[LAU] metering, mixing levels was Re: Ardour: exporting woes

[Robin Gareus]

On 04/12/2016 02:25 PM, Jörn Nettingsmeier wrote:

>> Why would 3 weeks of work on 25 tracks be thrown to a
>> mathematical function that will move one fader ?
> 
> ???
> 
> That still sounds like you're confused about it.
> 
> If you normalise the master output, it does not affect your mixing
> balance at all. All the mysterious "mathematical function" does is:
> 1. play the song through a "peak hold" meter.
> 2. look at the maximum peak level, say it's minus n dB FS.
> 3. play the song again with the master fader at plus n dB FS
> 4. save the result
> 

It is equivalent to the guy who listens to the music turning the volume
dial on the amp. It does not affect the mix at all.

If you export too soft, s/he will have to turn up the amp.


One positive side effect of normalization is that you get the best
signal/noise ratio for the exported target (usually 16bit). If the
loudest peak is at 0dBFS the whole [16bit] range is available for
dynamic range.  If the digital peak is at -6dBFS you get one less bit
dynamic range (with integer encoding).


ciao,
robin