1-minute test recording [OK]

MorganR · Post by **MorganR** » October 28th, 2020, 5:49 pm

Hey folks, new prospective volunteer here with a 1-minute test to have reviewed. I'm using Audacity on Windows, with a USB mic. Please let me know if there's anything I need to fix!

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_morganr.mp3

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » October 28th, 2020, 6:13 pm

Hi morgan! welcome to librivox.

all tech specs are correct for your test recording

however, the volume is a little on the low side. its at 86db and librivox aims for between 86-92, with 89 being optimal, so it certainly doesnt want to be any quiter. you might like to try turning up your recording volume a couple of notches. or you could use the amplify tool in audacity after recording and amplify by a couple of decibels.

you're okay to start recording, but if you wanted to play around with volume and post another test then you are more than welcome to do so. just upload again and post the link in this thread, please.

MorganR · Post by **MorganR** » October 28th, 2020, 6:34 pm

Thanks Ashleigh! Could you let me know how I find out the specific decibel volume of my recording, for when I try again? I used the Checker tool and it told me I was fine, so something that can tell me with a little more specificity where I'm at would be helpful.

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » October 28th, 2020, 6:41 pm

on the checker tool it says 'validation' and 'information'. if you click on 'information' it should tell you the volume.

the volume here is certainly okay, which is why the checker tool didn't pick up on it. however, it's only just inside the parameters so could easily fall below in future recordings.

audacity also has a tool called replay gain, which will tell you how much you need to amplify/deamplify. info on how to install and use that can be found here https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Measuring_Volume_within_Audacity

let me know if there's anything else i can help with

MorganR · Post by **MorganR** » October 28th, 2020, 7:02 pm

Wonderful, thanks! I'll play around with these tools tomorrow to make sure I can get a consistently good volume

Post by **philchenevert** » October 28th, 2020, 7:08 pm

MorganR wrote: ↑
October 28th, 2020, 6:34 pm
Thanks Ashleigh! Could you let me know how I find out the specific decibel volume of my recording, for when I try again? I used the Checker tool and it told me I was fine, so something that can tell me with a little more specificity where I'm at would be helpful.

Hi. Hope you don't mind me interjecting here AshleyJane. This is a problem for many people. The Checker says this file is OK because, a you said, it is within the acceptable limits, 86 to 91 decibels. It would be good to pick up that volume a bit so it does not slip down any more. Anyway, here is a video on a technique that has worked for us for many years; just using our eyes to 'see' the volume. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9WF82rf81o Basically I look at my audio track in Audacity and can tell quite well if it is loud enough. We want our waves to be close to the 0.5 level and maybe a tiny bit over that http://youtu.be/nNreCl3XCFE . There is a built in tool in Audacity that will draw lines so we can easily see this. Anyway, it's something that works for a lot of us. By the way Morgan, you have a delightful voice. My beanie is spinning tohave you with us! Please keep asking questions

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » October 28th, 2020, 7:14 pm

philchenevert wrote: ↑
October 28th, 2020, 7:08 pm
Hi. Hope you don't mind me interjecting here AshleyJane.

i dont mind at all

Post by **philchenevert** » October 28th, 2020, 7:25 pm

ashleighjane wrote: ↑
October 28th, 2020, 7:14 pm

philchenevert wrote: ↑
October 28th, 2020, 7:08 pm
Hi. Hope you don't mind me interjecting here AshleyJane.
i dont mind at all

Thank you Ashley Jane. I have been working hard on some way to help new people understand our seeming obsession with volume and ways to increase/decrease it. <sigh> It is not a simple thing but I know there is at least a partial solution. Replay Gain is great but they must download it which is not so great. Oh well, I am grateful for so many nice people joining us!

MorganR · Post by **MorganR** » October 29th, 2020, 5:23 pm

ashleighjane wrote: ↑
October 28th, 2020, 6:13 pm
Hi morgan! welcome to librivox.

all tech specs are correct for your test recording

however, the volume is a little on the low side. its at 86db and librivox aims for between 86-92, with 89 being optimal, so it certainly doesnt want to be any quiter. you might like to try turning up your recording volume a couple of notches. or you could use the amplify tool in audacity after recording and amplify by a couple of decibels.

you're okay to start recording, but if you wanted to play around with volume and post another test then you are more than welcome to do so. just upload again and post the link in this thread, please.

Here's my updated test, yours and Phil's comments were helpful in allowing me to figure out what I needed to do to make changes! This should be coming out at 88 decibels now

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test2_morganr.mp3

philchenevert wrote: ↑
October 28th, 2020, 7:08 pm
By the way Morgan, you have a delightful voice. My beanie is spinning tohave you with us! Please keep asking questions

Thanks Phil, that's so kind of you to say!

Post by **philchenevert** » October 29th, 2020, 5:59 pm

And that does the trick! You have the official OK to record lots and lots. With that delightful voice of yours. Rita, our LibriVox zombie is look forward to hearing your recordings

We normally suggest starting with something short like our weekly poetry becaue you will have to edit it.