Topic: What are the best settings to normalize?

[phishn]

Hi all,

What is the best percentage to use to normalize?  Should this be done independently with the channels or together?

[Sean Gallemore]

do the channels together at 100%/0dB

[dklein]

...unless your levels weren't even to begin with.  You want the average levels the same.  Sometimes just going with peaks is bad for independent L/R adjustment.  Most editing software can do 'analysis' and tell you your average power levels - run it on a section with just music (so you don't get thrown by the loud clapper on your left or right).  If they're within 1 dB, I'd lock L/R together.  If one channel is consistently louder, this is your chance to restore the balance and image to the centre.

[gonads]

I'd suggest getting good levels in the field.

[dklein]

 

[gonads]

sorry but I don't like to mess with audio in a computer anymore than is absolutely necessary, things start to sound unnatural.

what is so hard about getting good levels in the field that everyone needs to normalize?

[F.O.Bean]

sorry but I don't like to mess with audio in a computer anymore than is absolutely necessary, things start to sound unnatural.

what is so hard about getting good levels in the field that everyone needs to normalize?

i get great levels in the field......it is said that if you record 48k in the field(as I do), then when ya resample to 44.1, you will have a better reproduction of the music because when ya resample, ya lose quality...


im a lil puffy, that might sound weird.... 8)but i read that in wavelab help

[Sean Gallemore]

this is true, I do it for other reasons tho

[gonads]

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=normalizing+group:rec.audio.pro&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&group=rec.audio.pro&selm=84afro%24uhu%241%40nnrp1.deja.com&rnum=1

[gonads]

also:

In article <84a96q$qa7$1@nnrp1.deja.com>, MANDRAKE <rbcoen@my-deja.com> wrote:

> Shoud one normalize all his samples (peak value)?
>
> I remember craig anderton advising against this in a magazine, but
> can't remember why. Anybody does?

Normalizing has a place, but in general it's bad more often than good in
common practice.  Every DSP operation can potentially add noise and
degrade audio quality, and add truncation distortion if not dithered.
Also, successive DSP processes really can degrade sound quality.  On the
other hand, if you are doing a small gain change and dithering correctly,
and it's the last step of the process (besides dithering of course), that
is, not going to mastering, not having any other processing done, not had
a gain change done already, then it can be OK.

[gonads]

>1.  What is so BAD about normalizing my individual tracks?

In itself: nothing. In the whole context of computer multitrack recording
and mixing, it may well be a step that is superfluous, and it's good
practice to avoid unnecessary processing, because it *might* degrade your
sound. (Yes, that can be fun too...)

>2. Would it not make sense to have full dynamic range at every stage?  
>(example...come in hot as possible with slight outboard compression and then
>normalize internally each track)

Normalizing doesn't increase the dynamic range of a recording. Sure, the
peaks are upped, but so is the minimum level, including any
hiss/hum/whatever that was recorded. "Coming in as hot as possible" already
makes sure you get good dynamic range and use the full resolution of your
system.

[gonads]

all of these quotes are from rec.audio.pro and have been posted to share the opinions of some "pros" on this issue. Normalize if you want, they're your tapes after all, but I think it's good to know what you are potentially doing to the audio.

and you can roll your eyes all you want but if you get good levels in the field there is no reason to do potentially damaging dsp work.

just offering an experienced and alternative point of view... you don't have to like it.

[F.O.Bean]

i wasnt trying to say anything, just what i knew, thanks for shedding new light...

its a good thing i have flacs untouched of the 48k masters!!!

[gonads]

I wasn't you I was directing that at...

and flacs of your masters is a smart move... more people should be taking such a step before they engage in dsp work that they don't really comprehend.

[F.O.Bean]

I wasn't you I was directing that at...

and flacs of your masters is a smart move... more people should be taking such a step before they engage in dsp work that they don't really comprehend.

no doubt