Recording Your Own Audiobook

Recording Device

This is where you will need to spend around £69* on a device that will record professional-quality audio. The device I am recommending is the Zoom H1. It is a simpler and lower-cost model of the more expensive H4n. Although lower-cost, it still has great built-in stereo microphones and produces good-quality audio comparable to the more expensive models.

Key features

• Stereo built-in mic for capturing perfect stereo audio
• Records broadcast wav at 96kHz/48kHz/44.1kHz at 16-bit or 24-bit
• Includes a 2GB micro SD memory card and one AA battery
• Accommodates up to 32GB micro SDHC memory cards

The Zoom H1 is available from Amazon.
*Price and info correct at the time of writing this.

Windshields

Given the sensitivity of the Zoom H1 microphone, you will need to acquire a windshield. The windshield will enable you to record very close to the H1’s built-in microphones without your breath ruining the recording.

I would recommend the following supplier, WolfWindshields.com. It is an independent business offering great value with the H1 windshield for around £20. However, when I last looked, there seems to be a management changeover, and the service was temporarily unavailable.

If this is still the case, you may have to purchase from another supplier, such as Thomann, which will cost around £30.

Oh, the foam ones are pretty useless for this type of recording; definitely go for the furry ones.

Headphones

You will need headphones to monitor while recording. You don't need anything fancy; your iPod / MP3 headphones will be perfectly suitable for this purpose.

There is no need to spend any more than £20. The important thing is that the headphones have a 3.5mm mini jack connector to work with the Zoom H1.

If you don't have headphones, any of the following on Amazon would be suitable.

• Panasonic RP-HJE120E-K Ergo Fit Ear Canal Headphones 
• Sony MDRZX100B Fashionable Headphones 
• Sennheiser HD201 Closed Dynamic Stereo headphones

Device Stand

For the type of recording you are going to do, it is best to hold the device while you record (if possible). This way, you have full control over tonality by adjusting the proximity to your mouth (more about this later).

However, you might also consider a device stand, and luckily, Zoom has thought about this and put a tripod mount on the device. This will accept most standard tripods.

To start with, I would do without a stand and see how you get on. You can always get one later.

Here are some possible options:

• Hama Table-Top Tripod with Removable Telescopic Tube 
• Joby Gorillapod Original - Black

End note about equipment...

These are the items that will help you create a professional-sounding recording. Before getting started, there is more to understand about using these items. However, by investing around £150 (or less), you can record your own audiobook without the expense of a professional studio or voice-over artist.

Your Test Recording Session

OK, you should have invested in the equipment as detailed, so let’s get started and make a test recording.

The Zoom H1 is the easiest professional recorder I have ever used, so it doesn't take long to get started with the recording process.

You should have received the full Quick Start guide with your Zoom H1. For your convenience, I have provided screenshots of the Guide.

How to Use the Zoom H1

Step 1 - Put the Battery and MicroSD Memory Card in the H1

Step 2 - Turn the Power On

Step 3 - Set the Date and Time

Step 4 - Set the Recording Format

Set the format to stereo WAV 16-bit 44.1 kHz. You will see that the device can record at higher qualities or lower quality (MP3). Never record your source material as an MP3; always use WAV, but for now stick to the setting mentioned; this is CD quality. You can set it to a higher rate later, but this is a good starting point.

Higher-quality files may not work on some computers or software because they are much larger and put more strain on your computer’s processor and memory during editing. You can experiment with higher-quality WAVs once you have mastered the basics.

Step 5 - Plug Your Headphones in and Adjust the Volume Level

You may find that you have to adjust the headphone levels (volume) once you have set the input (recording) level.

Step 6 - Set the Input Levels

Now set the input (recording) level. I do not recommend using the auto level function. This may cause volume variations in the recording as it adjusts itself. Set the level manually so it peaks at about two-thirds of the visual scale during your normal speaking volume. You can then adjust this later if needed.

Step 7 - Place Your Windsheild on the H1 and Press Record

You may need to readjust the input level during your test recording, which might also require adjusting the headphone volume. The headphone volume doesn’t affect what is recorded, but the recording volume will directly impact the recorded audio.

Testing 123...

Before you plan your recording sessions, you need to get a feel for the device and how to get the best from it.

At this stage, you should have set your levels, and you will be listening to the world via your H1. You should also be using the windshield.

It is now time to press record. You will see the time counter running on the display.

Before we start, please know that it is never good enough to place your recorder in the middle of your desk. This might be ok for recording a meeting or a lecture, but it's not good enough for making a high-quality audiobook.
 
Get a feel for the device by taking it close to your lips and talk as you would when narrating your book.

Close Proximity Placement - This close, intimate sound is great for dramatic effect. The proximity effect increases the bass on the voice and gives it a rich, deep tone. It also records more voice and less of the room characteristics.

As you listen, you will hear all of the characteristics of your voice, the location you are in, and the proximity of the microphone to your mouth. You will probably also notice that all breaths and saliva noises are present too. These microphones will pick up everything.

As you speak and move the device away from your mouth, you will notice that the Distant Placement makes the sound thinner, and your voice will have a different tonality. You will also hear more of the room ambience.

