VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Tom Greenlee]

Hi Everyone.....I would like to know the correct procedure for after you record yourself..... do any of you normalize (some programs call it maximize)the audio? If you DO normalize the audio, is it best to normalize before or after you have added any effects (i.e. echo or reverb etc)? AND......do you normalize at a full 100% or do you go less? Thanks for whatever advice you can give.....
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[dhouston67]

My rule of thumb is, normalize should be the last step. The level you use is up to you (and, perhaps, the client); myself, I normalize my radio spots at -1 dB; but then again, that's purely for trimming down peaks that may have escaped the compression.
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[anthonyVO]

I rarely normalize my audio - if at all.
The only time I remember even using normalization is when certain sweeps/SFX are too low when imported, then I normalize then to about -2 or -3. That's it.

My final audio usually gets slightly compressed and limited - or just slightly compressed (by my Behringer outboard compressor) when I'm not producing it.

It's always good to leave headroom for EQ and other stuff.

-Anthony

[Hart]

That's very interesting. The first thing I do to the voice when producing radio commercials to is to normalize it to 98%. Then I'll put it in the multitrack and add effects or processing. Mind you, at work I have no external processing. Mic to mixer to computer - so all my processing gets done after I normalize.
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Brian Hart Productions

[allensco]

I record first, then apply what plugins I will (if necessary) THEN normalize to -6 db to allow for plenty of headroom if the producer needs it. Sometimes I'll normalize to -3 db but most of the time stay at -6 db. Don't know if this is a good thing, but no one's complained yet

[billelder]

I go Mic to Voice Processor to computer. Nothing else is really needed as my mixer is used for moinitoring the computer audio.

search word "normalize"
thread 1
search word "chain"
thread 1
thread 2
thread 3

Hope this helps!

(Search is my friend)

[Deirdre]

I use a bit of Bombfactory compression sometimes.
It is dandy for evening out the amplitudes.

Normalizing in my setup seems to take the lows too low. I am certain I'm misusing it, so thank goodness I rarely need anything "extra".
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[marko]

I rarely normalize as well. I record directly into my Avalon Pre/EQ and it sounds so amazing that I NEVER have to do anything else to my voice track..

Before I got the Avalon I was impressed with the standard EQ that comes with Pro Tools, though.

[MichaelJ]

An important thing to remember--IF you normalize--is that the normalization process acts basically as a volume adjustment. So, unless your original audio is pristine (like Hart's), you may end up inadvertently boosting some sounds you don't want to boost.

My processing chain usually looks something like this:
+RECORD (EQ/etc. as necessary on the input)
+APPLY NOISE GATE (as needed to eliminate the barely-audible clicks, breaths, etc.)
+EDIT
+NORMALIZE (greatest peak, usually to -1 d
+RENDER

As you've probably noticed, however, everyone has their own procedure, depending on hardware/software, client needs, and personal preference.

I would suggest that you consider these elements (i.e. hardware/software, client needs, personal preference) in evaluating YOUR situation.

Results may vary.

[Edo]

There is a risk involved in normalizing... if you do want to do it, wait until the final stage of the recording. I stay away from normalizing as it messes up whatever processing you use. If you use a good preamp, the peaks and controlled overshoots define what your overall sound is. Some clipping is also involved here, especially when your setup contains tubes. This is what you want. What you need to avoid is that peaks (that otherwise are clipped) become the upper threshold or loudest information in your audio file... and they remain untouched. Normalizing also means that your overall loudness will drop considerably. Furthermore, normalizing can add unwanted artefacts to your recording when programming of the used tool was poor. It is wiser to use a little more compression, so that your average dynamics are within a certain range. Then raise the volume before mastering. This will secure whatever sound you find suitable for delivery to your client.

Then again... if you are on Pro Tools (and not on a budget) life gets a bit easier when using Sony Oxford Inflator and Waves L3 plug-ins.

Regards from The Netherlands,

Edo Peters