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Subject:Normalise and Dynamic compression
Posted by: Mus
Date:2/28/2004 2:48:48 PM

Hi guys,

If I normalise to -12dB using RMS and apply dynamic compression it should prevent clipping for anything that hits 0, yet SF is reporting clipping. Can anyone kindly explain that to me?

Thanks

M

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: mcgeedo
Date:3/3/2004 6:03:33 AM

Compression depends on two things: threshold and amount.

Threshold is where the compressor decides to start working.

Amount is how much the gain is reduced, after the threshold is hit. An amount of 4 means that the output signal will go 1 dB over the threshold value if the input signal goes 4 dB above threshold. Set amount to a very high number and you'll effectively limit to very near the threshold. It may tend to sound harsh, though, at high amounts.

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Mus
Date:3/4/2004 11:10:28 AM

OK thanks mc. On the Normalise option, though I figured that SF would automatically use settings so that the signal would not go into the red - it still clips at 0dB.

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: rraud
Date:3/5/2004 6:11:26 PM

Of course.. I don't know what kind of dynamics your looking to contriol....RMS does not eliminate "overs" due to ratio, but , with out explaining....
Try using Wave Hammer on a minimal compression (gain reduction) setting.
(soft comp disabled possably) ????
Use this in place of normalize...to get target levels.
aka: loud
(one less process)..

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Mus
Date:3/6/2004 2:15:01 AM

OK, thanks I'll give that a try.

My understanding was that Normalise means make louder without clipping but the SF function doesn't do that. Is my assumption wrong?

M

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: RiRo
Date:3/6/2004 1:00:20 PM

i know what you are saying. I use the normalize to -6 db all the time for speech in commercials. Set it to use dynamic compression and it should not clip. At least mine does not.

RiRo

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Geoff_Wood
Date:3/7/2004 4:12:08 AM

MUS "OK thanks mc. On the Normalise option, though I figured that SF would automatically use settings so that the signal would not go into the red - it still clips at 0dB. "

No. Normalising to -12dB RMS does just that. It does not do any compression or limiting to prevent the result going into the red. If it did that, it would be doing a lot more than RMS normalising, which is not what it is designed for.

If you want that sort of thing, you need to use Wavehammer or Waves L1/2 (thats L1 / L2, not L0.5 !?) , etc.

geoff

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: DJ_ALADDIN
Date:3/8/2004 11:21:57 PM

any of you guy can give out you're setting and what you do for them thanks , it will make my life easier ;)

Aladdin

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: RiRo
Date:3/10/2004 12:17:50 AM

You said...

No. Normalising to -12dB RMS does just that. It does not do any compression or limiting to prevent the result going into the red. If it did that, it would be doing a lot more than RMS normalising, which is not what it is designed for.

If you want that sort of thing, you need to use Wavehammer or Waves L1/2 (thats L1 / L2, not L0.5 !?) , etc.

I disagree with this.

I use this all the time. In the normalize box, when selecting RMS, there is a box that says "If clipping occurs" and gives three options. One is to normalize peak value to 0 db, one is to do nothing, and one is to use dynamic compression. I use this every day on about a dozen audio cuts. It works, and it works well. Since it is RMS based, I can use it for both voices on an interview processed seperately, and have a very consistent sounding level of the audio.

select the preset "[Sys] Normalize RMS to -6 dB (very loud!)" and it will give you a great example of what I do. I tweak a bit, but this setting should take from a very low level to a high level, and give a good consistent listening level that does not clip.

One exception, if the sound file is already clipped... it ain't gonna help.

RiRo

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Rednroll
Date:3/10/2004 8:39:29 AM

"I disagree with this."

And I agree with Riro's disagreement.

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Geoff_Wood
Date:3/10/2004 1:55:40 PM

Well bugger me - you're right ! I've never noticed that box. Has it always been there ?

However, why not just use WaveHammer, which offers (arguably) more control over the dynamic compression.

Unless one has a fixation on the -12 number thing rather that the resultant sound.

geoff

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Mus
Date:3/11/2004 1:38:39 AM

Well, I use around -12dB to get consistent volume for a compilation of tracks. I'm careful not to clip the original file of course.

I'll try to find time to experiment a little more.

Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: RiRo
Date:3/11/2004 12:22:34 PM

you said...
why not just use WaveHammer

in a word... RMS

In an interview, I highlight the question, normalize to RMS. Highlight the answer, normalize to RMS. That gives a very even SOUND to the interview. Very smooth.

Just applying a 4:1 or a 2:1 compression does not do the same thing if the levels are different on the original material, or if one speaker is a pro and keeps his vocal level fairly consistent compared to the other person, who may be an expert in their field, but not a professional speaker.

RiRo


Subject:RE: Normalise and Dynamic compression
Reply by: Brasilia
Date:3/11/2004 8:41:58 PM

Hi, I'm finding this discussion very interesting cos I'm racking my brains here too trying to get the mastering on my demo CD right. I'd suggest that you try to normalize when applying dynamic compression or using wave hammer. Maybe you can read this, it can only help:

http://www.custcenter.com/cgi-bin/sonypictures.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=160&p_created=974786400&p_sid=pSC*Z56h&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NDMmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1tYXN0ZXJpbmcgYW5kIG5vcm1hbGl6aW5nIHdpdGggd2F2ZWhhbW1lciZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPXNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3Byb2RfbHZsMT0mcF9wcm9kX2x2bDI9JnBfY2F0X2x2bDE9JnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=


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