Normalize or compression

This normalizing stuff... it sounds a bit funny to me. Does it really just optimize the volume, or does it do a little compression also?
Any opinions?

{quote:title=**** wrote:}
[Normalization is] generally meant to be used on the whole project or album rather then individual tracks.{quote}
Huh... Most of my uses of normalizing are used pre-master. Often I get samples or recordings that don't have enough digital dynamic range to mix with, so I normalize them first.
IMO ears make better level decisions.
Hehe, "IMO Ears", the new Apple killer-app
Christian is an orchestral/chamber music listener. In technical terms, this sort of music features wide dynamic range, and can be prone to a lot of noise in the signal chain. Compression can indeed corrupt the nuance and subtlety of a conductor's interpretation of the music... if a ham-fisted engineer who doesn't know what they're doing records the piece, or if some amateur has a auto-levelling (a very poor cousin to compression) set on a recording device.
But compression can still be intelligently used in recording orchestras.
-Oro

Similar Messages

The Levels bar into the red after normalization

Sorry if this is a daft question, I am new to home recording and need to submit my audio via specific guidelines. I'm trying to get into audiobook production. I have a strong theatrical background but i don't know much about mastering audio so this has been challenging...
In the raw file, the levels were primarily in green, occasionally in yellow.
I used "match volume" to get my RMS to a certain level. Then I used a limiter to set to -3 db.
Now the file goes into the red. According to Amplitude statistics. there are 0 "possibly clipped samples" so why then do the levels keep going into Red? I thought that was indicative of clipping?
That's my first question, my second is does anyone know of any basic audio mastering classes for voiceover using Adobe Audition? Less about how to edit audio, more about anatomy of audio files and the meaning of each of these parameters and how they relate to one another.

Thanks for your response. I probably did a terrible job of explaining.
I did originally try the "normalize" option and then the limiter but my RMS stats were too high to submit the audio book. They recommend normalizing peaks at -6db, I found this video which states that you can normalize via RMS levels by match volume: How to Normalize Audio Peak and RMS in Adobe Audition CS 5.5 Tutorial - Normalization - YouTube which I thought would at least bring that RMS number down so I was within their required range. It did so all my amplitude specs meet their specs now but I'm just a little perplexed by the red in the level bar.
This is all very new to me and I need to educated myself. I don't even really understand the difference between normalization and compression and why one is favored over the other. This is all really kind of over my head. I think I can learn it but I need someone to explain it to my in layman's terms.
When I do a raw recording, my Total RMS is always way over the recommended RMS the audiobook production company suggests a pre-mastered file should have. Lowering the gain makes the peak amplitude too low. That should be at -12 max while the RMS should be no greater than -28. RMS is around -40. So in a sorta related question, while recording, how do i lower my RMS without killing the peak amplitude.

Audio ac3 compression weirdness

I compressed my audio with Compressor 3.0.1 using ac3 like usual. When I view it in DVD SP 4.2.0 in the previewer it looks and sounds fine. After I build in DVDSP and view it in Apple DVD Player (or on my Home Theater) is where I get the issue.
When vocals are present and the music is at its peak or heavy bass hits the volume drops 4dbs or so. When vocals are not present the audio is fine. The audio gives a pumping sound or is squashed like when you put heavy a compression/limiter filter on a track.
In Compressor I have my ac3 set at -31 for dialogue normalization and Compression Preset set to None and all the filters are unchecked including the full bandwidth Channel filters. But like I mentioned I get the problem after DVDSP build. This has happened on several projects. Are there settings in DVDSP that I don't know about??
Using FCP Studio 2 with all the newest updates.
Thanks!

Pixelkid,
Try setting the dialogue normalization to -27.

How do I normalize the audio in keynote?

I have created video in keynote with audio files on each slide. The audio on each slide have slightly different volumes. I would like to export the keynote presentation to video with a consistent audio volume, is there a way to do this without importing it into imovie, or some other video editting program? I would prefer not to import it in imovie because it degrades the color, sound and recrops the original video created by keynote.

