How raw is raw?

I’ve found this forum so helpful - thanks to all who take the time to support.

I am completely new to this. Trying to record a book for ACX.

Apart from cutting out bloopers and pops, my recordings are un-touched as I read you should absolutely minimise any post production fiddling.

I ran a chapter past Audio Lab and it passed. However, it doesn’t check noise floor (which was a concern) but when I ran an audacity ACX it was fine (-68.82 dB)

Though it said I’d passed the noise floor requirements, the ACX check said my peak level of -6.52 dB was too loo low, and my RMS level was -26 dB so it reported it would fail.

I REALLY don’t want to have to re-record fourteen hours of reading. (Yes I have learned my lesson to get this sorted before I record in the future)

Is there anything I can do to improve the sound level or should I not worry as it passed the Audio Lab?

Finally is there any recommendations you have onto something simple I can add post-production to make it sound better? What do people commonly use for audio books or should I just leave it raw?

Thanks! :smiley:

You may find this section of the Audacity wiki helpful: https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audiobook_Mastering

Thank you!