compression/normalization

[paresh]

Does anyone ever use compression + normalization for vocals? Between the two, I hear better results fr normalization. thanks

[Blue Bear Sound]

Normalization is nothing more than an automatic gain setting tool. You get the same results as raising a fader, so I'm not sure why you think it's "better"........

[scrubs]

Originally Posted by paresh

Does anyone ever use compression + normalization for vocals? Between the two, I hear better results fr normalization. thanks

When you are using compression, you will usually use "make-up gain" to bring the mean signal up. But, as the bear says, normalization does not play a role.

[masteringhouse]

As Bruce and Scrubs mentioned, the reason why you feel normalization is probably sounding better is that possibly you are not using gain makeup in the compressor, but just cutting down on the dynamic range.

The pupose of the compressor (at least the usual purpose) is to reduce the dynamic range by lowering the level of the audio by a set ratio and threshold. By doing that you can raise the overall volume to create a track with an overall louder average (RMS). This is where you need "gain makeup" to makeup the difference between the original signal and the compressed signal.

With normalization (in the traditional sense) the software goes through the entire track finding the loudest value. If it's less than 0 dbFS (digital peak) it will raise the volume of the audio so that the entire track is raised proportionally to get as close to the peak as you tell it to. This does not decrease the dynamic range, but as Bruce mentioned just raised the volume of the track by the preset amount. If later you decide the vocal are too loud and reduced the volume you acomplished nothing other than to add distortion to your track.

Now if you're saying that you don't like the sound of compresion, that's an entirely different topic I'll need my third cup of coffee of the day for ...

[ryanlikestorock]

I think it's about time the function of "normalization" be taken out of all digital editing systems.

[Cloneboy Studio]

Originally Posted by ryanlikestorock

I think it's about time the function of "normalization" be taken out of all digital editing systems.

Yeah, but then what would we have to laugh at newbies about?

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally Posted by ryanlikestorock

I think it's about time the function of "normalization" be taken out of all digital editing systems.

I don't know about that... it's just another tool after all, a different mechanism to apply gain. The problem is not the tool, but people's lack of knowledge in its use!

After all, a screwdriver or hammer could be considered pretty useless until you know what/how they're used!

[notbradsohner]

Originally Posted by Cloneboy Studio

Yeah, but then what would we have to laugh at newbies about?

i had a guy call me today and ask me if he could bring in his normaliser and put it into my signal chain just so see what it could do.

"Sure" I say, "but I have to charge you for an hours block."

"thats ok", he replies.

I ask "do you have pretracked mixes that you need normalized?"

"pre tracked?!?!?!" he replies "I like the distortion effect on it"

After much discussion about what the f*** he was talkin about, I came to realize that he did in fact have a normaliser, set 10 times too high, so it constantly clipped everything.

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by Cloneboy Studio

Yeah, but then what would we have to laugh at newbies about?

Ok, here's the deal. It's renamed 'Abnormalization'. That way maybe folks won't just naturally flock to it like lemmings.
Wayne

[Blue Bear Sound]

Lemmingizing....... I like it!!!

[Cloneboy Studio]

The only use I've had for normalization is ages ago making keyboard samples.

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by Cloneboy Studio

The only use I've had for normalization is ages ago making keyboard samples.

Definitely one good example of it's proper use. Normalization (IMHO) should be the final step and used in situations where you want to bring up the overall volume of a mix (or source) to a maximum value without changing the dynamic range. Normalization isn't bad, just misued.

There are also other types of normalization that behave differently and act more like limiters and compressors. For example the Finalizer has a "normalization"' function that works this way and Sound Forge I believe also has as similar normalization function that will allow you to automatically set the RMS level.