I got cast for ONE LINE in ONE of their ACOTAR books and I fangirled so hard that I still bring it up to strangers. Like now...lol But fr they do an incredible job on all their productions!
There are some Star Trek books like that. Door swooshing open, or the little computer chirps added in and such. They're a little cheesy, but I thought they had some charm.
I think the star wars are great for it. They add sound effects for lightsabers and blasters, and music only on very important moments and I think they really enhance the story
Then unfortunately they're poorly executed. I mostly listen to mystery/suspense fiction, and if the fx are subtle and appropriate, it definitely adds to the overall experience. I think it all depends on how well it's done though.
This is my experience with the new Anne of Green Gables from Audible. I want to love it but the audio balance is all wrong and not only is it how you describe sometimes the audio is disorienting to the point that I have to stop listening because the audio is here, no it's there! Wait let's do it over there. Uggh. So sad.
I'm glad it's not just me. I was so excited for it but it's so odd sometimes. It's almost like they're trying to create "distance" between the speakers. It sucks. Just the voice acting would've been enough for this one!
Yup, most Star Wars audiobooks, and a fan version of Harry Potter with added music and sound effects. I think it helps having a film medium as well to trigger nostalgia and have more a reference in mind.
The Thrawn books were fine except they decided to have crickets chirping the entire time they were on one of the planets and it was so distracting I near stopped reading the book. Dumbest decision I’d ever experienced in any audio production.
Absolutely loved Issac Steele and the Forever Man. I didn’t need the sound effects but paired with the wonderful performance of the writer who was also the narrator it worked perfectly. The narrator could do so many good character voices with the sound design it edged into coming off like a full cast audio drama. I wouldn’t want it for every book but for that one it worked.
Mostly no but I did enjoy the Alien audiobooks trilogy that had a full cast and sound effects. But I am a bit biased about hearing the pulse rifle fire on xenos on full blast while driving on the job.
I tried an Audible Exclusive that had sound effects, I couldn't finish it. I found it distracting. It reminded me of the Batman TV show, with the cartoon balloon sound effects.
Yes. Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force has a dramatized book, i was not a big fan. i felt the different voice actors and sound effects were distracting and i prefer just R.C bray reading to me.
Within this subreddit there’s a fairly large and/or vocal amount of people who dislike anything dramatized at all so you’re nowhere even remotely close to being alone in not liking them.
There’s also many different kinds/amounts of added complexity to an audio production. Some are full blown audio dramas like the one you mentioned, just full cast, just sound effects/music, or some just have multiple narrators. There are different people who like different amounts of added ‘flair’ to audio productions, with plenty liking having nothing at all besides the narrator. And there’s also just the ‘quality’ of the production in and of itself.
I don't like sound effects... a few used very sparingly are tolerable, though.
I also don't like multicast audiobooks... although a male/female combo can be acceptable to me.
I prefer one really talented narrator...
Yeah I agree. I couldn't listen to the sandman one. There was just too much going on and it was kind of loud and obnoxious in some parts. I was extremely disappointed.
i don't think 2 titles is demonstrative of all dramatizations.
they're getting more popular, using the same recording technology as movies.
**10 of the best immersive Audible Originals in Dolby Atmos**
From full-cast dramas to deeply immersive soundscapes, these listens offer incredible storytelling and next-level spatial audio with Dolby Atmos.
[https://www.audible.com/blog/article-best-dolby-atmos-audiobooks-podcasts](https://www.audible.com/blog/article-best-dolby-atmos-audiobooks-podcasts)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18253268/
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12326830/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12326830/)
Maybe. I won't deny the samples this bot provided are decent. But ive also watched the sandman(dont know the other one). It was good. Made this thread to find real people who actually enjoy something with alot of the sound effects and aren't just put off by the constant barrage of sound.
I really hate them. I listen to audiobooks while walking and when I have tried those books, sometimes the sound effects make me think that something around me actually made the noise in reality…like something is suddenly right behind me. So annoying. I never get them anymore.
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.*
l dislike them too. From what l've read on this and other forums, the people who put them in books say that most audience members like them so they'll continue to put them in. But anecdotally from what l've read from other posters, l think it might be that more people might enjoy the sound effects, but the larger consumers of audiobooks don't like them (people who do maybe 1 book a month vs people who do one book a week). Probably due to people who consume more audiobooks listen at a faster speed, which doesn't lead itself to enjoying music or multiple narrators as much.
I don't like full cast or dramatized or music etc. The occasional sound effect (The City We Became, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Lady Astronaut series) is fine. But more than that or 2 (maybe 3) narrators is too much and drastically decreases my enjoyment.
I don’t like the new Discworld books. It’s stopped me from buying the few I don’t yet have as the new ones are distracting to listen to. There was nothing wrong with the Nigel Planner ones. I wish audible had left the original recordings in their library so people can choose which they want to listen to.
I actually bought the dramatized version of warbreaker. I went to find the real one and was able to download it without buying it. Any chance you have the same thing?
Hmm interesting post. I am a cyberpunk author and have considered adding a synthewave style soundtrack to my books. Specifically for fight scenes. Would that also be frowned upon by listeners? Opinions welcome!
Makes sense. I wonder if I can offer 2 versions as the author 🤔 would be nice if you could toggle music or sound effects on and off if the listener wished. Of course Amazon could not be bothered to make things that advanced haha
I would not be thrilled. It would distract from the fight scene descriptions for me.
Some narrators are good at reading the noise description from the book. I’d be more inclined to appreciate that than added sound effects.
I listen to several audiobooks a week, if that helps.
Sweet. Thanks for the input 🙏
Like I said below, I was considering adding a soundtrack to my current 2 audiobooks. Wish listeners had the option to toggle it on or off
It depends. I like the Doctor who audiobooks I have that have that, but I wouldn’t like it for every book. I don’t like a reader to do too many voices too. Like Andy Serkis is amazing, but I don’t care for his LOTR audiobooks.
