The 15 minute checkpoint audio is a crucial step in the ACX audiobook production process. It ensures both the rights holder and producer are on the same page regarding the audiobook's direction before continuing.

• As a rights holder, carefully review the sample and request any necessary changes before moving forward. If this is a first recording, please don't assume that something you hear in the first 15 minutes will simply be fixed in the final mix. Make sure these first minutes sound 100% correct to you.
• Both parties should openly communicate to ensure a smooth production process including telling the producer what you are looking for and asking any questions you might have. Both parties should work together to make sure that they're on the same page.
• For more tips on reviewing your audio carefully at every step of the production process, check out our guide on the ACX blog.

In this article: 

• As a rights holder, how do I approve the 15 minute checkpoint?
• What do I do if I dislike the 15 minute checkpoint?
• Why is the 15 minute checkpoint audio important?
• What should be included in the checkpoint audio?
• How long does it take to produce a 15 minute checkpoint sample?

As a rights holder, how do I approve the 15 minute checkpoint?

Once the rights holder confirms they are pleased with the 15 minute checkpoint audio sample, they can approve the producer’s 15 minute checkpoint in the ACX dashboard.

Follow these steps to approve the 15 minute checkpoint: 

1. Sign in on ACX.com.
2. Select My Projects.
3. Select the In Production tab.
4. Use the filter options to find projects with the Approve 15 Minute Checkpoint status.
5. Select Review checkpoint on the Project Dashboard or your book title.
6. Under the Produce audiobook tab, select Approve checkpoint.

What do I do if I dislike the 15 minute checkpoint?

As a rights holder, you can listen to the 15 minute sample and decide to approve it or send a message to the narrator or producer with any feedback. If you are extremely unhappy with the narration, do not approve the 15 minute sample. We recommend that you stop the project per the ACX Production Standard Terms. Please use the ACX message center to advise your producer of your wish to end the production. After that, email info@acx.com to let us know of your request.

If you are pleased with the work overall but have a few suggestions or corrections, start a dialogue with the producer. Most professional voice actors are accustomed to receiving feedback on their performance, and will be happy to incorporate your notes and direction in a second take. If your producer doesn’t think they can work with your feedback, they can also choose to walk away from the deal at this point, but most of the time, you'll open up a good conversation and can work together to make a great audiobook.

Why is the 15 minute checkpoint audio important?

The 15 minute checkpoint audio offers a key check in point between a producer and rights holder on the project’s direction. The 15 minute sample should be a representation of the final audio you will upload for the full production. All parties should agree on the 15 minute checkpoint before proceeding with the project. This is the opportunity to make sure both parties agree on major character voices, accents, pacing, tone, and pitch. Producers should take great care in preparing it, and rights holders should be meticulous about listening to it and requesting any adjustments or changes.

What should be included in the checkpoint audio?

The first 15 minutes can be a portion of a chapter or section. The file does not need to be a full 15 minutes, but should be an accurate representation of what the rights holder can expect when they receive the final audio. The file should be fully edited and engineered to indicate the final quality.

How long does it take to produce a 15 minute checkpoint sample?

Typically, a producer can produce a sample within a day or two after starting work. As a rights holder, you can specify a due date when making an offer to a narrator.