My 1 minute test xxMitchellxx [OK]

[xxMitchellxx]

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

Windows Sound Recorder... USB microphone

[adrianstephens]

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

Windows Sound Recorder... USB microphone

Hello Joseph,

Welcome to librivox. Thank you for volunteering here.  It’s always good to listen to new readers.
You have a nice clear voice, I had no trouble understanding you.
Your acoustics are good: echo is under control.


I’m sorry, but you need to make change(s) in order to meet Librivox’s technical standards.  I’ll tell you what to change. 

The file’s sample rate is 48,000 Hz, it should be 44,100 Hz. You can set this in Audacity at the bottom left of the window, or Edit / Preferences / Audio Settings.

The file’s format is MP3 stereo at 192 kb/s.
The specification we use for all MP3 recordings in Librivox is mono 128 kb/s constant bit rate. You can set this on the “save as MP3” dialog in Audacity, and it will persist the next time you do a save.


There are some noticeable “pops” in the “P” sounds or breathing into the microphone (2 events near 2s).
There are some different ways to fix this:
- move away from the microphone or position in the microphone to the side of your face;
- get a “pop” filter in front of your microphone.

There should usually be 5s of silence at the end. 

You should upload a new file and I’ll take a look at it.  If you quote this message in your new posting, I'll get a notification and will check it out.

Thank you, again, for participating in Librivox,
Adrian Stephens

PS - If you’re interested in developing your technique, and have the time to spare there’s a whole bunch of informative YouTube videos.
Our excellent admin Phil has recorded a lot of highly accessible videos (https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Instructional_Videos).

I have also recorded a number of YouTube videos on this subject, longer (and thereby going into more detail) than Phil’s.

Part 0: Introduction. https://youtu.be/pMHYycgA5VU
Part 1: Installing Audacity https://youtu.be/w_QZ15c4_10
Part 2: Setting the Volume https://youtu.be/-RoWbeJoMKk
Part 3: The Checker Program https://youtu.be/-5szxU8JE7c
Part 4: ReplayGain plugin https://youtu.be/jwmSVJIDeVM
Part 5: Performance and Volume https://youtu.be/WaekYMX519I
Part 6: Microphones looked at https://youtu.be/gcVYx3ZSrfs
Part 7: Microphones listened to https://youtu.be/607ijxEw7mU
Part 8: Noise Reduction Using Audacity https://youtu.be/KsFkmvF-9d0
Part 9: Avoiding Pops https://youtu.be/zPpz1qv0XSk
Part 10: Recording and Marking Mistakes https://youtu.be/G_ceO3YmcM8
Part 11: Editing Marked Speech https://youtu.be/la87iCO7HeI
Part 12: Recording Dramatic Works https://youtu.be/ZuRKu9s9Krw
Part 13: Introduction to the Librivox forum https://youtu.be/ukGUc_Cyr0o
Part 14: Participating in Librivox https://youtu.be/_gCcMGey04E
Part 15: Case Study (Poem) https://youtu.be/41sr_VC1Qxo
Part 16: Case Study 2 (Dramatic Reading) https://youtu.be/GBIAd469vnM
Part 17: Editing using labels https://youtu.be/eM7wcwAL84w

[xxMitchellxx]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_xxmitchellxx.mp3
Audacity... USB mic

[InTheDesert]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_xxmitchellxx.mp3
Audacity... USB mic

1 Minute Test Feedback:

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

Reading Feedback:
You have a deep, powerful voice.

Technical Feedback:

• 00:00 The volume of this track is 97.56dB. 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 -9dB.
• 00:00 Note (no change needed): This file contains some clipping. 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.
• 00:00 There was some background hum on the recording. It might be the result of something in the background like an air conditioner or a fan and the easiest way to fix it is to switch it off or point the microphone away from the source. Another solution you can apply is noise reduction. This will reduce the hiss after recording but it does degrade the quality of the audio. Be gentle on the amount (I'd say a maximum of 6dB reduction but less is better) - many people overdo it.

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!

[xxMitchellxx]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test3_xxmitchellxx.mp3

[xxMitchellxx]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test3_xxmitchellxx.mp3

[InTheDesert]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test3_xxmitchellxx.mp3

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): This file contains some clipping. 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.

[adrianstephens]

https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test3_xxmitchellxx.mp3

Hello Joseph,

Your changes were effective.
Congratulations - you meet librivox’s technical standards. Proof Listen OK!

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

You can stop reading here and get on with recording. I have additional comments that you can read if you want to develop your technique.

Your reading was a little bit "stiff". I know it's hard to relax at first when you're juggling the text, your reading of it and the technicalities,
but it does get easier, and you can then put more variation or interest into the way to speak it.


There's a bit of background noise, but it's not a level that will distract the listener. 
It sounds to me like a mix of electrical hiss and some kind of motor running in the background. Here's what you can try to reduce noise:
- Avoid the noise source. Move to a quieter room. 
- Use noise reduction using Audacity as shown here: https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Noise_Cleaning. You’ll be surprised how much difference it makes, but be careful of over-doing it, which can affect the quality.

There is still a bit of a pop at 1s, but it's a lot better than it was.



I suggest you spend some time becoming familiar with the forum and looking for projects that you think you’d enjoy working on. Just jump right in wherever it feels comfortable. Most of all, always have fun. You’ll find lots of interesting material to record. If you’re like me, you’ll also discover you’re learning a lot in the process and being exposed to books I otherwise wouldn’t have opened or known about. You’ll be contributing to an interesting project and interacting with a lot of fun and varied fellow LibriVox volunteers in the process. I recommend starting with short works, such as poetry and dramatic readings.  If you have 38 minutes to spare, I recommend watching "Part 15: Case Study (Poem) https://youtu.be/41sr_VC1Qxo" to give you an overview of the whole process.

Thank you, again, for participating in Librivox,
Adrian Stephens