Audiobook Editing Checklist: Removing Mouth Clicks & Breaths
Pristine audio editing checklist. Learn how to remove distracting mouth clicks, breath sounds, and plosives to pass ACX quality checks.
Eleanor Vance
Head of Digital Production
"Even the best voice narration contains distracting mouth clicks, breath sounds, and paper rustling. Meticulous audio editing is essential to keep listeners engaged and pass ACX quality reviews."
Core Key Takeaways
- Removing Distracting Mouth Clicks and Pops
- Managing Breath Sounds and Pacing Transitions
- Eliminating Plosives and Sub-Bass Rumble
1. Removing Distracting Mouth Clicks and Pops
Use spectral editing tools in Adobe Audition or Audacity to find and erase high-frequency clicks and pops without altering the voice.
- Use spectral views to locate and delete click spikes.
- Keep edits natural to preserve the voice quality.
- Apply gentle de-essing to control harsh sibilance.
2. Managing Breath Sounds and Pacing Transitions
Avoid deleting every breath, as it makes the narration sound artificial. Lower the volume of deep breaths by 10 to 15dB to keep them natural but quiet.
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3. Eliminating Plosives and Sub-Bass Rumble
Use high-pass filters to cut sub-bass rumble (below 80Hz) and control heavy plosives (pops from "P" and "B" sounds).
The Takeaway
Clean audio editing ensures an immersive listening experience. At Golden Ivory Publishing, we manage narration casting, editing, and ACX compliance.
Build a High-Converting Author Platform & Digital Hub
Custom author websites, newsletter reader magnets, and direct-to-reader digital storefronts that sell books on autopilot.
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