sound level settings

[douglas nicholson]

It's a question. I'm just starting to record auditions on Voice123. I have a Microsoft XP Professional system on a Dell Latitude D830 laptop. Voice 123 recommends "normalizing the volume to -3db and uploading files encoded with the following attributes: 44.1 KHZ, 16 bit mono, 96 KBs."

I have no idea what the system is set for now (except that the sound is barely audible to the receiving party on mp3), nor do I know how to set it for the recommended settings. Is there some way to talk me through the necessary steps?

Doug Nicholson

[steve]

Voice 123 recommends "normalizing the volume to -3db and uploading files encoded with the following attributes: 44.1 KHZ, 16 bit mono, 96 KBs."

Could you check what it says about the "attributes"
Does it say "MP3"?
Does it say "96 kbps"?

"Normalize to -3 dB can be done in Audacity with the Normalize effect.
Are you starting with a mono file?
Are you recording from scratch?
Can you play your recording/file?

[douglas nicholson]

The criteria are: 44.1 KHz, 16 bit mono, 96 Kbs

It's a mono file
I'm starting from scratch
I can play the recording back.

Any help greatly appreciated

doug nicholson

[steve]

44.1 KHz

That's the sample rate.
Look in the bottom left corner of the main Audacity window and set the project Rate to 44100

16 bit

That's part of the export format. In Audacity 1.3.12 the default Export format is 16 bit WAV (Microsoft PCM)

mono

If your audio track in Audacity is mono, then the exported file will also be mono provided that you do not adjust the "pan" slider in the "Track Control Box" on the left end of the track.

96 Kbs

I've no idea what that means. It may be a misprint.
If it means "96 kbps" then that would suggest that the export should be in a compressed format such as MP3.

[douglas nicholson]

Steve
Near as I can tell all of the criteria are correct, i.e., I 'normalized' to -3db, it's set for mono, the project rate is set at 44100, if the Audacity default export format is 16 bit then that's what I exported at.

Nonetheless the sound level is barely audible. When I responded to an audition invitation I sent my read and added a piece from my professionally made demo. Just before submitting, Voice123 lets you preview your recordings. My audition was barely audible, the professional tape was clear. What am I doing wrong?

Doug

[steve]

According to this page you should be using MP3 files for voice123 http://support.voice123.com/article/How ... o_MP3.html
To export an MP3 file from Audacity you need to install "Lame". See here: http://audacityteam.org/help/faq?s=install&i=lame-mp3
In Audacity 1.3.12 to export as an MP3 and set the "bit rate" to 96kbps
File menu > Export
Select MP3 as the file format
Click the "Options" button
Select "Constant"
Select "Quality > 96 kbps"

Nonetheless the sound level is barely audible.

Could you post a screenshot of your recorded track in Audacity. (Screenshot tools are in the Help menu of Audacity 1.3.12).

[douglas nicholson]

Steven

Another day, another frustration. To summarize: On a just made test I used "normalize", the bottom left window reads 44100, the "export" mode is mp3, I have installed "lame", I have clicked "options", "constant" and entered 96kpbs. The resulting sound is still just audible.

The only difference between your instructions and my recording is that you mention that the 'export rate' in Audacity 1.3.12 is 16 bit WAV (Microsoft PCM). I'm on Microsoft. The window on the left of the screen reads 24 bit PCM (not 16). Is this our problem?

I'm trying to post a copy of the sound chart.

Doug

[douglas nicholson]

I just tried a bit from my professionally made demo. Perfectly audible. ?????

[steve]

The window on the left of the screen reads 24 bit PCM (not 16). Is this our problem?

If you are referring to the part highlighted in this image, then no, that is not the problem, though if it is a recording that you have made in Audacity, then you would be better to record at "32 bit float" rather than 24 bit.


To set Audacity to record at "32 bit float" go to "Edit menu > Preferences > Quality".
Set the "Default Sample Rate" to 44100
Set "Default Sample Format" to 32 bit float.

The resulting sound is still just audible.

I can't help with this problem without either (a) a short sample of your recording, or (b) a screenshot of one of your recorded tracks.

[douglas nicholson]

I've changed to 32 bit float and recorded a small bit. Went to 'screenshot tools' and saved the image. However, I don't see any format for posting the saved image to the Forum . Maybe it's just easier if I email you (on mp3) a small sample of a recording both before and after I 'normalize' it. Where would I do that?

Doug