What does normalize audio do?

Audio normalization is the application of a constant amount of gain to an audio recording to bring the amplitude to a target level (the norm). Peak normalization adjusts the recording based on the highest signal level present in the recording. Loudness normalization adjusts the recording based on perceived loudness.

Does normalization affect audio quality?

It doesn’t affect the audio quality as such. The audio quality remains the same. All you are doing is blowing up the audio like a balloon, but by making it louder you are making it noisier. If you have to normalize it usually means one thing, the audio has been recorded too quiet, which is never good.

Should you normalize your tracks?

Normalizing raises the signal level, but also raises the noise level. Louder tracks inevitably mean louder noise. You can turn the level of a normalized track down to lower the noise, of course, but then why normalize in the first place? Louder tracks leave less headroom before clipping occurs.

What level should I normalize audio?

Audio Normalization Pros Avoid peaks above 0 dBFS: At high enough sample rates, normalizing a track to reach maximum loudness will keep the audio at or below the digital maximum, thereby avoiding digital clipping/distortion.

Should I normalize when mastering?

A: Few mastering engineers rely entirely on the normalization function of a software DAW to adjust levels. Normalizing increases the gain of an audio file until its loudest point (or sample) is at the maximum available level of the system.

When should you normalize track?

A pre-mastering track: If you are about to send a track for mastering that you think needs the volume of the lower-volume sections pumped up, then normalizing can help. Otherwise, if you already pushed it with gain staging, normalizing it will cut off the headroom for the mastering engineer to do his or her job.

When should you normalize audio tracks?

Audio should be normalized for two reasons: 1. to get the maximum volume, and 2. for matching volumes of different songs or program segments. Peak normalization to 0 dBFS is a bad idea for any components to be used in a multi-track recording. As soon as extra processing or play tracks are added, the audio may overload.

What level should I normalize to?

So you can use normalization to reduce your loudest peak by setting the target to just under -3 dB, like say -2.99 dB.