Effects-Normalize??

[nickb]

What exactly does "Normalize" do/mean? Does it mean getting rid of very highs and very lows and sort of averaging them to a mid-range of my choice? Please clarify. Thanks in advance.

[waxcylinder]

It amplifies the track to a maximum amplification bnased on the loudest part of the track. Default is to go to 0dB I normally choke it back a bit to -2.0dB to give it soem headroom as some players don't like fiels that go all the way to 0dB - -2dB will be plenty loud enough.

Note that there are two Adacity commands that are similar but subtly different:

Amplify - this works on both channels of a stereo pair as a pair amplifying both channels the same amount, based on the loudest peak in either channel.

Normalize - this works on each channel of a stereo pairindependently. Note that this can alter/damage the stereo image, but can be useful if your audio setup is not balanced.

I personally use Amplify because I have a balanced recording chain.

WC

[waxcylinder]

Oh and Normalize has another useful little function called "Remove DC offset". You do not need this unless your sioundcard is applyind DC to the signal (is faulty in other words).

You can see if you have DC offset on the signal if the waveform in Audacity is not centered on the zero line. If you do have this you should apply the DC Offset command immediately after capture and before any other processing.

WC