All audio files can be found on our catalog page: http://librivox.org/microphone-showdown-3-by-various/
The purpose of this project is to offer readers and listeners a chance to evaluate equipment.This is a project which will allow readers and listeners to compare the recording quality of a wide variety of recording devices. It is a sequel to the second Microphone Showdown project which was catalogued in 2011. Since that time the range of devices available for the recording of spoken audio has increased significantly. ( Algy Pug)
Any sound recording equipment may be used, including:
- Ipads
Tablets
Cell phones
Digital portable recorders
Cassette recorders (for those old enough to remember them)
Digital cameras
Webcams
Headsets
If you are using a microphone that offers a range of polar patterns (like the Blue Yeti and the Samson GoMic) the cardioid pattern should be selected.
Some portable devices (digital recorders, video cameras etc) output recordings using bit rates and sampling rates which are different from those required by Librivox. Please check to ensure that your recordings have the following specifications:
MP3 bit rate: 128 kbs
Sampling rate: 44100 Hz
In the intro the reader should supply the following information:
- Title of the text
- Author
- Name of maker of device (Shure, Samson etc)
- Model: (SM58, CO1U etc)
- Connection type: USB or XLR (does not apply if a built-in microphone is used)
- Interface if a microphone with an XLR connection is used (Presonus, Focusrite etc)
- Computer and Operating system (if applicable)
Each reader may submit up to six recordings. Each should feature a different microphone and text.
There is no restriction on different readers submitting recordings for which the same model of microphone was used. It is interesting to observe how the sound of a microphone can vary from one reader to the next.
The following information should be supplied when you post each of your recordings:
Title:
Author: (including dates of birth and death)
Text URL:
MP3 URL:
Duration:
Any evaluative comment in this thread relates purely to the equipment used and is not intended to be a criticism of the performance of the reader or of his or her choice of equipment.
- How to claim a part, and "how it all works" here
Put a post in thread giving the details of what you wish to read and your selection will be allocated a spot in the Magic Window. - New to recording? Please read our Newbie Guide to Recording!
- Is there a deadline? We ask that you submit your recorded sections within 1-2 months of placing your claim. Please note that to be fair to the readers who have completed their sections in a timely way, if you haven't submitted your recording(s) after two months, your sections will automatically be re-opened for other readers to claim, unless you post in this thread to request an extension. Extensions will be granted at the discretion of the Book Coordinator. If you cannot do your section, for whatever reason, just let me know and it'll go back to the pool. There's no shame in this; we're all volunteers and things happen.Please do not sign up for more sections than you can complete within the two month deadline.
- Where do I find the text?
Readers may choose their own text, which must be in the public domain.
If it is a poem, it should be between 14 and 20 lines (sonnets are recommended.)
If it is prose it should be between 100 and 150 words. - If this is your first recording, please let me know under which name or pseudonym you'd like to appear in the LibriVox catalogue. We can also link to a personal website/blog.
- Prospective Prooflisteners: Please read the Listeners Wanted FAQ before listening! Level of prooflistening requested: standard
Please don't download or listen to files belonging to projects in process (unless you are the BC or PL). Our servers are not set up to handle the greater volume of traffic. Please wait until the project has been completed. Thanks!
Magic Window:
BC Admin - BEFORE recording: Please check the Recording Notes: http://librivox.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6427#6430
Set your recording software to:
Channels: 1 (Mono)
Bit Rate: 128 kbps
Sample Rate: 44.1 kHz - DURING recording:
No more than 0.5 to 1 second of silence at the beginning of the recording!
Make sure you add this to the beginning of your recording:
START of recording (Intro)- "Intro: [Title] by [author]. Recorded for LibriVox.org by [reader's name], using a [microphone make and model] and [name of recording software] on a [type of machine*].
e.g. Sonnet 1 by William Shakespeare. Recorded for LibriVox.org by Ruth Golding, using a Blue Yeti USB microphone and Audacity on a Windows PC.
Sonnet 2 by William Shakespeare. Recorded for LibriVox.org by Algy Pug, using a Samson H4N digital recorder.
Sonnet 3 by William Shakespeare. Recorded for LibriVox.org by Algy Pug, using a Samson Q7 dynamic microphone, a Behringer Xenyx 302USB interface and NCH Wavepad on a Windows PC.
END of recording- At the end of the section, say:
Outro: End of [Title] by [author]. This recording is in the public domain.
Please remember to check this thread frequently for updates! - "Intro: [Title] by [author]. Recorded for LibriVox.org by [reader's name], using a [microphone make and model] and [name of recording software] on a [type of machine*].
- Specific instructions for this project
Save files as
128 kbps MP3
microphoneshowdown3_##_various_128kb.mp3 (all lower-case) where ## is the section number (e.g. microphoneshowdown3_01_various_128kb.mp3) - Example ID3 V2 tags
There is no need to add ID3 tags - these will be filled in automatically at the cataloguing stage. - Transfer of files (completed recordings) Please always post in this forum thread when you've sent a file. Also, post the length of the recording (file duration: mm:ss) together with the link and the information you have read in the intro.
- Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader:
https://librivox.org/login/uploader
(If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin) - You'll need to select the MC, which for this project is: RuthieG
- When your upload is complete, you will receive a link - please post it in this thread.
- If this doesn't work, or you have questions, please check our How To Send Your Recording wiki page.
Any questions?
Please post below - Upload your file with the LibriVox Uploader: