Topic: Soundforge 6.0 Normalize questions

[Big Muff]

Heyo-

So a friend sent me a liberated copy of SF 6.0 and I really only need it for resampling and normalizing.
Got the resamp part down well, I need more info on the other.

I understand the difference between peak level and RMS processing but what settings should be used?? Which is actually better? Is normalization good for the recording or does it tamper with the actual sound?

Seems I've had the best luck using the RMS preset to -16db. with applied dynamic compression to clips. (or would normalizing to 0 be better) I don't know any of this stuff. Somehow it seems wrong to normalize in the first place, but it's sooo necessary for some tapes.

Any thoughts, shared experiences, or guidance is hugely appreciated.

[BC]

I always normalize using "peak" to -0.01 dB. I don't like using RMS normalization because it introduces some funny sounding "pumping" of the levels.

I think it is debatable whether normalizing degrades the sound or not, personally I normalize if my peaks are at -3 dB or less. I feel that the added volume and punchiness outweighs any sonic detriment from the resampling process for most playback situations. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck,
Ben

[C.Clark]

i agree with Ben, unless your levels are very low, say, at a show with acoustic
instruments and the crowd noise is louder than the music, or if your levels are
very low with little spiking of levels, use RMS, otherwise i'd just go with regular
normalizing to 0, i personally normalize to -.25 db

hope this helps
-chris

[Big Muff]

Ok, thanks guys!   +T for you both.

Two more Questions,

1. what are the 'scan settings' all about? I'm clueless. Attack-release time? wtf?

2. Also, If clipping occurs: apply compression , or normalize to 0?

So far so good..

peas,
-Mike

[F.O.Bean]

only apply compression if the clip is bad!

and also, the scan settings are to tell you where your peak and rms levels are before normalizing

[C.Clark]

no problem, i love soundforge software, very easy to work with once you get the hang of the interface

1. attack is the speed at which the compression is applied to what you want to compress.  fast would be a hard knee type of compression, very quick "attack" the clip and slow would be a more gentle compression to the clip.  and release being the mirror side of attack, slow and quick release is self explanatory

2.  only apply the compression on the clip if it is audible, if its not, there's no need to compress the clip since you wont hear it anyway's

-i hope this helps and if you have any more questions, just ask

[F.O.Bean]

yeah, if ya weanna clean the wav up and the clip isnt audible, just declip the wav to 0db!