Thanks for the great tips. Here they are specific settings you used for future fans: 1. Noise Reduction 2. Compress Threshold -12dB Noise Floor -40dB Ratio 2:1 for most jobs Attack 0.20 secs Release 1.0 Leave the bottom two boxes unchecked 3. Limiter Hard Limit for voice overs Gain 3-4dB Limit -3dB (single track) to -4.5dB (multitrack) Hold 2.0 4. EQ-very subjective Bass Boost preset-OK Treble Boost preset-OK 5. Normalize last Check Remove DC Check Normalize at -1.0dB
In Audacity 2.4.2 there is a Macro function whereby you can add a new macro and save multiple steps together. I successfully created a new macro to do all your steps at once, apart from the initial "get noise profile". Do that step first, then select the entire track and call up the Macro command. Very useful if you use the same commands and settings all the time on your audio files.
Super helpful, thanks for the tip. To confirm, you got the noise profile, started the macro recording, went through all the steps listed in the video and stopped the macro?
Great job. I was Trained by Don LaFontaine. RIP. He was a wonderful guy. Great teacher. I think he did 10,000 Commercials and 5,000 Movie Trailers? Amazing. We did Voice Overs and Read Script in his studio but, we never went through all of this. I personally had an engineer named Jon Mattox my neighbor and he was a drummer (one of the best in the world. Won several awards, contests) but, he also was a Composer of music, trailers, commercials and tv shows. He didn't have TIME any longer to assist me so here I am learning from you. This is not easy for many of us but, if we wish to work it is necessary for auditions and work sent to CLIENTS. I use to get work easily and worked for a Radio Show, Glass Talk Radio and recently things have changed. I must learn more....and keep up with the changes. Thank you Sir. James, Malibu, California
Excellent tutorial. Straight to the point without needless banter. You explained each step and why they were done and provided helpful tips along the way. Best Audacity tutorial I've seen to date. Thank you.
Finally a concise, helpful and understandable tutorial vid. You are amazing at getting the info out there without the twaddle so many you-tubers go on with. Certainly the best lesson I ever watched on tech stuff that I normally have to wade through on TH-cam ! Thank you so much Serge! You’re a legend!
Very concise and useful info! Since I do audiobooks, I tend to use RMS Normalize instead of Compression and Normalize, although it means running Noise Reduction twice. Finish with the ACX Analyze to make sure it all is within spec, or adjust if necessary.
THANK YOU! I'm completely new at this, but really want to make it work. Your video is the first one that is full of helpful information, but also have it be clear and concise (making it easy to understand and execute). Thanks you so much
Mate, thank you so much. I'm a brand new youtuber and audio is the hardest part for me to fix at this point in time. You have expedited the process by at least 3 months from this video. Liked and subscribed and a big fat thank you.
Wow man, this is the best short tutorial I've seen on Audacity! Iv'e been recording VO for my kid, but never happy with the output...these simple 5 steps were game-changing! Thanks for this!
I always had trouble with audacity for years, especially now when I finally got on par recording setup on my chromebook, I can finally see how I can use this for my work and many more future work.
Thanks for the suggestions on using compressor and limiter! I had played with the compressor briefly but had not worked out the most ideal settings. One counterpoint: I would NOT recommend the default Noise Reduction setting of -12dB, except as a last resort. It seems to introduce high frequency artifacts similar to those heard in a low-bit rate source. If I'm not mistaken, I'm hearing them in your voiceover on this video. After experimenting with the noise reduction a fair bit, I've cut back to 6dB max, or even 3dB if I had the luxury of a quiet room during the recording.
Hi Serge! I wonder if you could re-do this same video using the latest techniques and plug-ins? It's been 5 years and now Audacity is 3.2.4. I would also know if you could make one for recovering older tape audio (that in my case have irreplaceable lectures from scholars) that, of course, have a hissing sound, some clicks and odd noises here and there. Thank you so much for your work.
eh bro I've saved this vid and have used it many times over the last year. I bookmarked it and use it when I have to edit audio for a podcast or a voiceover for a vid. super appreciate this vid, i know my audio quality isn't perfect but this gets me like 90% of the way there with no fuss. Thanks a lot
Finally a useful video, my search lead me to other videos usually over 20 minutes long to cover only one or maybe two of the steps you manage to fit into 6 minutes. This tutorial is a 12/10 would like again.
