1 minute test. jkreedman

jkreedman · Post by **jkreedman** » January 17th, 2024, 9:34 pm

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

Hi! I'm editing with Audacity in Windows on a Zoom H4n Mic/Recorder.

adrianstephens · Post by **adrianstephens** » January 18th, 2024, 2:28 am

jkreedman wrote: ↑January 17th, 2024, 9:34 pm https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_jkreedman.mp3

Hi! I'm editing with Audacity in Windows on a Zoom H4n Mic/Recorder.

Hello Jake,

Welcome to librivox. Thank you for volunteering here. It’s always good to listen to new readers.
You have a nice clear voice, I had no trouble understanding you.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

I’m sorry, but you need to make change(s) in order to meet Librivox’s technical standards. I’ll tell you what to change. You should upload a new file and I’ll take a look at it. If you quote this message in your new posting, I'll get a notification and will check it out.

The volume is too low. This recording was 82 dB, (***updated***) and the normal range is 86-92 dB.
In Audacity, I use Effects / Loudness Normalization (to -19 LUFS) to put my recordings into this range.
You can check your volume using the checker program (https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Checker).

Information: There's a bit of hiss in the background, but it's not a level that will distract the listener. If you want to experiment, you might try the following to reduce it.
- Use noise reduction using Audacity as shown here: https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Noise_Cleaning. You’ll be surprised how much difference it makes, but be careful of over-doing it, which can affect the quality.

There are some noticeable “pops” in the “P” sounds or breathing into the microphone (at 5, 27 and 28s).
There are some different ways to fix this:
- move away from the microphone or position in the microphone to the side of your face;
- get a “pop” filter in front of your microphone.

Thank you, again, for participating in Librivox,
Adrian Stephens

PS - If you’re interested in developing your technique, and have the time to spare there’s a whole bunch of informative YouTube videos.
Our excellent admin Phil has recorded a lot of highly accessible videos (https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Instructional_Videos).

I have also recorded a number of YouTube videos on this subject, longer (and thereby going into more detail) than Phil’s.

Part 0: Introduction. https://youtu.be/pMHYycgA5VU
Part 1: Installing Audacity https://youtu.be/w_QZ15c4_10
Part 2: Setting the Volume https://youtu.be/-RoWbeJoMKk
Part 3: The Checker Program https://youtu.be/-5szxU8JE7c
Part 4: ReplayGain plugin https://youtu.be/jwmSVJIDeVM
Part 5: Performance and Volume https://youtu.be/WaekYMX519I
Part 6: Microphones looked at https://youtu.be/gcVYx3ZSrfs
Part 7: Microphones listened to https://youtu.be/607ijxEw7mU
Part 8: Noise Reduction Using Audacity https://youtu.be/KsFkmvF-9d0
Part 9: Avoiding Pops https://youtu.be/zPpz1qv0XSk
Part 10: Recording and Marking Mistakes https://youtu.be/G_ceO3YmcM8
Part 11: Editing Marked Speech https://youtu.be/la87iCO7HeI
Part 12: Recording Dramatic Works https://youtu.be/ZuRKu9s9Krw
Part 13: Introduction to the Librivox forum https://youtu.be/ukGUc_Cyr0o
Part 14: Participating in Librivox https://youtu.be/_gCcMGey04E
Part 15: Case Study (Poem) https://youtu.be/41sr_VC1Qxo
Part 16: Case Study 2 (Dramatic Reading) https://youtu.be/GBIAd469vnM
Part 17: Editing using labels https://youtu.be/eM7wcwAL84w

jkreedman · Post by **jkreedman** » January 19th, 2024, 8:55 am

Im gonna try a different mic tonight and ill fiddle with audacity settings!

jkreedman · Post by **jkreedman** » January 25th, 2024, 9:10 pm

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

2nd time uploading. Fixed the hiss by noise reduction. Fixed volume by raising mic volume and light amplification on audacity. Using Zoom H4n mic/recorder, Windows operating system, audacity editing system.

InTheDesert · Post by **InTheDesert** » January 25th, 2024, 9:16 pm

jkreedman wrote: ↑January 25th, 2024, 9:10 pm https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_jkreedman.mp3

2nd time uploading. Fixed the hiss by noise reduction. Fixed volume by raising mic volume and light amplification on audacity. Using Zoom H4n mic/recorder, Windows operating system, audacity editing system.

1 Minute Test Feedback:

Welcome to Librivox and thanks for posting your test file. We look forward to you joining the community!

The technical specs of your test are fine and you are ready to record! Make sure you use the same settings as your test in future recordings. For any future files you submit, make sure that the intro has 0.75 seconds of silence at the start and 5 seconds of silence at the end. Also check the required filename in the project thread.

The best first step would be to take a section in a group project. You can find a list of open projects here (non-English here).

When you claim your very first section, don't forget to also post the name that you would like to appear in the catalog. Some people use their real name, a pseudonym or just a repeat of their forum username. You might prefer privacy or to use it as an opportunity to advertise yourself as a narrator.

Reading Feedback:
You have a bright, animated voice.

Technical Feedback:

00:00 Note (no change needed): The volume of this track is 91.62dB. LV requires the overall volume for the track (measured by ReplayGain - you can try this tool if you want to check the volume) to be between 86-92dB (with 89dB being the ideal). The file falls within the outer ends of that range and so doesn't need to be changed but watch that it doesn't end up outside the range. The easiest way to automatically set the volume is to use the 'Loudness Normalization' effect (set to -19LUFS in 'perceived loudness' mode) in recent versions of Audacity before exporting the track as an MP3. If you use RMS normalization, set it to -21dB. Another way would be to use the Amplify effect set to -3dB.