Valery86 1 minute test [OK]

Valery86 · Post by **Valery86** » July 13th, 2020, 6:36 am

Hi, this is the link to the 1 minute test.
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_valery86.mp3
Thanks in advance for your precious time and attention...I'd be glad to be enlightened by your feedback.

Valery

Kazbek · Post by **Kazbek** » July 13th, 2020, 7:51 pm

Hi Valery,

One-minute tests are normally posted in the forum "Listeners & Editors Wanted", but since it's here, I'll check it for you.

First, there are 3 parameters that need to be adjusted:

1) The bit rate should be 128 kbps (currently ~147 kbps)
2) The recording should be in mono sound, not stereo sound.
3) The recording should use a constant bit rate rather than variable bit rate (VBR)

You didn't tell us what software you're using. In Audacity, all three are set during export to mp3. See the instructions for step 6 of Export setup (step 5 overall) on this wiki page:

https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Audacity_1-2-3

4) There's a high level of background noise. The first thing is to check for any sources of noise that you can turn off, like humming equipment. After your environment is as quiet as possible, this wiki page shows how to do noise cleaning in Audacity (this is a regular part of LibriVox workflow):

https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Noise_Cleaning

5) The average volume is 96.3 dB, which is outside our target range of 86–92 dB (ideal 89 dB). In future recordings, you can adjust this by shifting the recording level slider. There are also ways to reduce the volume of an existing recording. In Audacity, the first is the Amplify effect (with a negative factor):

https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Amplifying

Another useful effect is ReplayGain. It allows you to measure your volume relative to 89 dB in the Analyze mode, and change the average volume to 89 dB in the Normalize mode:

https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Measuring_Volume_within_Audacity

You can check all our technical specs in your mp3 yourself using the Checker program:

https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Checker

Please post a link to a corrected version of the test in a reply to this message, and I can check it for you.

Michael

Valery86 · Post by **Valery86** » July 14th, 2020, 10:41 am

Hi Michael,
I cannot say how much I thank you for your precious pieces of advice.
This is the link with the modified recording of the 1Minute test : https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/testvalery86.mp3
Just in case it needs more adjustments, please, do not hesitate to feel free to tell me.
It is pretty much satisfying learning to use Audacity.
Al the best,
Valery

Kazbek · Post by **Kazbek** » July 14th, 2020, 12:31 pm

Hi, Valery.

Issues 1-3 have been fixed.

Background noise has been reduced but is still clearly audible in headphones. I was able to remove it using 10 dB noise reduction in Audacity. Would you like to give it a try?

The volume is still too high, 96.4 dB.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Michael

Valery86 · Post by **Valery86** » July 15th, 2020, 7:50 am

Hi Michael,
I had another go with fixing the audio. You were definitely right about the noise.
I won't deny I'm struggling a little bit with my first steps with Audacity, but I'll keep strenght!
Here is the double checked recording: https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_valery86ok.mp3
Thanks for guiding me through this new experience.
Bye,
Valery

Kazbek · Post by **Kazbek** » July 15th, 2020, 3:13 pm

Hi Valery,

You've succeeded in removing the noise!

There's still some work remaining to bring your volume down within our target range of 86–92 dB. It's currently 94.9 dB. Here are the steps:

1) Select your entire track by clicking "Select" (or somewhere close to it) on the pane to the left of the sound wave.
2) Go to Effects -> Amplify
3) Enter -6 in the Amplification tab and click ok, which will deamplify your track by 6 dB.

This should bring your average volume to around 89 dB. If you follow the instructions in one of the wiki links above to install ReplayGain or Checker, you'll be able to measure the volume yourself and know by how much in needs to be amplified or deamplified (and whether you should adjust your recording level for future readings). I do that for every track I record.

It does take a bit of effort to learn basic Audacity skills, but, once you do, you'll be set up to record an unlimited number of great readings.

If you prefer video tutorials, we have quite a few listed on this page:

https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Instructional_Videos

Michael

Valery86 · Post by **Valery86** » July 18th, 2020, 2:38 am

Hi Michael,
thank you for your message.
This is the file with the modifications you kindly suggested me: https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_valery86new.mp3
Have a nice day,
Valery

Kazbek · Post by **Kazbek** » July 18th, 2020, 6:14 am

Hi Valery,

Congratulations, all the technical specs are correct! You're now set up to start recording your contributions.

Michael

Valery86 · Post by **Valery86** » July 20th, 2020, 3:26 am

Hi Michael,
thanks a lot.

Have a good day,
Valery

ConanTheReader · Post by **ConanTheReader** » July 23rd, 2020, 7:06 am

Your voice is wonderful. Best of luck in librivox!!

Valery86 · Post by **Valery86** » July 29th, 2020, 3:16 pm

Thanks for the kind and sincere encouragement