Wow I was pretty suprised. I normally use my mixer to add bass to make my mic sound better but it just made it more sensitive to low sound witch made it clip easily but now with audacity and thanks to your help, my audio recordings sound a lot more better (and I mean A LOT, like from cheap to studio). Thanks a lot
You won me over at the 2 second intro !! Very informative with no messing around. Straight to the point and by God it worked !! This should be a tutorial on how to do a tutorial. Thankyou very much indeed kind sir !! You taught an old dog new tricks. Now I sound as sexy as I feel for a 42 year old man xD well I will in future videos at least
In Audacity 2.3.3, the Equalization effect has been replaced by two new effects: Filter Curve: An FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) filter, similar to "Draw" mode in the old Equalization effect. Graphic EQ: A graphic equalizer, similar to the "Graphic" mode in the old Equalization effect. The old Equalization effect is no longer available. Note that in the new effects, the preset curves are now accessed via the "Manage" button, in "Factory Presets".
This is a Brilliant breakdown! Nice,simple definitions/descriptions for everything. Clear and everything worked really smoothly! I'm working on being a Audiobook Producer and now that I have the equipment, my homemade whisper room and this great editing breakdown, I feel so much more confident! TYSM! I'm very grateful and wish you all the creative vibes! Be Well!
Huge thanks for your clear and concise guidance with this program. For non-english speakers your attention to detail, use of windows, and above slow and clear speaking voice are particularly appreciated.
Great information. Explaining what each step actually does to your audio in layman's terms is the most valuable information that can be provided. I personally do my Equalizer right after Noise Reduction, but to each their own, so long as Normalize is the last step.
I don't usually leave comments on videos, but your short tutorial here literally solved a headache of finding answers regarding these EXACT function's purposes. You've earned a subscriber in me! If Serge or anyone can answer, when is it subjectively advised to apply the bass and/or treble boost to voice over recordings?
I used to do Noise Reduction and Compressor effects for my voiceovers...Limiter,EQ,Normalise etc I used for my music recordings,...but after watching your video, i will try using those for voiceovers too...thanks!
Thank you. I found this very helpful. I recently took over recording the voice over for a popular TH-cam channel and I constantly get comments about my microphone. This will definitely help me eliminate those negative comments.
I think I just learned about this this morning, but you can look at the spectrum analysis of the clip in the analyze menu and use that to help you with what you need to do with the filter eq curve.
Thank, mate. Have a deadline on Sunday and this saved me a lot of headache. Too many social media producers are expecting video editors to fix their horrible audio and it's insane.
How I do it: 1. Go to Generate and select Noise (white noise) and get the Noise Profile of that Clip 2. Use Noise Reduction on the voice over 3. Compressor 4. EQ (Increase Treble by 3 decibels at Max) (It's ok if the buzzing sound is loud just use Noise Gate) Then it's all down to Normalizing and Limiting, you first Normalize and then Limit (-10db) depending on how flat you want your levels to be, by doing this. You bring down the louder parts of your audio and bring up the quiet parts, so you can end up having a very controlled audio file, You may repeat the Normalizing and Limiting depending on how unbalanced your audio is, this is just my preference though.
Where have you been Serge?? now i need to see what other topics you've sensibly condensed...(.enough of those time consuming fluff and ego filled tutorials ) SERGE .....you the MAN!
Totally improved the vocals I had to edit for learning content. such an amazing and quick way to improve the overall quality of the sound. thank you for the very specific direction in your video.
Fantastic video and well put together and very easy to follow. I'm finally getting back into voice over (had a 2 year hiatus because life happens). I was looking at my saved chain to automate the process and I had all the settings you indicated on your video. Some of the settings were a little different from yours but I changed it all to your settings. The only one I had that you didn't is Noise Gate. Do I even need it?
A you do a video with the recent update (3.6.1) of Audacity?? Would be very helpful, it’s a little different now for compressor and limiter filter. Thank you!
Your video is excellent while your speech was a little fast but your description under video is just invaluable for people non native english speakers like me, you are so smart man, thank you so much and god bless you.
