Subject:Compress & Normalize

Posted by: spongebob

Date:5/20/2003 1:53:06 PM

After creating a track in Acid, I usually render tracks as a wavs, normalize in Sound Forge, and then apply the 16 bit master compression preset. I was wondering if it is better to compress BEFORE or AFTER normalizing?

Subject:RE: Compress & Normalize

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:5/20/2003 3:05:16 PM

Always normalize last. Any further processing done after normalizing pretty much makes the previous normalizing a wasted step. The purpose of normalization is to bring the file up to some standard volume level. Other processing steps can alter the volume, so you'd just have to normalize again after other processing anyway. Since it's also desirable to do as few processing steps as possible, it's not a good idea to normalize before other processes.

Subject:RE: Compress & Normalize

Reply by: spongebob

Date:5/20/2003 3:55:55 PM

Thanks, that makes sense. One other question: does it make a big difference if you compress/normalize individual tracks within a piece vs. compres/normalize the entire piece after it is complete?

Subject:RE: Compress & Normalize

Reply by: Erik_Nygaard

Date:5/22/2003 3:22:49 AM

Use compression on individual tracks when you need to tame levels/make it gel better in the overall mix/as a sound-shaping tool.
Compression may also be used on a master track, but usually only slighty unless you want it to sound very loud (and ruined...).
Personally I would not normalize a track unless the levels were very low and there was no change of re-recording it.