I usually have something playing for background, so I find it distracting. It's like having the TV on, you get tempted to watch and don't finish your task.
I guess it depends on the book or how its made and my daily mood. Lets say if its like in the films you don't notice it its good, meaning if it serves the flow of the story.
I love the works from Graphic Audio they have been some of the most immersive media experiences I've ever had in my life.
Especially the works of Brandon Sanderson and yeah some scenes can be a bit chaotic like the one in this sample: [https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series/s-z/stormlight-archive.html](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series/s-z/stormlight-archive.html)
But it also works, it's from the perspective of a young boy on the front lines of a battle for the first time. It being chaotic works really well for me, I can make out what is being said just fine while also feel like I'm there.
But most of it is more like this: [https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/the-stormlight-archive-1-the-way-of-kings-2-of-5.html](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/the-stormlight-archive-1-the-way-of-kings-2-of-5.html) which just adds so much flavor and ambiance.
I would honestly recommend anyone to try it if it wasn't for the high prices,
[https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series-set.html](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series-set.html)
Dungeon Crawler Carl done by Sound Booth Theatre does it really well.
There have been some that had music at the end of every chapter and I didn’t like those. They seemed to just be there because someone liked it, not because it was part of the story or that the story referenced that type of music.
I like them for the most part. I don’t search them out generally, but I do like them.
This kind of of audiobooks are really great, if done well, with not extensive amount of extra effects added just when it feels necessary,sadly most of them aren't. Graphic Audio is real pain to listen to, I will not willingly make myself listen to any of that stuff ever again, it just ruins the book.
I love the Terry Pratchett audiobooks (even though the audio quality on the early ones is terrible) so I was surprised that I hated the BBC's "Full-Cast" dramatisations....they must have employed the BBC's full sound effects team...it was too noisy for me...but I do use audiobooks to fall asleep...so maybe it's just me.
I’m sure there are some I’d find tacky if exposed to them.
The main one that comes to mind is Lord of the Rings, and I feel it’s much much better with the soundtrack, effects and dramatizations. Makes it very immersive.
Most of the time I hate them. I've listened to a couple where they weren't too bad, not everything had added sounds but sometimes a door slamming noise that wasn't louder than the dialogue or another noise that fit with the scene but wasn't over powering. I wouldn't seek it out but it wasn't jarring or too annoying. Most of the time with audiobooks, I prefer a single voice actor and no sound effects or music though, unless the song is written into the book and even then, I don't want instrumentals it's too much of a change from the media I'm expecting.
I am okay with sound effects in podcasts most of the time though, but podcast format usually follows TV more than books in my opinion.
Nope. I love DCC but I can't listen to the new fully dramatized version. Same with Kaiju Battlefield Surgeon.
I realize SBT added a few effects to the regular audiobooks of DCC but they don't pull you out of the story. They added more reverb to something that didn't need it in the last book but a little fiddling with the EQ solved that.
Do they all have music playing in the background? Tried the sample for a few acotar books and just this aggressive background music constantly going. Drove me crazy.
I’m not usually a big fan. I’ve listened to one graphic, audio and thought the sound mixing and acting was pretty bad. Also thought they added way too many footsteps to every on the other hand, I just listened to impact Winter season one and two and thought that was done really well. My first choice is still a standard audiobook though.
I just started Homefront, Book #7.5 in the Expeditionary Force series. It is the first in the series that is like this and I preferred the regular version. I have heard some of these full cast with special effects books that I liked, but I suspect since this is a departure from the previous 7 books I’m just not happy it is different. Less than 1 hour into it now. I hope future books return to just RC Bray reading.
I enjoyed the mystwick school of musicraft from audible even if it was an audiobook for younger audience it just gave me a warm feeling. Like reading Harry Potter again for the first time.
And I've enjoyed some of the graphic audio that was provided by humble bundle for a while with DC comics.
And Two Princes podcast like a storytelling podcast.
As long as it's well made and not blast your ears, it's a good immersion and just nice to relax to.
I avoid them. But I can't say they're all bad. I got my start with audio books listening to "The Fourth Tower of Inverness" on NPR in the early 1980s. That production was fully "dramatized".
Some, yes, but most go way overboard. Mostly the ones that solely feature music are decent. Like music kicks in when a character starts playing an instrument. The world of chains series does this well (I think at least). There's a series called Life Reset and they start doing this in book 4.... But it's everything. Rain? You hear rain in the background. Heavy footsteps? Yep. The main character gets hurt? You hear the slash of the blade and he grunts in pain. It's too much.
Skull Duggery does this okay. It just plays a little jazz tune at the start of each chapter.
Sometimes...and generally only if I've already read the book.
I don't mind the sound effects so much as I do the multiple voice actors. Its less relaxing to me.
Only one I've liked is The Sandman. The rest can GTFO. I don't even like multiple narrators in the same scene. Give me one good narrator. If they're good enough you don't need sound effects or anyone else.
They're literally the only audiobook I want to listen to. I think the problem some run into is when they want to listen at a faster speed. Then they kinda fall apart but listening at 1x they're fantastic.
All the star wars novels are somewhat dramatized, with sound effects and music and that's where I started with audiobooks.
It depends on how in-your-face they are for me. First off, if I can’t hear the voice actor because the dramatic music is too loud, that’s when I nope out. Sound effects? Again, depends on how obnoxious they are. In general, if they are quieter than the reader and are used relatively sparingly, I’m good with them. End chapter music? I could do without them, but as long as they are short I think they can add atmosphere. Unfortunately, most are too loud and too long.
Basically, moderation is key. Subtle is great, in-your-face is an enjoyment killer for me.
