yes or no on n track....

[darknailblue]

simple question.... does n-track have the ability to normalize tracks like cakewalk app do?

[Slackmaster2K]

Yes, although normalizing is something that should rarely be done.

Slackmaster 2000

[darknailblue]

oh really? hmmmmm... why is that?

[Slackmaster2K]

All normalizing does is increase your peak level, which is really not very handy. The only time it's typically done is perhaps during the final mastering stage, but typically a limiter would be employed instead as it can be used to increase the average level of the track.

Normalizing individual tracks during mixing makes little sense. It's destructively turning the volume on the track up (along with the noise) as high as it can go without clipping...and then when you mix you'll end up having to turn the track down...thereby you end up making two volume adjustments and you increase the noise level of the track.

When you're tracking, it's always a good idea to shoot for your levels to be as high as you can get away with...especially on a digital system where level = resolution. Normalizing does not make up for this in any way. You should just mix your tracks as they are.

Slackmaster 2000