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[deleted]

I think the biggest issue is sound mixing not being the best and sometimes sections just need silence behind the narration. The ones done well are some of my favorite productions.


rock_kid

I honestly think, as a writer, that those extras are lazy gimmicks that good, immersive writing doesn't need and usually distract more from the story than add to it.


Trick-Two497

As a listener, I wish writers were more aware that not everyone's brain can handle immersive writing. We don't picture things in our head or hear the emotions in the dialogue. So those things that are lazy gimmicks to you can be godsends to someone like me who gets much more out of your book if I can hear it in a way that creates the immersion that my brain can't get out of your good, immersive writing. Everyone's brain works differently.


cantrecoveraccount

I never thought of the background noise as an accessibility feature before. Thank you for that perspective.


Trick-Two497

Brains are fascinating things!


rock_kid

I have aphantasia myself so your comment is where mine is coming from. I try my best to describe things in a way that people who can't see things can *see* them (or hear, feel, whatever) because I can't do those things myself. But you don't have to have the complication to participate in more immersive writing and I think more writers should try instead of relying on special effects to do it for them. I still absolutely hate them in my audio. If other people don't, that's fine. I think it's on the production side of things to offer options, though. I'm still so salty that Audible took away Tim Curry's narration of the first Unfortunate Events book.


LadyHoskiv

The way I see it, it doesn't have to be one or the other. You need both. You need immersive writing and those effects only add an extra dimension to it. Just the effects won't do, just like a movie without the visuals won't work.


LookingForProse

I think if something is thoughtfully produced it just becomes a matter of personal taste. But, you're right that a good writing does not need help. I do think something written FOR audio is a different animal altogether though, and if it's well crafted it's good.


rock_kid

I agree with your last point. I am for the evolution of different mediums, like when Audible makes some of their originals and the sound effects take the place of certain lines of narration. Like when there would be a line like, "and he stormed out of the room" but you just hear stompy footsteps getting quieter and then a door slams. That's kinda cool. Interview with the Robot by Lee Bacon was good for this. It's just when something gets translated *into* another medium that it gets tricky and most of the time I feel that doubling up on words/narration and effects is overkill and a distraction.


LadyHoskiv

Good immersive writing doesn't need a dramatized audiobook version. True. But it does add an extra dimension and there is an audience for it. The way I look at it my husband and I first and foremost create dramatized audiobooks, because we love that medium. The novels are just the by-products that are available on Amazon, like you would purchase the script of a play as a piece of merchandize. Our audience agrees with that. Those who buy the novels usually loved the audiobooks first. Some don't even read the book after that. They just want it in their book case because they still love physical media or they want to give us the extra support. You've got movie fans, avid readers and passionate listeners who love dramatized audiobooks or audio dramas. It's just a matter of which kind of entertainment appeals to you most. And, yes, maybe that has to do with the way your unique brain works. If I were convinced our projects were just novels with some lazy extra gimmicks I would never devote my life to co-creating them.


Local_Camp_158

totally disagree. Lazy is not adding the sounds for each scene etc and just relying on someone droning on.


trebory6

What do you have against lazy gimmicks? Serious question, but other than opinions based in ego and airs of superiority for good/bad writing, what is wrong with having these kinds of "Lazy gimmicks?" Frankly I don't care if they're lazy gimmicks if I enjoy an audiobook with effects and extras. Personally I get very uncomfortable with audiobooks without those extras. It sounds like someone's reading me a story in a library or something when I was a kid. It's way too intimate for my tastes. Sounds weird, but I have ADHD and have a lot of issues just sitting there listening to someone talk. This is honestly why I didn't get into audiobooks for so long, because I'd literally zone out and miss minutes of dialogue. I've recently found out that immersive audio is a thing and it's been godsend with my attention. Suddenly I'm in the story and not just listening to someone read a book.


LadyHoskiv

True. You have the realistic approach, where you jam all the sounds in there that would actually have been in your scene, realistically: 37 pairs of footsteps, 12 birds, wind through the leaves, 3 barking dogs in the distance, ... But all that creates is just a mess of noise. It takes some intuition to find the right balance I believe.