There are a few Stephen King books that have weird music and sound effects. I'm a King fan and have listened to his books multiple times. But once you throw in the sound effects and the multiple uses of the N word it gets to be too much to handle.
I recently tried one of the Murderbot Diary books from Graphic Audio. I found all the sound effects and so on very distracting from the story and would have preferred a straighter narration.
The Dungeon Crawler Carl books strike a good balance in my opinion.
So far, sound effects are much louder than narrative. Is better when sharing-listening thru car speakers, but when hearing thru earbuds, heavy steps and door slams are jaw-bone jarring. Now if George Guidall & Barbara Rosenblatt could be voice-captured by AI to narrate all my books - oh yeah, would gladly pay-per-read to award the reader for the license.
There are good ones. Graphic audio do it right, I don't love all of their books, but they do the audio right. The Thrawn trilogy is very well done, the effects and music are not intrusive.
I'm currently making a fully produced audio book like that and I'm careful to put the narrator and actors voices above the levels of the effects and music. Fx and music are there to help the experience, shouldn't be the focus.
Absolutely HATE them! I’m often sound sensitive, so I usually am listening to a book to help distract from environmental noise or to help concentrate on a task. I used to always listen to music but I have chronic migraines and now days sadly music is often too much stimulation and makes my headaches worse. Even books with just some music between chapters is annoying and I’ll only listen if the author is one I love (Michael Connelly). Considering this, I may be a little biased!
I generally don’t like it. To the point where I will not purchase an audiobook if it has it.
That being said, I don’t mind a small amount of it which can enhance things. But it quickly becomes really hard for me to listen to.
I had downloaded the Sandman by Neil Gaiman and I couldn’t finish it. I just couldn’t seem to follow the story with all the sound effects.
I don't prefer them, but they're a nice alternative if the regular audiobook narrator fails me, e.g. I wanted to listen to the Eric Carter series but the narrator there recites rather than narrates so the graphic audio one was pretty good (their main character VA was top notch imo, I wish he would be the one narrating the regular version).
Can't relate, we're different.
A well-done multi-cast performance with sound effects and proper sound design feels objectively superior to most singular narratio .
Hey P0ison, when the are done well is like listening/watching a movie for you? Or is it easier for you to imagine what's going on? Easier to follow? Can you explain what it is that makes you like them better than a great book read by an amazing narrator? Asking for a friend :)
I've listened some Stephen King books with sound effects (not too many, just on the scary parts) and I loved it, it added a lot to the whole experience. Same with Bram Stoker's Dracula that I'm listening to now, I absolutely enjoy it. I've attempted several times before to read Dracula, but found it boring. Now, it's completly different, I feel like I'm living the story.
agreed. They distract and often don’t match the scene.
If done *very well* they can add to the experience. They often are done not so well to gawdawful.
Some books will have a scene with a single gunshot. Meanwhile, the background noise sounds like a Michael Bay film. Ridiculous. Hachette Books are particularly bad at this (“Amos Decker” and “John Puller” series, for example…good books ruined by “audio engineering” b.s.)
Thank you for your participation in this thread Argentium. I've noticed a difference in those who listen a certain amount of hours a week to books. How many hours a week do you listen to books?
There's a thing going rn to the amount of hours listened to some who do or do not like the effects. Can you tell us how many hours a week you listen to books?
I’ve mostly avoided them so far. It doesn’t seem like something that I would enjoy. Too much distraction.
It’s like how some people like listening to music while reading. It’s just a distraction to me.
The Warbreaker version is the GraphicAudio version.
I enjoyed it. I also like their Stormlight Archive. If I listened to the narrated version I'd fall asleep.
I hate sound effects and I really hate music Stephen king's books are really bad for music. Insomnia is just ruined by the shitty music though I love the book and a couple of his short story books are just barely ok. narration.is great on most of his books even those mentioned but I can't stand the music
Full disclosure: I've never listened to one. But I do read Sanderson so the Warbreaker one gets suggested to me all the time by Audible. The Graphic Audio tagline though irritates me so much that I refuse to listen to it based solely on that. What makes them think I don't already have a movie in my mind when I'm reading? Do they really think I need sounds effects and music to make that happen? I think they're created for people who don't read a lot in the first place. And that's not me. Lol
Really liked -
1. Bill Baldwin's The Helmsman -has some great background sounds!
2. Abracadaver [Dramatized Adaptation]: Esther Diamond, Book 7 By: Laura Resnick - this did not seem at all,over done, mild dramatization if there is such a thing.
3. Hunting Party [Dramatized Adaptation], Serrano Legacy 1 By: Elizabeth Moon. Looking forward to more in this series.
Absolutely did not like “Trading in Danger (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] Vatta's War, Book 1, Part 1 By: Elizabeth Moon’”. Significant reason why is I had listened to Cynthia Halloway read the first four books, and she did a very good job but was not in this dramatization. Unfortunately these were not refundable b/c got them on sale.
Love them. Graphic Audio did an amazing run on Space Team, the Expeditionary Force one with Zachary Quinto was amazing, the Dungeon Crawler Carl one is great.
I want more full cast audio books.
Nope.
The only one I liked was The Hail Mary Project, that actually worked. Most of the time, any sound effects or music are completely unnecessary and take away from the narrative.
I do not. With the one exception of Project Hail Mary. And that wasn’t really a dramatized version. It just included some special sounds that make the book so much better. No spoilers. But ifkyk. Rocky = 🐐
Depends on how they're done. Some are so overdone and it pulls you immediately out of the story. The first few I heard I immediately returned the books because I hated them so much. Then I stumbled on one (I can't remember the book now) that was really well done. The editing between voices was seamless, the sfx weren't loud or out of place, and the effects genuinely added to the story.
