Audio editing order of operations (i.e. compressor, levels, normalize, etc)

j1clark@ucsd.edu said:
So, then, the noise is 'boosted' along with the 'desired' signal?
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Yes. Normalize only reads the highest peak in the file, then turns up the whole file to a set volume. You put in "-3db" and normalize finds the loudest peak and sets that to -3db. There is no special processing in normalize. It's not a compressor, or a maximizer or a limiter. It's just volume.

To get rig of noise you have to use noise reduction plugins. Or just make the space you record in more quiet.
 
Chadfish said:
Yes. Normalize only reads the highest peak in the file, then turns up the whole file to a set volume. You put in "-3db" and normalize finds the loudest peak and sets that to -3db. There is no special processing in normalize. It's not a compressor, or a maximizer or a limiter. It's just volume.

To get rig of noise you have to use noise reduction plugins. Or just make the space you record in more quiet.
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Just to confuse things the description of Sound Forges "normalize" feature, it sounds like a normalizer that also has a "dynamic limiter" and will "normalize" to an RMS value, which I think makes this a "maximizer" (if that option is checked). But they call it a "normalizer". So while I completely agree with you on the proper definition, some companies like to play loose with names. It drives me crazy but...
 
Noiz2 said:
Just to confuse things the description of Sound Forges "normalize" feature, it sounds like a normalizer that also has a "dynamic limiter" and will "normalize" to an RMS value, which I think makes this a "maximizer" (if that option is checked). But they call it a "normalizer". So while I completely agree with you on the proper definition, some companies like to play loose with names. It drives me crazy but...
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Interesting. So the Sound Forge version of a "normalize" plugin is actually a maximizer? And yes you are correct that you can apply dynamic limiting, if checked. The check box says it applies dynamic compression to prevent clipping. Does a maximizer just affect volume as does the normalize plugin? RMS would than raise the average peak of everything... instead of just looking for the highest peak in the file.. correct? What is the difference between a normalizer and a maximizers function?
 
I give up....


So I suppose "Normalize" is still Normalize, unless you change it to dynamic limiting, which is maximization.

Clear as crystal dudes.
 
Noiz2 said:
This is what happens when you let the marketing guys start naming things!
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I think Sonic Foundry's concept of "normalize" was way different than any other vendor at the time. It was all over their manuals and is possibly the most often used effect of any of the now (SF) Sony Media Software customers.

Funny thing, John Purcell's book has the word normalize in it exactly _once_ on page 72 and I quote.

"It’s not that no one was paying attention. Standards setting groups—Society
of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE), Audio Engineering
Society (AES), and European Broadcasting Union (EBU)—were looking for
ways to _normalize_ the exchange of this rich and diverse picture and sound
data."

:-).
 
budha said:
Hello everyone.

Is there a specific step by step process you should do when post processing narration/voice over audio as good as possible? I am recording podcasts for work now and I want them to sound great.

I understand you need a good mic, etc, but I am wondering what you do once it's recorded (I already have a good USB mic). I'm using STP3.

Also, is there a good way to make my voice sound richer/deeper, with an effect?

So for example (this probably isn't right, just throwing a list out there):

1. remove bg noise
2. adjust audio levels
3. run a limiter effect

Thoughts? Thanks!
Click to expand...


You got it right. Here's what I do:

1. Make sure the source sounds great. Air conditioner on? Turn it off for the recording (I have sweated like crazy for some podcast recordings) or at least take off the vent grille (if it's central air).

2. If you can hear the noise with your ears (close your eyes, it helps) it will be in your recording. Kill it.

3. Once your source is taken care of, make sure you're recording at reasonable levels. I record at 24-bit/44.1 for Podcasts so that I can set my peaks at -20 dB. Average levels between -36 to -18 dB.

4. Noise reduce, if necessary. You may just need to put a noise gate plugin on your track so that only audio over a certain level passes through. It can sound unnatural though to have zero noise floor. If you have music underneath your voice over it sounds great though.

5. Compress the audio. Get the levels within a 8-10 dB range. Tastes vary on this but for voice overs I like to even it out as much as possible.

6. De-esser, if necessary. Most people have sibalant sounding voices.

7. Raise the level up to near 0 dB.

8. Limiter as the last device in the chain. I like to limit my audio to -0.2dB for podcasts.

Check out some of my stuff at www.rarshow.com
 
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