Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 873)

How Normalization Gain Works in Final Cut Pro
Audio normalization works by scanning audio for the peak (loudest) sample level and
then applying a Gain filter that brings the peak level to the level you request. By default
this value is 0 dBFS, the highest level possible before clipping occurs. The Gain filter raises
the overall audio level.
Peak
Peak
0 dBFS 0 dBFS 0 dBFS
First, audio is scanned and
the audio peak is detected. Next, gain is added so the
audio peak is set to 0 dBFS. The audio is normalized, with
the peak level set at 0 dBFS.
In most applications, audio normalization is a destructive process because it permanently
modifies audio files. Final Cut Pro applies normalization nondestructively by applying a
Gain filter to a clip instead of affecting the clip’s audio file. You can disable or remove the
Gain filter and hear the original, unmodified audio file.
To apply normalization gain to audio clip items in a sequence
1 Select one or more audio clip items in a sequence.
2 Choose Modify > Audio > Apply Normalization Gain.
The Apply Normalization Gain dialog appears.
3 In the “Normalize to” field, enter the value you want to raise each audio clip’s peak value
to, then click OK.
The dialog displays a progress bar and Final Cut Pro begins calculating the peak value
for each clip. After processing, each selected clip has its own Gain filter applied with a
gain adjustment appropriate for that clip’s normalization.
How Linked Mono and Stereo Clips Are Normalized
The Apply Normalization Gain command works differently depending on the type of clip
items selected:
• Single mono clip item or multiple linked mono clip items: A separate Gain filter is applied
to each clip item, and peaks for each clip item are calculated independently.
• Stereo clip items: A stereo Gain filter is applied to the stereo clip items, and the Gain
setting is based on the peak value across both channels.
873 Chapter 54 Evaluating Levels with Audio Meters