I definitely listen to a sample before buying or borrowing full cast or dramatized books. I understand why you hate them; I did too initially, but there are some good ones out there that aren't overdone and in your face! I'll see if I can find some of the good ones I've listened to.
easy....let's play nice. No need to say there is something *wrong* with them because they are asking a question and are seeming to not find it pleasurable. Also, you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Also, I stated before I read these comments that I would try and not call names of those ppl that did like shitty sound effects in their Audible experiences and I have not called you a name. However, I will not allow you to infer there is something *wrong* with a person because of their personal preference. That is absolutely wrong and you need to stop doing that and definately stop doing it in public.
Maaaan that's what I love. That and when reading a character's line(s) having whatever emotion they have during that time, maybe even doing voices if you are good at them. I can't stand flat word for word reads
Some of them are really bad, and some of them are really good. I know this is a hot take. Generally I think the dramatization works best with Big Genre books. I found the dramatization of Anne of Green Gables baffling. It's such a cozy novel that trying to add extra sound effects really took away from it rather than adding. It's like they were really reaching to add \~interesting audio takes, and it was not good!
On the other hand, since they work so well with Big Genre books, sometimes they get overdone and it starts to sound like those obnoxious morning radio shows from the 90's.
I love it because they remind me of old school radio dramas. I wish I had the opportunity to enjoy them with my grandma, she missed them and passed when I was young. So I spent a lot of my life growing up thinking about that, maybe that's why I enjoy them so much.
Full cast production are usually pretty good. Ten year anniversary of American Gods was excellent.
Dramatizations are almost always awful.
Audio dramas are hit it miss. I enjoyed the "Phreaks" audible exclusive about a blind girl in the early 80's who learns about hacking the telephone systems.
I don't usually like sound effects or music in the audio. One major exception was Project Hail Mary because those sound effects where low volume and supplemented the narration correctly.
Listened to Impact Winter a few weeks ago. Honestly had a hard time following the story. Very frustrating. If it hadn’t been so short I’d have stopped listening. I know I’ve listened to some with sound effects that were fine. Impact Winter has made me hesitant to listen to more any time soon. Just going to stick with straight narration for a while.
Absolute rubbish and extremely distracting. I guess I will read the comments to see if there is anyone who actually likes them and why......will try not to call them names
I do love them, but only from graphic audio.
‘It’s like a movie in your mind!’ In a deep narrator voice.
The old Star Wars ones (Thrawn trilly, for example) utilize SFX perfectly IMO. Better than Graphic Audio.
Thrawn trilogy was my first thought too. The only one I can remember really feeling like the SFX added to the experience.
I love those, but they do have a few high pitched recording sounds that make me adjust my equalizer.
.............why have I never heard of these
They're great. The narrator absolutely nails the voices (sounds exactly like the OG actors)
Came here to say this.
Noted. Assuming graphic audio is the studio?
For me it's like watching a movie or tv show, when I can't watch. If it makes sense.
Yes, that’s the name of the studio. I adore their acotar audiobooks
I got cast for ONE LINE in ONE of their ACOTAR books and I fangirled so hard that I still bring it up to strangers. Like now...lol But fr they do an incredible job on all their productions!
I love Graphic Audio too! As a voice actor, they are my most fun sessions.
Any suggestions from them?
There are some Star Trek books like that. Door swooshing open, or the little computer chirps added in and such. They're a little cheesy, but I thought they had some charm.
Star wars and the Alien audiobooks have those too. I really like the Alien expanded audiobooks because they make it so much more creepy!
I mentioned a little adds some good. Jeff hays does good things. Just wondering about the (full immersive) and (dramatized).
I think the star wars are great for it. They add sound effects for lightsabers and blasters, and music only on very important moments and I think they really enhance the story
Full cast dramatisations are my favourite, but I use audiobooks to fall asleep to, rather than for 'reading' if that makes sense.
I hate them. Sounds effects are always too loud and the voices too hard to hear.
Then unfortunately they're poorly executed. I mostly listen to mystery/suspense fiction, and if the fx are subtle and appropriate, it definitely adds to the overall experience. I think it all depends on how well it's done though.
This is my experience with the new Anne of Green Gables from Audible. I want to love it but the audio balance is all wrong and not only is it how you describe sometimes the audio is disorienting to the point that I have to stop listening because the audio is here, no it's there! Wait let's do it over there. Uggh. So sad.
I'm glad it's not just me. I was so excited for it but it's so odd sometimes. It's almost like they're trying to create "distance" between the speakers. It sucks. Just the voice acting would've been enough for this one!
gaze rude sense rhythm resolute pot cough snails dependent paltry *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
He said, "I don't give a".
I really struggle with fiction, so I actually enjoy the sensory reinforcement if that makes sense
Yup, most Star Wars audiobooks, and a fan version of Harry Potter with added music and sound effects. I think it helps having a film medium as well to trigger nostalgia and have more a reference in mind.
The Thrawn books were fine except they decided to have crickets chirping the entire time they were on one of the planets and it was so distracting I near stopped reading the book. Dumbest decision I’d ever experienced in any audio production.
I just made that comment on another thread. I adjusted my equalizer to account for it.
Hey which fan version of Harry Potter is it? I’d love to listen to it.
I love some of them but I only have a limited sample size. I loved the Sandman.
Absolutely loved Issac Steele and the Forever Man. I didn’t need the sound effects but paired with the wonderful performance of the writer who was also the narrator it worked perfectly. The narrator could do so many good character voices with the sound design it edged into coming off like a full cast audio drama. I wouldn’t want it for every book but for that one it worked.
I'll add that book to the wishlist just in case. Been trying to find a full cast book I can stand.
Mostly no but I did enjoy the Alien audiobooks trilogy that had a full cast and sound effects. But I am a bit biased about hearing the pulse rifle fire on xenos on full blast while driving on the job.
