Apple WaveBurner 1.5 - Manual (Page 35)

Chapter 3 Working With Regions 35
Normalizing Regions
Typically, you want the volume level of your audio regions to be as high as possible,
without causing clipping. Changing the level of a region to the maximum possible
value—without causing clipping—is known as normalizing.
When a region is normalized, it is boosted so that the signal peak reaches (but doesn’t
exceed) the set digital level (maximum: 0 dB, but see below). All other portions of the
region are boosted by the same amount, so that the original dynamic range of the
recording is maintained. This ensures that the region will play at maximum level,
without clipping.
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Tip: You should not choose 0 dB in the Normalize dialog, as this may result in clipping
should you wish to increase the gain of the overall signal afterwards, say with an EQ. A
further issue is that many CD players clip signals that reach 0 dB. As a good rule of
thumb, you should leave at least 3 to 6 dB of “headroom,” to allow for further audio
processing tasks, such as mixing, and effects processing.
To normalize regions:
1 Select the regions in the Region list or Wave View area.
2 Choose Region > Normalize Region.
3 In the Normalize window, set a target level lower than the maximum peak level (0 dB) if
desired.
4 If several regions are selected, choose to either:
 Maintain the relative volumes of the regions by deactivating the Normalize Each
Region Individually checkbox.
 To normalize each individually (by activating the Each track Individually option).
Although the latter option results in higher volume levels, it also may cause a change in
the relative volumes between regions.