This was a great suggestion and it solved my issue although I wish there was something natively, I am so grateful for this suggestion. Here is my process for correcting the audio for anyone that may be looking for a way to normalize their audio clips:
First I changed the file extension for my keynote presentation and changed it to .zip
This changes your keynote presentation into a normal compressed folder.
I then copied all the audio files that were stored in my presentation folder and converted them to AIFF (Levelator only normalizes WAV and AIFF files) and dragged them into "Levelator"s conversion window. Levelator batch normalizes and compresses your files and outputs them with a new file extension once converted. (There isn't any editting options here Levelator seems to normalize and compress to a preset level, simple!)
After the files were converted I changed the file extension and name back to the original file extension and name that was in the original keynote folder and replaced the original keynote audio files with the newly converted ones from Levelator.
This lets you replace your existing audio files in your presentation and keep the timings and settings you already have.

Best volume/compression settings for AUDIO for Rock concert DVD ???

I am putting the finishing touches to a 2 hour rock concert DVD.....
I am converting the wav/and 5.1 to Dolby 5.1 and 2.0 files ....
They are sounding really quiet compared to the original waves...???
I can see that there are some dolalogue/audio compression settings and something set to -21db.....
How can I make them louder...and if I do will it mess up playing on normal DVD's ....
I know there are some DOLBY compresor settings in mac DVD player that make the sound pump if switched on...
Any thoughts or help would be appreciated???

Hi
You must change some settings in the standard Dolby presets to keep the original level and mix:
- Dialog Normalization: -31
- Compression preset: none
This way your AC3 files will keep the level and mix from your original files.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Is there ANY way to fix lousy volume on iTunes songs?

I've tried everything, it seems. Various songs purchased from the iTunes store (and some transferred from CDs) have seriously weak volume -- not just in "quiet" passages but often the entire song. Yes, I've tried boosting the volume in the iTunes "Get Info" menu, but the effect is insufficient. Raising the volume enough to play in a car can produce awful distortion and won't compensate for those quiet passages in classical music, soundtracks, or pop songs from the 1930s-1950s. That can be fixed only with a sound processing application.
I have tried the third party software recommended elsewhere in these forums, and none of them work on Apple's "Protected" music. I did have success with Sound Studio 2.2.1 about two years ago. But I had to replace it with version 3, and it just doesn't seem to work. It won't open iTunes music unless it's first transferred to a CD. And then I haven't been able to load the edited songs back into the iTunes Library. iTunes either fails to find the edited music or it substitutes the original unedited version.
Within the Sound Studio application, the music sounds beautiful after applying the Normalize and Compression filters. But I cannot get iTunes to accept those versions even after saving them under different names.
To date, I have spent considerable dollars and hours trying to fix about two dozen 99-cent songs, without success. I don't want an iTunes refund on my 99-cent songs; I just want to be able to listen to them in my car.
I suppose copyright concerns may be at the root of this problem, but who else except a buyer is going to fix these old songs to make them worth even 99 cents?
I'm a big fan of iTunes. It has made it possible to restore a music collection that previously wasn't available to me, and most of it sounds great. But I wish I could find a way to fix that handful of old favorites. Does anyone have a solution to this?

I'm happy to report that Sound Studio has corrected its part of the problem, and an updated version is available on its web site: freeverse.com/soundstudio/
I also discovered that attempts to adjust individual song volumes in the Get Info menu won't work if the Sound Check option is selected in Preferences (duh!).
Further good news is Apple's announcement of an arrangement to offer unprotected versions of BMI music in the iTunes store for an extra 30 cents per song. It would be well worth it, in my opinion, if all the music companies agreed to the arrangement, thereby streamlining the task of transferring problem songs to editing programs like Sound Studio.
One minor glitch remains. To differentiate between original and edited versions of a song, I usually append a number to the name. But when I import the edited version back into the iTunes library, iTunes automatically changes the name back to the original. I can tell the difference by referring to other clues in the library file, but not in the abbreviated iPod menu. I could delete the unedited version from the library or, better, create playlistys consisting of only the edited versions.
Thanks to all who contributed to this discussion. I hope others benefit from it as I did.
P.S.: I did download Max, which works fine for its intended purposes.