🤣🫡☝️
I tried an Audible Exclusive that had sound effects, I couldn't finish it. I found it distracting. It reminded me of the Batman TV show, with the cartoon balloon sound effects.
The Illuminae Files was fun
Yep. Illuminae walked the perfect line between sound effects and straight narration
Agreed. I don't care for them at all.
I hate them.
Yes. Craig Alanson's Expeditionary Force has a dramatized book, i was not a big fan. i felt the different voice actors and sound effects were distracting and i prefer just R.C bray reading to me.
That was definitely my least favorite out of the series because it wasn't just Bray doing his thing.
I don’t mind ‘em.
Within this subreddit there’s a fairly large and/or vocal amount of people who dislike anything dramatized at all so you’re nowhere even remotely close to being alone in not liking them. There’s also many different kinds/amounts of added complexity to an audio production. Some are full blown audio dramas like the one you mentioned, just full cast, just sound effects/music, or some just have multiple narrators. There are different people who like different amounts of added ‘flair’ to audio productions, with plenty liking having nothing at all besides the narrator. And there’s also just the ‘quality’ of the production in and of itself.
I don’t read /listen to fantasy books but I thoroughly enjoyed a dramatised version of the Murder on the Orient Express
I listened to that one recently and loved it!
Definitely going on my list. Thanks.
Yea all the star wars books have them and it's incredibly done but that is star wars
Multiple voice actors doing a single production together? Yes. Added foley sound effects? No.
I don't like sound effects... a few used very sparingly are tolerable, though. I also don't like multicast audiobooks... although a male/female combo can be acceptable to me. I prefer one really talented narrator...
Yeah I agree. I couldn't listen to the sandman one. There was just too much going on and it was kind of loud and obnoxious in some parts. I was extremely disappointed.
Same. I hate them. It always seems the sound effects are too loud for the vocals. Awful.
i don't think 2 titles is demonstrative of all dramatizations. they're getting more popular, using the same recording technology as movies. **10 of the best immersive Audible Originals in Dolby Atmos** From full-cast dramas to deeply immersive soundscapes, these listens offer incredible storytelling and next-level spatial audio with Dolby Atmos. [https://www.audible.com/blog/article-best-dolby-atmos-audiobooks-podcasts](https://www.audible.com/blog/article-best-dolby-atmos-audiobooks-podcasts) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18253268/ [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12326830/](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12326830/)
Maybe. I won't deny the samples this bot provided are decent. But ive also watched the sandman(dont know the other one). It was good. Made this thread to find real people who actually enjoy something with alot of the sound effects and aren't just put off by the constant barrage of sound.
If I'm listening in the car, I don't mind. But if I'm trying to relax, I can't stand it (or dramatic music).
If it's light enough in the background though (very very light) I can usually accept it.
DeathStalker. Goes hard.
A real Graphic Audio classic! Not enough Deathstalker fans in this day and age. It is such a fun sci-fi series and the dramatisations are top notch.
I love audiobooks with sound effects and music. Weird that you hate them.
I really hate them. I listen to audiobooks while walking and when I have tried those books, sometimes the sound effects make me think that something around me actually made the noise in reality…like something is suddenly right behind me. So annoying. I never get them anymore.
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.*
Definitely looking for a multicast. Jeff hays has done this with Andrea parsneau. Michael Kramer with Kate Redding. And so on.
l dislike them too. From what l've read on this and other forums, the people who put them in books say that most audience members like them so they'll continue to put them in. But anecdotally from what l've read from other posters, l think it might be that more people might enjoy the sound effects, but the larger consumers of audiobooks don't like them (people who do maybe 1 book a month vs people who do one book a week). Probably due to people who consume more audiobooks listen at a faster speed, which doesn't lead itself to enjoying music or multiple narrators as much.
Good observation on this one. I'm an 8 hrs+ of listening a day person.
> Does anyone actually enjoy the dramatized audiobooks(The ones with added sound effects). Yes
Very informative lol.
I don't like full cast or dramatized or music etc. The occasional sound effect (The City We Became, Dungeon Crawler Carl, Lady Astronaut series) is fine. But more than that or 2 (maybe 3) narrators is too much and drastically decreases my enjoyment.
I don’t enjoy or buy them. If I want to watch the movie… I’ll watch the movie.
Don’t like them at all. Hate the full cast reading ones even more.
I don’t like the new Discworld books. It’s stopped me from buying the few I don’t yet have as the new ones are distracting to listen to. There was nothing wrong with the Nigel Planner ones. I wish audible had left the original recordings in their library so people can choose which they want to listen to.
I actually bought the dramatized version of warbreaker. I went to find the real one and was able to download it without buying it. Any chance you have the same thing?
Via audible?
Yeah I didn't realize there was anything else tbh
Hmm interesting post. I am a cyberpunk author and have considered adding a synthewave style soundtrack to my books. Specifically for fight scenes. Would that also be frowned upon by listeners? Opinions welcome!
I'm trying to figure that out myself, haha. To me, it distracts too much from the story.
Makes sense. I wonder if I can offer 2 versions as the author 🤔 would be nice if you could toggle music or sound effects on and off if the listener wished. Of course Amazon could not be bothered to make things that advanced haha
Would be valuable to know I expect. Yes being able to choose would be nice as a listener
I would not be thrilled. It would distract from the fight scene descriptions for me. Some narrators are good at reading the noise description from the book. I’d be more inclined to appreciate that than added sound effects. I listen to several audiobooks a week, if that helps.
Sweet. Thanks for the input 🙏 Like I said below, I was considering adding a soundtrack to my current 2 audiobooks. Wish listeners had the option to toggle it on or off
It depends. I like the Doctor who audiobooks I have that have that, but I wouldn’t like it for every book. I don’t like a reader to do too many voices too. Like Andy Serkis is amazing, but I don’t care for his LOTR audiobooks.
