Here is my 1 minute test. It was recorded into Audacity 2.4.2, using a USB mic and Windows OS.
g93indc
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_g93indc.mp3
My 1 minute test [OK]
Greetings Gwen
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 is 78kbps variable bit rate. You submitted two takes. Take 1's volume is too low at 84.1dB; Take 2 is too high at 92.8. There is also a bit too much room echo - you need a deader recording space.
Make sure 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 and enter an amount.
You can find advice on improving issues like room echo in the Librivox wiki:
https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Improve_Your_Recording
When exporting your MP3 from Audacity, go to File>Export Audio. In the pop-up menu select:
Format: MP3 Files
Channels: Mono.
Sample Rate: 44100
Bit Rate Mode: Constant.
Quality: 128kbps.
These selections will be saved for future exports.
See the pinned post at the top of this forum for screen shots of these menus and settings.
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.
Please make a new test recording and post it in a reply to this message. I will come back and review it for you.
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 is 78kbps variable bit rate. You submitted two takes. Take 1's volume is too low at 84.1dB; Take 2 is too high at 92.8. There is also a bit too much room echo - you need a deader recording space.
Make sure 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 and enter an amount.
You can find advice on improving issues like room echo in the Librivox wiki:
https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php?title=Improve_Your_Recording
When exporting your MP3 from Audacity, go to File>Export Audio. In the pop-up menu select:
Format: MP3 Files
Channels: Mono.
Sample Rate: 44100
Bit Rate Mode: Constant.
Quality: 128kbps.
These selections will be saved for future exports.
See the pinned post at the top of this forum for screen shots of these menus and settings.
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.
Please make a new test recording and post it in a reply to this message. I will come back and review it for you.
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test2_g93indc.mp3
This is take two of my 1 minute test: on USB mic, into Audacity. I double checked to be sure all specs conform to your specs and ran it through Checker that gave it an ok.
This is take two of my 1 minute test: on USB mic, into Audacity. I double checked to be sure all specs conform to your specs and ran it through Checker that gave it an ok.
It's a wee bit too loud. You left a very long silence at the beginning which throws off the average volume, which is what Checker is measuring. The actual volume with the silence removed is 92.1dB.
So delete the silence and reduce the volume by -3dB and upload another test, please.
So delete the silence and reduce the volume by -3dB and upload another test, please.
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test3_g93indc.mp3
Silence reduced at start. The volume has been reduced to 88.3db according to checker.
Silence reduced at start. The volume has been reduced to 88.3db according to checker.
Your audio meets LibriVox requirements, so you are good to go.
Happy narrating!
Happy narrating!