Topic: CEP: Normalizing vs. Amplifying

[Nigeria]

Which do you prefer, and are either of these lossy in any way to the quality of a recording?

[dorrcoq]

I amplify, and no, as far as I have ever heard they are not "lossy" in any way.

[itook2much]

Peak normalizing is amplifying to a set point (for example, 0dB or -.1dB).  It preserves the dynamics of the performance (RMS normalizing can destroy them if you're not very careful).

[Dede2002]

Peak normalizing is amplifying to a set point (for example, 0dB or -.1dB).  It preserves the dynamics of the performance (RMS normalizing can destroy them if you're not very careful).

What he said 

[Liquid Drum]

Peak Normalize. Why try and guess with amplify when you can normalize to say -0.5db and it does the working out for you. 

[tilomagnet]

Just FYI: When normalizing you need to apply that to the whole, untracked file. Otherwise you'll screw things up.

[Jeremy Lykins]

After reading a few threads here on TS about it I made the decision to go with amplifying instead of normalizing.

[DaveG73]

After reading a few threads here on TS about it I made the decision to go with amplifying instead of normalizing.

Would you care to elaborate/provide links?

I don't tend to do either unless I really need to but I always thought normalising was generally considered better/less destructive.

Now I am confused.

Dave.

[willndmb]

isn't normalizing good if you have a peak over 0???

[jefflester]

isn't normalizing good if you have a peak over 0???

You can't get a peak power over 0 dB. If you already have a peak power = 0 dB you are already peak normalized.

[Javier Cinakowski]

if you already have peaks at 0db, you hardlimit.  This will reduce your dynamics, but give you more amplification....

As far as the difference between normalizing and amplification, in regards to CEP, I don't see how amplify could be better....

[cybergaloot]

It seems that with normalizing, even to 0db, my recordings are too quiet. I've been amplifying them lately and letting some of the peaks clip as long as it is just an occasional very short peak. On playback that minor clipping isn't noticeable to my ears. They are usually just short cymbal crashes. I'm coming to the conclusion that not every peak is sonically sacred. But then what do I know, I'm still a noob.

[hawghunter]

Wouldn't it all depend on the WAV your looking at, or have. At least I, not even close to expert, treat each WAV file different. Some need, some don't need.

[Brian Skalinder]

In CEP, Amplifying to a set point is very, very easy, and AFAICT, works the same as Peak Normalizing (that's not to say I've confirmed the results are identical).  Select the whole range of the WAV file, Amplify, press the button to find the highest peak.  Then Amplify by whatever dB value you wish.  Sort of a slightly more manual peak normalization.  No real guesswork involved.

For those whose recordings are too quiet, even after peak normalization - in particular, if you have a small number of very strong peaks - search the Computer Recording forum for compression, limiting, and/or volume envelope.

I think one of the reasons people say amplify over normalize, is because <a> some programs RMS normalize, <b> some people don't know which programs use peak v. RMS normalization, and <c> some don't know certain apps allow both, and people are concerned about doing the wrong thing.  With amplify, there's no guesswork as to whether one is amplifying based on peak or RMS - it's always peak.  Perhaps there's a good reason to amplify instead of peak normalize, but I don't know what it is.

[cybergaloot]

Wouldn't it all depend on the WAV your looking at, or have. At least I, not even close to expert, treat each WAV file different. Some need, some don't need.

Certainly, I wouldn't do anything to the raw files just by habit. I do as little as possible, I only make changes when I think the recording calls for it and then try to use a light hand. I don't want it to sound over-processed. However, I tend to run my levels a bit on the conservative side in order to have headroom for the unexpected so they usually need a little tweaking volume-wise in post.