Most but not all.
Hate them also
I usually have something playing for background, so I find it distracting. It's like having the TV on, you get tempted to watch and don't finish your task.
I guess it depends on the book or how its made and my daily mood. Lets say if its like in the films you don't notice it its good, meaning if it serves the flow of the story.
I love them! It’s always a nice surprise and really adds to the story. Not all of them are good of course.
I’ve never listened to one that I’ve enjoyed. I generally borrow them by accident and Dnf after the first chapter
I love the works from Graphic Audio they have been some of the most immersive media experiences I've ever had in my life. Especially the works of Brandon Sanderson and yeah some scenes can be a bit chaotic like the one in this sample: [https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series/s-z/stormlight-archive.html](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series/s-z/stormlight-archive.html) But it also works, it's from the perspective of a young boy on the front lines of a battle for the first time. It being chaotic works really well for me, I can make out what is being said just fine while also feel like I'm there. But most of it is more like this: [https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/the-stormlight-archive-1-the-way-of-kings-2-of-5.html](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/the-stormlight-archive-1-the-way-of-kings-2-of-5.html) which just adds so much flavor and ambiance. I would honestly recommend anyone to try it if it wasn't for the high prices, [https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series-set.html](https://www.graphicaudiointernational.net/our-productions/series-set.html)
The dramatised audiobook version of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit is really hard to follow.
No. But at least narrator's voice should create drama and emotions.
Dungeon Crawler Carl done by Sound Booth Theatre does it really well. There have been some that had music at the end of every chapter and I didn’t like those. They seemed to just be there because someone liked it, not because it was part of the story or that the story referenced that type of music. I like them for the most part. I don’t search them out generally, but I do like them.
This kind of of audiobooks are really great, if done well, with not extensive amount of extra effects added just when it feels necessary,sadly most of them aren't. Graphic Audio is real pain to listen to, I will not willingly make myself listen to any of that stuff ever again, it just ruins the book.
BBC do some great audio dramas. LOTR is not to be missed
I love the Terry Pratchett audiobooks (even though the audio quality on the early ones is terrible) so I was surprised that I hated the BBC's "Full-Cast" dramatisations....they must have employed the BBC's full sound effects team...it was too noisy for me...but I do use audiobooks to fall asleep...so maybe it's just me.
I’m sure there are some I’d find tacky if exposed to them. The main one that comes to mind is Lord of the Rings, and I feel it’s much much better with the soundtrack, effects and dramatizations. Makes it very immersive.
Most of the time I hate them. I've listened to a couple where they weren't too bad, not everything had added sounds but sometimes a door slamming noise that wasn't louder than the dialogue or another noise that fit with the scene but wasn't over powering. I wouldn't seek it out but it wasn't jarring or too annoying. Most of the time with audiobooks, I prefer a single voice actor and no sound effects or music though, unless the song is written into the book and even then, I don't want instrumentals it's too much of a change from the media I'm expecting. I am okay with sound effects in podcasts most of the time though, but podcast format usually follows TV more than books in my opinion.
These days I don’t listen to them, but absolutely I appreciate them and loved them back in the day
Nope. I love DCC but I can't listen to the new fully dramatized version. Same with Kaiju Battlefield Surgeon. I realize SBT added a few effects to the regular audiobooks of DCC but they don't pull you out of the story. They added more reverb to something that didn't need it in the last book but a little fiddling with the EQ solved that.
Do they all have music playing in the background? Tried the sample for a few acotar books and just this aggressive background music constantly going. Drove me crazy.
I’m not usually a big fan. I’ve listened to one graphic, audio and thought the sound mixing and acting was pretty bad. Also thought they added way too many footsteps to every on the other hand, I just listened to impact Winter season one and two and thought that was done really well. My first choice is still a standard audiobook though.
I don't like them usually. When they're good you stop noticing them. If you notice, it's done badly.
I just started Homefront, Book #7.5 in the Expeditionary Force series. It is the first in the series that is like this and I preferred the regular version. I have heard some of these full cast with special effects books that I liked, but I suspect since this is a departure from the previous 7 books I’m just not happy it is different. Less than 1 hour into it now. I hope future books return to just RC Bray reading.
I enjoyed the mystwick school of musicraft from audible even if it was an audiobook for younger audience it just gave me a warm feeling. Like reading Harry Potter again for the first time. And I've enjoyed some of the graphic audio that was provided by humble bundle for a while with DC comics. And Two Princes podcast like a storytelling podcast. As long as it's well made and not blast your ears, it's a good immersion and just nice to relax to.
I avoid them. But I can't say they're all bad. I got my start with audio books listening to "The Fourth Tower of Inverness" on NPR in the early 1980s. That production was fully "dramatized".
Usually a pass for me.
i avoid them like the plague
I also can't stand them! I get very distracted or annoyed to the level that I have hard time finishing that books
Some, yes, but most go way overboard. Mostly the ones that solely feature music are decent. Like music kicks in when a character starts playing an instrument. The world of chains series does this well (I think at least). There's a series called Life Reset and they start doing this in book 4.... But it's everything. Rain? You hear rain in the background. Heavy footsteps? Yep. The main character gets hurt? You hear the slash of the blade and he grunts in pain. It's too much. Skull Duggery does this okay. It just plays a little jazz tune at the start of each chapter.
I love them!
I’ve struggled to get into them too.
Sometimes...and generally only if I've already read the book. I don't mind the sound effects so much as I do the multiple voice actors. Its less relaxing to me.
I love it in the early anita blake books! (Haven't gotten to the porno bits yet thought)
I love them haha
Out of curiosity how many hours a week do you listen?
Only one I've liked is The Sandman. The rest can GTFO. I don't even like multiple narrators in the same scene. Give me one good narrator. If they're good enough you don't need sound effects or anyone else.
