Normalize vs Limiting for mastering

[Ericlingus]

Does anyone here normalize rather than limit when mastering? What are the pros and cons? Also, which limiter do you guys use if you limit?

 

[waltz mastering]

Normalizing isn't going to get you very far in the loudness game because it's basically proportionately scaling your audio so that the highest peak reaches a preset destination. Brick wall limiting will give more overall gain.

 

[Nimvi]

I'm using TLs Maximizer. Works fine as far as I can hear, and it's free.

By the way, I have yet to find a reason to use normalization on anything ever... can someone enlighten me on this?

 

[The StabbinCabin]

I had a band send me stems to mix that were all tracked at odd levels so I just selected all the events and normalized them to -18

I'd assume that's one of the things it's meant for

 

[Nimvi]

^ Yea, for such situations I can understand it's a good start.

I guess what I find weird about it is that it goes by peak levels. In normal situations I don't really care so much for peak levels as long as things aren't clipping and the average level is okay, and if the peaks are really wild and extreme I would do it manually anyway. But you are right; when the material you receive is very inconsistent, it can get you in the ballpark quicker. Thanks!

Edit: just read that you can also normalize by rms, I didn't even know that...
Something new to learn every day!

 

[Fandus]

Another awesome use for normalization is cutting up drum hits and normalizing them all the the same loudness. Mainly in metal, where you want kicks to be as even as possible, snares and toms too in some cases. Lets you get more out of your compressors that way!

 

[The StabbinCabin]

Another awesome use for normalization is cutting up drum hits and normalizing them all the the same loudness. Mainly in metal, where you want kicks to be as even as possible, snares and toms too in some cases. Lets you get more out of your compressors that way!

^This as well