Audio from Final Cut Pro very very low

Hi guys I have not have a problem for awhile. A friend of mine recently move from DPS Velocity system to Final Cut Pro Studio 2 using a Intel Pro 3.2GHZ with all the bell and whistle, so I am giving him some training and tutorial. They have some footage in Velocity which I use MPEG StreamClip to convert to a DV file, I brought it in FCP (Three File one video and two audio makes one clip) it play in FCP Played ok when I export it to DVD studio Pro the audio is extremely low (barely audio able)I open the clip in QuickTime and it did not play. There is other clip in the project, some capture in FCP and others imports in FCP Studio, DVD Studio Pro and QuickTime plays these audio ok. The audio from Velocity are Wave files, I taught anyfile that plays in FCP would play in QuickTime. Does anyone knows how to solve this problem please to help I would like my friend to change both system to Apple and FCP thanks.

Wellcome to the forums!
when I export it to DVD studio Pro the audio is extremely low (barely audio able)I open the clip in QuickTime and it did not play.
I guess you encoded it to Dolby AC3 with Compressor, did you? Then you must chamge the standard Dolby preset as follows to keep the original FCP mix and level:
- Dialog normalization: -31
- Compression preset: none
And QT cannot play AC3 files.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

My sound mix does not sound the same after using Compressor for DVD

Hi,
Is there something I can do to maintain the sound mix of my original file when converting to the dolby in Compressor. It needs to be louder overall and sometimes the music goes way too low and the dialogue goes to soft. Sound effects were louder and now get quiet during some parts.
Help?
Thanks!

Hi:
You must do some changes in the standard AC3 preset from Compressor. Duplicate it, and chage the following settings:
- Dialog Normalization: -31
- Compression Preset: None
Save it and try it. You must get the same mix and level than your original.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Burned DVD Errors

Is it too much trouble, for a DVD to burn in DVD studio pro, and...I don't know....acctually play back on other DVD players without problems?
Sigh.....here we go again.
Ok, so I have a 23 minute movie, that I'm exporting from Final Cut Pro.....into DVD Studio Pro. I've allready built up the menus, and burned several DVD's of this project, which appear to load up fine on an external DVD player....at first glance anyway.
Its only after you play it, that you realize that its dropping frames, glitching out, and eventually freezing completly around the 18 minute mark.
So, I've been doing the old "bit rate shuffle", scaling back to around a 3.0 bit rate and a 5.0 max bit rate in DVD Studio Pro.....and that helped a little, but its still locking up.
So, instead of exporting a Quicktime movie directly out of Final Cut Pro, I tried going through Compressor (using the basic "DVD: 90 minutes, best quality" settings, only I dropped the average and maximum bit rate on the video to 4.0 & 7.0, respectivly).
I did that, and burned a new copy.....and now it won't even get out of the main menu without locking up.
So now, I'm completly stuck. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.
Can please, someone....anyone.....tell me what I'm doing wrong?
(Is there a proper setting, of bit rate, max bit rate, etc.....that will result in a burned DVD that should be compatible with most DVD players, without sacrificing too much quality?)
Just in case its helps, I'm using:
* Verbatim DVD-R discs.
* Final Cut Pro 5.0.1
* DVD Studio Pro 4
Thanks in advance, guys.
- Fred

Hi Panic:
Wellcome to the forums !
Most probably your problem is related with your disc audio format. Uncompressed audio (AIFF/PCM) is one of the most common causes of playback issues of DVD-R in standalone players. The bitrate of the uncompressed audio it's too high for some players.
For a 23 min movie you can use the standard DVD: high quality 90 min settings aplying the MPEG2 and the Dolby 2 (AC3) presets. Encoding your movie inside DVDSP gives AIFF audio, and when you used Compressor you didn't mention encoding your audio to AC3.
You can duplicate the standard AC3 preset and change these settings to keep your original audio level:
- Dialig Normalization: -31
- Compression preset: None
If you want to try a second video encoding option, you can duplicate the standatd MPEG2 90 min preset and change it to CBR encoding:
A last point, you can control your burn speed building first your project and creating a Disc Image in your drive and burning the discs outside DVDSP. Read this tutorial: Creating Disc Image in DVDSP.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Trying to understand Compressor