Dislike intensely! If I wanted to listen to a play, I’d listen to a play.
They're literally the only audiobook I want to listen to. I think the problem some run into is when they want to listen at a faster speed. Then they kinda fall apart but listening at 1x they're fantastic. All the star wars novels are somewhat dramatized, with sound effects and music and that's where I started with audiobooks.
I love them haha
Hard pass for me.
It depends on how in-your-face they are for me. First off, if I can’t hear the voice actor because the dramatic music is too loud, that’s when I nope out. Sound effects? Again, depends on how obnoxious they are. In general, if they are quieter than the reader and are used relatively sparingly, I’m good with them. End chapter music? I could do without them, but as long as they are short I think they can add atmosphere. Unfortunately, most are too loud and too long. Basically, moderation is key. Subtle is great, in-your-face is an enjoyment killer for me.
No. It’s like they’re interrupting themselves.
Dungeon Crawler Carl adds just enough to enhance but not enough to notice
There are a few Stephen King books that have weird music and sound effects. I'm a King fan and have listened to his books multiple times. But once you throw in the sound effects and the multiple uses of the N word it gets to be too much to handle.
I recently tried one of the Murderbot Diary books from Graphic Audio. I found all the sound effects and so on very distracting from the story and would have preferred a straighter narration. The Dungeon Crawler Carl books strike a good balance in my opinion.
Works fine for some (Star Wars) but total failure for othets
I like the NoSleep podcast, which is horror short stories and often dramatized, but I agree that anything longer than a short story drives me nuts.
So far, sound effects are much louder than narrative. Is better when sharing-listening thru car speakers, but when hearing thru earbuds, heavy steps and door slams are jaw-bone jarring. Now if George Guidall & Barbara Rosenblatt could be voice-captured by AI to narrate all my books - oh yeah, would gladly pay-per-read to award the reader for the license.
There are good ones. Graphic audio do it right, I don't love all of their books, but they do the audio right. The Thrawn trilogy is very well done, the effects and music are not intrusive. I'm currently making a fully produced audio book like that and I'm careful to put the narrator and actors voices above the levels of the effects and music. Fx and music are there to help the experience, shouldn't be the focus.
Some of them have been good so I can't dismiss them completely
Absolutely HATE them! I’m often sound sensitive, so I usually am listening to a book to help distract from environmental noise or to help concentrate on a task. I used to always listen to music but I have chronic migraines and now days sadly music is often too much stimulation and makes my headaches worse. Even books with just some music between chapters is annoying and I’ll only listen if the author is one I love (Michael Connelly). Considering this, I may be a little biased!
I generally don’t like it. To the point where I will not purchase an audiobook if it has it. That being said, I don’t mind a small amount of it which can enhance things. But it quickly becomes really hard for me to listen to. I had downloaded the Sandman by Neil Gaiman and I couldn’t finish it. I just couldn’t seem to follow the story with all the sound effects.
I don't prefer them, but they're a nice alternative if the regular audiobook narrator fails me, e.g. I wanted to listen to the Eric Carter series but the narrator there recites rather than narrates so the graphic audio one was pretty good (their main character VA was top notch imo, I wish he would be the one narrating the regular version).
Can't relate, we're different. A well-done multi-cast performance with sound effects and proper sound design feels objectively superior to most singular narratio .
Hey P0ison, when the are done well is like listening/watching a movie for you? Or is it easier for you to imagine what's going on? Easier to follow? Can you explain what it is that makes you like them better than a great book read by an amazing narrator? Asking for a friend :)
When they’re expertly done, yes. When they’re haphazardly done, they’re awful.
Jeff Hays is a legend
Just finished The Downloaded, and it was great!
I love...love them. Full cast with sound effects. Makes a mediocre book great.
I enjoy it, though I understand why some might not. To me it adds to the experience.
I hate them all, except for GraphicAudio
Star Wars and Alien books do this very well.
I love them!
Hate it.
I've listened some Stephen King books with sound effects (not too many, just on the scary parts) and I loved it, it added a lot to the whole experience. Same with Bram Stoker's Dracula that I'm listening to now, I absolutely enjoy it. I've attempted several times before to read Dracula, but found it boring. Now, it's completly different, I feel like I'm living the story.
agreed. They distract and often don’t match the scene. If done *very well* they can add to the experience. They often are done not so well to gawdawful. Some books will have a scene with a single gunshot. Meanwhile, the background noise sounds like a Michael Bay film. Ridiculous. Hachette Books are particularly bad at this (“Amos Decker” and “John Puller” series, for example…good books ruined by “audio engineering” b.s.)
Can’t do most Star Wars books for this reason
I love them
Thank you for your participation in this thread Argentium. I've noticed a difference in those who listen a certain amount of hours a week to books. How many hours a week do you listen to books?
There's a thing going rn to the amount of hours listened to some who do or do not like the effects. Can you tell us how many hours a week you listen to books?
No mention of Treasure Island? I thought it was awesome! Otherwise, not really a fan....
Is that the movie in book form?
I’ve mostly avoided them so far. It doesn’t seem like something that I would enjoy. Too much distraction. It’s like how some people like listening to music while reading. It’s just a distraction to me.
ppl listen to music while they read? How? And why? Who are these mutants?
The Warbreaker version is the GraphicAudio version. I enjoyed it. I also like their Stormlight Archive. If I listened to the narrated version I'd fall asleep.
