The Audiobook Guy Tools

Tools for Narrators, Built by a Narrator... me!

Every tool on this page came out of a real problem I hit while prepping or recording an audiobook. I couldn't find something that worked the way I needed, so I built it — and I kept building until it actually helped. They're free to use, and they're still growing. If something's missing or breaks, let me know at the bottom of the page In the comments!

Some tools are hosted right on this website, and some link to my GitHub page, depending on what the tool needs to work! Either way, they help me, so I hope they can help you!

ACX Audio Checker

Check your audio against ACX requirements!

A tool to check your finished files against ACX's technical requirements before you upload — catching issues with peaks, RMS, noise floor, and file specs ahead of time. It is faster than the ACX checker on their site and some of the other checkers out there; I find it more accurate and clearer in the way it breaks down any Issues it finds too.

Try the ACX Audio Checker

Research Tool

Pronunciation research from the sites I use every day!

Type in a word and get straight to the dictionaries and pronunciation sites that I use and give me the best results! — Oxford, Merriam-Webster, Collins, Forvo, Wiktionary, and more — each one opening pre-loaded with your search. When it's available, you'll also see a Quick Facts bar right on the page: RP and General American IPA, audio playback, and a short definition, so sometimes you won't need to leave the page at all.

Try the Research Tool

Accent Chart

See how a sound changes across accents — side by side

Pick any two (or twenty) accents and compare how they handle the same sound, from Received Pronunciation to Scouse to General American to New Zealand English. Select the accents you care about, and the chart lays out the IPA for each one so you can hear the differences instead of guessing at them.

Try the Accent Chart

IPA Chart

The full IPA chart, where you can hear every symbol!

A clickable IPA chart — vowels and consonants — where every symbol plays its sound. Built for quick reference when you're writing down pronunciation, accent notes, or just reminding yourself of a phoneme you don't use often.

Try the IPA Chart

Audio Recorder

Hit record, give it a name, and save the MP3 to your computer or straight to Google Drive

I use this for character voice reference or to remind me of a pronunciation. A simple browser-based recorder: not only can you upload straight to a Google Drive folder, but it generates the shareable link automatically! I put that in my Google Sheet to share with clients so they can check out the prep. No software to install, no faff.

Try the Audio Recorder

Pomodoro Timer

Focus timer, built for Kev's ADHD brain!

A Pomodoro-style timer designed to keep you locked in for your best work, great for prep days! 25-minute focus blocks, short breaks, and longer breaks you control the length of. Add your task list, drag to reorder, and let the timer keep you moving through a session without watching the clock. I have pretty Intense ADHD, and find prep days the hardest. Reading a book, doing research without going to rabbit holes. This helps me stay on track and get the work done!

Try the Pomodoro Timer

PayPal Fee Calculator

Enter what you want to receive... because we need money...

Work out what to charge on a quote so that after PayPal's fees come out, you still land on the number you meant to. Enter what you want to receive, and it works backwards to the invoice total. I don't know why this is so complicated to work out, or why they don't have this on the site... but there you go... here is this one! Ha ha!

Try the PayPal Fee Calculator

Suggest a Tool / Leave Feedback

Got an idea, or found something broken?

These tools exist because I needed them and couldn't find something to do it, or other narrators told me what they needed — so if there's something that would make your prep/recording/life easier, or something here isn't working right, let me know In the comments, and I will try to get it sorted!

Thanks all!!!!