My 1-Minute test (: [OK]

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 10th, 2021, 12:00 pm

Hi there,
I have just finished my test recording of 1-minute, and would very much appreciate if someone can do a proof-listening

Any suggestion or advice will be very welcome. The link: https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test-librivox.mp3

P.S: I am not an English native speaker

Cheers,

sophia88

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » January 11th, 2021, 9:44 am

Hi Sophia, welcome to librivox

You're sounding good but there's a couple of things that you need to fix. I will provide instructions for audacity as you did not say what software you used.

The bit rate should be 128 kbps. When you export, change 'quality' to 128 kbps.

The volume is too low at 82dB. We aim for 86 - 92 dB (with 89 being the goal). You might want to turn up recording volume or make use of the amplify 'effect'. If you like you can install the checker tool https://cgjennings.ca/projects/checker/ which can tell you the volume of recordings.

Also, I can hear air hitting the mic on certain sounds like 'p'. You might want to move your mic so that it is not so directly in front of your mouth, if possible.

Please upload your test again once these things have been fixed and post the link here

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 24th, 2021, 11:02 am

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback

and sorry for the late answer (I don't know why, but I did not receive any email when a new posting was added to the thread)

Here comes the second test : https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/librivox_second_test_amplified.mp3

I have used the Checker tool for a test, and result was "Passed". Let me know if further adjustment is needed

Cheers,

Sophia88

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » January 24th, 2021, 11:08 am

Hi again

If you click on the wrench at the top of the posts it will either say 'subscribe' or 'unscubscribe.' If it says subscribe then you're not subscribed to the topic and that's why you weren't notified.

Tech specs are all correct but you have a lot of background noise. Could you please run noise removal? Instructions are here https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Noisecleaning_With_Pics

Plus upload the test again once you've done this and post the link here

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 24th, 2021, 11:29 am

Alright, I did my subscription to the thread, thank you

I have applied the noise reduction effect in this test https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/librivox_third_test_rumors_reduction.mp3

Let me know how it sounds now to you

Sophia88

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » January 24th, 2021, 11:39 am

This one is better but background noise can be reduced more. It's still significant enough that it would be pulled up in pling. What numbers did you use in each of you noise reduction settings?

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 24th, 2021, 11:43 am

I see, following are the configured number:

Noise reduction (Mb): 10
Sensitivity: 6
Frequency smoothing: 6

Do you think I can use different numbers to get better result?

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » January 24th, 2021, 11:53 am

Try setting 'noise reduction' to 18. Leave the other two as they are

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 24th, 2021, 11:57 am

Alright, I did the same operation with 18 as noise reduction, sensitivity and frequency left to 6:

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

Perhaps I should change my microphone

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » January 24th, 2021, 11:59 am

Yep, this one is good. All tech settings are still correct so you're okay to record for projects.

What mic are you using?

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 24th, 2021, 1:34 pm

Oh that's great!!

I have a logitech headset I use also for conference calls. Perhaps it's better if I take a standlone microphone

Any suggestion do give in this regard?

Thank you a lot for your help

Best

ashleighjane · Post by **ashleighjane** » January 24th, 2021, 5:33 pm

Oh yes, I believe a logitech headset was the first mic i had for librivox. They're okay but there's definitely better mics out there, and not necessarily expensive either. I personally got a decent enough sound from this mic https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0836P936Z/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and it's very cheap.

However, I wouldn't think about getting a new mic until you've read a bit and are certain you're going to continue doing a lot of recording. You're sounding okay for now

sophia88 · Post by **sophia88** » January 26th, 2021, 11:10 am

Alright, thank you for the feedbacks