Normalize Switch

cworld29 wrote on 12/20/2004, 1:48 AM
In audio properties the level for the normalize switch is set to 0.0. Is this what I should always have it set too? Under what conditions would I want to adjust this setting?

I was recently working on some audio that when I applied the normailize switch was boosted 12 db. This seemed like a lot to me. What effect does this have on the audio data?

Comments

cworld29 wrote on 12/21/2004, 12:33 PM
OK I changed everything back to default just to see what it was set to and it is set at -4.0.

So is this one of those topics that has been so overdone that no one wants to take the time to reply, or is this a big mystery? If someone could give me a link that points me in the right direction I would appreciate it.
bgc wrote on 12/21/2004, 1:28 PM
Normalize simply applies a single gain to the event so that the peak audio sample is set to the Normalize peak value.
MJhig wrote on 12/21/2004, 5:36 PM
Click Search above, type "normalize" and choose Vegas Audio then Sound Forge for all the info.

The bottom line is normalizing is useless unless the recording was done horribly. If the audio falls into that category then it's a "polishing a turd" scenario.

The key is to record the best source from the start. Get as close to 0 dBFS as possible without going over 0 (between -6 and -3 dB). There should be no need to normalize. As stated above normalization cranks the gain up so that the hottest part of the file (audio) reaches the set normalization peak setting, an unnecessary extra process on the audio usually.

Every process you perform on the file will introduce degradation. Most never normalize at all.

Compression, track level fader, buss level fader adjustments will handle it.

MJ
heinz3110 wrote on 12/22/2004, 6:46 AM
I agree what MJ says. Actually I use it only on events that are a great deal softer than the other events on the same tracks.

Say,if most events have a peak of -6 db or so,and one(or more) event is significally softer,say -20 db in peak ,I normaize that event and trim it down with the event volume to level it more with the other events.

Normalizing all events for the sake of it doesn't yield that much effect. Easier to turn up the track volume a couple of db's, and or use (some)compression and such.

Gerard
cworld29 wrote on 12/22/2004, 9:31 AM
Al right, thanks all. I appreciate the info.