Recording tipps

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When you plan to record a voice dataset to be used for a TTS model training you should check these tips and tricks:

  • Use a good microphone and a quiet recording room setup (no computer fans, air conditioning, ...)
  • Use a text corpus with cleaned numbers/abbreviations and good phoneme coverage
  • Read in a neutral style, but with a natural speech flow and do not swallow up letters
  • Adjust tone and pitch with punctuation
  • Use a constant recording speed
  • Check your recordings regularly in high volume for background noise
  • Take breaks regularly and do not record more than four hours a day
  • Record error free
  • Investing in a quality interface and mic can make a big difference in quality. A 24 bit 96khz interface with a large diaphragm condenser can be had for about $200 USD.
  • Record at the highest quality level practical. You can convert to lesser formats later, but you cannot up convert cleanly
  • Review your work at regular intervals and compare with previous recording to ensure consistent quality
  • Do not be afraid to ask for help! Getting feedback on your data early on can help prevent wasted effort.
  • There's a wealth of information on the internet about recording. For instance, https://wiki.librivox.org/index.php/Newbie_Guide_to_Recording from Librivox is a useful guide with numerous sub pages of information. Some is audio-book specific, but the majority is useful for anyone recording voice.