Hello, I love this video. I've been using Audacity for a week and found some great videos, but I am able to follow your steps while working on the audio. You speak so clearly and at the right pace and get right to the point. Thank you for your thorough tutorial. Could you answer whether or not the Levelator app would be needed after I follow your steps. I like the results I receive with following your video, yet I want to know if there are more steps involved in editing/mastering audio in Audacity. Perhaps, you have additional videos on Audacity? Thank you, again.
@@Serge1913 Absolutely, yes sir! I recently switched over from using tascam DR-40 to connecting to small pre-amp and connecting directly into macbook -- and recording with Audacity. I then bring .wav into FCPX and add Logic limiter and Fat EQ -- but not totally happy with the quality or workflow. I'd love to be able to use more of the Audacity best practices, especially when recording external sound outside on location (not perfect studio setup) and bringing that into Audacity for example. I used Audacity for my studio setup in this video here and am not completely happy with the sound: th-cam.com/video/-9fEVVLak_8/w-d-xo.html. Anyhow, thanks for the response and keep making great videos, you ROCK!
Serge THANK YOU! I don't know how I missed this one. Just applied the settings on a project, excepted the equalizer 9 a bit too much IMO), and this is awesome.
Thanks for the great tips. Here they are specific settings you used for future fans:
1. Noise Reduction
2. Compress
Threshold -12dB
Noise Floor -40dB
Ratio 2:1 for most jobs
Attack 0.20 secs
Release 1.0
Leave the bottom two boxes unchecked
3. Limiter
Hard Limit
for voice overs
Gain 3-4dB
Limit -3dB (single track) to -4.5dB (multitrack)
Hold 2.0
4. EQ-very subjective
Bass Boost preset-OK
Treble Boost preset-OK
5. Normalize last
Check Remove DC
Check Normalize at -1.0dB
I Don't Know You, But I love you Bro, Thanks A lot
Thanks Robert!! I did a print screen. Now I don't have to take notes.
Thanks for the summary. Great video.
To enn top frer!
It means you're a great guy, thanks man!
Thank you so much
Talking about quality and simplicity. 3.5 years old video still has huge value. 👌
In Audacity 2.4.2 there is a Macro function whereby you can add a new macro and save multiple steps together. I successfully created a new macro to do all your steps at once, apart from the initial "get noise profile". Do that step first, then select the entire track and call up the Macro command. Very useful if you use the same commands and settings all the time on your audio files.
Thanks a lot for this advice bro
Thank you
Super helpful, thanks for the tip. To confirm, you got the noise profile, started the macro recording, went through all the steps listed in the video and stopped the macro?
Great job. I was Trained by Don LaFontaine. RIP. He was a wonderful guy. Great teacher. I think he did 10,000 Commercials and 5,000 Movie Trailers? Amazing. We did Voice Overs and Read Script in his studio but, we never went through all of this. I personally had an engineer named Jon Mattox my neighbor and he was a drummer (one of the best in the world. Won several awards, contests) but, he also was a Composer of music, trailers, commercials and tv shows. He didn't have TIME any longer to assist me so here I am learning from you. This is not easy for many of us but, if we wish to work it is necessary for auditions and work sent to CLIENTS. I use to get work easily and worked for a Radio Show, Glass Talk Radio and recently things have changed. I must learn more....and keep up with the changes. Thank you Sir. James, Malibu, California
Excellent tutorial. Straight to the point without needless banter. You explained each step and why they were done and provided helpful tips along the way. Best Audacity tutorial I've seen to date. Thank you.
Thank you so much for a straightforward tutorial that a non-technical person can understand! I can’t wait to try it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
totally agree! Me too
Finally a concise, helpful and understandable tutorial vid. You are amazing at getting the info out there without the twaddle so many you-tubers go on with. Certainly the best lesson I ever watched on tech stuff that I normally have to wade through on TH-cam ! Thank you so much Serge! You’re a legend!
Exactly! Short, concise, to the point! Thank you!
There are so many vids out there on this and this is by far the best! Straightforward and gives the best results
wow, the effects is like you just bought a 10,000 dollar mic and plugged it in...thanks a million serge..definitely deserve two thumbs up
Best Tutorial video I've seen so far! finally someone who just gets to the point with out wasting my time. Great work dude
As someone who is new to this tech I really appreciate your suggestions and that you tell us and show us how to do all of it! It is so helpful!
Thaaank you! The only tutorial that didn't waste anybody's time...