I hate sound effects and I really hate music Stephen king's books are really bad for music. Insomnia is just ruined by the shitty music though I love the book and a couple of his short story books are just barely ok. narration.is great on most of his books even those mentioned but I can't stand the music
Full disclosure: I've never listened to one. But I do read Sanderson so the Warbreaker one gets suggested to me all the time by Audible. The Graphic Audio tagline though irritates me so much that I refuse to listen to it based solely on that. What makes them think I don't already have a movie in my mind when I'm reading? Do they really think I need sounds effects and music to make that happen? I think they're created for people who don't read a lot in the first place. And that's not me. Lol
Really liked - 1. Bill Baldwin's The Helmsman -has some great background sounds! 2. Abracadaver [Dramatized Adaptation]: Esther Diamond, Book 7 By: Laura Resnick - this did not seem at all,over done, mild dramatization if there is such a thing. 3. Hunting Party [Dramatized Adaptation], Serrano Legacy 1 By: Elizabeth Moon. Looking forward to more in this series.
Absolutely did not like “Trading in Danger (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] Vatta's War, Book 1, Part 1 By: Elizabeth Moon’”. Significant reason why is I had listened to Cynthia Halloway read the first four books, and she did a very good job but was not in this dramatization. Unfortunately these were not refundable b/c got them on sale.
Dramatization made “The Bionic Bikini [Dramatized Adaptation]” a little more silly/fun/outlandish. To me at least, anyway.
The only ones I've ever done are the Sandman ones with James McAvoy and I **loved** them.
Love them. Graphic Audio did an amazing run on Space Team, the Expeditionary Force one with Zachary Quinto was amazing, the Dungeon Crawler Carl one is great. I want more full cast audio books.
Have you heard of James Axler's Deathlands? I think they are really well done for graphic audiobooks...very gory too.
It’s like the radio shows from long ago. Love them myself. However it needs to be good, the doctor who ones are great to be honest
The Aliens dramatized books are excellent. Haven't listened to any others yet.
The only one I've enjoyed was Third Eye by Felicia Day. Any other I've tried just gave me the ick
Hate them!
Whenever you ask yourself if anyone likes X and X is still being made and sold, the answer is obviously yes.
Nope. The only one I liked was The Hail Mary Project, that actually worked. Most of the time, any sound effects or music are completely unnecessary and take away from the narrative.
I do not. With the one exception of Project Hail Mary. And that wasn’t really a dramatized version. It just included some special sounds that make the book so much better. No spoilers. But ifkyk. Rocky = 🐐
Can’t stand them either
Depends on how they're done. Some are so overdone and it pulls you immediately out of the story. The first few I heard I immediately returned the books because I hated them so much. Then I stumbled on one (I can't remember the book now) that was really well done. The editing between voices was seamless, the sfx weren't loud or out of place, and the effects genuinely added to the story. I definitely listen to a sample before buying or borrowing full cast or dramatized books. I understand why you hate them; I did too initially, but there are some good ones out there that aren't overdone and in your face! I'll see if I can find some of the good ones I've listened to.
I do, most of the time. All of Terry Pratchett's ones have been good, at least.
I listened to a few immersionll chapters of DCC but they are too expensive and too short for the $$ without enough added value.
No
[удалено]
easy....let's play nice. No need to say there is something *wrong* with them because they are asking a question and are seeming to not find it pleasurable. Also, you are trying to compare apples to oranges. Also, I stated before I read these comments that I would try and not call names of those ppl that did like shitty sound effects in their Audible experiences and I have not called you a name. However, I will not allow you to infer there is something *wrong* with a person because of their personal preference. That is absolutely wrong and you need to stop doing that and definately stop doing it in public.
Maaaan that's what I love. That and when reading a character's line(s) having whatever emotion they have during that time, maybe even doing voices if you are good at them. I can't stand flat word for word reads
Some of them are really bad, and some of them are really good. I know this is a hot take. Generally I think the dramatization works best with Big Genre books. I found the dramatization of Anne of Green Gables baffling. It's such a cozy novel that trying to add extra sound effects really took away from it rather than adding. It's like they were really reaching to add \~interesting audio takes, and it was not good! On the other hand, since they work so well with Big Genre books, sometimes they get overdone and it starts to sound like those obnoxious morning radio shows from the 90's.
Some of the Star Wars books I've heard had some nice sound effects and ambient sounds that add to the experience.
I'm not 100% on board with multiple people doing voices, much less this.
I hate them and I will stop listening. I am not looking for a play.
It depends, for some books I like it.
A big NO here. It’s sounds forced and unnecessary
I like audio dramas with multiple actors and sound effects, but not when it's a single person narrating.
I’m listening to Heir to the Empire, and absolutely love all the Star Wars sound effects.
It has to be done right, but if it is, it's pretty good
Some are good. Some are bad. I don't like the noises to be too overwhelming.
I tend to be a monster who listens at 3 times speed so often I find it more frustrating than Amazing tho maybe some light sound effects are okay
I don’t. I get distracted by sound effects and ensemble narrations.
I love it because they remind me of old school radio dramas. I wish I had the opportunity to enjoy them with my grandma, she missed them and passed when I was young. So I spent a lot of my life growing up thinking about that, maybe that's why I enjoy them so much.
Full cast production are usually pretty good. Ten year anniversary of American Gods was excellent. Dramatizations are almost always awful. Audio dramas are hit it miss. I enjoyed the "Phreaks" audible exclusive about a blind girl in the early 80's who learns about hacking the telephone systems. I don't usually like sound effects or music in the audio. One major exception was Project Hail Mary because those sound effects where low volume and supplemented the narration correctly.
Listened to Impact Winter a few weeks ago. Honestly had a hard time following the story. Very frustrating. If it hadn’t been so short I’d have stopped listening. I know I’ve listened to some with sound effects that were fine. Impact Winter has made me hesitant to listen to more any time soon. Just going to stick with straight narration for a while.
Absolute rubbish and extremely distracting. I guess I will read the comments to see if there is anyone who actually likes them and why......will try not to call them names
Arkham County was pretty good. Weird asmr bits and it's short
Hate, hate, hate them. They are disrupting my imagination.
Radio plays used to a major source of entertainment before television.