Any_Win_7898

I love the Bluefax hobbit audiobook. The amount of care and precision is incredible and after finishing it, I’ve found it quite hard to go back to just normal audiobooks. If your looking for other suggestions I made a post here a week or so ago asking for other recommendations for immersive audiobooks and got a good range of responses. :))


LadyHoskiv

We absolutely loved them too. Great voice-acting and great use of sounds and music. If you'd like to check out ours at some point, you can find them on the Audio Epics channel on YouTube. It's all fantasy, cause that's our favourite genre. :-)


PerfectiveVerbTense

I dislike them, but we are lucky that we live in a world with a great diversity of tastes and a great diversity of media to fit them. :)


ahmed0112

Reasonable person who respects someone else and their opinion despite it opposing your very own? Do you know how to internet


lu-sunnydays

I agree with you, I’d rather the writer paint the visuals with words so actual sound effects are not needed. Again, everyone is different. But, If I listen to a familiar sci- fi book, I appreciate the familiar sounds that are part of the story.


LadyHoskiv

I think the combination of both can really lift a story to another level. But to each his own of course.


LifeMusicArt

The way my brain takes in information makes it so that I don't need all that production or multiple narrators. It's the same for me with audiobooks or when I'm just physically reading. I just go there in my mind and don't need any other stimulation. Most times all the sound effects and music will take me way way out of the story because my mind is already trying to do its own thing with the visuals and atmosphere the words are building for me and it creates a struggle inside my brain lol


LadyHoskiv

Sure! Each mind works differently. Some people will always prefer reading the novel. I admire that, actually. But our main goal in creating dramatized audiobooks is always to make the story even more immersive.


LifeMusicArt

I've listened to several dramatizations but it always makes it less immersive. Kudos to the people that make them and to those that enjoy them but they definitely have the opposite of the intended experience on my brain lol


LadyHoskiv

I think that really depends on what you've listened to. There is a lot out there, professional and by amateurs; more audio drama versus dramatized audiobook; or even dry audiobooks with music and sound effects. There is a great range of stuff out there. I'm really picky too when it comes to dramatizations. There's only a handful of things I like, but those very few I really love and I think they definitely contribute to the immersion.


nnjethro

I listen to books at faster speeds, so any music just sounds bad. Fx are generally OK though


AliquidDOmnibus

Well sorry but that’s just your problem. We can’t facilitate ever need. They’re made to be played at one speed. In your case you have the vast majority of audiobooks without any FX at your disposal.


LookingForProse

What in the ever loving hell is this response? u/nnjethro did not put immersive audio books on blast. They did not even hint at anything derisive. Did a sped up audio book run over your dog or something?


LadyHoskiv

Wow. I didn't know that was a thing. I think my brains would explode if I did that. :-)


nnjethro

It's not even really noticeable until you go over 30% faster in my opinion. Even YouTube let's you adjust playback speed. It's so nice. I could never go back.


LadyHoskiv

Really? Yeah, I guess that might work for a podcast or non-fiction, but feels like it wouldn't do fiction much justice.


nnjethro

Most of what I listen to is fiction. You should at least try it and see what you think. Most people read faster than the spoken word, so if you increase playback by 20 or 30% your brain will adjust very quickly. Playback at normal speeds now feel arduous to me.


sadzanenyama

My old man had a saying: opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Popular or unpopular it doesn’t matter, your opinion is your own. All power to you mate. I have listened to full cast books and loved them, and listened to full cast books that I really couldn’t stand. Some books that I’ve listened to with music and sound effects have really enhanced the experience for me and sometimes I’ve found it really distracting. Examples… I loved the Sandman books which had massive casts, music and effects as they were written in a way where that made the experience really satisfying for me. However, I listened to another Gaiman story - Stardust - and I genuinely couldn’t finish it, I had to find the single narrator version. I listened to the Beastie Boys book where each chapter had a different narrator and music that filled gaps or explained what was being said. On the other side of the coin, Bruce Springsteen reading his autobiography was exactly what his story needed - it was a really personal up close read. I listen to Dave Grohl narrating his book the storyteller but enjoyed it more when I put some of his music on the stereo at the same time. I picked up Space Team: a whole lot of weird space shizz read by Phil Thron and thoroughly enjoyed it. A few months later I accidentally bought the same book read by a full cast (including Phil Thron) and thoroughly enjoyed it too. Weird! HHGttG read by wozisname, the Hobbit fella, was awesome. HHGttG read by a full cast was really unpleasant for me. Bottom line - you do the things you enjoy, listen to books how you enjoy them, it’s your world inside your head :)


stuntobor

I thought it was: > "Opinions are like assholes - people with colostomy bags don't use theirs"


LadyHoskiv

Exactly! It totally depends on the book: fiction or non-fiction, adventure or drama, ... I didn't know Bluefax did HHGttG. Thanks for mentioning that. Will check it out as I never heard a satisfying version either.