Very concise and useful info! Since I do audiobooks, I tend to use RMS Normalize instead of Compression and Normalize, although it means running Noise Reduction twice. Finish with the ACX Analyze to make sure it all is within spec, or adjust if necessary.
THANK YOU! I'm completely new at this, but really want to make it work. Your video is the first one that is full of helpful information, but also have it be clear and concise (making it easy to understand and execute). Thanks you so much
Just WOW !!! Can't get better than this. Straight to the point, simple to understand and 100% results ! Thanks a ton.
Thank you for your concise advice, which corresponds to what a few years of tweaking have taught me. The "compressor" section is most valuable - Tim.
My brilliant FCPX teacher! This tutorial on Audacity was straight to the point and short.
Thank you Serge!
This is awesome man! I didn't realise what I was missing out on before I saw this video.
Mate, thank you so much. I'm a brand new youtuber and audio is the hardest part for me to fix at this point in time. You have expedited the process by at least 3 months from this video. Liked and subscribed and a big fat thank you.
Wow man, this is the best short tutorial I've seen on Audacity! Iv'e been recording VO for my kid, but never happy with the output...these simple 5 steps were game-changing! Thanks for this!
I always had trouble with audacity for years, especially now when I finally got on par recording setup on my chromebook, I can finally see how I can use this for my work and many more future work.
Thanks for the suggestions on using compressor and limiter! I had played with the compressor briefly but had not worked out the most ideal settings. One counterpoint: I would NOT recommend the default Noise Reduction setting of -12dB, except as a last resort. It seems to introduce high frequency artifacts similar to those heard in a low-bit rate source. If I'm not mistaken, I'm hearing them in your voiceover on this video. After experimenting with the noise reduction a fair bit, I've cut back to 6dB max, or even 3dB if I had the luxury of a quiet room during the recording.
I love that you added the before and after at the end so that we could see the difference! I was so hoping you would and you did!
Hi Serge! I wonder if you could re-do this same video using the latest techniques and plug-ins? It's been 5 years and now Audacity is 3.2.4. I would also know if you could make one for recovering older tape audio (that in my case have irreplaceable lectures from scholars) that, of course, have a hissing sound, some clicks and odd noises here and there. Thank you so much for your work.
eh bro I've saved this vid and have used it many times over the last year. I bookmarked it and use it when I have to edit audio for a podcast or a voiceover for a vid. super appreciate this vid, i know my audio quality isn't perfect but this gets me like 90% of the way there with no fuss. Thanks a lot
I keep coming back to this video as a guide for mixing my voice-overs. It's a great guide. Thanks!
Finally a useful video, my search lead me to other videos usually over 20 minutes long to cover only one or maybe two of the steps you manage to fit into 6 minutes.
This tutorial is a 12/10 would like again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
hey i remeber u
From where?
Thank you for putting that up. I'm an Audacity/Recording newbie and found it really helpful.
Wow I was pretty suprised. I normally use my mixer to add bass to make my mic sound better but it just made it more sensitive to low sound witch made it clip easily but now with audacity and thanks to your help, my audio recordings sound a lot more better (and I mean A LOT, like from cheap to studio). Thanks a lot
This is the best tutorial so far ,, simple and to the point,
You won me over at the 2 second intro !! Very informative with no messing around. Straight to the point and by God it worked !! This should be a tutorial on how to do a tutorial. Thankyou very much indeed kind sir !! You taught an old dog new tricks. Now I sound as sexy as I feel for a 42 year old man xD well I will in future videos at least
In Audacity 2.3.3, the Equalization effect has been replaced by two new effects:
Filter Curve: An FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) filter, similar to "Draw" mode in the old Equalization effect.
Graphic EQ: A graphic equalizer, similar to the "Graphic" mode in the old Equalization effect.
The old Equalization effect is no longer available.
Note that in the new effects, the preset curves are now accessed via the "Manage" button, in "Factory Presets".
You know what happens? Do you know what happens when you make a really good and helpful video? Huh?
YOU JUST MADE THE PLAYLIST!
OneManCast cringe
Y2J
@@maravillas No u.
Do see what happens Larry?
