Audiobook Builder
Audiobook Builder
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About Audiobook Builder

Can I try Audiobook Builder before purchasing a license?

How do I request a new feature I'd like to see in Audiobook Builder?

What audio formats can Audiobook Builder understand?

Does Audiobook Builder work with audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store?

Does Audiobook Builder work with Audible.com content?

Why do my audiobook chapter stops appear correctly in iTunes but not on my 3G iPod?

Why does Audiobook Builder limit part length?

My M4B audiobooks have an icon with a padlock, and Get Info's Kind field says these files are "MPEG-4 Audio File (Protected)".

Does Audiobook Builder require Apple's Chapter Tool?

Why does Audiobook Builder take so long to import CDs?

Can I join or pass through audio files from other apps?

Audiobook Builder and the Mac App Store

I want to purchase Audiobook Builder from the Mac App Store but I installed the Audiobook Builder trial from your site and the Mac App Store says Audiobook Builder is already installed.

I purchased Audiobook Builder from the Mac App Store but when I try to launch it I see an error that Audiobook Builder is "damaged".

Can I use the Mac App Store to update my copy of Audiobook Builder?

I purchased Audiobook Builder from your online store. Can I move my license to the Mac App Store?

Maintaining Audiobook Builder

How do I install Audiobook Builder?

What's a Disk Image file?

How do I update to the latest version of Audiobook Builder?

Do I need to enter my serial number every time I update Audiobook Builder?

How do I move Audiobook Builder to a new Mac?

System Compatibility

Does Audiobook Builder work on non-English systems?

What are Audiobook Builder's system requirements?

Does Audiobook Builder work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Does Audiobook Builder work on PowerPC Macs?

Does Audiobook Builder work on Windows?

General Use

Each time I go to the Help Menu and select Audiobook Builder Help, I get a blank Help window.

Can I use Audiobook Builder on more than one Mac?

About Audiobook Builder

Can I try Audiobook Builder before purchasing a license?

Yes. That's what we'd like you to do! Before you purchase a license you can create an unlimited number of Accounts with up to 100 Entries apiece, which you can use until you're sure you'd like to purchase a license. After you purchase a license all the data you entered before will still be there, and you can create as many Entries as you like.

How do I request a new feature I'd like to see in Audiobook Builder?

Send the details of your feature request and any specific examples of how you'd use the feature so we can think on how to turn your request into reality. Thanks!

What audio formats can Audiobook Builder understand?

Audiobook Builder should be able to read the audio from any QuickTime-compatible file with discrete audio tracks, such as MP3, M4A, M4B, AIFF, or WAV. It can also import directly from audio CDs.

Does Audiobook Builder work with audio tracks purchased from the iTunes Store?

It depends. Most tracks purchased from the iTunes Store are protected by Apple's FairPlay® digital rights management technology and the audio they contain is not available to third-party applications like Audiobook Builder. However, Apple offers some tracks without FairPlay in a format called iTunes Plus. These tracks should work just fine with Audiobook Builder.

Does Audiobook Builder work with Audible.com content?

No. Audible.com content is protected by digital rights management technology and is not accessible to applications like Audiobook Builder.

Why do my audiobook chapter stops appear correctly in iTunes but not on my 3G iPod?

Unfortunately, the 3G iPod and earlier models do not support audiobook chapter stops.

Why does Audiobook Builder limit part length?

Many Apple devices are still limited to files with approximately 2 billion audio samples or less. This translates into roughly 27 hours for Audiobook Builder's Low Quality preset (22.05 kHz), 18 hours for its Normal Quality preset (32 kHz) and 13 hours for its High Quality preset (44.1 kHz). The lower the audio sample rate the longer your parts can be. It's possible to reach a maximum part length of 74 hours by selecting the Custom... Quality option and choosing an 8 kHz sample rate. Files that exceed the 2 billion sample limit will not play properly on some devices.

My M4B Audiobooks have an icon with a padlock, and Get Info's Kind field says these files are "MPEG-4 Audio File (Protected)".

The icon and Kind info you see in the Finder were chosen by Apple to describe M4B files, but they do not apply to Audiobook Builder's output.

