resources for audiobook narration, production and marketing.
For context, I’m a narrator/publisher and have worked on about 20 audiobooks through ACX over the last 3 years. One of my authors and I have collaborated on 7 of his books with more to come. A previous business contact helped him market the paperback and ebooks on Amazon and Kindle and I was hired to narrate and produce them for ACX audiobooks.
The author has been disappointed in the audiobook marketing efforts and I have agreed to help with further marketing both on existing audible audiobooks and several more which he wants to publish.
In your opinion, is it worth looking at other publishing houses than Audible/Amazon/ACX? The author feels that he may have more exposure if he publishes the audiobooks on a different venue. Your thoughts on that?
Thanks in advance for any direction you can recommend.
Regards,
Patrick J. Hinchliffe
Hi, Patrick! Thanks for the note.
ACX is part of Audible, which is a distributor. The distributor only makes the product available to consumers and bears no responsibility to market the audiobook. That job falls to the author and publisher.
I refer you to my Audiobook Marketing Cheat Sheet for a wide variety of tactics and ideas for promoting audiobooks.
The pros and cons of other distributors are too complex to write here. If you and/or the author want to discuss the matter, I am available for 30- or 60-minute paid consultations, which can be booked through the “Rent My Brain” link on my Shop page.
I hope this info is helpful. Best wishes for your success!
Karen
PS. I just looked at the series in question. I’d also be happy to discuss specific marketing ideas for it in a consultation.
Karen