Audiobook Production Audiobook Production 3

Question 1

What is a 'de-esser' plugin used for in audiobook post-production?

Accepted Answer

Reducing harsh sibilant 'S' and 'SH' sounds

Answer

A de-esser is a frequency-specific compressor that targets and reduces overly harsh sibilant sounds like 'S', 'SH', and 'CH' in vocal recordings.

Question 2

Which of the following best describes 'breath editing' in audiobook production?

Accepted Answer

Selectively reducing or removing distracting breath sounds while keeping natural ones

Answer

Professional breath editing selectively attenuates only the most distracting inhales while preserving natural breathing to maintain a human, unprocessed feel.

Question 3

What does 'dynamic range compression' do to a vocal recording?

Accepted Answer

Reduces the difference between the loudest and softest parts of a signal

Answer

A compressor reduces the dynamic range by attenuating loud peaks, resulting in a more consistent volume level throughout the narration.

Question 4

A narrator is recording in a home studio with noticeable HVAC noise. What is the most effective solution?

Accepted Answer

Turn off the HVAC system during recording sessions

Answer

Eliminating the noise source at its origin — turning off the HVAC during recording — produces far better results than trying to remove noise in post-production.

Question 5

What is 'LUFS' used to measure in audiobook mastering?

Accepted Answer

Integrated loudness of an audio program

Answer

LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) measures perceptual loudness, and streaming platforms use it to normalize audio to target levels like -16 LUFS.

Audiobook Production Practice Test

Audiobook Production Practice Test

Audiobook Production Audiobook Production 3