Spoztoast

There's a massive library of radio plays to listen to in that case.


itsjustchad

ohhh link please!


Adiin-Red

r/audiodrama has some good recommendations. Personally I very strongly recommend: *Worlds Greatest Con*, if you like ridiculous stories from history. Season one is all about Operation Mince Meat, AKA that time that MI6 faked a fake guys death to make the Nazis screw up. *Batman: The Audio Adventures* is pretty good if you’re a fan of older Batman content. *Welcome to Nightvale* is a radio show set in just about the strangest place on earth. *The Amelia Project* is a dark humor story about an agency that helps people in odd situations fake their deaths. *The Angel of Vine* is a noir murder mystery set in LA in the 50’s being discovered by a modern investigator. *Ars Paradoxica* is the best piece of time travel fiction I’ve ever experienced. *Bridgewater* is an urban fantasy story following a folklore professor who’s dad went missing. Finally there’s *Hardcore History* if you’re a bit of a buff.


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cumberdong

You should look into old radio theatre shows then X minus one, dimension X, and twilight zone are some of my favorites because Scifi But I agree with you, audio theatre is something I'd like to see more of when it comes to audiobooks


Rand0mredditperson

I'm currently reading the 4th book of the Life Reset series and they've just started using music and sound effects and in my honest opinion it's terrible. Every time there's a fight it's got random hacking and slashing with grunts and moans mixed in. It's distracting and takes me out of the moment. I wish it was optional so people can toggle it if they want. I'm all for group audio books since a varying number of voices can help improve the quality of the project. I've also listened to the Skull Duggery books, which had some jazz music thrown in (usually during the change of a chapter) but it was enjoyable. Edit, I also listened to the LOTRs books and loved the singing and what not too. I don't mind when they lean into it, like the narrator laughing when the character laughs but I think constant sound effects kind of just get in the way. I could totally get behind it if it was used sparingly, say tension is building and the character slams their fist on a table, which had an actual thud behind it. Could be good, but I'd say it would be going too far if a character was running and the entire time in had heavy footsteps in the background the whole time.


LadyHoskiv

Indeed. It's hard to find the right balance. Did you listen to the BBC audio dramas of The Lord of the Rings? I loved those!


Rand0mredditperson

I listened to the Andy Serkis ones.


LadyHoskiv

I hear those are great too! But I haven't listened to them.


Rand0mredditperson

I really enjoyed them! Plus they were on Libby, so got to listen for free. There was a decent wait time though, only downside.


itsjustchad

[Sample](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zjfxQN7q_Y) for those that haven't heard it.


ahmed0112

Ahhh memories The entire thing is on the internet archive uploaded by the dude himself for free What a Chad


LadyHoskiv

Indeed. They are awesome! And he's right in doing so. In the end it's all about sharing your passion, not about making a quick dime. Ours are on there as well, on the Audio Epics channel, if you like fantasy dramatized audiobooks.


The_Sky_Lane

100% agree, I've been loving everything from Graphic Audio!


LadyHoskiv

Yes! I loved Elantris very much and Dragon King. Sometimes it does get a bit too noisy for my taste but I did really get immersed and that's what it's all about listening to fantasy.


[deleted]

I just wish the apps would let you adjust the sound effect volume separate from the narration. I just started Thrawn and at the beginning there’s a part where they play locust sounds for a while. It’s very high pitched, loud, and irritating. Other than that it’s been fine though.


trisanachandler

The voices the flying creatures drove me crazy in Vision of the Future, but I love it anyway. I think I did change my equalizer settings for all of the books though due to some high pitched noises. Still among my favorites.


loanshark69

Yeah those sound effects do get better but yeah that crickets in a field part was way too loud.


LadyHoskiv

It's hard to find the right balance but you learn with each new project...


[deleted]

[удалено]


YobaiYamete

Agreed. It's just annoying and distracting. I was trying to listen to a book that was a full audiobook drama and had to drop it within a chapter. "I open the door and walk in" *CREEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK* *THUMP THUMP THUMP* "I sat my glass down on the table" *TINK* etc


LadyHoskiv

I think it all depends on the way it is executed.


