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Demonstration of my Audio book Maker

Howto & Style

Demonstration of My Audiobook Maker

Introduction

This article serves as a detailed guide on how to transform text files or PDFs into MP3 audiobooks using a collection of batch files and software. We will walk through the process using the initial chapters of Arthur Conan Doyle's A Study in Scarlet.

Steps and Process Overview

  1. File Preparation:

    • The user selects a text or PDF file to be converted.
    • Rename the file for conversion purposes. For instance, we'll call our example "scarlet."

  2. Pre-processing:

    • The system removes unnecessary dashes and punctuation to enable smoother reading.
    • The content is split into smaller chunks, approximately 15 kilobytes each.

  3. Text-to-Speech Conversion:

    • The pre-processed files are passed to Balabolka, a text-to-speech reader, which converts them into WAV format.

  4. WAV to MP3 Conversion:

    • Once Balabolka has finished conversion, the files are handed over to LAME, an MP3 encoder that converts WAV files to MP3 format.
    • LAME also tags the MP3 files with appropriate metadata, including track numbers.

  5. File Compilation:

    • The system compiles all the MP3 files into a sequentially numbered folder on your desktop, named after the specified title ("scarlet" in our example).

Detailed Demonstration

To demonstrate the functionalities, let’s go through the complete process:

  1. Activation:

    • Drag the desired PDF file to the designated drop target or shortcut.
    • Input the book title when prompted.

  2. Processing:

    • The system commences the pre-processing steps, cleans up the text, and divides it into smaller chunks.
    • Each segment is sequentially processed through Balabolka into WAV files.

  3. Conversion:

    • LAME converts the WAV files into MP3 format, tagging them correctly.
    • The tags include album names and track numbers. The system can handle up to 99 files with appropriate sequencing.

  4. Result:

    • The system places the converted files into a new folder on your desktop under the specified name.
    • You can adjust the reading speed and voice settings by opening Balabolka and selecting the desired configurations.

Example Output

Sample playback of the audiobook:

PART I. BEING A REPRINT FROM THE REMINISCENCES OF JOHN H. WATSON, M.D.,
LATE OF THE ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
CHAPTER I. MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES.
In the year 1878 I took my degree of Doctor of Medicine of the University...

The voice used is Microsoft Mary, utilizing the SAPI4 settings, which is considered ideal for narration. You can further customize voice settings through Balabolka.

Download and Customization

I may include a download link for this toolkit in the description. You can adjust settings like reading speed and voice type by accessing Balabolka and making the desired changes.

Keywords

  • PDF to MP3
  • Text-to-Speech
  • Balabolka
  • LAME mp3 encoder
  • Audiobook creation
  • Batch files
  • Automated process
  • Arthur Conan Doyle
  • A Study in Scarlet

FAQ

  1. What types of files can be converted?

    • Primarily text files and PDFs can be converted into MP3 audiobooks.

  2. Can I customize the voice and speech settings?

    • Yes, you can adjust the voice and speed settings by opening Balabolka and choosing your preferred configurations.

  3. How many files can the system handle?

    • The system can handle up to 99 files, and it tags and sequences them appropriately.

  4. Which voice settings are recommended for best results?

    • Microsoft Mary (SAPI4) is recommended for narration, but you may experiment with other voices available in Balabolka.

  5. How long does the conversion process take?

    • It takes about 30 to 40 seconds per file. For short novels, expect around 20-25 files; longer novels could have up to 50 files.

  6. Where can I find the converted files?

    • The converted MP3 files will be placed in a new folder on your desktop named after the specified title during the conversion process.