This is a Brilliant breakdown! Nice,simple definitions/descriptions for everything. Clear and everything worked really smoothly! I'm working on being a Audiobook Producer and now that I have the equipment, my homemade whisper room and this great editing breakdown, I feel so much more confident! TYSM! I'm very grateful and wish you all the creative vibes! Be Well!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Huge thanks for your clear and concise guidance with this program. For non-english speakers your attention to detail, use of windows, and above slow and clear speaking voice are particularly appreciated.
This will help me in my VO journey! Thanks, my man!!
Thanks for the video Serge!! I spent too many hours doing research before finding this gem!!
Great information. Explaining what each step actually does to your audio in layman's terms is the most valuable information that can be provided. I personally do my Equalizer right after Noise Reduction, but to each their own, so long as Normalize is the last step.
Agreed about the normalize step. I'd love to hear about your Audacity workflow. Always open to learnign and trying different things
Thank you Serge, this is my go to video for voice overs
Thanks for taking the time to post this video about Audacity for us narrators :) out there.
these settings are absolutely awesome. I don't have the best microphones & this made it 10x better!
I don't usually leave comments on videos, but your short tutorial here literally solved a headache of finding answers regarding these EXACT function's purposes. You've earned a subscriber in me!
If Serge or anyone can answer, when is it subjectively advised to apply the bass and/or treble boost to voice over recordings?
Very nice explanation. I tried all the settings you suggested and audio quality increased significantly.
I watch a lot of tutorials and this is up there with the best.
I used to do Noise Reduction and Compressor effects for my voiceovers...Limiter,EQ,Normalise etc I used for my music recordings,...but after watching your video, i will try using those for voiceovers too...thanks!
Thank you. I found this very helpful. I recently took over recording the voice over for a popular TH-cam channel and I constantly get comments about my microphone. This will definitely help me eliminate those negative comments.
What channel?
@@Serge1913 Chris Cross. TH-cam memes
Awesome, watched the video, done the editing and it was superb. All this took me just 30 minutes for the first time. You saved a lot of my time :)
Great advices Serge. You helped me improve my sound
thank you, i did some of this before on other youtube videos, but his one made me 100% ready start posting my reviews!
Thank you so much! The noise reduction alone made a huge difference.
Would you be interested in seeing more Audacity tutorials?
@@Serge1913 Yes, please. Thanks.
Wow such a great video
All five steps were vivid and easy to understand.
Your underrated channel just got a new sub👌🏾
Awesome, thank you!
I've looked at a lot of video on this, and yours was the only one that got me to pass. thank you!
Thank you very much! Been looking for this kind of video everywhere!
EXCELLENT!!!!! Thank you so much for making this VERY immportant step easy to understand!!
A really clear, methodical and well explained tutorial: thank you!
Thanks a lot man...there are lots of bad videos related to this topic...i followed urs and my voice is 100 times better now
Great tip Serge. Quick and simple
Great video, easy to follow, explains everything, short, concise... have I praised you enough?
It's so nice to find an Audacity tutorial with good quality audio!
These videos are wonderful and so helpful to starters and sometimes even professionals.
worked a treat for me, thankyou so much. I was worried my planned podcast was going to sound amateurish but it's much better now.
Happy to help!
I think I just learned about this this morning, but you can look at the spectrum analysis of the clip in the analyze menu and use that to help you with what you need to do with the filter eq curve.
Thank, mate. Have a deadline on Sunday and this saved me a lot of headache. Too many social media producers are expecting video editors to fix their horrible audio and it's insane.
Thanks, I've been using Audacity for a year or two but this was like an open sesame to all the ways i could have been using it properly!
You are GREAT MAN !! Thank you for your priceless help!
How I do it:
1. Go to Generate and select Noise (white noise) and get the Noise Profile of that Clip
2. Use Noise Reduction on the voice over
3. Compressor
4. EQ (Increase Treble by 3 decibels at Max)
(It's ok if the buzzing sound is loud just use Noise Gate)
Then it's all down to Normalizing and Limiting, you first Normalize and then Limit (-10db) depending on how flat you want your levels to be, by doing this. You bring down the louder parts of your audio and bring up the quiet parts, so you can end up having a very controlled audio file,
You may repeat the Normalizing and Limiting depending on how unbalanced your audio is, this is just my preference though.
Thank you so much about this!! Have a great day everyone!