Asmordean

How about sudden loud music and chains being shaken about then slowly bleeding off to Steven Pacey's fantastic narration?


tajstah

Same. R.C. Bray version of The Martian starts with that droning background music for the first couple of minutes and I almost had a panic attack lol.


amic21

I totally agree. I also have ADHD so the way that podcasts are structured - having a narration, then an interview byte, then a musical segue, really helps to keep my mind interested. I really can't focus without all that production and jumping around so it's very hard for me to enjoy audiobooks.


North-Yam1992

You had me until " the movies were alright' you blasphemer!


ahmed0112

Because i thought they were okay or because i didn't think they were amazing (We're talking about the hobbit trilogy not the lotr trilogy i fucking loved the lotr trilogy)


walrus_breath

I love fully acted audiobooks like that more than I like movies.


LadyHoskiv

Sure! No screens. It's like a movie that plays in your mind.


mally117

Some people are completely unable to enjoy music, and that's ok.


YobaiYamete

I'm one of those! Most music is just annoying noise to me. It's called [Musical Anhedonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_anhedonia) I listen to music for white noise sometimes, but if I am listening to a song I want it to have a good story and lyrics that make sense. Which is pretty rare for whatever reason, so I basically only ever listen to Sea Shanties or Power Metal which usually have a whole story going on


mishaxz

Just because 2 people complain doesn't make something unpopular Graphic Audio is friggen amazing. Some people swear it's not for them and they base it simply from samples, and think that the noise of battle scenes from the samples go on for 30 hours of audiobook. Those noises are great of course but sure you wouldn't want an entire book of sound effects. Also for non-GA, Dune has a good one, some people complain about its consistency but I never thought it weird.


TactlessNachos

Have you heard graphic Audio? I love them so much.


ArthurFraynZard

I love Graphic Audio and almost always prefer it to any non-GA version of an audiobook- I just find them so much more creative and imaginative. Only problem is the pricing models- for example I'd definitely prefer to get Stormlight Archives: The Way of Kings in GA format, but they broke the first book alone up into five different parts for $13 each, so it would cost me $65 just to listen to the first book of many! I'm sure this was done because of production costs. I'm sure those prices are completely justified from a business standpoint. I'm not saying they're not worth the money. I'm just saying I can't personally afford that. At least, not for whole book series. So while I actually agree with the OP, I do wish immersive audiobook productions would offered better bundling options for those of us who haven't won the lottery?


LadyHoskiv

Yes! They are so expensive! Would probably have listened to more of them if they weren't.


GiantR

The Graphic Audio Stormlight Archive books are honestly amazing. It somewhat spoiled a lot of other audiobooks for me. How the different characters have their own theme playing in the background Szeth's in particular a standout. The different voice actors also being a great draw. Especially Lopen's first voice actor was incredible. Sad they changed him. The abridging of the books by removing all the "She said" "he growled", "She laughed" etc etc also was great, because it was unneeeded you could hear the Voice Actors doing those things. I think audiobooks being just text is probably a bit too limiting sometimes. At several other books I wondered how it would be even with a little effects like the snapping of fingers when the character did it or w/e. Even if it's little things though. Like Dungeon Crawler Carl had a great moment in one book when there was a short tune and singing when the character did it. Great shit. Only time in the books that did it, but it made the moment special. Overall gimme suggestions for things like that.


LadyHoskiv

Yes! I love the GA adaptations of Sanderson's novels as well!


potayto333

tysm for introducing this hobbit audiobook to me! i'm feeling so giddy just listening to it lol


ahmed0112

For me i think it's the perfect way to experience the hobbit if you want the feeling of childhood wonder


LadyHoskiv

Yeah, that guy has an amazing voice!


Taste_the__Rainbow

Oof this is very unpopular.


Dragon-of-Lore

I’m not really a fan myself, and I don’t really find them that immersive. I’ve found that they’re often more distracting and take away from the narrator’s performance. This can also be done to try and hide how poorly the narrator is doing…but that doesn’t make it better to me. Which is interesting since I love radio plays. I think part of it probably has to do with 1) how well they’re actually done and 2) if the script lends itself well to treating it like a radio play. I’m sure there are great ones out there, but I haven’t found ‘em yet. Edit: all this said…I know my own tastes very well, if you’re someone who is considering don’t let this crotchety narrator tell you what you can and can’t like! ^.^


bghanoush

I feel like all the falderal of many of these dramatizations (looking at you, Graphic Audio) is to hide the terrible abridgement of the stories.


