COMPLETE [POETRY] Anthology of Massachusetts Poets by William Stanley Braithwaite-mas

[Theginmann]

I hope I did this right... here are the two recordings hopefully with the changes they needed...
-Thanks, Gini

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_17_alicebrown_128kb.mp3
length of recording 4:1.06

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_42_winifredvirginiajackson_128kb.mp3
length of recording 3:35.12

[SandyKalmus]

Hi,

This is my first time doing this.
May I claim section 83 Marriage, by Marie Tudor?

My name is Sandy Kalmus and I will read using that name.

I live in Western Mass and this is pretty cool!

Thank you,
Sandy

[VerySternWord]

Here 'tis...#76 Shipbuilders (a word which, by the way, takes some very careful enunciation!)
I also need to continue working on my editing skills. Getting there, but I'm a perfectionist...

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_76_braithwaite_128kb.mp3
The recording length is 2:04

[Jayhawk1900]

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 1:57

This is good way to post your recording link with file length.

I love this poem, and recorded it some time back for one of our monthly poetry collections.

The only real issue is that the volume is a bit high, at 92.3 dB. Our target is 89 dB with a range of 86-92 dB, so just over the limit. You can use the Amplification function under the Effects menu in Audacity. Just set it for -3 and you should be good. Then, if you could add one second to the silence at the end, that would get it closer to the five seconds that we like to have. Best is to adjust the input gain so that the raw recording is closer to 89 dB.

Upload the corrected file under the same file name and post the link here again and I will check it.

Just a general comment on the recording. There is a large amount of reverb giving it the empty-room or barrel sound. There are a lot of things you can do to minimize this by treating your recording space. Then, having the microphone closer helps. I finally got a cheap mike stand to help with that. Brining it in from three feet to six inches eliminated a lot of that. Then, I just hung a couple of blankets in back of my recording position to catch some of the reverb.

Anyway, very nice recording.
Thanks for you contribution.
Keep on reading!

=============
Here are two programs that I use to adjust the volume of recordings:

1. CHECKER
https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Checker

This little program was written specifically for LibriVox, and is very easy to use.
Just drag your file to the Checker window, and it will quickly check it for all LibriVox specifications and give you a report.

One of the measurements is the volume in decibels. Use the Amplify feature under the Effect menu in Audacity to adjust the volume, by setting the value to plus or minus to bring the recording close to the LV target of 89 dB.

2. ReplayGain
https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Measuring_Volume_within_Audacity

This article will introduce you to ReplayGain, which is a plugin specifically for Audacity. There is a link to download it and a link to a tutorial on how to use it. Once installed, it is easy to use. Depending on your version of Audacity, it will appear either in the Analyze menu or the Effects menu. ReplayGain can be selected to analyze the recording, giving a reading of how many decibels, plus or minus, that the recording is off from the target. It is then easy to use the Audacity Amplify feature to make the adjustment before exporting the file.

Hi,
I recorded it. Please find it at:
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 2:02

[silverquill]

I hope I did this right... here are the two recordings hopefully with the changes they needed...
-Thanks, Gini

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_17_alicebrown_128kb.mp3
length of recording 4:1.06

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_42_winifredvirginiajackson_128kb.mp3
length of recording 3:35.12

Well, not quite . . . .

Section 42 now has 7 seconds at the end, and the click right at the end is still there. Just cut the last two seconds off and you'll be fine.

And, the file names are still not right.
The correct file name is always given in the instructions in the lead post of each project.
All you need to do is copy and paste when you export, just inserting the correct section number.
For this project is is:

=========
Save files as
128 kbps MP3
anthologyofmassachusettspoets_##_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 (all lower-case) where ## is the section number
e.g. anthologyofmassachusettspoets_01_braithwaite_128kb.mp3
=========

So, just put in 17 and 42 for the section numbers and all will be fine.

Love your reading.

[silverquill]

Hi,
I recorded it. Please find it at:
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 2:02

Well, all you really needed to do was lower the volume, which is now fine.
But, somehow you exported at the wrong bit rate, so this won't pass now.

Just export it again and in the lower left hand corner of Audacity from the drop-down menu for Project Rate (Htz) select 44100 Then, unless you change it, this should stay as the default value for future recordings.

[Jayhawk1900]

I did re-record it and downloaded both Checker software and Audicity add-on which made get the latest software version. I just resaved and reuploaded per below. Please verify everything is okay, I'm low on the learning curve here.


https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128kb.mp3

As for the reverb, is there post recording way to suppress it at all?

