SoundForge Multiple Files Normalize

[tuna]

heh, thats it. How can I do a multiple file operation, like Normalize using soundforge ?
Is This operation based in the files' levels ? Like, it would calculate the best normalize for all of them, and apply or just set the level I want ?
Thanks

[dafduc]

That's the theory, using the batch converter - problem is that normalizing to measured peak loudness will not give you songs that SOUND equally loud, and RMS norming can get pretty unpredictable.

The homewreckers will tell ya - don't normalize. I found THAT out the hard way...

[tuna]

hehe, thanks for the reply.
I think I wont normalize it. The tests I did turned out to produce more distorted sound than loudness....

[esactun]

Yeah, if you normalize to RMS SF will very likely shoot some of your peaks into clipping. Then it either applies some serious compression to the "over 0" samples or clips them (depending on which options you choose). Hence you get that nasty distortion. I've made these sorts of messes myself before. Ick!

If you want loudness, compress the tracks, but do it individually. With batch conversion you'll be applying the same parameters to all the tracks, and most likely each track will need its own parameters to bring them to equal loudness. "The best normalization (or compression) for all of them" is something that, sadly, rarely if ever exists.

SF used to call their compressor "Graphic Dynamics." (I have an old version.) "Multi-Band Dynamics" is the multiband compressor. Use the Graphic Dynamics for simple compression and loudness.

[tuna]

Thanks, I will try that.
I was messing around with a sonic maximizer... good results too