Normalizing questions -Sound Forge - PC - MAGIX Community Forums Archive

Subject:Normalizing questions Posted by: bcghost Date:8/5/2002 7:36:40 PM I am using SF 6.0 and have a quick question. First the problem. After I record my old songs straight to my computer using a turntable, I go and select "scan levels" in the normalize area. After scanning the levels I usually get an RMS between -16.7 and -17.1. I then normalize to -12db from the average RMS. The problem is, when it is done I got back and do a "scan levels" again and it comes up to around 13.7. My question is why aren't the levels going to my preset of -12db? I have tried other settings but can never get it do the preset I set. Anyone have any idea on this? Thank you. Dave
Subject:RE: Normalizing questions Reply by: Jessariah Date:8/6/2002 9:27:35 AM This happened to me before, and I'm not sure why it is. If you want your recordings "hotter," try throwing them through WaveHammer.
Subject:RE: Normalizing questions Reply by: JTelles Date:8/6/2002 11:37:23 AM You are probably using the "apply dynamic compression" if clipping occurs option. I think, in order to avoid a non-linear problem, SF is actually setting the level to -12dB, but then in order to avoid clipping, the compression comes into operation and the final result is the -13.7dB. Notice that to get the result of the two operations at -12dB yould produce a non-linear problem to solve (still possible to get using some sort of iterative procedure) which is not the intended standard LINEAR normalizing idea. JTelles
Subject:RE: Normalizing questions Reply by: fishtank Date:8/6/2002 12:05:33 PM Normalizing is supposed to be bad. I second the WaveHammer suggestion.
Subject:RE: Normalizing questions Reply by: bcghost Date:8/6/2002 12:26:47 PM I really like the sound when I do normalize the levels up. So if I use the wave hammer should I stick with my same type of settings? Dave
Subject:RE: Normalizing questions Reply by: Jessariah Date:8/6/2002 4:27:21 PM Play with it. The problem I have with RMS normalization is that it tends to really play with the "sound" of the file. "Normalizing to Zero" is just a volume increase, but the RMS starts getting funky (to me, anyway). WaveHammer (or any other "mastering compressors") focuses on the peaks of the file. It makes the wave louder without messing too much with it. (think of it as a kind of limiter with power boost). Believe me, you'll hear it if you use too much -- which is why CTRL+Z was invented...

Subject:Normalizing questions

Posted by: bcghost

Date:8/5/2002 7:36:40 PM

I am using SF 6.0 and have a quick question. First the problem. After I record my old songs straight to my computer using a turntable, I go and select "scan levels" in the normalize area. After scanning the levels I usually get an RMS between -16.7 and -17.1. I then normalize to -12db from the average RMS. The problem is, when it is done I got back and do a "scan levels" again and it comes up to around 13.7. My question is why aren't the levels going to my preset of -12db? I have tried other settings but can never get it do the preset I set. Anyone have any idea on this?

Thank you.
Dave