My test upload
Welcome Charnae
I reviewed your test sample, and while it sounds good there are some technical changes needed. LibriVox requires audio that is 128kbps constant bit rate MP3, 44.1kHz sample rate, mono, and between 86dB and 92dB, preferably 89-90. Your test audio is 100kbps variable bit rate, stereo, and volume too l ow at 74.3dB.
Make sure input gain slider in Audacity (upper right with the little mic icon) is well to the right. Then adjust the input gain on your mic so your raw recording has wave forms that peak at about the 0.5 marks in the Audacity window:
Before you start recording, go to Audio Setup (in the Audacity menu bar), select Audio Settings. In the dialogue box set Recording Channels and select 1 (mono).
When exporting your MP3 from Audacity, go to File>Export Audio. In the pop-up menu select:
Format: MP3 Files
Channels: Mono.
Sample Rate: 44100
Bit Rate Mode: Constant.
Quality: 128kbps.
These selections will be saved for future exports.
See the pinned post at the top of this forum for screen shots of these menus and settings.
You can pre-check your audio yourself by downloading the free Checker app: https://cgjennings.ca/projects/checker/
Passed with Warnings is a fail with regard to volume.
With Checker open, go to Validation>Choose Validation Methods and check Background Noise. Be sure to leave 5 seconds blank at the end of your recording.
Please make a new test recording and post it in a reply to this message. I will come back and review it for you.
I reviewed your test sample, and while it sounds good there are some technical changes needed. LibriVox requires audio that is 128kbps constant bit rate MP3, 44.1kHz sample rate, mono, and between 86dB and 92dB, preferably 89-90. Your test audio is 100kbps variable bit rate, stereo, and volume too l ow at 74.3dB.
Make sure input gain slider in Audacity (upper right with the little mic icon) is well to the right. Then adjust the input gain on your mic so your raw recording has wave forms that peak at about the 0.5 marks in the Audacity window:
Before you start recording, go to Audio Setup (in the Audacity menu bar), select Audio Settings. In the dialogue box set Recording Channels and select 1 (mono).
When exporting your MP3 from Audacity, go to File>Export Audio. In the pop-up menu select:
Format: MP3 Files
Channels: Mono.
Sample Rate: 44100
Bit Rate Mode: Constant.
Quality: 128kbps.
These selections will be saved for future exports.
See the pinned post at the top of this forum for screen shots of these menus and settings.
You can pre-check your audio yourself by downloading the free Checker app: https://cgjennings.ca/projects/checker/
Passed with Warnings is a fail with regard to volume.
With Checker open, go to Validation>Choose Validation Methods and check Background Noise. Be sure to leave 5 seconds blank at the end of your recording.
Please make a new test recording and post it in a reply to this message. I will come back and review it for you.
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celaluzerne
- Posts: 6
- Joined: April 26th, 2024, 9:24 am
Thanks so much for your time and feedback. I just realized that I have much to learn about what all of that means! I am using Audacity, but using it for this type of project is new to me. I will work on getting used to the settings and tools! As far as requirements for projects, I was wondering if I would be able to perform the audio with my current sound equipment (AirPods Pro and/or Kygo A9/600 headphones), but it seems that I really should invest in an external microphone with adjustable features. Can you provide a link with an example of what type of microphone might work so I can shop around in a more deliberate way? There are a lot of options out there, too many one might say...
You can use AirPods, but you will be happier with a desk top mic on a stand.
In my most humble opinion, this is your best value for an external USB mic:
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2500x-USB-Condenser-Microphone-ATR/dp/B07ZPC2FMQ
$69.
Add a foam wind screen for $4.
There are others (Fifine, for example) that are even cheaper, but AT makes excellent mics. I used one for years.
In my most humble opinion, this is your best value for an external USB mic:
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2500x-USB-Condenser-Microphone-ATR/dp/B07ZPC2FMQ
$69.
Add a foam wind screen for $4.
There are others (Fifine, for example) that are even cheaper, but AT makes excellent mics. I used one for years.