which effects help with tunnel / far away sound?

That sounds like normal voice recording. Something you did prevented the evil, honky voice effect.

The first third appears like a quiet but normal recording. The middle third has its volume boosted. The last third has had tone controls applied and doesn’t sound very good, but isn’t distorted.

Adjust your microphone or recording system so your raw recording looks like the middle third. The bouncing sound meters should just start to turn yellow occasionally when you speak. If they turn red, you’re too loud and if you never touch yellow at all, you may be too quiet.

Also, you’re too close to the microphone. Your “P” sounds are bumping or popping. Microphone spacing should be roughly a Hawaiian Shaka, 5 inches or 6 inches depending on your hand size.

If you use a pop and blast filter (recommended), you can get closer.

If you continue to have problems, you might try oblique microphone positioning.

https://forum.audacityteam.org/t/audio-sample-noise-issues-2-3-2/54239/22

Koz