Hey,
Try to export my FCP project to compressor. Is there something I'm missing? I want to encode BEST QUALITY 16:9 90 minutes. It is a trailer I cut for my film. I want to do a baisc DVD in DVD Studio Pro.
Batch does not work... it does not allow me. Any idea why?
Chris

Chris:
I'm a little confused about your video format and export options.
Your video and timeline are 4:3 (letterboxed), right? Then you must use the 4:3 presets. For such short video you can take the standard Best Quality 90 min - 4:3 MPEG2 preset, duplicate it and change to CBR encoding:
Bwside that you must encode your audio to Dolby 2 (AC3). Take the standard AC3 preset , duplicate it and change the following paramenters:
- Dialog Normalization: -31
- Compression Preset: None
Save it and use it.
Try first from FCP itself. If you get any error, try exporting as self contained same settings (I know, you did it!) and open Compressor itself from outside FCP, drag and drop your movie, select the presets (MPEG2 CBR and AC3) and submit.
If you get any error come back. If you get your movie encoded but not happy with the quality, you (we) better follow that in the DVD threads you have, to let others know.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Mpeg 2 audio much louder than H.264???

Hey all,
For the last year I've been exporting past projects as H.264s and flipping them to mpeg2 TS on my PC. More recently I've been playing around with mpeg2 settings in Compressor to trim a step off the whole process. All the mpeg2 settings I'm using are working great, save for the audio. I set all my ads to -12dB in Final Cut. After I send a spot to Compressor and throw the mpeg2 preset on it, it is noticeably louder than it should be. I watch the .m2t files back with MPEG Streamclip. As a test I exported a .aiff file from streamclip and imported it into Final Cut and it's upwards of 6 dB louder than it should be.
I can't find ANYTHING on the internet about this or how to fix it. What am I missing? Help me, please!

To make sure the Dolby AC3 setting does not alter your audio with normalization or compression, you need to turn off dialog normalization and compression.
a) Click your audio setting and have a look at the Encoder tab in the Inspector window.
b) Under the Audio tab, change the Dialog Normalization from -27 to -31 to disable it.
c) Click the Preprocessing tab and set the Compression Preset to None.
d) Deselect the Low-Pass Filter and DC Filter
Compressor User Manual -> Creating Dolby Digital Professional Output Files
Important: It is critical that you set the Dialog Normalization setting correctly if you intend to use any of the Compression Preset settings. The Compression Preset settings assume that the audio, after the dialogue has been normalized, is at the normal listening level of 31 dBFS. Levels that are consistently louder than that result in distorted sound and erratic levels.
If you do not know the sound level of the source file or for some other reason want to ensure the Dolby Digital Professional encoder does not affect your sound levels, enter –31 for the Dialog Normalization and choose None in the Compression Preset pop-up menu (located in the Preprocessing tab).

Best way/settings to export from FCP to DVDSP

Hey - I have a program I need to export from FCP to DVDSP.
It is approx. 1hr 15min long.
What would be the best settings to use to maximize quality?
I also want to include chapter markers for importing into DVDSP - is it better to create these in FCP or Compressor???
This is a very important showreel and quality is a major factor...
I am using: FCP 5.1.4 DVDSP 4.1.2 Compressor 2.3
Thanks for all your help in advance!
PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Hi:
<< What would be the best settings to use to maximize quality?>>
You didn't mention your movie codec. Assuming you are using DV, if your FCP projects has graphic elements and heavy filters like Color Corrections, etc. you must get the best quality exporting directly from FCP through Compressor.
If your movie is basiclally DV video with no graphics, you probably will get same quality and shorter encoding times exporting as QuickTime movie, self settings (self contained is my favorite flavor!) and using this file in Compressor.
In Compressor use the DVD: Best Quality 90 min preset as starting point taking the MPEG2 and the Dolby 2 (AC3) presets. You most probably will get the best audio level changing the followings parameters in the standard AC3 preset:
- Dialog Normalization: -31
- Compression preset: None
Using uncompressed (AIFF/PCM) audio in DVD-Rs is a major cause of playback problems and/or building errors because the high bitrate, and takes a lot of your disc space.
If you encode inside DVDSP (using the Quicktime movie file directly in DVDSP) you'll get AIFF audio. DVDSP doesn't encode your audio to AC3.
<<This is a very important showreel and quality is a major factor...>>
To save encoding testing times, take a short part/s of your movie and make some encoding test. Select some parts of your footage with fast movements in the image and/or heavy transitions to check the final result.
<<I also want to include chapter markers for importing into DVDSP - is it better to create these in FCP or Compressor??? >>
Allways create your chapter markers in FCP or Compressor. That way you can set the exact frame where to locate it and DVDSP will preserve that position. If you add a Chapter Marker in DVDSP it will be moved to the nearest GOP boundary, not in the exact frame you decided. Check this tutorial about Chapters and Compression Markers .
Don't forget to post your FCP movie codec/settings.
<<StirFry..>>
I think that a bitrate of 7.9 Mbps with uncompressed audio (DVDSP doesn't encode audio to Dolby 2) is too high and can cause some encoding/playback errors in some DVD players. Someone else can post his mind about this ! ;D
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Mastering Audio?

