Normalize or Add Gain which one do you use more??

Just out of curiosity I use Add gain more than Normalize for the extra control on my peaks...What do you guys do most?
Cheers

Normalize then gain reduction if the sample's level is too high

Depends. Sometimes you may not want the sound output maxed to 0db! Depends on the situation though!

That's my point about control...I prefer to leave some headroom in the waves in case I need it later...But the use Normalize then Gain Reduction is a neat trick too (thanx kaia) for more precision in the output I guess.

Add Gain pretty much.

TT_Lab wrote:That's my point about control...I prefer to leave some headroom in the waves in case I need it later...But the use Normalize then Gain Reduction is a neat trick too (thanx kaia) for more precision in the output I guess.

yes in the output

I think adding gain is better because on most Daws (and I'm pretty sure the Ren is the same) if you normalize and a couple weeks later you might come back to your project and not like how the normalized sample sounds but now you will not be able to un-normalize. I just think adding gain gives you more options and flexibility.

The thing about normalizing is it leaves no headroom for mixing. So if you use any plugins on the sound, like an EQ or Compressor, any additive tweaks you make are gonna make the sound clip the plugin output.

DJ Hellfire wrote:The thing about normalizing is it leaves no headroom for mixing.

I am more of a gain tool fan than of normalizing for exactly that reason. But I mostly send the sample to outputs 3/4 and use an analogue amp to raise the level and resample. This way I keep the original sample rather than working destructively, as normalizing and leveling usually do.

In my opinion, normalizing should only be used on the finished song before it goes into (pre-) mastering process, for normalizing does weird things to your sample's noise floor (e.g. raising it's level), and using normalizing on various samples may add to the overall noise in a very odd sounding way.

83dude wrote: using normalizing on various samples may add to the overall noise in a very odd sounding way.

Agreed, especially when you normalize several samples the overall combined sonic difference may be very noticeable.

Gain can also be used for adding saturation/distortion.
Take a sample that's a couple of db below zero, add 6-8
db of gain. Obviously sample is peaking at 0db but you can hear
its not harsh digital distortion which has been added. Its a creative
effect also - which is the intention.

Normalise need a software addition. Set normalise to -2.0db etc

I would like to see a Normalize and a % like in JJos...
about gain/saturation I didn't knew it...never surpassed 0dB with it...ma try it!!

yeah try it.
I've been messing around with it. sometimes I get a decent result.
Also when sampling via the Rens inputs you can overload the input gain and get saturation there.

I keep meaning to test the Ren sampling its self (not internal sampling) by sending a sound to outs 3/4 and connecting those outs to the input and driving the input gain hard. Maybe that will produce better saturation? Might blow up the Ren though...

I use Add Gain when I want to lower, or even raise the volume of a sample by a few dbs, I use normalize when I want the sample max volume. I dont use either more than the other, just different situations where the mix calls for different techniques.

I use the Gain Change more often than Normalize, honestly, I only normalize on certain types of samples