A couple of questions all bunched together.
How long should a short work take to go through ACX audio review (Is it really 30 days)?
After I get the results back, which files should I be working with to make the requested changes?
Why am I keeping copies of the Mastered files in WAV format?
I have:
Raw(with my repeats and the dog clicker) WAV
Consolidated (degasping, and ReTakes) WAV
Mastered (Front and Back Room Tone, LFRolloff, RMSNormal, Limit) WAV
and then the Encoded MP3s.
Thanks
Raw(with my repeats and the dog clicker) WAV
That’s the hero one. That will prevent you from digging out the microphone and announcing everything again if Audacity goes into the dirt. Park a copy of that one on a thumb drive or second drive or service.
Mastered (Front and Back Room Tone, LFRolloff, RMSNormal, Limit) WAV
and then the Encoded MP3s.
Ditto with that one, or at least the WAV. You can’t edit the MP3 without causing sound damage. If a simple change is needed and the Edit Master Project won’t open, edit the Master WAV, save that and Export a fresh MP3.
The ones in the middle are optional. You can reconstruct your whole world from Raw and Edit Master if you have to. Just so we’re clear, you’re continuing to edit the Project as you go, right? You take occasional side trips to make the WAV’s.
There is another option. You can also save a special Project. File > Save Project > Save Lossless Copy.
That will save a slightly more perfect version of the show, but it does it in Audacity-ish format (AUP file and _DATA folder) at over twice the data size. Pay attention, it may not have the same save location as the other formats.
How long should a short work take to go through ACX audio review (Is it really 30 days)?
Everybody with a pulse and respiration is trying to read for audiobooks. OK, I’m not. But I’m the only one. ACX recently changed their acceptance process, so they have corporate inertia on top of everything else.
If you submitted a test, was it 1 to 3 minutes or 15 minutes? The new process requires a fifteen minute reading. It’s a lot harder to fake your way through a fifteen minute performance than the older short reading.
It’s been about five to ten days, but it depends entirely on their workload. Where did you hear 30 days?
Side note. Were you able to pass ACX Check just by reading, cutting and applying Audiobook Mastering Suite? I know it can be done. I can do it. But many home performers get stuck with houses a lot noisier than they think.
Koz
Just reading that again. Did you submit a test, or the final book?
If it’s a book they may be digging their way through permissions, ownerships and copyright.
Koz
Reading that again, again. You never mentioned passing ACX Check. Did you?
Koz
This was after submitting the whole project and the rights holder approved it.
But it was a short title, about 40 minutes total. (Took me 4 hours+ to record and process) I work so darn slow. gah
Each upload I do:
Audition, 15-minute checkpoint, Opening Credits, Closing Credits, and Each Chapter
Everything goes through the “KOZ School of Mastering” and must pass the ACX-Check.ny before I upload it.
Once I got my room noise down, (built a small PVC room inside my basement office room) it all passes quite nicely with no noise reduction needed.
I am just trying to figure out how long it might take before I hear back from the QC department about any changes I need to make.
how long it might take before I hear back from the QC
The technical standards tests are automated and then the work goes on to Human Quality Control. That’s where they do the theater tests. It doesn’t matter that you passed RMS and Peak if your files sound like a bad cellphone.
You have to pass everything.
I can’t tell from that posting whether the robot passed you or not. It’s possible that’s one of the messages in the middle and just they’re waiting for a Human to listen.
That’s a good sign.
Koz
(built a small PVC room inside my basement office room)
A time-tested technique.
There is one odd note about that. Do Not leave any of the pipes open. Cap everything. Open pipes can resonate and peak or boost certain voice tones. Pretty much the last thing you want when you’re trying for a natural voice sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLq0CUNrVno
He’s playing a pretty collection of open plumbing pipes. Longer=lower pitch. It doesn’t matter if the pipe is closed on one end. it still has one musical tone that it really likes. Closing one end moves the tone up or down one octave (I forget which way).
This is a cousin effect to the bell tone when you ding a good wine glass. Leave the wine glass in the kitchen when you record. If you need the coffee, use a paper cup. They don’t ring.
Koz