Comments on: 10 Myths About Normalization

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:33:08 +0000

I think you’re looking for a compressor, Jim.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:19:21 +0000

Interesting article. However, it seems to me that “Peak Normalization”, the variant of Normalization that you’re talking about here, isn’t really “Normalization” at all. The original concept of normalization, or at least the first concept of normalization that I was introduced to, was used to ‘normalize’ several or many audio files, such that they all had the same perceived volume on playback. Audio files were ‘normalized’ so that one didn’t have to jump up and change the volume every time the song changed. “Peak Normalization” moves everything up (or down) equally, and in the example of DVD audio, one still must jump and turn the volume up and down when the movie changes from quiet whispering to loud explosions. It isn’t ‘normalization’ at all, it is all-inclusive peak dB gain adjustment, and in fact should just be called “Peak dB Gain Adjustment”, not ‘Normalization’. In the case of mixing audio in a studio (where each instrument or voice could be considered a stand-alone track), Peak dB Gain Adjustment is a part of the process of balancing the various tracks or ‘voices’, and would more accurately be called “Balancing”. I actually came here looking for information on DVD audio normalization so that my DVD audio wouldn’t require manual volume adjustment every time the scene changed from screaming police sirens and car crashes to whispered confessions (for example). An interesting and good article, I ended up reading the whole thing even though it wasn’t what I was searching for. But the real confusion about ‘Normalization’ starts with what is meant by ‘normalized’ which, as I originally learned the concept, meant not having to constantly manually change the play-back volume of the finalized product.

By: Home Recording Studio

Home Recording Studio — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 17:06:42 +0000

Great great article!! I’d love to cross-post this on my site too? http://www.homerecordingstudio.ca

Can you send me an email? thanks!

By: Austin TX Recording Studio

Austin TX Recording Studio — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 21:07:01 +0000

I normalize my music if they aren’t loud enough. I think the effect have it pro and cons.

By: Luis Drayton

Luis Drayton — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 23:29:08 +0000

Thanks, man – this is great! Really helpful advice I can make actual use of, plus you explained the principle behind it in such a way that I could make sense of the concept! Currently putting together backing tapes for a show I’m doing, and as it’s the first time I’ve ever mixed my own stuff, I’ve been living in fear of walking on stage and opening my mouth to sing, only to discover I’m singing to a background of solid distortion! :p I don’t think that’s gonna be happening now, though, so thanks a bunch… :)

By: Sound solution Recording Studios

Sound solution Recording Studios — Mon, 16 May 2011 14:27:30 +0000

very good explanation, has helped out 1 of our interns i could not explain it to him as well as you have here great blog.

By: Blair

Blair — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 16:22:19 +0000

Great article. I use normalizing mostly when I don’t get the level I need on a certain instrument or for an overall mix before the mastering is done. Another great process is the gain change. I used that recently to match vocal levels from another session without having to automate the volume.

By: zuneperry

zuneperry — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 22:01:12 +0000

thanks this helped

By: Vax

Vax — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:46:22 +0000

Topic is great explained and very useful.

By: MrMusicMan

MrMusicMan — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:07:30 +0000

A good thorough article. I’ve found when I’m working over the dynamics of certain tracks, especially if I’m going through hours of audio at a time, normalizing each track on each song is a big time-saver if I want to try and keep my input and output gains the same throughout the entire session…less automation to worry about.