Normalization of stereo tracks

[Timar]

I just noticed that when normalizing a stereo track Audacity does seem to normalize both stereo channels independently. I'm not sure whether this a bug or a "feature"? If it is the latter I would seriously recommend to change that quirky behaviour. It's contrary to what any other standard audio editor does when normalizing a stereo track and irretrievably destroys its integrity. If I'd ever want to normalize both channels of I stereo track idependently i would split them into two mono channels beforehand.

[bgravato]

Some say it's a feature and that there was a reason for it to be that way, others might disagree... This has been quite discussed lately and there's a proposal to change that behaviour.

Meanwhile if you don't want to lose the stereo balance you should use the amplify effect instead. It will basically work the same way, but stereo balance is preserved.

[steve]

I quite agree Timar.
If you feel strongly about this you may like to offer your feedback to the Audacity team via the "feedback" e-mail address on the main Audacity website: http://audacityteam.org/contact/

[Timar]

I'll do. I think it would be the best solution to include a checkbox for independent l/r normalization like Cool Edit has

[kozikowski]

Actually, my Cool Edit has a checkbox for "Link Tracks."

Koz

[Timar]

You are right, but it is checked by default.

[waxcylinder]

I'll do. I think it would be the best solution to include a checkbox for independent l/r normalization like Cool Edit has

Funny you should ask for that - there is a whole proposal under development in the Wiki:

See: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Proposal_Normalize
and: http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Talk: ... _Normalize

If you read the Talk/Discussion page carefully you should see your initial posting here which I copied across to try to support the proposal. Don't hold your breath though, it's quite likely that no work on this will be attempted until after the release of 2.0 (which is a pity really IMHO).

In the meantime use the workaround that bgravato suggested - which is to use the Amplify effect instead (that's what we all do).

WC

[kozikowski]

Adobe Audition has link check boxes for both Normalize and Amplify.

[X] Amplify Lock L and R
[X] Normalize L/R Equally

Both default to checked. They consider, rightly in my opinion, that a simple change in volume is very different from a theatrical balance change.

Normalize is the really tiny tool with only three options and oddly, one of those is the DC Bias. Amplify is the one with the huge panel with lists of things you can do with amplification. It's metaphor is the fader system on a mixer (Fade In, Fade Out, 3dB Cut, 10dB Boost, Pan Left, etc.) It, too, has the ability to manage DC.

Koz

[steve]

The latest alpha version of Audacity (1.3.14 alpha) now Normalizes stereo tracks as one track - that is, the two channels are amplified by the same amount.
There is an option (off by default) to amplify the channels independently.

Also, the "-" (minus sign) has been removed from the interface, so Normalize now follows the same convention as other Audacity effects, which is that to achieve a setting of, say, -3 dB, then the text should indicate "- 3".

Normalize in Audacity 1.3.14 alpha (Linux).
THIS IS NOT A MOCK-UP IT IS A SCREENSHOT!

normalize.png (18.68 KiB) Viewed 4005 times

[kozikowski]

Also, the "-" (minus sign) has been removed from the interface

That was good for a lot of furrowed brows. "Wait, how come it went the wrong way...?"

Koz