Normalize Function

[SocialNumb]

I read somewhere (wish I still had the link) that normalizing destroys dynamics. Any truth to this?

 

[AdamWathan]

I don't think so because normalizing just takes the highest peak in the file and raises the volume of the whole file an equal amount to get the highest peak to be at 0db... So everything is proportionally identical dynamically...

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Ya normalizing the DI track brings it as high as possible without clipping, whereas using the fader, you're kind of guessing and are much more susceptible to clips. It's just easier for what I was doing. Don't get me wrong, I don't use normalize very often. Don't forget, the question was:

In what type of scenarios would you guys use the Normalize Function ?

 

[Fifth_Horseman]

Re: reamping

I've erred on the side of safety to avoid clipping and recorded direct guitar/bass tracks at volumes that end up being pretty low. Sometimes I normalized them to give more volume, which means less is needed from the amp's gain.

But if you normalize several DI tracks in a project, each will be normalized to its own highest peak, right? So the different tracks might be at different volumes afterwards...

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

But if you normalize several DI tracks in a project, each will be normalized to its own highest peak, right? So the different tracks might be at different volumes afterwards...

This is true. But if you're recording two different guitarists doing single tracks, you're going to use different settings anyway, especially on the gain unless they pick exactly the same. At least that's the way I do it. And hey, I'm no fucken expert, I'm just saying that's the one time I really use normalize. Fucken A. I don't expect AS would use it. I'm sure he'd say, "hey boy, what the fuck is the matter with you? go rerecord those guitar parts bitch. this ain't fucken amateur night, cocknocker."

 

[SocialNumb]

I don't think so because normalizing just takes the highest peak in the file and raises the volume of the whole file an equal amount to get the highest peak to be at 0db... So everything is proportionally identical dynamically...

Thats what I figured. Always good to ask. There is a lot of info out there, gotta sift through the bull.

 

[Where She Wept]

never.
bob katz will kill you

+1

Read his book, it'll explain why.

 

[egan.]

I have to say...this is one of those "NEVER" things that everyone repeats and few seem to ever explain.
Here are actual quotes from Katz:

Normalizing is just changing gain under a mysterious name.

In general, normalization should be avoided. In my book I cover this in more detail, but basically, once a track has already been recorded, you do not gain any quality by changing its gain, you only lose quality by requantizing it. If you are mixing it, you are going to be changing the gain once again anyway, so why do an extra quality-reducing DSP step prior to mixing?

 

[thefish666]

Thanks for the input, It seems like it is being used for reamping and raising the hits to trigger a sample

 

[HeadCrusher]

something i've tried recently: i used the gain poti on the cubase sx mixer (right above the fader) to make ever channel hit 0db if the fader is set to zero. is that good or bad? i just figured thats what i'd be doing if i was mixing live...

anyone?

 

[AudioGeekZine]

10 Myths about Normalization

 

[Where She Wept]

10 Myths about Normalization

Awesome article! thanks. I was glad to see pros and cons.

 

[if6was9]

yeah that was a great read- thanks!

 

[SocialNumb]

10 Myths about Normalization

Cool Link

The Linkin Park one had me laughing pretty good.

 

[thefish666]

10 Myths about Normalization

Thanks for the link

 

[xFkx]

I normalized the individual tracks in my last mix to -6 db, didn't give me trouble but i just did it out curiosity

 

[Randyisgod15]

I've only really used a normalizer as a last resort kinda thing, where you didn't realize how low you actually recorded a track and you have no opportunity to re-record.

 

[JeffTD]

The guys at Big Blue Meanie normalize to 80% before mixing, I know.

That said, they also record everything to tape first, and then dump it into Logic to mix on.

 

[colonel kurtz]

if a track is just recorded too low and you need the fader at +12 for it to be of any use

+1

 

[Kazrog]

It's what you should do to every track before you put an instance of the BBE Sonic Maximizer plugin on every track.