Loudness normalization combats varying loudness when listening to multiple songs in a sequence. that defined by EBU R128 and offered by ReplayGain, Sound Check and GoldWave.įor example, YouTube's preferred loudness level is −14 LUFS, so if an audio program is analyzed to be −10 LUFS, YouTube will lower the loudness by 4 dB to bring it to the preferred level. RMS), or more accurate, such as a measure that addresses human perception e.g. This average may be approximate, such as a simple measurement of average power (e.g. Loudness normalization Īnother type of normalization is based on a measure of loudness, wherein the gain is changed to bring the average loudness to a target level. This feature of digital-recording systems, compression and limiting followed by peak normalization, enables contemporary trends in program loudness. When combined with compression/limiting, however, peak normalization becomes a feature that can provide a loudness advantage over non–peak-normalized material. As such, peak normalization is generally used to change the volume in such a way to ensure optimal use of available dynamic range during the mastering stage of a digital recording. Since it searches only for the highest level, peak normalization alone does not account for the apparent loudness of the content. One type of normalization is peak normalization, wherein the gain is changed to bring the highest PCM sample value or analog signal peak to a given level – usually 0 dBFS, the loudest level allowed in a digital system. Normalization adjusts the gain by a constant value across the entire recording. Normalization differs from dynamic range compression, which applies varying levels of gain over a recording to fit the level within a minimum and maximum range. Loudness normalization adjusts the recording based on perceived loudness. Peak normalization adjusts the recording based on the highest signal level present in the recording. Two principal types of audio normalization exist. Normalization is one of the functions commonly provided by a digital audio workstation.

Because the same amount of gain is applied across the entire recording, the signal-to-noise ratio and relative dynamics are unchanged. Application of gain to a recording to achieve a target levelĪudio normalization is the application of a constant amount of gain to an audio recording to bring the amplitude to a target level (the norm).

Adobe audition loudness normalization