Experiment to get accustomed to hearing your own voice in the headphones, and notice the difference that proximity makes to the tone of your voice.

If you hear any crunchy distortion noises, you may need to alter your input level

Also, the device will have some handling noise. You need to minimise this as much as possible. You can do this by concentrating on your grip while holding the device. If this proves problematic, try holding the H1 through something soft, such as a glove, or wrap the casing of it in a soft tea towel. If you feel a stand might help, consider investing in a stand as covered earlier. 

Playback the Recording

When you have finished your test recording, play it back and have a listen through your headphones. You will get a different perspective from when you were recording it. You will notice the tonal differences as you adjust the microphone's distance from your mouth.

You will also notice that the recording collects room ambience and possibly some background noises. This is ok at this point as we are just testing, but when you come to your actual recording, you will want to achieve the best possible audio.

Recording Environment

Let’s address a big myth. The best room to record in is not your bathroom… and don’t even get me started on egg boxes :) 
When you go into a decent studio, they will have spent time and money on absorbent materials to deaden the room acoustics. There are exceptions, but for voice recording, it is usually the case.

This is so that during the editing/production phase, the studio captures the cleanest voice recording possible, and not the sound of the room it was recorded in. Removing room ambience (or the sound of your bathroom) from a voice recording is almost impossible. Whereas adding reverb, echo, and other effects during the production process is relatively easy, and the level needed can be controlled.

Minimise Noise

For a home recording, the best room is one with a carpet and soft furnishings, such as a bedroom or lounge. Kitchens and bathrooms are pretty useless because there are so many hard surfaces for the sound to bounce off.

I have audio-engineered in both studios and homes, and trust me, some budget studios have really bad acoustics compared to some bedrooms.

Do some test recordings in different rooms, and you should hear the difference.

When choosing your recording room, find one you are comfortable in and make sure there are no external noises that will ruin your recording session. If you do a test and can hear the traffic outside or next door's TV then a different location is needed.

Also, remove any noise-generating items, such as clocks, fans, heaters, and mobile phones.

DIY Sound Absorption Tips

OK, this may sound strange, but stay with me…. Gather any soft furnishings like cushions, duvets, old curtains, even soft toys and beach/bath towels. Even your pile of ironing will help. Basically, anything that will absorb sound.

Your mission is to make a mess with these items in your chosen recording room. You need to cover and deaden as many hard sound-reflecting surfaces as possible. This will take some experimentation and test recordings, but it can make the difference between an okay recording and a great recording.

So, shut the curtains if possible, drape bedding over mirrors, wood furniture, TV screens, etc.

If you have large expanses of wall, try draping old curtains across them. If possible, build a tent/den made of duvets around you and your H1. You will look like you have gone crazy, but as you do test recordings, you should hear a clean/dry recording that will be ideal for editing and processing later.

Key Takeaways on DIY Audiobook Recording

If you follow this guide, you will have the three basics covered for getting professional-quality audio recordings.

To recap, they are: -

• Equipment
• Microphone technique
• Recording location

There has never been a better time to do this. Back when I started in audio, this would not have been possible without spending a lot of money. I know because I did at the time. At the start of the 90s, you would have been spending £10,000+ to achieve the same results.

What I’ve covered here can save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if you are planning multiple recordings.

However, there is one further crucial stage: the editing and production of your audio. This takes your quality recordings and turns them into a finished product, complete with audio processing, music and sound effects.

To cover audio editing/production in detail is beyond the scope of the article, so I am going to point you to 3 options.

• Get a quote from us for your editing and production
• Find a freelance engineer/producer of your choice
• Use audio editing software and teach yourself editing and production skills

The first two are self-explanatory, but I will explain option 3.

Audacity is a free, open-source software that you can download and install on your computer for audio editing and production. It enables you to layer tracks, for example, your voice elements, music, sound effects, and nature ambiences.

Also, the H1 comes bundled with Wavelab LE software. Both software are widely supported on the web and YouTube.

If you want to explore the DIY production route, there are plenty of online tutorials and forums supporting the Audacity software. With time and effort, you can achieve high production standards on a budget.

I have tried the software myself, and although I don’t see it as a professional tool (in the sense I could use it in my business), I do highly recommend it as a first step. If you invest the time, you can produce a professional-sounding product with my recording advice and the Audacity software. Best of all, it won’t cost too much, and you will develop skills you can use again and again.

During your editing and production, you can really add professionalism to your product by licensing music or sound ambiences to mix with your voice tracks. Additionally, hiring a professional voice-over for titles/intros can also be very effective.

Here are some links to areas on our website that may be of interest.

• Royalty-Free Music

• Sound Effects

• Audobook Narrators

I hope this guide has helped and inspired you to get started. Please feel free to share this page with your social contacts, and any feedback would be most appreciated.

Written by: Lee Pritchard
Edited by: Adam Barber

— Published September 2015

— Updated November 2025

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Disclaimer: This content is for guidance only. We have no connection with any companies mentioned; this is my opinion. The links to Amazon may contain an affiliate ID, which means we get a small commission if you buy via our link. All graphics for H1 are the copyright of the Zoom organisation and are for illustrative purposes only.