Topic: Amplify Volume

[rasta]

When editing, does anybody amplify the volume to positive dB levels?  Does this negatively affect the recording? I record in 24 bit if that matters.
Thanks

[Gordon]

not to positive numbers (as in not over 0).  when running 16 bit I run the v3 hot as hell so I don't have to raise the gain at all.  just started running 24 bit and love the head room.  I then raise the gain to about -1 or -2 db in wavelab.

[Corbin]

This thread might help..

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,88075.0.html

[rasta]

I checked the link but I'm still not sure I understand.  I record in 24 bit on a 722 so I let it go to between -6 to -3 dB.  I read on here that if recording in 24 bit you don't have to run it so hot.  Well when I don't, the recording is so quiet I have to crank my stereo to hear it.  So how do I fix that?  It sounds like everybody says to just leave it alone.  By the way, I use soundstudio to edit.

[rasta]

This thread might help..

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,88075.0.html

What is your workflow for SS?

[vanark]

I checked the link but I'm still not sure I understand.  I record in 24 bit on a 722 so I let it go to between -6 to -3 dB.  I read on here that if recording in 24 bit you don't have to run it so hot.  Well when I don't, the recording is so quiet I have to crank my stereo to hear it.  So how do I fix that?  It sounds like everybody says to just leave it alone.  By the way, I use soundstudio to edit.

People aren't saying to leave it alone.  They are saying to amplify it in post production to a comfortable level.  Someone above suggests -2 to -1 dB.  I use -3 dB usually.  Anywhere around there is a comfortable listening volume in my opinion.

[rasta]

I checked the link but I'm still not sure I understand.  I record in 24 bit on a 722 so I let it go to between -6 to -3 dB.  I read on here that if recording in 24 bit you don't have to run it so hot.  Well when I don't, the recording is so quiet I have to crank my stereo to hear it.  So how do I fix that?  It sounds like everybody says to just leave it alone.  By the way, I use soundstudio to edit.

People aren't saying to leave it alone.  They are saying to amplify it in post production to a comfortable level.  Someone above suggests -2 to -1 dB.  I use -3 dB usually.  Anywhere around there is a comfortable listening volume in my opinion.

Thanks
+T everyone

[boojum]

Normalize to -1 or 0.

[rasta]

Normalize to -1 or 0.

What would be the reasoning not to normalize to 0?

[boojum]

As loud as it can be without clipping.  When it gets to the plus numbers you will introduce digital clipping.

[easy jim]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

[bgalizio]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

[rasta]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

So do you normalize and then amplify?

[easy jim]

I never 'normalize' per se.  I add 'make up gain' to bring the maximum peak to -0.2dBFS. 

I do, however, generally use some light compression when mixing more than a stereo AUD feed.  Light compression + 'make up gain' is the same thing that 'normalization' does, with the main difference being that 'normalization' uses an algorithm to compute the dynamics processing and I prefer the specifc control of dialing in the compression the way I like it.

For a stereo AUD feed, I only add 'make up gain' and preserve the dynamic range as it is.

[Brian Skalinder]

Light compression + 'make up gain' is the same thing that 'normalization' does, with the main difference being that 'normalization' uses an algorithm to compute the dynamics processing and I prefer the specifc control of dialing in the compression the way I like it.

Just a quick note to say this isn't necessarily the case, generally - it depends on how the specific software one uses performs normalization.  I believe RMS normalization does something like the above, while peak normalization simply adds what you call "make up gain".  Some software provides an option for both methods, others perform just one (or the other) option (and often don't indicate which).

[easy jim]

Light compression + 'make up gain' is the same thing that 'normalization' does, with the main difference being that 'normalization' uses an algorithm to compute the dynamics processing and I prefer the specifc control of dialing in the compression the way I like it.

Just a quick note to say this isn't necessarily the case, generally - it depends on how the specific software one uses performs normalization.  I believe RMS normalization does something like the above, while peak normalization simply adds what you call "make up gain".  Some software provides an option for both methods, others perform just one (or the other) option (and often don't indicate which).

