Q. What should I 'normalise'?

Published in SOS December 2006
Printer-friendly version
 
I'm wanting to put my mind at ease and find out which is the preferred method of using normalisation. I'm not a big fan of normalising every single waveform I have in my session (specifically voices), as my understanding is that if you record at a decent level you don't need to normalise. I believe it's an unnecessary process, when you have the option of using dynamics to achieve the same, if not better results. I do understand that not setting the dynamics properly could squash the life out of the audio.

Lindsay Johnson

Editor In Chief Paul White replies: Normalising simply scales up the level so that the loudest peak reaches the top of the digital scale (or 0dBFS). It doesn't change the sound or the dynamics but because it is a mathematical process, it can lose a little resolution, though this is pretty irrelevant if you're recording at 24-bit. (Incidentally, when recording at 24-bit, having your peak levels between -6dB and -12dB is fine.) If I get something to work on where the tracks are very under-recorded, I often normalise them first. Otherwise I'll sort out any level changes after applying any other processing I need, as EQs and compressors often have output level controls that make adjustment easy without normalising. 

Published in SOS December 2006

 

Home | Search | News | Current Issue | Digital Editions | Articles | Forum | Subscribe | Shop | Readers Ads

Advertise | Information | Links | Privacy Policy | Support

View more SOUND ADVICE articles
Join our discussion groups for tips, advice and lively debate.
May 2012
On sale now at main newsagents and bookstores (or buy direct from the SOS Web Shop)
SOS current Print Magazine: click here for FULL Contents list
Click image for May 2012
Other recent issues:
WIN Great Prizes in SOS Competitions!
 

Email: Contact SOS

Telephone: +44 (0)1954 789888

Fax: +44 (0)1954 789895

Registered Office: Media House, Trafalgar Way, Bar Hill, Cambridge, CB23 8SQ, United Kingdom.

Sound On Sound Ltd is registered in England and Wales.

Company number: 3015516 VAT number: GB 638 5307 26

         

All contents copyright © SOS Publications Group and/or its licensors, 1985-2012. All rights reserved.
The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Great care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this article but neither Sound On Sound Limited nor the publishers can be held responsible for its contents. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the publishers.

Web site designed & maintained by PB Associates | SOS | Relative Media