I am trying my hand as an audiobook narrator. What is the best way to get my decibel range btw -18 and 23?

[xtp]

Hi Trevor.

You could post adjust it. I use a product called Goldwave.

Record your stuff then pop the file into Goldwave, on the menu select: Effect->Volume->Match Volume->select the average: -20db

If you need to remove hiss; Effect->Filter->Noise Reduction->select hiss removal from preset

I use Goldwave a lot for when I am making up compilation CD's for my stereo. The 'Match Volume' is good for getting songs from different albums to the same volume level, and it means i can drop the average volume down to -22db, which works better with the volume-control minimum-setting on my 1970's audio amp.

[cron]

Honestly, most things in that submission guide scream that it hasn't been updated in an awfully long time. All streaming services are asking for an integrated LUFS target these days - integrated meaning 'cumulative', equivalent to the RMS window length being the length of the entire track (e.g. select all your audio, hit measure, get one number back), LUFS being kinda like RMS, but psychoacoustically weighted to take into account how loud it actually sounds. And yeah, most services are most certainly not considering 192kbps CBR MP3 (all three words of which give me their own unique horror) a serviceable submission format. Also they're using the unit dB instead of dBFS in technical guidelines? Yeah, the whole thing kinda sucks.

Assuming they're still the valid guidelines in 2020, only an integrated RMS measurement makes any kind of sense. Produce your audio however you want to produce it and to the best of your ability, measure its integrated loudness at the end, normalise accordingly, check your peak values, check noise RMS from the room tone at the beginning and end of each file.

[Trevor Jackson]

Thanks Dave, that's the nicest thing anybody has said to me in awhile. Much appreciated.

Sorry, no tech help to offer, Trevor, but I must say, as a frequent listener to audio books, I was very impressed with your demo on all the fronts that are most important to me: expression, enthusiasm, liveliness, pacing, and easy engagement despite the topic. I only every listen to fiction, bios, and Great Courses, but you grabbed my attention anyway on a topic I've never explored—so, very best wishes! I hope to see your work on Audible soon:)

[SparkySpark]

Some great advice in this thread. Also note that there is a nbrand new leveller tool at United Plugins, see News item from today or so. Good luck!

[glitchfactor]

Man, for FREE...the Youlean meter is fantastic! Really gives Izotope insight a run for its money!

[MMaarrkk]

I feel that you shouldn't really worry too much about it. For what you have set out to do, or at least what you have told us you're set out to do, even free software can help you achieve it. For recording audio, you should freely use whatever you like, even to this day, I end up using Audacity, even though there are "better" software to record. To track volume, the mentioned Youlean Meter is wonderful. Sorry for the lack of clear recommendations, but just wanted to add, that you shouldn't be too stressed with finding the "best" option out there, as it seemed you're already able to achieve good results and some work with free software would lead to solid outcome - some light compression, limiting and you're gold.