Calculate the cost of recording an audiobook
Frequently asked questions (FAQ):
How do you calculate the page count from the number of characters, including spaces?
We assume that one standard manuscript page contains 1,800 characters. We divide the total character count by 1,800 to obtain the number of pages used in the calculation. We also assume that an actor takes an average of 110 seconds to read one such A4 page.
Why is recording time longer than the finished running time?
Reading mistakes occasionally occur during recording. A short section then has to be repeated and recorded again. The number of retakes depends on the complexity of the text, such as difficult foreign words or long, complex sentences. We therefore assume that recording a book takes, on average, 30% longer than the finished audiobook's running time.
Why does post-production take longer than the finished running time?
After recording, the sound engineer gives the audiobook its final form: removing unnecessary pauses or extending those that are too short, cleaning up mouth noises and other artefacts of natural speech, and adjusting the sound so that the narrator's voice sounds its best. They set the appropriate loudness for distribution, export the delivery files and add metadata about the author, narrator, publisher, cover and other details. During this work, the engineer listens to the audiobook at least once, usually more. For estimating purposes, we allow 50% more time for post-production than the finished running time.
Can I add music and sound effects to an audiobook?
Of course. At your request, we can add music and effects at agreed points. We can also create an audio drama in which each character is played by a different actor. This increases the cost, which cannot be estimated accurately without discussing the details. We need to establish whether you would like music composed specifically for the project or licensed existing music. We also assess the additional sound engineering work needed to mix in the music and effects. This extends studio and engineering time, which is included in the final cost.
Will I receive an agreement and an invoice?
Yes. On completion, we sign a contract for the commissioned work with a transfer of copyright and issue a VAT invoice to a company or an individual. Copyright is transferred in full to the client, without time or territorial limits. This means the client becomes the sole owner of the completed audiobook and may use it without restrictions.