Can I normalize to adjust for poor levels?

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jpanderson80

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Last night I tracked drums for a singer/songwriter friend. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to set the levels exactly like I hoped for. Nothing is clipped, but, it is very low on some tracks.

I know that the best solution is to get the levels set without any processing, but that's not an option right now.

Would it be reasonable to normalize the tracks to -18db to -12db in order make them usable for the mixing process? I'm not even sure if this is a good idea.

Are there some resources out there on this that I've overlooked? I've been really enjoying this site. Thanks to all.

- JPA
 
If that's what you need to do to adequately mix, it's fine. The only possible problem with recording too quiet is the signal to noise ratio, which won't change by normalizing.

You really don't have to use the normalizing function, you can just add gain to the track until it is loud enough to work for you. Of course, it's the same thing. But people lose their minds when you mention normalization.
 
Shure just be aware it's likely going to look at and reset the track tp the highest peak.
What I do in Sonar in that case is run the track with the trim/gain fader adjusted up, get a feel for how much I want to add to the track and then use what they call Gain process to make it final. (Then zero out the trim fader of cource. It's the same result really except the gain process (and where the thing lands) isn't keyed off some random peak.
 
I only do it when the fader runs out of room, or to keep the fader in about the same place as the other faders. It's mostly an aesthetic thing. It won't do anything except turn up the volume, which your faders will do too.
 
jpanderson80 said:
Last night I tracked drums for a singer/songwriter friend. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to set the levels exactly like I hoped for. Nothing is clipped, but, it is very low on some tracks.

I know that the best solution is to get the levels set without any processing, but that's not an option right now.

Would it be reasonable to normalize the tracks to -18db to -12db in order make them usable for the mixing process? I'm not even sure if this is a good idea.

Are there some resources out there on this that I've overlooked? I've been really enjoying this site. Thanks to all.

- JPA
Click to expand...

Or, just turn the other stuff down.
 
I would think it would be better to have your levels right in the first place.
 
Thanks guys. The prompt replies from this community is great. I'm looking forward to learning more and more.
 
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