Normalization: When/why?

[TwoGOneSee]

So, I've stumbled across this "normalization" function in the Logic sample editor and am just curious what everybody else thinks about it... Have I been missing out on something this whole time? My understanding was that some level of normalization was being done already, but now I'm all sorts of twisted up on this... FWIW, I mostly work with DI tracks, so maybe that does or doesn't matter in this context.

Anyways, I'm ready for enlightenment

 

[B36arin]

When you normalize an audio track you simply raise the level so that the highest peak in the audio file is at 0dBFS. You also increase the noise floor. I never use it for anything.

 

[Terminus]

Never. ftmp I thought it was for bringing up the level of recordings that were originally very quiet, much in the same way that that noise reduction is used to take out crackle from old analog recordings.

 

[Damage, Inc.]

Agreed. Record at the level you think you'll need for your mix, and there is no need to normalize. You not only change the volume, you change the character of the original track.

 

[sinewavealex]

I do use normalize, but not for mixing purposes. I only use it to process audio samples before I load them up to my synth to use live, I sometimes normalize after loading to synth (from the interface itself), so they'll have more output when firing them up.

Thanks for the explanation about the function though, guys!

 

[TwoGOneSee]

Dudes, thanks for all the helpful answers! Armed with my better understanding, I ended up using some normalization on a project I was working on because the line level of one take was super low.

 

[greyskull]

never

 

[P-E]

Let's say you mix super quiet. You can just normalize your bounce so it'll be at a normally listenable level.

 

[Uladyne]

Normalization is for when your mix sounds weird a little too unique and you want it to sound normal, like a pro mix. You hit normalize and boom! Instant normal mix.

 

[azistenostora]

Normalization is for when your mix sounds weird a little too unique and you want it to sound normal, like a pro mix. You hit normalize and boom! Instant normal mix.

that one had me in stitches lol