How to Avoid Plosive and Sibilance Issues in Your Recordings for Acx

August 24, 2024

By: Audio Scene

Creating high-quality recordings for ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) is essential for a professional-sounding audiobook. One common challenge many narrators face is managing plosive and sibilance sounds, which can detract from the listening experience. This article provides practical tips to help you avoid these issues and produce clear, crisp recordings.

Understanding Plosive and Sibilance Sounds

Plosive sounds occur when burst of air hits the microphone during speech, especially with letters like p, b, t, and d. Sibilance involves excessive hissing sounds, often from s, sh, and z sounds. Both can cause discomfort for listeners and may require editing or filtering if not managed during recording.

Tips to Prevent Plosive Issues

  • Use a Pop Filter: Place a pop filter or windscreen in front of your microphone to diffuse the burst of air from plosive sounds.
  • Adjust Microphone Placement: Position the microphone slightly off-axis or below your mouth to reduce direct airflow.
  • Maintain Proper Distance: Keep about 6-12 inches between your mouth and the microphone, adjusting as needed for clarity.
  • Control Your Breathing: Practice steady breathing techniques to minimize sudden bursts of air.

Tips to Minimize Sibilance

  • Use a De-Esser: Apply a de-essing plugin or hardware to reduce harsh sibilant sounds during editing.
  • Adjust Microphone Angle: Slightly tilt the microphone away from your mouth to lessen sibilance capture.
  • Control Your S Speech: Practice speaking with less forceful s sounds.
  • Choose the Right Microphone: Some microphones are less sensitive to sibilance; research and select accordingly.

Additional Recording Tips

Beyond microphone placement and equipment, consider your recording environment. Use a treated room with sound-absorbing materials to reduce reflections and background noise. Always do a test recording to identify and address issues before your final session. Proper editing and post-processing can further clean up any residual plosive or sibilance sounds, ensuring your audiobook meets ACX quality standards.