Normalize and Volume Q's

[disco technique]

I'm unsure whether to normalize my sample when exporting audio.

Say i've gota 2 bar disco loop from an AIFF, i've done the warping and want to work on the loop, so i export it (at 24bit). should i normailze? I want as little degradation of audio as possible.

Also if the sample is from an old cd, it maybe much quieter than a modern cd. At what point (and where) should i raise the the dB's. Pre-export, post-export, or not at all? In the sample edit window, or raise the mixer levels on the channel in the clip view window (pre- or post- export)?

My aim is to work with various loops from different sources that have the same (optimal) volume (depending on dynamics), with the audio sounding as clean as possible.

[ARDJ]

records were still mastered back in the day so you shouldn't need to normalize, you might compress it a bit if you're trying to get some instruments up louder in comparison but you don't to normalize. If you ripped it off a CD it's at most 16 bit so no sense in rendering it to 24bit, the conversion won't help you in anyway and will just use excess space.

on a side note, why render in the first place are you bringing it into another program?

[disco technique]

hi,

thanks for your reply, so if the original source has been mastered i would not need to normalize.

And the point about 16 vs. 24 bit is something i wondered about, i would have thought it pointless to render at 24bit, but i have heard of people sampling on 12bit samplers who then have the sample on the computer at 24bit.

I want to render the audio because i like to work with small post-warped loops. (i would think that this saves cpu power???)

[ARDJ]

hi,

thanks for your reply, so if the original source has been mastered i would not need to normalize.

And the point about 16 vs. 24 bit is something i wondered about, i would have thought it pointless to render at 24bit, but i have heard of people sampling on 12bit samplers who then have the sample on the computer at 24bit.

I want to render the audio because i like to work with small post-warped loops. (i would think that this saves cpu power???)

consolidating will help w/ RAM (because ableton will have to load a smaller data point into memory) but you don't need to offline render to do that, just highlight the regino and Ctrl (or Cmd) + J. Happy discoing, it's my fav!

[disco technique]

thanks for that,

how would you approach raising the volume of quieter samples -gain on the sample edit window, or raise the levels on the appropriate channel on the mixer?

i like your tracks, ARDJ, by the way.

[Tone Deft]

first thing I do with a recording or sample is to go into Clip View and raise the volume until it at touches the top of the window.

[ARDJ]

thanks for that,

how would you approach raising the volume of quieter samples -gain on the sample edit window, or raise the levels on the appropriate channel on the mixer?

i like your tracks, ARDJ, by the way.

too tough to say without hearing it but just do what sounds best, there are no rules just guides

[H20nly]

first thing I do with a recording or sample is to go into Clip View and raise the volume until it at touches the top of the window.

I raise volumes there... but I always wonder if this has any negative effects on the sample because of that doubt, I usually only knock the volume up a couple of dB tops. do you know if there are any weird relationships (between Clip View and Audio tracks volumes) or other caveats to consider/worry about? I guess I'm wondering if it introduces/increases real or perceived noise or amplifies flaws in the sample.

[Tone Deft]

negative effect? it all raises the noise floor. AFAIK it's the same thing, they might have different amounts of headroom.

it's more so I can use the track faders more effectively. all the samples start out the same with a nice strong level. if they were all different then the look/feel of the faders would get weird.

[ARDJ]

first thing I do with a recording or sample is to go into Clip View and raise the volume until it at touches the top of the window.

I raise volumes there... but I always wonder if this has any negative effects on the sample because of that doubt, I usually only knock the volume up a couple of dB tops. do you know if there are any weird relationships (between Clip View and Audio tracks volumes) or other caveats to consider/worry about? I guess I'm wondering if it introduces/increases real or perceived noise or amplifies flaws in the sample.

i doubt it, i think the clip view volume exists in case you want to use multiple clips on a track you don't need to do volume automation but the clips themselves hold their own values no matter where they are moved. it makes a lot of sense when performing live w/ erm live but i use it in producing like on FX tracks, i have like 2 FX tracks, all set to say -10db then i when i drop in fx samples i adjust the clip volume for each one, route them together and call it a day

[disco technique]

Nice one Tone Deft, this is exactly the advice i'm looking for.

Any other hints, tips or links to threads discussing these issues would be gratefully appreciated.

Many thanks

[Tone Deft]

the tracks themselves have massive amounts of headroom, 63dB IIRC. it's OK to drive the tracks into the red, NEVER drive the Master into the red. run your tracks hot, keep the Master below 0dB (some say -3dB, some say -6dB). expand the window above the faders up and wider to see more volume info. see the little peak level markers? hit ctrl-click on one of them to clear them ALL. run your track, see what the levels are like and adjust from there. ALWAYS trust your ears before your eyes. if it sounds good go with it, don't overthink it.

these essays are pretty much a standard reference around here. I haven't read them but I've read lots of his posts on these topics, I agree with his ways. he's better and more experienced than most of us as well.

http://www.tarekith.com/misc.html

[H20nly]

the tracks themselves have massive amounts of headroom, 63dB IIRC.

yeah, I believe thats correct as well. I think you're referring to the thread where dom (or maybe it was [nis]??) at Abe HQ was talking about that several months back. he explained how the powers worked etc. and explained that the red is fine on all tracks but the master.

i doubt it, i think the clip view volume exists in case you want to use multiple clips on a track you don't need to do volume automation but the clips themselves hold their own values no matter where they are moved. it makes a lot of sense when performing live w/ erm live but i use it in producing like on FX tracks, i have like 2 FX tracks, all set to say -10db then i when i drop in fx samples i adjust the clip volume for each one, route them together and call it a day

this makes sense. I see what you and Tone Deft mean. It would make for a pain in the ass if the only way to adjust was by penciling it in on the tracks.

thanks fellas