1-Minute Test - TheDapp3rB00kReader [OK]

[TheDapp3rB00kReader]

Recording Software: Audacity
Operating System: Windows
Mic type: USB
1-Minute test link:
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_TheDapp3rB00kReader.mp3

[InTheDesert]

1 Minute Test Feedback:

Welcome to Librivox TheDapp3rB00kReader and thanks for posting your test file. We look forward to you joining the community!

Reading Feedback:
You have a clear, bright voice.

Technical Feedback:

• 00:00 The volume of this track is 94.93dB. 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 easiest way to fix this automatically 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 to fix it would be to use the Amplify effect set to -6dB.
• 00:00 Librivox needs mono files but this is stereo.
• 00:00 Librivox needs mp3 files with a constant bitrate of 128kbps. This file is 194kbps. Since that is not one of the standard mp3 bitrates, you probably selected 'variable' rather than 'constant' bitrate.
• 00:00 I think I would tend to describe this audio as 'overprocessed'. It's hard to describe what it is exactly - it can sound metallic or like there is a little reverb. Or that the 's' sounds are very prominent but other consonants are muffled. The cause is usually applying too many effects - particularly noise reduction which can rip out the mid-tones which give clarity. 2-6dB of noise reduction are usually all that is required. It could also be caused by exporting the file too early as an mp3 instead of performing your edits on the original recording. This can also be caused by the microphone itself (inbuilt microphone on a laptop, phone, tablet). If the quality of your microphone makes you think it should sound better, make sure you have selected the correct microphone as your recording input and that you're not usung a different microphone that is available on your device accidentally. If you have a high quality microphone and you're not running post-processing on the file, the most likely cause is that you're speaking into the wrong side of the microphone.
• 00:00 Note (no change needed): This file contains some clipping (00:01:00 00:03:00 00:04:00 00:09:00 etc.). This is where the maximum possible volume is exceeded (possibly because you were too close to your microphone but possibly because the 'gain' for the channel in Audacity was pulled up above 0.0). It can't be changed after recording (unless it was caused by the Audacity gain problem) though a compressor might make it less noticeable.

Once you've tweaked these settings, upload the file again using the same filename (uploading to the same filename is important when you are submitting Librivox files) and post in the thread and I'll check it for you again!

[TheDapp3rB00kReader]

Recording Software: Audacity
Operating System: Windows
Mic type: Bluetooth
Link for 1-minute test
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_TheDapp3rB00kReader.mp3
Improvements:
➫I used the Loudness Normalization effect, and put it at -21db
➫I made sure to make it a mono file
➫I set the bitrate as constant at 1128kbps
➫ I used a different microphone, just in case

[sjmarky]

Greetings Dapp3r

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 settings are correct, so well done. The volume however, is at 91.8dB, barely below the maximum. I suggest normalizing to -23dB RMS instead of -21 in order to leave a margin of safety. There is also too much background noise by about 10dB. It sounds like a pC fan. Finally, there is too much room reverb in your recording; you need a much deader recording space.

You can find advice on improving issues like room echo in the Librivox wiki:
https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Improve_Your_Recording

Try to isolate your mic from the noise, such as computer fan. If that isn’t entirely successful, use Audacity’s Noise Removal filter to reduce the background noise about 10dB. Noise removal instructions are available here: https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Noise_Cleaning. A video tutorial on Audacity noise removal is available here: https://youtu.be/rvhqw7zBmEo

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.

[TheDapp3rB00kReader]

Test III
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_TheDapp3rB00kReader.mp3
Everything else is pretty much the same, except I lowered the volume

[InTheDesert]

Test III
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_TheDapp3rB00kReader.mp3
Everything else is pretty much the same, except I lowered the volume

Technical Feedback:

• 00:00 Your plosives (p, b, t, d, c etc. sounds) tended to 'pop' in this recording which generally means you are speaking directly into the microphone rather than at a slight angle. This can easily be improved with a change in microphone placement or using a pop filter. It can also be improved in post-processing by applying the High Pass Filter effect set to 120Hz and -12dB.

Once you've tweaked these settings, upload the file again using the same filename (uploading to the same filename is important when you are submitting Librivox files) and post in the thread and I'll check it for you again!

[TheDapp3rB00kReader]

Trial IV
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_TheDapp3rB00kReader.mp3
Same as before, but, as suggested, I used a pop filter to remove excess sounds.

[InTheDesert]

Trial IV
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_TheDapp3rB00kReader.mp3
Same as before, but, as suggested, I used a pop filter to remove excess sounds.

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.

Technical Feedback:

• 00:00 Note (no change needed): The volume of this track is 91.73dB. 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.