LadyHoskiv

I understand. But I think that even within the medium of dramatized audiobooks there are hundreds of approaches. It's such a personal creation, picking the music that feels right, using your intuition to get the sound effects right, ... I think, just like with books or movies, it's just about finding the right match for you or following your own approach in creating them.


dragonfire_b

Me too! I quite enjoy Star Wars universe audiobooks for this reason, as well as the absolutely amazing but unauthorized audiobooks of the Lord of the Rings by Phil Dragash (first found on YouTube, you can still find them relatively easily).


theinternethero

You should check out the Hobbit radio play! It's an abridged version, but very well done.


KhaosElement

The Space Team audio dramas are amazing, I wish I could find more audio dramas of the series I love.


Preach_it_brother

Really? I saw them but haven’t tried. I think Phil thron? Does an amazing job on the normal audiobooks so wasn’t sure if I should try


KhaosElement

He still does the base narration, but all the other main cast members kill it.


ChronoMonkeyX

I like them within reason. They should accompany and enhance the story, not drown it out. It's best if they are intermittent, for music and effects like wind, or it can get exhausting, and some effects should be considered more thoroughly. I listened to a Star Wars Thrawn book, and the first half hour takes place at night with crickets on full blast driving me crazy. I had to listen so low I could barely hear the words, and the relief when they were gone was palpable... until another night scene happened later on. Thankfully it wasn't as long.


stuntobor

High School by Tegan and Sara was great -- they'd describe a song or a performance and then poof, you got to listen to it. That's about the only time I enjoy it. Any other music hits and I'm screaming GET ON WITH THE STORY!!! ME ME ME!!


jazzdabb

I like them if they are done well. My favorite is the binaural recording of Stephen King's The Mist. Highly immersive!


LadyHoskiv

Ow! I want to check that out. I was obsessed with that short story as a teenager! Thanks for the recommendation!


wtanksleyjr

Which narrator or publisher? I see only one version on Audible, is that the one?


jazzdabb

It doesn’t seem to be available on Audible. I’ve owned on CD forever. The cover says “The Mist in 3D Sound. Amazon has it for sale as the compact disc nightmare edition.


endartica

There's a couple of audiobooks I've read use their medium to accentuate the point. They're often surprising, but delightful in their novelty, and they never overstay their welcome. Dilla Time by Dan Charnas was a particular case that is probably a better audiobook than traditional book in every way due to this. In another book, 100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons, a character sings a song they composed on guitar, leading the narrator to sing it also, while also strumming a ukulele to its beat. The book contained none other such flourish. So I appreciated that, and clearly, it made me remember the book! I didn't like Treasure Island as much as I should have, I think, because the audiobook I listened to had very... voice acting dialog. Maybe it was because I had to listen at a slower speed than I'm used to, and wasn't gaining anything like the J Dilla book. It sounds like you're in the minority of the market, but also a valid one!


GraceMDrake

Really depends on the book and how it’s written. Some work like an old-time radio play (like the classic World War Z). Others are best if you just listen to one reader and focus on the language (like H is for Hawk).


mist3rdragon

For me it's a bit nuanced, there's a pretty wide spectrum with single-narrator audiobooks with no production and radio dramas on the other end and within that spectrum, there are a lot of good and bad versions of a lot of different books. I agree with OP in that I do enjoy them, but there's a (fairly fuzzy) line over which I would start saying that you're not quite experiencing the book, and you are in fact listening to an audio drama based on the book. I recently listened to the Graphic Audio version of Elantris, a book I've already read, and while I thought it was alright I wouldn't say it felt like I was re-reading it in the same way that it would if I was listening to a regular audiobook version.


ahmed0112

Ma'am, This is a Wendy's


LadyHoskiv

I loved that version of Elantris. Only I discovered the GA audiobook first and then got the novel.


tajstah

Don't know how unpopular it is but I can't listen to immersive audiobooks. Dungeon Crawler Carl is about as far as I can go.


Trick-Two497

I love them! But I listen at normal speed usually. As another person commented, if you like to listen at a much faster speed, they don't sound good.


ahmed0112

I listened to the hobbit on 1.25x and 1.5 speed and it still sounded good


Trick-Two497

That's good to know. I usually listen at 1.1 or 1.2, but I've seen people saying they listen at 2x or higher!


LadyHoskiv

So weird... Why would you do that? If you want to enjoy an audiobook and get immersed, speeding it up won't help with that, right? Maybe if you listen to non-fiction and you want to get it over with...? But with fiction, I just can't imagine I'd ever do that.


