Studio Monitor

The Studio Monitor is responsible for the technical aspects of recording audio books.

This volunteer operates the audio equipment used to record and edit voice-over narrations and is involved with the set-up and adjustment of the microphone and electronic components such as preamps, compressors, the audio mixing board, and digital recording software. The studio monitor will be a "coach" for the narrator and will monitor the narrator's vocal techniques and reading accuracy.

Required Skills

Excellent verbal communications and social skills
Outgoing personality
Good listening skills
Good hearing
Patience
Understanding
Flexibility
Good coaching skills
Team player
Extreme attention to detail
Good manual dexterity
Aptitude for working with computers
Aptitude for electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems and equipment, especially audio-related

Beneficial Background or Related Experience

Computer and audio/electronic experience
Work that required extreme patience and interpersonal diplomacy
Work that required close attention to detail

Monitoring Requirements

Correcting narration mistakes, sometimes as many as several hundred in a single recording session
Coaxing the best out of the narrator
Monitoring techniques such as rhythm, tone, volume, breathing, voice character, mic usage, reduction of mouth noises
An attentive mind and ear, even if the material being read is boring
An open mind regarding the variety of books selected for recording (at times subject matter may be offensive to personal tastes and beliefs)

Monitoring is very demanding and can be tedious and repetitive.

Training May Be Required

If a person has a technical aptitude, but does not have audio-related experience, the technical responsibilities can be taught. The other listed skills are sometimes hard to find in a person who is gifted with technical abilities.