[silverquill]

I did re-record it and downloaded both Checker software and Audicity add-on which made get the latest software version. I just resaved and reuploaded per below. Please verify everything is okay, I'm low on the learning curve here.


https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128kb.mp3

As for the reverb, is there post recording way to suppress it at all?

Well, I may have given you the wrong correction to make.
When I run this through Checker it gives me a "Failed" message.
The issue is the bit rate, which is 320 kbs., instead of 128.
When you select Export as .mp3, in the Bit Rate Mode make sure "Constant" is selected.
Then for "Quality" select 128 kbs from the drop down menu.

As for the reverb, there is not a way to eliminate this in post production that I know of. If there is, that is beyond my tech capabilities. But from what I've read, nothing can eliminate it. So, the answer lies in treating the recording space and set up. What helped me was two simple things. First, I bought an inexpensive microphone stand with pop filter so I could bring the mic closer to my mouth. Then I set up so that I could hang several blankets behind my recording set up -- easy to put up and take down. That acts as a bass trap and lessens the reverb. There are a lot of good resources on this; people have all sorts of creative approaches, some elaborate and overboard, but usually it is the simple things that help. Oh, I should mention that microphone type and placement can make a difference as well, Few of us have professional grade "studios," and that is fine. Our threshold here is much lower, and we are grateful for every recording that comes in. So, please keep recording!

Anyway, try makin those adjustments to the bit rate.

[brucek]

Here's Section 34 at 1:51
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_34_braithwaite_128kb.mp3

Section 36 at 2:03
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_36_braithwaite_128kb.mp3

and Section 67 at 1:55
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_67_braithwaite_128kb.mp3

~~~~~
Bruce.

[brucek]

Hi Larry,

I find that this is the way "Edward J. O'Brien" spells his name, contrary to that in the text TofC (and hence in the MW) for sections 67 and 68.

Thanks,
Bruce.

[Jayhawk1900]

I did re-record it and downloaded both Checker software and Audicity add-on which made get the latest software version. I just resaved and reuploaded per below. Please verify everything is okay, I'm low on the learning curve here.


https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128kb.mp3

As for the reverb, is there post recording way to suppress it at all?

Well, I may have given you the wrong correction to make.
When I run this through Checker it gives me a "Failed" message.
The issue is the bit rate, which is 320 kbs., instead of 128.
When you select Export as .mp3, in the Bit Rate Mode make sure "Constant" is selected.
Then for "Quality" select 128 kbs from the drop down menu.

As for the reverb, there is not a way to eliminate this in post production that I know of. If there is, that is beyond my tech capabilities. But from what I've read, nothing can eliminate it. So, the answer lies in treating the recording space and set up. What helped me was two simple things. First, I bought an inexpensive microphone stand with pop filter so I could bring the mic closer to my mouth. Then I set up so that I could hang several blankets behind my recording set up -- easy to put up and take down. That acts as a bass trap and lessens the reverb. There are a lot of good resources on this; people have all sorts of creative approaches, some elaborate and overboard, but usually it is the simple things that help. Oh, I should mention that microphone type and placement can make a difference as well, Few of us have professional grade "studios," and that is fine. Our threshold here is much lower, and we are grateful for every recording that comes in. So, please keep recording!

Anyway, try makin those adjustments to the bit rate.

Okay, I got a green check mark from Checker 0.95, 87.4 dB. Please review this one and see if it finally correct on all the settings.

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128k.mp3 2:02

[Ambsweet13]

Here are Sections 6, 63, 68 and 70
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_06_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 (1:25)
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_63_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 (1:14)
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_68_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 (0:54)
https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_70_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 (1:15)

[VerySternWord]

Here is the final poem I'd claimed thus far: Harvest-Moon: 1914. I think I almost made myself cry doing this one. It's powerful...

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_72_braithwaite_128kb.mp3 recording length 2:20

Also note that I did submit #76 further up in this thread. I posted it yesterday, and had not heard back yet, and it is not showing as completed, so just thought I'd double check I'd done it properly.
Thank you all again!
-Rebecca

PS...I tested the link in my signature for my website and it worked for me. If anyone else is having trouble seeing my site, please let me know!

[silverquill]

Hi Larry,

I find that this is the way "Edward J. O'Brien" spells his name, contrary to that in the text TofC (and hence in the MW) for sections 67 and 68.

Thanks,
Bruce.

Thank you so much for catching this, Bruce!
I'll have your PL tomorrow.

[silverquill]

Okay, I got a green check mark from Checker 0.95, 87.4 dB. Please review this one and see if it finally correct on all the settings.

https://librivox.org/uploads/maryannspiegel/anthologyofmassachusettspoets_52_braithwaite_128k.mp3 2:02

Great! And it is now marked PL OK!
Thanks for sticking with this.