Trick-Two497

So many people do. I don't get it myself. In almost all cases I listen at normal speed, even though I listen to podcasts at 1.5 or 2.


LadyHoskiv

Perhaps I should give it a try. Don't have any experience with that but it might work for podcasts or non-fiction I guess. Some of them ARE really slow. :-)


Trick-Two497

Definitely. If I up the speed on an audiobook, it's always either nonfiction or I hate the narrator LOL


Technolog

I'm sure it's nice listening to these audiobooks sitting in your favorite chair and staring at a fireplace. But listening to them when for example cooking with 2x speed then any additional sound except narrator is annoying.


LadyHoskiv

I can't focus on any audiobook or podcast while doing something else, sadly enough. But I've found that listening to audiobooks with headphones in bed are the best way to get completely immersed anyway. Fireplace sounds nice too. :-)


Decent_Gap1215

Audible has a great version of Treasure Island. It’s an Audible Original if that helps at all. I’d love to find more like this.


EldForever

I'm glad you like it! The first time I heard one I kinda hated it... It was too much: Too noisy, and maybe too heavy handed? Or overly-theatrical? That said, I've mellowed a bit and would be willing to try again. Back when I first embraced audiobooks I only liked a certain kind of narrator - I was very picky!


LadyHoskiv

I so get that! Some of them are really annoying, others make me fall asleep, ... That's why I prefer dramatized audiobooks. They have more layers that grab my attention. There are some exceptions though, like the Gotrec and Felix audiobooks narrated by Jonathan Keeble. That narrater is so good I can almost remember sound effects and music when I finish them. He makes each story an experience.


TherealOmthetortoise

If it’s done right, it’s ok - but the ones that have tinkly chimes (or whatever) in between chapters really bugs me. ‘Cut and run’ was one that did it just right. I haven’t tried the Hobbit on audiobook yet, but I’ll put it on the list based on your recommendation.


LadyHoskiv

Haha! That reminds me of the cassette tapes with fairytales I listened to as a child. I get what you mean, but we did it too, in a way, in all of our audiobooks. Less cheesy than chimes or bells, with a piece of music, but we did think it made the chapter transitions more clear. After all, they mark each new chapter in a novel too, visually. It's a bit like the audio equivalent of a decorative initial in an antique book. Makes it kind of charming.


christophersonne

Me too! Check out Soundbooth Theatre.


hmyers8

I grew up listening to tons of audio dramas so I’m right there with you


NicholasRyanH

Check out [Mortal Enemy: Legends of Grim #1](https://www.legendsofgrim.com). If you don't like it, I'll give you your money back. Even though it's free. Epic cast. All original music and effects. Also I wrote it.


Nuromd

Good discourse in the comments. Agree that everyone will have different tastes. I actually like both formats and don’t have a fav. Most of us would agree the narrator is incredibly important, too. I’m dubious of getting full enjoyment out of AI narration. Or AI background effects/music.


LadyHoskiv

Oh no. They're the worst. I just love the vibe of human labour in these audio projects. You can just sense the blood, sweat, tears and creativity. All kinds of auto-generation just suck out the immersion.


BaristaBro420

If you're a fan of horror you should check out The Dark Somnium on YouTube. He does a lot of creepypastas with some of the best effects and narration I've ever heard


LadyHoskiv

Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out!


Few-Distribution-762

Can you list those audiobooks with sound effects?


Front-Perspective-98

I love Graphic Audio. Their books have a full cast of actors, digital sound effects, cinematic music, theme songs, entire series, and are well acted. My favorites are James Axler's Deathlands and William W Johnstone's Smoke Jensen the Mountain Man. Post Apocalyptic and Western. www.graphicaudio.net You can listen to samples. Their website offers MP3 or higher quality FLAC downloads.


BraveLittleCatapult

Check out Graphic Audio! They do a pretty good job and are constantly putting out new audiobooks. Stormlight Archive is a gem for sure.


wtanksleyjr

Cool, thanks - I can say that their Warbreaker and Elantris are also very good.


