User:Spiralofhope/1-Minute Test redux

WORKING

See also 1-Minute Test.

Article Assumptions

This article was made referencing Audacity 2.0.2.

Microphone Setup

• Shut down / turn off your computer
• Plug in your microphone
• Turn on your computer
• Position your microphone
  • (Desktop microphone) Take your hand and spread your fingers apart. Point your thumb at your mouth, and your smallest (pinky) finger should be touching or very near the mic.
  • However you position your microphone, a consistent placement and distance is important!

Audacity Settings

• Edit > Preferences <Control-P>
• Devices > Channels: 1 (Mono)
• Quality > Default Sample Format: 16 bit

Audacity Use

Related Articles: Audacity 1-2-3, Editing Audio

• At the top, click the red circle to begin recording. A new track will appear in the main view.
• Click the yellow square to stop recording.
• If you make a mistake and want to start over, you can stop recording then click the small 'X' to the top-left of your audio track.

Speaking Script

Read your script before you begin recording. This will help make your voice more confident and conversational.

You don't need to worry about recording exactly 60 seconds!

• Open with 5 seconds of silence

People were pleased to find that Peter Piper had picked a couple pages for fable fans at LibriVox.

Thankful that this was Thursday the thirtieth, the Piper anticipated forum fun and a wonderful weekend of recording!

This is a test by YOURNAME.

Had it been an actual LibriVox contribution, it would have been a Public Domain text, previously published and probably interesting.

• Close with 10 seconds of silence.

Listening

Stop any recording and click the green triangle to play it back.

Listen for clicks, pops, buzzes and background sound.

Feel free to re-record to make any improvements you can. For example, if when you make sharper louder sounds your recording spikes and the audio distorts, perhaps moving your microphone away a little will help.

Don't worry too much! When you post your sample, others will listen and give you advice.

Don't do any "post-processing" like normalization or removing background noise in your test file.

Audacity Save

TODO

Audacity Export

1. File > Export
2. At the bottom-right, choose MP3 Files.
   • The default options are correct: Constant, 128 kbps, Joint stereo
3. Choose the folder in which you want to save your file.
4. Type in the file name.
   • Call it: test_yourforumname - for example test_spiralofhope is for user "spiralofhope".
   • Audacity will automatically add the file's .mp3 extension, so you don't have to.
   • Use all lowercase.
   • DO NOT use spaces.
5. Click Save. An "Edit Metadata" dialog will open.
6. You may add "Recorded by (your name)" in the Comments field, and click OK.

This is a short audio clip, so Audacity should complete quickly.

Uploading

Main article: How to Send Your Recording

There is also a video: How to Upload your 1 Minute Test

Visit http://upload.librivox.org and log in - Do not use your forum login for the Uploader. Use:

(If you have trouble reading the image above, please message an admin)

STEP 1 -- Identify the project's MC

Select tests - tests from the drop-down list.

STEP 2 -- Choose a file to upload

Browse to and select the mp3 you exported.

STEP 3 -- Click to upload

Click "Upload File"

When the upload is complete, a link to your file will appear above step 1. Copy that link.

Posting

1) Post a new thread in the Listeners and Editors Wanted forum.

2) In the body of your message, include

• The link to the test file you uploaded.

• Your operating system
  • e.g. Windows, Macintosh
  • Give more details if you know them (Windows XP, etc)

• Your recording software
  • The version (if you know it)

• Your microphone brand and name.
  • The model number (if you know it)

• Your microphone type:
  1. USB (wider plug)
  2. Analog (headphone jack-style)

At the bottom of your message, select "Notify me when a reply is posted" if you'd like to be emailed when someone replies to your thread.

When finished your post, click "Submit".

3) Check back in with your thread to see responses.

You'll get feedback on your test, and perhaps some advice on making it sound even better.

If you make any adjustments to the way you record, create another another test recording for further feedback.

Noise Removal

Only do this if told to when getting feedback on your first test.

http://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Noisecleaning_With_Pics