So I finished the video edit of my short project and I'd like to spend some time fine tuning the audio.
What is the best way to get my audio from FCP to Soundtrack Pro?
Once in Soundtrack Pro, is there a typical checklist to run down? I.e. normalize, equalize, compress, etc.etc., I'm not very proficient with the Audio world. Any help is appreciated!
Adam

First advice: Read the manual
Second Advice: read a third party manual
To get it from FCP to STP in the list of sequences and assets, right-click (CTRL Click) on the sequence name and choose Send to>Soundtrack multi-track project.
In my workflow I normalize all the dialog clips to the same general level. Then I EQ, frequency spectrum delete any steady noises like whining, noise reduce background noise a tiny bit. Now I being mixing the dialog so that I have an average dialog level of -6dB in the output bus. Next, add room tone and SFX. Export back to FCP sequence.

Audio on dvd

Hello,
I have edited in FCP, exported using compression. DVD Studio to burn project. The DVD playes fine in my Mac Book. Sadly, it's not working on another player. The other player displays video, no audio? Any thoughts?

Much bigger then my usual footage.
What do you mean with bigger?
About the uadio issue, using AIFF audio in DVD-R discs can (frequently!) cause playback problems most in stand alone players because the high bitrate. Some old players cannot manage the total AIFF + MPEG2 bitrate.
AC3 uses less space and a lower bitrate and well encoded you'll get almost the same audio quality (at least for the standard audience), and all players can read this format.
If you find your AC3 audio has lower volume/level than the original one, change the standard preset as follow:
- Dialog Normalization: -31
- Compression preset: None
Alberto

Exporting options for dvd studio pro4

Hi I need advice on what settings to use to burn a 4minute clip to dvd.
Its been edited with final cut and trying to burn with with dvd studio pro4,the problem is that I have exported from final cut with same settings(quicktime movie)but I get the error "bit rate too big" on dvd studio pro,and when I try to export with different settings from final cut,dvd studio pro doesnt accept the file.
Can anyone help?
Thanks a lot
Danny

Danny:
Most probably (99%) your high bitrate error is produced by your audio and not by your video.
Encoding your assets inside DVDSP creates AIFF (uncompressed) audio that besides to produce frequently the highbitrate error, takes more space in your disc and what's worst, a lot of playback issues in stand alone DVD plares (at least using DVD-R, I mean not replicated discs).
For a 4 min project I would use the following workflow:
- From your timeline in FCP select Export > Using Compressor ...
- In Compressor take the standard DVD High Quality 90 min MPEG2 preset and change from VBR to CBR:
- Save the new preset with a different name and use it in your movie batch.
- Now select the standard Dolby 2 preset and change the following settings to keep your audio levels:
* Dialog Normalization : -31
* Compression preset: None
- Save the preset with a new name and drag it to the movie batch.
- Press Submit button.
Use that MPEG2 and AC3 files in your DVDSP project. You probably will get a better video quality and for sure none high bitrates error.
You'll find a lot of helpful info for your authoring in the DVDSP Forum.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Normalize or compression

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