Hi SunnyG.SunnyG wrote: ↑July 1st, 2021, 1:01 pm Hello. I am attempting to get my first test recording completed so I can begin volunteering here. I listed to many books from here several years ago while I had an office job. Last year I had an opportunity to get a microphone, but couldn't get it to work on my laptop. I have had a friend help me so I have a new set up now, and the microphone finally works. I am looking forward to being able to volunteer as a reader! I just hope this all gets easier after the test recording is completed to the site standards.
Now, I am trying to figure out Audacity. It seems I am making tiny steps forward. Every time I get something accomplished, I can't figure out the next step. Everything seems to be a challenge, but with my friend's help, we are muddling through it all. I have no prior background in working with audio files.
I sent my test recording through the checker and it lists 3 things I have to change. I have tried googling bitrate, but I am not finding the setting I am referred to there, and my project rate is set at the (I think) required 44100Hz. I don't see anywhere else to change bitrate, but Checker says I need 128kbps. Google tells me that should be found in the lower left of Audacity, which is where the project rate setting is. So, I am lost. I have a feeling, if I can correct the kbps setting, the next error of constant vs variable bit rate will be located with that setting.
Which leaves me with my decibel range. I started out with my first few attempts at recording having a hard time hearing myself. I was able to make a few adjustments, and the current test recording was much better than I had started out. But, it appears it isn't good enough to make the Checker happy. My first issue is, when I try to make changes with the Amplify effect, it won't allow me to hit Ok. So, it appears, that is not a setting I can actually use, for some reason. I have Audacity 2.3.3.
I have attempted to follow the instructions I found here by InTheDesert, since brownrottger had one of the same issues I am having. I have made it through the Normalize and Compressor settings. I do not have anything under Effects called "Loudness Normalization". I haven't yet run my test sample through the checker, having made only the adjustments in the 2 settings thus far. I don't know if it will do me much good yet.
And then my next question is... how do we change these settings so they will be permanent for future recordings? I am sure I will have additional questions as I am finding my footing with this software.
Thank you for your assistance!
It would be easiest, if you just upload the test so we can see the waveform. If the program is not letting you amplify, it's probably because there are peaks in your recording which if amplified would result in clipping (or cutting off of the top or bottom of the peak). The Compressor should have taken care of that, but maybe not completely.
You set the bitrate when you export to mp3 - at the bottom of the export window under Format Options. Set them as follows:
Bit Rate Mode: Constant
Quality - select 128 kbps from the dropdown
Check the box to Force to Mono
Before using Normalization and Compression, make sure your microphone settings are not set too low. You can adjust this in Audacity with the microphone slider and/or in the Control Panel Sound settings for the microphone. (or the equivalent if you are on a Mac as opposed to a PC).