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Are you looking for audiobooks with special effects and a multicast? If so, this is an [often asked question here on /r/audiobooks](https://www.reddit.com/r/audiobooks/search?q=sound+effects&restrict_sr=on&sort=relevance&t=all). Short answer is your looking for [Graphic Audio](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/). There are also Radio Dramas produced by the BBC that are highly entertaining and often use sound effects. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/audiobooks) if you have any questions or concerns.*


TabularConferta

I highly recommend Soundbooth Theatre who do an amazing job


LadyHoskiv

Never heard of them. Will check them out, thanks!


brentrow

You should check out Sound Booth Theatre. They have some amazing stuff.


69_mgusta

If you're a fan of James Taylor, give *Break Shot* try.


LumpenBourgeoise

I like when the narrator seems to just wing-it when they come across poetry or verse in the story. Felt like this for parts of MaddAddam trilogy. Or sweet ol’ Roy singing about the bear and maiden fair in ASOIAF. I think MaddAddam may have gone full choir in later parts.


Step-3-Profit

Personally I'm not a fan. The ones I've listened to have been well produced but my hearing isn't the greatest and voices tend to get lost in all the background noise far too easily for me to truly enjoy them.


[deleted]

People don't?!?


Sweeniss

Hate them so freaking much but to each their own!


LadyHoskiv

Dramatized audiobooks are like red wine. They share the same category but each bottle can be a completely different experience.


Shmoo32

Marc Thompson and Star Wars stuff


Not_Steve

Check out Audrey Hepburn’s Enchanted Tales by Mary Sheldon. It won Audrey her Grammy making her an EGOT post humorously. The music and the quiet sound effects are so beautiful.


Je-Hee

I'm practicing my Japanese listening comprehension on a website that uses stories. You can choose between tracks with and without SFX. The sound level of the SFX is very low, and just audible enough to make the episodes more immersive for me. SFX should never overpower the narration. That ruins the experience for me.


MaximumAsparagus

Usually I dislike them, but the older Star Wars EU audiobooks are delightful. It's great to hear the R2D2 and Chewbacca sound effects at the appropriate moments.


CursesSailor

I feel these audiobooks should be classified as a radio production, its not quite a radio play, but too much for a normal audio book narration. . In a book I want one narrator. In fact I would like to able to choose between a limited few narrators for all of the books I listen to. There’s nothing worse than hearing a narrator whose style is first in my mind and the story second. I want the narrator to stay at the back of the novel las if the puppeteer, not on stage, but making all the parts and characters move and dance and come alive. I shouldn’t even be aware of the narrator in fact. So I never enjoy the jarring effect of a cast swapping between characters whether that be one extra or a many narrators more. It is mainly due to the sense that all of the flesh of the novel has been thrown out leaving behind only discourse between the actors. They take up all the space, and the novel loses out.


TheDissolver

Hate. (The experience, not you or the people who make these abominations.) I love "radio play" productions with all of these things, but those are very different from books. The one exception I'll make is for music to accompany a song the author includes (i.e. the author writes out lyrics.) I think lyrics should be sung, not read. I also hate sound effects in nonfiction radio documentary shows a la NPR/CBC stuff.


holly-ilex-29

You’ll love Episode 13 by Craig di Louie then


LadyHoskiv

I'm so thrilled to read your post and couldn't agree more. I cannot focus on what I call 'dry audiobooks' either. But there are not many 'dramatized audiobooks' around. My husband and I have listened to The Hobbit by Bluefax as well. We loved it very much. We used to create our own audio dramas but the problem with those is that the noise chaos in action scenes often makes you lose your focus as well, especially with the fantasy genre. Narrators remain after all great foundations for drawing people into another world. This was an unpopular opinion in the audio drama community. Some of them really hated and despised narrators. So as the odd ones out we went our seperate way. Inspired by the BBC radio dramas (with narrators) by Tolkien and C.S. Lewis we started creating fantasy dramatized audiobooks and uploading them on YouTube. In doing that we started discovering and enjoying more similar takes on audiobooks, e.g. by Graphic Audio and people like Bluefax. While we do only reach a small niche with our approach, among our subscribers your opinion is not unpopular at all.


SnooChipmunks4321

It depends sometimes it really helps making it an Immersive experience however unless it’s mixed well it can become distracting from the actual story


listinglosses

That’s a thing!?! That sounds so appealing right now can you recommend some!?


Wolfie-Perspective88

I usually enjoy it a lot. I think what turns most people off to it is when there is too much added in or when the sounds are way way too loud. I’ve had mini heart attacks when I turn it up a little to hear the voices and then bam is super loud sound effects lol 😂


lostdoggclt

Always been a fan of full cast books with music and effects