Topic: Amplify Or Normalise - That Is The Question (Or Normalize, Even)

[jamroom]

I have had a look around but still a little confused. Using Audacity, all I want to do is to boost the volume level of my recording, so I think Amplify only. The help manual seems to indicate that you should Normalize before doing anything. Your thoughts?

[Brian Skalinder]

Audacity performs peak normalization, but has a fixed setting for the highest peak, for some reason:  -3 dBFS.  When normalizing, most people want to increase the highest peak to just below 0 dBFS (like -0.1 dBFS or some such).  Using Amplify allows one to specify peaks higher than -3 dBFS (like, -0.1 dBFS).  I'd just use Amplify.

[jamroom]

Thanks Brian, helpful as ever. +t

[dean]

Audacity performs peak normalization, but has a fixed setting for the highest peak, for some reason:  -3 dBFS.  When normalizing, most people want to increase the highest peak to just below 0 dBFS (like -0.1 dBFS or some such).  Using Amplify allows one to specify peaks higher than -3 dBFS (like, -0.1 dBFS).  I'd just use Amplify.

Exactly what I do when needed.  That normalize limiter sucks.

Also, an Audacity tip, sometimes, if you're trying to amplify the entire recording at once it simply won't allow it (not sure why.)  In that case, I select just a few seconds of the "loudest" portion of the wav, amplify it to just under 0dBFS.  Then:
select "undo"
select the entire wave
select "redo"

and it's the sneaky way of getting the entire deal amplified when it's tried to block you on the deal.   

[jamroom]

ha-ha! Sneaky and cool. Thanks