1-minute test - rkresta [OK]

[rkresta]

Set up details: Audacity, Mac, USB Mic

Link to recording: https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_rkresta.mp3

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

[Winnifred]

Set up details: Audacity, Mac, USB Mic

Link to recording: https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_rkresta.mp3

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Welcome to LibriVox, Rebecca!

Your voice is pleasant, engaging, and animated, and your test is delightful. However, there are a couple of technical issues that need fixing. Your volume is just a tad too high at 92.1 dB (acceptable range is 86 - 92 dB, with 89-90 dB being the ideal). And there's a high amount of background noise. Some of it seems mechanical (computer fan, perhaps?), and some of it is just clicks and taps that might be the result of you moving around while recording.

I suggest that you try to determine what the background noise is and eliminate it as much as possible, then adjust your recording volume down a bit (see the "Set volume in the Audacity Gain Slider and on your mic" section of this page for information about that) and re-record your test. Paste the re-recorded test link from the Uploader into a response to this post and I will come back and check it out.

Thanks,

[rkresta]

Hello Winnifred,

Thank you for the lovely and clear feedback. I have tried to re-record a test and have uploaded it here. https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_rkresta2.mp3

For the clicking I have a better set up and didn't use my computer during the test. To try and address the volume problems installed ReplayGain and adjusted the amplification. Let's see if that will resolve the problem.

[Winnifred]

Hello Winnifred,

Thank you for the lovely and clear feedback. I have tried to re-record a test and have uploaded it here. https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_rkresta2.mp3

For the clicking I have a better set up and didn't use my computer during the test. To try and address the volume problems installed ReplayGain and adjusted the amplification. Let's see if that will resolve the problem.

Hi Rebecca,

The volume is fine now, but there's still a high amount of background noise. It's a steady noise that might be caused by a computer fan, or other mechanical device. However, there is something you can do to fix it.

You can reduce this background noise by running Noise reduction on your file as follows:

1. Select five seconds of the silence at the start of your recording.

2. With that section selected, click “Effect > Noise Reduction....” Under Step 1, click “Get Noise Profile.”

3. Select the entire recording, then check your Noise Reduction parameters under Step 2. Mine are set as follows, and I’ve never needed to change them:

Noise Reduction (dB): 12
Sensitivity: 6.00
Frequency smoothing (bands): 3
Noise: Choose "Reduce"

4. If they’re set to this already, just click OK.

That should bring the background noise down to an acceptable level.

In future, 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 tick Background Noise. Be sure to leave 5 seconds of room silence at the end of your recording, as that's what Checker looks at to assess background noise. If that noise is above 45 dB, you can run noise reduction on your recordings to bring it down.

Please run noise reduction as described above, and re-upload your test, then copy and paste the link from the Uploader into a response to this post. I'll come back and check it out. You're almost there.

Thanks,

[rkresta]

Hello Winnifred,

Thank you for these clear instructions. I did the background noise reduction as you suggested and ran this latest test through the checker. It passed but I look forward to your feedback. Thank you for the encouragement as well, it is a learning process!

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_rkresta_3.mp3

Cheers,
R

[Winnifred]

Hello Winnifred,

Thank you for these clear instructions. I did the background noise reduction as you suggested and ran this latest test through the checker. It passed but I look forward to your feedback. Thank you for the encouragement as well, it is a learning process!

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_rkresta_3.mp3

Cheers,
R

And this one's now fine! You're ready to start recording. Yes, it is quite a learning process, but if it's any consolation, this first bit was probably the hardest one.

I suggest heading over to the "Readers Wanted: Short Works (Poetry & Prose)" forum to find your first recording. There are lots of short options there in all genres. Let the book coordinator of your first reading know if you want a different name than rkresta in the Librivox catalogue.

If you have questions along the way, the "Need Help? Got Advice?” forum is a useful place to get answers.

Happy reading!

Cheers,

[rkresta]

Wonderful thank you Winnifred.

I had signed up for a chapter to read but the moderator said that I didn't have a profile for reading in the system, is that now complete?

[Winnifred]

Wonderful thank you Winnifred.

I had signed up for a chapter to read but the moderator said that I didn't have a profile for reading in the system, is that now complete?

That usually gets set up by the book coordinator on the first project you read for. But Julie (swmom17) may not know how to do that yet, as she hasn't coordinated many projects.

If you like, I can set this up for you. What name do you want to be known by in the catalogue? That could be just rkresta or the name you say when you say "Read by..." or your full name, or anything else you choose. Let me know that and I'll set it up.

Hope that helps?

Cheers,