1 minute test by Almondnut

[Almondnut]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/2023_10_21_oneminute_test_mthomas.mp3
Software: Audacity
Operating System: Windows
Mic Type: USB (blue snowball ice)

[Winnifred]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/2023_10_21_oneminute_test_mthomas.mp3
Software: Audacity
Operating System: Windows
Mic Type: USB (blue snowball ice)

Hi Misty,

While your test meets all the Librivox technical standards, I do notice a lot of plosives (pops) on the p sounds. This is caused by your breath hitting your microphone, and is easy to fix. Reposition your mic (or yourself ) so you are speaking beside, rather than straight into, your mic, and your mouth is about six inches away. I found this eliminated the plosives altogether for me.

You can find advice on improving issues like plosives in the Librivox wiki.

Please make a new test recording and post it in reply to this message. I'll come back and have a listen to it.

Thanks,

[Almondnut]

Hi Winnifred,

I tried turning my mic to the side to address the popping p. Did it fix it or do I need to look into a filter?

Also, I'm struggling to get enough volume (which is why I keep getting close to the microphone) and am having to use amplify to pass the checker. Are there suggestions on how to hit the right volume?

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/2023_10_24_almondnut_r5.mp3

[Winnifred]

Hi Winnifred,

I tried turning my mic to the side to address the popping p. Did it fix it or do I need to look into a filter?

Also, I'm struggling to get enough volume (which is why I keep getting close to the microphone) and am having to use amplify to pass the checker. Are there suggestions on how to hit the right volume?

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/2023_10_24_almondnut_r5.mp3

Hi Misty,

They're improved, but not quite gone. Here's a suggestion for the volume that would allow you to speak farther from the microphone and thus fix both issues.

Make sure the the 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:



If necessary, adjust the volume level before exporting by going to Effects>Amplify.

Try speaking at least 6 inches from your mic (about a hand's breadth). The adjustment above might just allow you to do that and still have volume in the acceptable range.

You're almost there! Your next try will probably be the winner.

Cheers,

[Almondnut]

Trying again.

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/2023_10_25_almondnut_r1.mp3

Changes:
- microphone turned to the side and moved six inches away
- My sliders are all the way to the left on both sliders
- my volume is still super tiny and I have to use amplify. I've yet to find why that is the case/online tutorials not solving it yet
- how do you get those red bars on the 0.5 and -0.5 lines? They don't show on mine and I have not found the setting yet to turn them on.
(Image here: https://imgur.com/a/MBal8Jp )

[Winnifred]

Trying again.

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/2023_10_25_almondnut_r1.mp3

Changes:
- microphone turned to the side and moved six inches away
- My sliders are all the way to the left on both sliders
- my volume is still super tiny and I have to use amplify. I've yet to find why that is the case/online tutorials not solving it yet
- how do you get those red bars on the 0.5 and -0.5 lines? They don't show on mine and I have not found the setting yet to turn them on.
(Image here: https://imgur.com/a/MBal8Jp )

The sliders need to be all the way to the right, not the left. If they’re to the left, your volume is almost zero. That would explain why your volume is so low and you’re not seeing red bars.

Amplifying the volume has also amplified the background noise quite a bit. That should be less of an issue if you fix the volume, though. And on a positive note, you’ve eliminated the plosives!

Once more?

Cheers,

[Winnifred]

Also, you didn't say whether you adjusted the gain on your mic after moving the sliders. That will also increase the volume.