Pozotron's Audio Analysis Tool: What It Does and Why It Matters

Whether you're a narrator or an editor managing audiobook quality control, understanding and passing audio specs is an essential step in the process. However, for many, all the audio engineering jargon can be overwhelming.

Meet Pozotron's Audio Analysis tool! We take the guesswork out of quality assurance by providing clear, easy-to-understand metrics about your audio files—all in one place.

Let's break down what the Audio Analysis tool does.

What Is the Audio Analysis Tool?

Pozotron's Audio Analysis tool evaluates the technical quality of your audio files and checks them against standard audiobook specs.

This tool scans your audio and provides feedback on whether your files meet industry standards, including those required by major audiobook retailers like Audible and Findaway Voices.

You can think of it like a friendly checklist that makes sure your audio sounds great and won't be rejected during the upload process, saving you time and improving the listener experience.

Understanding the Key Metrics

Now, let's break down the main dimensions Pozotron analyzes in everyday terms.

1. RMS (Root Mean Square) Level

• What it is: Think of this as your file's average loudness.
• Why it matters: Audio that's too quiet or too loud can be hard to listen to. RMS keeps it in the "Goldilocks" zone - just right.
• Standard spec: An RMS between -23 dB and -18 dB.

2. Peak Level

• What it is: This measures the loudest moment in your file.
• Why it matters: Spikes in audio can be jarring to listeners. Keeping peak levels below a set ceiling prevents distortion.
• Standard spec: Peaks must not exceed -3 dB.

3. Noise Floor

• What it is: This is the background noise when you're not speaking.
• Why it matters: A high noise floor means you can hear hums or hisses, which is not ideal for a professional audiobook. Please note that this does not mean absolute silence is needed.
• Standard spec: ACX requires a noise floor below -60 dB.

4. File Length

• What it is: The total duration of each audio file.
• Why it matters: Distributors often have file length requirements.
• Standard Spec: No chapter or section exceeds 120 minutes.

5. Room Tone at the Beginning and End

• What it is: Checks if you have the required room tone padding at the start and finish of each file.
• Why it matters: This helps listeners transition smoothly between chapters and gives space for playback buffers.
• Standard spec: Usually 0.5 to 1 second at the beginning and 1 to 5 seconds at the end.
  Tip: 5 seconds is a long time and can be confusing for listeners. If you were not given specific instructions, 2.5-3.5 is the most common length for end room tone.

6. Bitrate and Sample Rate

• What it is: This refers to the technical settings used when recording or exporting your audio.
• Why it matters: Files must be encoded correctly to avoid rejection. Bitrate impacts file size and quality; sample rate affects clarity.
• Standard spec: 192 kbps bitrate and 44.1 kHz sample rate for most platforms.

7. Channel Type (Mono vs. Stereo)

• What it is: Indicates whether your file is mono (one audio channel) or stereo (two audio channels).
• Why it matters: Audiobooks are typically delivered in mono to minimize file size and ensure consistency.
• Standard Spec: Mono

Switching Between Publisher Specs

One of the most useful features of Pozotron's Audio Analysis tool is the ability to switch between spec profiles depending on where your audiobook is being distributed.

In just a few clicks, you can toggle between preset profiles like:

• ACX (Audible)
• Findaway Voices / Spotify
• Audiobooks Unleashed
• Add Your Own - you can create your own set of specs!

This flexibility means you don't need to memorize or manually adjust your workflow for each distributor. Pozotron does the thinking for you.

Confidence in Every File

Pozotron's Audio Analysis tool was designed to give audiobook professionals more control, clarity, and confidence. You don't need to be an audio engineer to understand what your files are doing. And you certainly don't need to rely on guesswork.

By using Audio Analysis, you ensure your audiobook is:

• Technically sound
• Ready for distribution
• Comfortable for listeners to enjoy

No more back-and-forth over unclear rejections. No more worrying about whether your audio meets the spec. With Pozotron, you'll know.

Ready to hear how your files stack up? Log in to your Pozotron dashboard and try Audio Analysis today.