ACX problems with noise floor being too low

[kmatthes214]

I am recording a book narration for Audible. I am using a Blue Yeti mic and Audacity. I have the ACX check installed in Audible. I am recording in my home office with sound dampening blankets around me at my desk. I record after midnight because that is when there is the least noise. The noise floor is too low. If I turn up the gain on the mic or in Audacity, the peak and RMS get too loud.

I am frustrated because I can’t figure out how to raise the noise floor so that it passes the ACX check without causing the peak and RMS checks to fail (too loud).

I’ve watched the ACX university videos about recording, editing, mastering, etc. I’ve watch a few videos about low noise floor problems, but their solutions didn’t work. I’ve contacted ACX about the problem, and they don’t seem to understand the problem. I’ve contacted the teacher of the videos as well for help. He sent me a 30-minute recording of noise floor that he uses, but it didn’t pass ACX either.

No matter what I try, either the noise floor is too low if the peak and RMS pass, or the peak and RMS are too high if I increase the gain on the mic. The message says it’s TOO quiet in my room.

Any help would be appreciated.

[DVDdoug]

I’m going to guess that Windows noise reduction is enabled. Make sure Windows “enhancements” are turned OFF.

Even if your room is quiet the mic generates some noise and the Yeti is kind-of known for being noisy.

You can also end-up inserting-creating sections of total digital silence while editing or with noise gating or noise reduction during editing.

[kozikowski]

I deleted your duplicate post.

Give us a word how it went and what solved the problem, if anything.

Koz