Normalization of audio?

Sticky Fingaz wrote on 2/15/2004, 9:17 AM
I am making a music video DVD and the problem I face is that some of the videos have audio that is real loud, and some that is low. I tried going the route of using the DB level in Vegas, but my ears are only so good to estimate the same volumes. Is there a way in Vegas to normalize the audio? I'd even be willing to pass through all the videos (since they are all done) in VirtualDUB with using direct stream video, but I couldn't find an audio normalization plugin.

Any help would be awesome.

Comments

cyanide149 wrote on 2/15/2004, 9:26 AM
There is a Normalize Audio script out there- I'm sure it's on the Sundance site somewhere. I haven't used it yet...
Spot|DSE wrote on 2/15/2004, 9:41 AM
There is a normalize all script on our site, I can't recall the author's name at the moment. There is also the flow of normalizing one event, copying it, and selecting all other audio events and pasting attributes. Either way will get it done.
In case you don't know how to normalize:
Right click audio.
Choose Properties.
Select Normalize.
That's it.
Sticky Fingaz wrote on 2/15/2004, 10:07 AM
OK, I am going to have to re render all my videos now. Does this effect picture quality or pixels or anything since I will be transferring it to DVD?
Spot|DSE wrote on 2/15/2004, 10:24 AM
No, it won't affect image quality at all.
Sticky Fingaz wrote on 2/15/2004, 10:28 AM
Thanks so much. I wish I was smart enough to right click the audio and see normalization!
Jessariah67 wrote on 2/15/2004, 12:43 PM
James,

In the future, it IS that easy if you have SoundForge. Literally right click on any audio clip -- you can switch to either right or left channel only, combine channels, or "Open Copy" in SoundForge. From there, you normalize, save and the new file will load into Vegas in place of the old - leaving the original in tact.

HTH
Chienworks wrote on 2/15/2004, 1:12 PM
Or, if all you're after is pure normalizing, a right-mouse-click, switches, normalize will do the trick without ever leaving Vegas, and it takes about 1/3 second per clip once you get good at it.
Sticky Fingaz wrote on 2/15/2004, 1:16 PM
I am just going to right click the audio in every video and choose Normalize within vegas. I am assuming I will then have the same level of volume for each video?
Chienworks wrote on 2/15/2004, 1:37 PM
Well, not precisely. You may be close enough for your needs. What Normalize does is find the loudest peak in that clip and raise the volume of the entire clip so that peak now is just below 0dB. So, if most of your audio clips are relatively non-dynamic then the resulting volumes should all be similar. However, if you have a clip that is mostly quiet with on very loud peak, then normalization won't bring the volume up as much as you'd expect. For example, if the average volume of the clip is -15dB and you have a peak at -1dB, then after normalizing the average level of that clip will be -14dB. To combat that sort of situation you'll have to use compression or wave hammer instead of just normalizing.
TorS wrote on 2/15/2004, 1:37 PM
Normalize raises the general volume so that the highest points or peaks rech up to a set level, usually 0 dB or minus 0.1 dB. If the video is well produced audiowise, that's all you need to do.
But if the audio is just a tiny bit - what should I say - not entierely professional. I mean if the soft parts are hard to hear when the loud parts are at an acceptable level. Then you should use the graphic dynamics FX. Apply it to the whole track. Select a preset with compression - the 2:1 at -18 or the 3:1 at -15 are good to begin with. They won't make a mess of your audio, and they will normalize (auto gain compensate) after processing, so the audio will sound loud and present all the time. Try it - listen to it. maybe you'll like what you hear.
Tor
GlennChan wrote on 2/15/2004, 1:40 PM
Well... no. Some clips will have a greater dynamic range than others. You should really trust your ears to judge loudness.

Watch out for:
-your monitoring system. For the final mix, it should approximate whatever you're viewing your video on. Don't mix on headphones! They're... too good (too much dynamic range, you hear everything and your mix will be too subtle).
-If some clips just don't work because they have too much dynamic range (contrast between loud and soft parts) you can use a compressor to fix it up. The easy way is to set the threshold to -infinity dB and a ratio of about 1.3:1. If you need more compression then you'll have to use a soft knee limiter. Basically you want to draw a curve that's like a hill which is flattish on top and has a diagonal slope.
compressor = graphic dynamics

Sound Forge's normalize option lets you normalize so that the average value (RMS = root mean square, mathematical way of calculating average volume) is a certain value. It's slightly better but not perfect. You still have to use your ears as a judge. Also watch out for Sound Forge's normalize feature compressing your sound, it can make your audio sound bad/distorted.