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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2000
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Joined: Jul 2000
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I have noticed that there is no longer a Normalizer VST plugin available in RealBand. Has it been removed? Is there any other good option out there to replace it?
I know there are many who absolutely despise waveform normalization, but I had always found it useful, even as a first step in the mixing process. I would first audit each audio track, removing artifacts manually, and then run the normalizer to boost the signal level to 4 dB less than full scale. Then I could run my noise gate and compression with consistent results. The end goal was to have all tracks matched in amplitude levels for the final mixdown. A final post-mixdown normalization would ensure fairly consistent playback levels post production without fear of clipping.
I found normalization most helpful because my microphones are so sensitive that slight variations in mouth placement (off-axis singing reduces sibilance significantly) would result in major differences in recorded amplitude levels. In quartet mixing, it is good to get all the vocals at the same level for mixing; it certainly makes the whole process easier for me.
I know that I am dredging up an old topic from 2013, but this question is "Where is it?" rather than "Should I use it?" So, thanks!
Joel
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Sep 2001
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was there ever a normaliser plugin? i don't remember it in Powertracks or RB. what there is (was) is edit/audio effects/gain change/ with a normalise preset and the option to cut db by any number you like
if that's what you want it's still there and as far as i know never been away!
back in the day if i remember correctly, PG advised normalising then cutting by 3db to sit audio tracks in the mix with midi backing and preserve headroom - but i'm going back many many years!
Last edited by Bob Calver; 04/29/22 09:24 AM.
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I think there's a check box that allows you to automatically normalize the tracks.
I'm not 100% sure if this is in BB or RB or both but I recall seeing it. It's certainly not a plug in.
Regarding NORMALIZE. Yep, some folks despise it but it is nothing more that a simple, useful tool when used correctly and in the right circumstances.
Personally, I look at the waveform and use normalize only if it came out of BB/RB and it's weak. This used to be an issue with several tracks but it seems PG has fixed that because I've not had to use it for that recently. When I record something, if the waveform is weak, I adjust the input levels and record it again.
The downside to normalize is that it amplifies everything equally. So any noise, hum or other undesirable stuff in the track gets bumped up as well. Most often, I use Normalize these days in the final audio editing, clean up, stage. After my export and trimming..... I use Normalize to squeeze a bit of volume out of the track. It's generally not a very big gain at this point of the process for me.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 04/29/22 09:31 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Gain change works on individual tracks in RB while you are mixing. Yes, I think there is an option to normalise all wav files when you export each track to a separate file - I think!
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Thanks for the responses. The plugin might have actually been called a Peak Limiter, or something like that. Yes, you could set the headroom you wanted, and that was about it. The Gain Change is nice, but unpredictable unless you use it on the final mix, and know basically how much gain you need to apply in advance--doable but not quite as convenient.
Joel
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i still have PG Peak Limit as a plugin - is that what you are thinking of? Its a PG plugin so should be installed by default. access through the fx button on the audio tracks you want to change.
the gain change however does have a normalise preset so as long as you really do want to normalise that's what you want. no need to know db settings - just select the normalise preset - not at all unpredictable. it does what it says - normalise the track
if your tracks vary and you want them all at a consistent volume then normalise is what you want
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Oh, my word! You are absolutely correct, Bob! It has been so long since I have actually recorded anything that I completely forgot about the "Pre-Normalize" setting, and had it unchecked.
Thanks!
Joel
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