Gotcha Brian.  Thanks for the correction.

For some reason, I was thinking 'normalization' always meant 'RMS normalization.'

So, I guess I manually 'peak normalize' 2 track stereo recordings, and 'peak normalize' my matrix/multi recordings post signal/dynamic processing.

[bgalizio]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

So do you normalize and then amplify?

As said by Brian and Jim - I normalize based on the peak value, not the RMS (average) value. That way everything is boosted by the same dB amount. Some software programs call this amplify and not normalization.

[rasta]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

So do you normalize and then amplify?

As said by Brian and Jim - I normalize based on the peak value, not the RMS (average) value. That way everything is boosted by the same dB amount. Some software programs call this amplify and not normalization.

I have soundstudio3 which has both normalize and an amplification feature.  You can normalize by RMS or Peak.  If I normalize using Peak Value then should I also amplify to -.2dB's or just leave it alone?  You all are all helping me so much. +T!

[Teen Wolf Blitzer]

That's exactly what I do.   

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

So do you normalize and then amplify?

As said by Brian and Jim - I normalize based on the peak value, not the RMS (average) value. That way everything is boosted by the same dB amount. Some software programs call this amplify and not normalization.

[Brian Skalinder]

I have soundstudio3 which has both normalize and an amplification feature.  You can normalize by RMS or Peak.  If I normalize using Peak Value then should I also amplify to -.2dB's or just leave it alone?  You all are all helping me so much. +T!

If peak normalization gets your levels up close to 0 dBFS, no need to amplify.

[rasta]

I have soundstudio3 which has both normalize and an amplification feature.  You can normalize by RMS or Peak.  If I normalize using Peak Value then should I also amplify to -.2dB's or just leave it alone?  You all are all helping me so much. +T!

If peak normalization gets your levels up close to 0 dBFS, no need to amplify.

Thanks.

[bgalizio]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

So do you normalize and then amplify?

As said by Brian and Jim - I normalize based on the peak value, not the RMS (average) value. That way everything is boosted by the same dB amount. Some software programs call this amplify and not normalization.

I have soundstudio3 which has both normalize and an amplification feature.  You can normalize by RMS or Peak.  If I normalize using Peak Value then should I also amplify to -.2dB's or just leave it alone?  You all are all helping me so much. +T!

I also use Sound Studio. Just use their normalization function, set it to peak @-0.2 dB and you'll be fine.

[rasta]

I try and stick to the standard used by the commercial live download sites: -0.2 dBFS

Same, but I didn't realize that the commercial live download sites do the same.

So do you normalize and then amplify?

As said by Brian and Jim - I normalize based on the peak value, not the RMS (average) value. That way everything is boosted by the same dB amount. Some software programs call this amplify and not normalization.

I have soundstudio3 which has both normalize and an amplification feature.  You can normalize by RMS or Peak.  If I normalize using Peak Value then should I also amplify to -.2dB's or just leave it alone?  You all are all helping me so much. +T!

I also use Sound Studio. Just use their normalization function, set it to peak @-0.2 dB and you'll be fine.

+T

[bluntforcetrauma]

always normalize first--this will find the peak and adjust everything ele accordingly then you want to amplify to maybe -0.2.  This gives a head room because not all playback systems can be listened to when amplified to 0.  So give yourself a little room.  I use WAVES plug in Ultramaximizer it amplifies and it wont amplify if you have gone and peaked or recorded hot--it can bring everything else up to where the hottest point is while giveing it a nice soft blend of gain up to -0.2.

[Dede2002]

I also use Sound Studio. Just use their normalization function, set it to peak @-0.2 dB and you'll be fine.
[/quote]


Question: why -0.2 db and not 0 db?
Any specific reason for that?
Thanks in advance.

[bgalizio]

From what I've read, some DACs don't deal with 0dB very well, producing audible artifacts. By sticking with slightly under that, you're OK.

[Dede2002]

From what I've read, some DACs don't deal with 0dB very well, producing audible artifacts. By sticking with slightly under that, you're OK.

Thanks a lot, friend.