M4B files aren't necessarily in a "protected" format, but they can be. For example, Audiobooks purchased from the iTunes Store are usually protected by digital rights management technology, meaning their audio data is encrypted and cannot be read by any unauthorized applications or iPods. However, Audiobook Builder's output, even when it's in an M4B file, is not limited in any way and can be freely edited in most QuickTime applications and shared with users on other Macs. It's not protected at all.

Does Audiobook Builder require Apple's Chapter Tool?

No, Chapter Tool is not required.

Why does Audiobook Builder take so long to import CDs?

Music or iTunes may be set to automatically import audio CDs when they are inserted into your Mac. Importing into another application while importing into Audiobook Builder will be extremely slow. Set Music or iTunes to simply show the inserted CD, instead:
  • Launch iTunes
  • Select Preferences... from the iTunes menu at the top left of your screen
  • In the General section look for the "When you insert a CD" option, just below the middle of the window, and set it to "Show CD"

Can I join or pass through audio files from other apps?

In some cases. Audiobook Builder can usually pass through AAC encoded at the same constant bit rate (CBR), sample frequency, sample size and channel layout. Unfortunately, some applications, including Music and iTunes 7.6 and later, encode AAC in a way that does not allow pass through to work. Audiobook Builder cannot join MP3 data.

When pass through will not work Audiobook Builder will re-encode the audio data to match the settings in the current Project's Build Options.

Audiobook Builder and the Mac App Store

I want to purchase Audiobook Builder from the Mac App Store but I installed the Audiobook Builder trial from your site and the Mac App Store says Audiobook Builder is already installed.

Move your copy of Audiobook Builder to the Trash, relaunch the Mac App Store app and you should be able to purchase. Your data is safe. After you purchase Audiobook Builder from the Mac App Store launch it and your data will automatically appear.

I purchased Audiobook Builder from the Mac App Store but when I try to launch it I see an error that Audiobook Builder is "damaged".

Move your copy of Audiobook Builder to the Trash, relaunch the Mac App Store app and click on the Purchased button at the top of the window. Look for Audiobook Builder in the list of purchases and click the Install button next to it. Your data is safe. After you reinstall Audiobook Builder from the Mac App Store launch it and your data will automatically appear.

Can I use the Mac App Store to update my copy of Audiobook Builder?

If you purchased directly from us, your copy of Audiobook Builder can tell you when updates are ready. Go to the Audiobook Builder menu at the top left of your screen and click the "Check For Updates..." menu item.

If you purchased from the Mac App Store, the Mac App Store will tell you when an update is ready. When you see a red badge on the Mac App Store icon in the Dock, or a number badge on the Purchases button at the top of the Mac App Store window, click the Purchases button to see if an Audiobook Builder update is ready to install.

I purchased Audiobook Builder from your online store. Can I move my license to the Mac App Store?

No. There isn't a way to move a license from our online store to the Mac App Store. If you'd like to receive Audiobook Builder updates from the Mac App Store you'll need to move your copy of Audiobook Builder to the Trash and purchase a new license from the Mac App Store.

Purchasing from our online store instead of the Mac App Store has its benefits:
  • Purchases from our online store can tell you as soon as a new version is available. The Mac App Store can take weeks to approve and let you download updates.
  • Purchases from our online store are eligible for special discounts on the next major version. The Mac App Store doesn't support discounts or coupons.
  • The Mac App Store charges us quite a bit more per order - almost twice as much as our online store. Purchase directly from our online store to give us more resources to make Audiobook Builder even better. Thanks!

Maintaining Audiobook Builder

How do I install Audiobook Builder?

If you purchased from the Splasm Store:
  1. Download the latest version.
  2. If your Mac opens downloads automatically, a window with three icons will appear when the download is complete.
  3. If the download finishes but a window with three icons doesn't appear, locate the download in the Finder, double-click it, and the window will appear. Downloads go to your Downloads folder, by default. To go there, click the Finder icon on your Dock, go to the Go menu at the top of your screen, and click the Downloads menu item.
  4. Drag the Audiobook Builder icon to the Applications icon. If you're asked if you'd like to replace a file, click the Replace button.
  5. Go to the File menu and click the Eject menu item. If the menu item is disabled, return to the window with the three icons, click the white space around the three icons so that nothing is highlighted, then go to the File menu and click the Eject menu item.

