I need your help. As you may know, I’m an avid listener to audiobooks. During the 2 hours of commuting I do every day, I typically spend my time listening to others read books to me. When I do get into the office, I’m a sound guy. I, along with the other people on my crew, make the movies you go and watch sound good. To do this I have all kinds of gear (boys’ toys) in my room.
You may remember when I mentioned an effort by Telltale Weekly to make audiobooks of the public domain works from Project Gutenberg. This got me thinking. Audiobooks—I like audiobooks. Sound—I’m a sound guy. I’ve got microphones and computers and whatnot. These guys are looking to record audiobooks. Hmmm…
So here’s where you come in. Today I recorded my first audiobook. (Did I ever mention that I used to be a radio DJ in college?) I haven’t played it for anyone yet. In fact I literally just finished the final mix on it. I haven’t submitted it to Telltale Weekly. I’m actually not sure if I can—the public domain status on this particular work is a bit tricky. I need some constructive criticism from everyone. I’d love for you to post comments or send me email letting me know what you think. I’d would like to emphasize the constructive part of that prior sentence. If you think I read too fast or my diction is bad or my voice is too nasaly, I’d like to know. Of course I wouldn’t mind a few “good job” emails either. It would be great for some opinions on the sound quality too. Not just the tone of my voice, but how is the recording? Too loud? Too bright? Too noisy? (I’m really glad that Telltale Weekly exists, but I do have to say that some of their recordings are a bit on the poor side.)
So without further delay, I present to you, “The War Prayer” by Mark Twain. (We can fight about my politics too if you like.)