I was looking at ways to boost an audio track level, and came across Process > Apply Effect > Normalize.
 
As mentioned in the documentation, Normalize sure seems to erode S/N ratio, particularly at the higher levels, because it also boosts the amplitude of any background noise.  Is Normalize an older tool that is might be redundant to some newer tools that might function smarter?
 
I realize that EQ is another way of doing this, and probably provides the most control over the results.  Just wondering if anyone uses Normalize.
 

All that Normalise does is increase the level of a complete clip, using the highest peak within that clip. You will generally lift the level such that the peak does not go over 0db.

Yes, is does increase the noise level.

Equalisation is a completely different tool, and does not replace Normalising.

Compression is similar to Normalising, except that it squashes just the peaks, thus allowing the rest of the wave to be lifted to a higher level.


This is, of course, just a simplistic way of looking at the above subjects. I just do not have the time at the moment to cover all of the bases. I am sure that someone else will be along soon that will elaborate on what I have said.


cheers

andy


edit; oh, and yes, I still, for one, use Normalise. If I just need to lift the level of a recorded wave file, without effecting anything else...

And something else... you can use EQ, in some instances, to eliminate some of the so called "noise" by filtering it out. Typically, we are talking about hiss, rumble and 50~60 hz hum...  

AFAIK, normalising does not affect S/N ratio, because noise and signal are boosted equally (?).

Many seem to think normalising is poison. I think if you realise what it does (and doesn't) it sure has it's uses here and there. Just do not think it's a routine for boosting all tracks after recording too low.

I've also read opinions that some software do normalising better than others, but that I can not comment.

It's best to aim for proper levels when you record. Adding any algorithm affects your sound to some degree, slight as it may be. Also, no point in normalising if you are going to pull the faders down again - then there are TWO algorithms fighting each other :O) (And please guys, let's not start the double blind testing argument - processing alters sound, period).

But Normalizing is a corrective tool, just like many other fixers.

The only time I use plenty of normalising is when I mix audio for concerts with multiple artists playing on the same stage - because you want a pretty even sound from one band to the next.

Anyways, your mileage may vary. I use kilometers myself :O)

Kalle Rantaaho


AFAIK, normalising does not affect S/N ratio, because noise and signal are boosted equally (?).

Yes... of course, I missed that. It is a ratio, so it stays the same when you normalise.


And you are absolutely correct regarding using it for "routine" boosting or track levels that are recorded too low. At the end of the day, you should track at the right level to start with.


However, it is inevitable that, from time to time, you are given a third party recording, and I prefer to normalise a poor recording over increasing its gain in the mix, which is the other thing that you could do. It all depends on what you are dealing with...


Bottom line, for me... normalise = last resort

I never normalize. I use a compressor/gate. The issue with normalizing is that you will invariably apply some trim if you normalize a raw track before mixing because the track will clip either in a vst or a bus when it hits te highest peak. This is especially worse when the material has a lot of transients (percussion for example). A compressor works better in this case, combining it with a gate helps tame the noise floor.

normalise is certainly not a "last resort" technique IMO and has zero downsides and more accuracy than using gain...as it is a deterministic result referenced gain setting.

IMO it IS however, only useful for completed tracks.. not recordings or clips...  you got gain sliders for those situations.

No way,not if I have audible effects to do,what "normalize" is essentially doing,like a compressor/limiter,or even the wild louderiser[?] the Waves Utramaximizer LL3.
Bob

I use normalize quite often. 

A proper understanding of what it is and what it does is paramount to using it correctly.  

Yes it will increase the noise floor by the same amount as everything else.  So it is really most useful if the track is a quiet track to start with. 

However, proper envelope use can allow the noise to be hidden somewhat in the music. 

I do not hesitate to use it to boost a track if need be. Of course, I'm soloing the track to listen carefully.  

I also use it at the end in my wave editor to boost the output level of the wave to around 96% of max. Using normalize as opposed to compression allows me to keep the dynamics intact.  My compression is usually applied in the export from Cake and then I normalize it in my editor. 

I have pretty waves and the sound is clean and un-smashed sounding.

http://www.soundclick.com...34&songID=10369122  the wave of this song is the picture below.  I used normalize on it. 

Actually the NCH WavePad Normalize is quite interesting,that was my introduction to a Daw for the first time,I may try and load that program from my old P3 machine.....got me thinking now...scary
Bob