FYI, normalization is *completely* different from dynamic compression

A brief explanation of normalization in the context of a 16-bit system...

Suppose the peak amplitude of a digitized signal is -3dBFS which equals a sample value of approximately +/-23,200. The approximate maximum possibly sample values (0dBFS) are +/-32,800.

What normalization does is find a factor (call it X) that it can multiply the peak signal value by that will result in the maximum value allowed. In this example, the number would be:

X = 32800/23200 = 1.414

Now... the software will multiply EVERY SAMPLE in the recording by the SAME factor X which results in uniform amplification of the signal. It's just like turning up the volume, so theoretically it's a benign process.

That said I never, ever, use normalization when recording live with microphones or transcribing an LP at the 16-bit level. Instead, I make use of the converter's available resolution in it's entirety. If the OVER lights don't blink occasionally, the recording levels aren't high enough. Digital clipping is not a bad thing so long as it's limited to a few samples (literally) here and there on large transients. Why handicap an entire recording's resolution for a few samples that won't be missed?

My philosophy: Be smart with recording levels and don't dick with the data!

-Anthony

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Problem recording with Masterlink 9600 - ptruce 13:44:06 07/17/06 (12)

Maybe it's an impedance matching issue. - Quiet Earth 08:25:45 07/18/06 (0)

Ist suggestion NEVER normalize. You are in effect making the loud and quiet passages all the same volume .... - tubesforever 19:03:45 07/17/06 (6)

FYI, normalization is *completely* different from dynamic compression - Bersani 22:33:46 07/17/06 (1)

Well you have normalization for recording a signal and for burning the disk. - tubesforever 23:50:26 07/17/06 (0)

Re: Ist suggestion NEVER normalize. You are in effect making the loud and quiet passages all the same volume .... - ptruce 19:46:36 07/17/06 (0)

Tubes, Tubes, Tubes.... How did you ever survive in this world??? - John Elison 19:10:06 07/17/06 (2)

Except when you forget. - mosin 20:01:48 07/17/06 (1)

Re: Except when you forget. - John Elison 05:17:20 07/18/06 (0)

Re: Problem recording with Masterlink 9600 - John Elison 14:29:07 07/17/06 (3)

I think it is the normalization step. His computer is analyzing quiet to loud and readjusting its range. - tubesforever 19:05:48 07/17/06 (0)

Re: Problem recording with Masterlink 9600 - ptruce 14:59:22 07/17/06 (1)

You should also post over in the digital asylum. - tubesforever 19:10:24 07/17/06 (0)

Follow Ups

FYI, normalization is *completely* different from dynamic compression - Bersani 22:33:46 07/17/06 (1)

Well you have normalization for recording a signal and for burning the disk. - tubesforever 23:50:26 07/17/06 (0)

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