So helpful! If you guys can't find the equalization in the drop-down menu, it's the filter curve :)
Where have you been Serge?? now i need to see what other topics you've sensibly condensed...(.enough of those time consuming fluff and ego filled tutorials ) SERGE .....you the MAN!
Totally improved the vocals I had to edit for learning content. such an amazing and quick way to improve the overall quality of the sound. thank you for the very specific direction in your video.
Thank you so much. Had a humming voice from my soft box lights that was bothering me. Much better now. Will come back to this tutorial in the future.
This took my recordings to the next level. Many thanks!
Straight to the point and really helpful
Just got into voiceover work recently, so this is a Godsend. Thank you so much for posting such a clear explanation.
Thank you Serge, your voice very crisp and clear
This video was crazygud!
I took that exact 6 minutes and the result is REALLY great!
Huge thanks!
Thanks a lot man. My voice quality improves after applying those effects. Great video!
Fantastic video and well put together and very easy to follow. I'm finally getting back into voice over (had a 2 year hiatus because life happens). I was looking at my saved chain to automate the process and I had all the settings you indicated on your video. Some of the settings were a little different from yours but I changed it all to your settings. The only one I had that you didn't is Noise Gate. Do I even need it?
Such a good video, most tutorials just show the steps but you also explained the why and that is what i look for in tutorials. Great job!
I find it helps a lot when people know why they are doing what they’re doing
These tips made my voiceover so much better. Thank you!!
Thanks Kindly. You just taught me Audacity in 6min. Yay.......
Thank you for this video. I just applied this setting as you thought here and my audio sounds better than my usual settings. Thank you.
Good video. It's best to put the EQ at the start of the effects chain. Before the compressor.
Yay! It works! So good result! Thanks!
I am always amazed at how much I learn from you. Whenever I need to find out how to do something, you have the answer. Many thanks, Serge.
Happy to help!
Excellent tutorial and extremely valuable. Thank you.
A you do a video with the recent update (3.6.1) of Audacity?? Would be very helpful, it’s a little different now for compressor and limiter filter.
Thank you!
Great tips. Saved me a lot of time. Thank you so much.
Glad to help!
Especially since I'm just starting out this is really helpful with no extra fluff.
This is amazing, out of all how to's you outweigh everyone! Thank you so much for this, its exactly what im looking for my voiceovers
Your video is excellent while your speech was a little fast but your description under video is just invaluable for people non native english speakers like me, you are so smart man, thank you so much and god bless you.
You are a life saver! What's interesting about your video is you explain why we change each values. :)
When people know why they’re applying a certain effect, it makes way more sense
Thanks for the tutorial! Would you have tips for what EQ to use for a female soprano voice?
Hello, I love this video. I've been using Audacity for a week and found some great videos, but I am able to follow your steps while working on the audio. You speak so clearly and at the right pace and get right to the point.
Thank you for your thorough tutorial. Could you answer whether or not the Levelator app would be needed after I follow your steps. I like the results I receive with following your video, yet I want to know if there are more steps involved in editing/mastering audio in Audacity. Perhaps, you have additional videos on Audacity? Thank you, again.
very good tutorial just what i needed quickly. thank you
Serge, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much. You have such a great talent in making training videos.
Thank you! Would you be interested in seeing more audacity tutorials?
@@Serge1913 Absolutely, yes sir! I recently switched over from using tascam DR-40 to connecting to small pre-amp and connecting directly into macbook -- and recording with Audacity. I then bring .wav into FCPX and add Logic limiter and Fat EQ -- but not totally happy with the quality or workflow. I'd love to be able to use more of the Audacity best practices, especially when recording external sound outside on location (not perfect studio setup) and bringing that into Audacity for example. I used Audacity for my studio setup in this video here and am not completely happy with the sound: th-cam.com/video/-9fEVVLak_8/w-d-xo.html. Anyhow, thanks for the response and keep making great videos, you ROCK!
thank you so much for this video, as a youtube I can't tell you enough how helpful something like this is. especially with free software!
Serge THANK YOU! I don't know how I missed this one. Just applied the settings on a project, excepted the equalizer 9 a bit too much IMO), and this is awesome.
Thank you! The Bass and Treble Boost were exactly what I needed!
Thank you for this GREAT tutorial Serge! I got my first offer to narrate an audiobook and this has been very helpful!!!!