If you purchased from the Mac App Store:
  1. Visit the Audiobook Builder page on the Mac App Store.
  2. Click the Update, Update, or Install button near the Audiobook Builder icon at the top of the page. If you don't see one of these options, you already have the latest update. If you see a button with a price, as if you need to purchase again, go to the Store menu at the top of your screen and be sure you're signed in with the same Apple Account used for your purchase.

What's a Disk Image file?

Disk Image files are special files that allow us to deliver Audiobook Builder in a single package that acts very much like a CD or USB drive. When you double-click a Disk Image, your Mac reads the file and places a new icon on your Desktop that looks just like a hard drive icon. This is known as a Disk Image. If you open this new icon you'll see the actual files we want you to have - the ReadMe and the Audiobook Builder application. While you can use these files directly from the Disk Image, it's best to copy the Audiobook Builder application to your Applications folder on your hard drive and use it from there. Once you've copied Audiobook Builder to your Applications folder, eject the Disk Image by dragging its icon to the Trash. You can save the Disk Image file in case you need to reinstall Audiobook Builder later.

How do I update to the latest version of Audiobook Builder?

Visit the Update page and follow the steps for where you purchased.

Do I need to enter my serial number every time I update Audiobook Builder?

Not for updates with the same major version number. These are meant to replace your previous copy of Audiobook Builder, and they'll update your preferences (where your serial number is stored) automatically. You won't be asked to enter your serial number again.

If you purchased a previous major version of Audiobook Builder, your older serial number won't work. If you haven't received upgrade instructions via email, contact us at customerservice@splasm.com for details on how to get a new serial number.

How do I move Audiobook Builder to a new Mac?

It's probably easier to install a fresh copy of Audiobook Builder than to move it to a new Mac. Follow the steps for installing Audiobook Builder and you're on your way.

System Compatibility

Does Audiobook Builder work on non-English Macs?

Yes. Audiobook Builder is localized in English, German, Russian, Swedish, Spanish, and Portuguese, but even if the text in the user interface doesn't appear correctly, the general functionality should remain intact.

What are Audiobook Builder's system requirements?

Audiobook Builder requires OS X 10.11 or later and is ready for macOS 14 Sonoma.

We recommend macOS 11 or later and a display with a resolution of 1024x768 pixels.

Audiobook Builder isn't available for Microsoft Windows or Linux.

Does Audiobook Builder work on Apple Silicon Macs?

Yes. The latest version of Audiobook Builder is built for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Does Audiobook Builder work on PowerPC Macs?

No. The latest version of Audiobook Builder is built for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.

Does Audiobook Builder work on Windows or Linux?

No. Audiobook Builder is only for the Mac.

General Use

Each time I go to the Help Menu and select Audiobook Builder Help, I get a blank Help window.

Sometimes the Mac's Help Viewer has trouble loading. You'll need to remove a few files to "reset" the Help Viewer's memory and get it back on track. This won't harm the Help Viewer in any way, but it could temporarily forget any third-party apps until you select the Help option from inside each of those apps.

To reset the Help Viewer
  • Quit Audiobook Builder and close the Help Viewer.
  • Click the Finder icon in your Dock.
  • Go to the Go menu at the top of your screen and click the Go to Folder... menu item.
  • Paste the following path in the Go to the Folder field, including the tilde (~) at the very beginning:

    ~/Library/Caches

  • Click the Go button.
  • Move any file or folder whose name begins with "com.apple.help" to the Trash.
  • Go to the Go menu at the top of your screen and click the Go to Folder... menu item.
  • Paste the following path in the Go to the Folder field, including the tilde (~) at the very beginning:

    ~/Library/Preferences

  • Click the Go button.
  • Move any file or folder whose name begins with "com.apple.help" to the Trash.
  • Restart your Mac.

Can I use Audiobook Builder on more than one Mac?

You're allowed to use Audiobook Builder on another Mac as long as you respect your license agreement. The single-user license says you're licensed to use Audiobook Builder on only one Mac at a time. Make sure each copy of Audiobook Builder using the same serial number isn't running on more than one Mac at any given time and you're welcome to copy it to as many Macs as necessary.

Don't see your answer here? Send us a message and we'll get back to you soon!

Resources

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Audiobook Builder

Audiobook Builder 2.2.9
9/20/2024
Ready for macOS 15 Sequoia. Works great on OS X 10.11 El Capitan and later.

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Help

Audiobook Builder Help 2.2.7
9/28/2023

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