Normalize Audio Files in REAPER

[@DashiellBibler]

2 years later and this is helping me so much with normalizing guitar takes, the myth part was FANTASTIC and saved me from doubting whether normalizing was a good idea or not. I love the videos so much dude thank you!

[@arthurmee]

As ever, Kenny is the man . . . crystal clear demonstatrions and explanations. Thank you once more Kenny. So glad I chose Reaper a couple of years ago.

[@NeurovisionGorn]

Can't thank you enough for these! I'm studying my first year for sound design/engineering and we had to learn a DAW by ourself (it's been 7 years since I worked in Logic or any other DAW) and you made it possible.

[@lykerzjahtym600]

Normalize helps you to identify and remove unwanted noises during mastering. Ignore normalizing only if you don't want your song mastered🙏🏾

[@TheArgus1000]

This channel is amazing!

[@chezchezchezchez]

You new?

[@TheArgus1000]

@@chezchezchezchez Recently started working with Reaper on daily basis.

[@Christbeatty]

Your videos are an invaluable source of information - I've been using Reaper for years and am just now digging into the bones of it to get it to work exactly how I would like it. Time and time again I wonder "How do I do X?" and I'm always met with one of your tutorials. Thank you. You are amazing.

[@nerdfactor500]

Where would we be without Kenny Gioia's tutorials? Fumbling in the dark like a teanager that's were.

[@MrMapacheco]

I only used to normalize or at least bring up the volume of a file whenever I needed to see the waveform while editing. That shift+up shortcut is going to come in very handy!

[@plansonore]

hey, I have no buttons at the top of my files containers. I just begin on Reaper 6. Do they change this normalizing function access in the new version ?

[@Vagen_d]

@Robert Davis This doesn't appear to work for me. I am also unable to find the buttons to adjust a track after normalizing. No matter how large the tack lane is made. EDIT: At @7:30s Kenny talks about how to make the volume button show up in preferences. Maybe that could have been mentioned earlier...

[@defiverr4697]

How do I get the volume knob on top of the track, where the name.wav is? Is there a setting for it? I use V and the volume envelope shows up below the track. tnx.

[@elmo7sharp9]

It's worth noting that REAPER does not normalise the source FILES - it's the REPLAY GAIN of Items and Takes that is altered, the source media is left untouched.

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

So it basically treats the source file like a RAW file in photography. Makes sense.

[@klon22]

is a not destructive work flow, if you want preserve items with a normalization setting you have to render to wav output.

[@REAPERMania]

@@klon22 You can also "glue" the item.

[@klon22]

@@REAPERMania thanks, i need to study this glue function

[@Hansipp]

@@klon22 CTRL+SHIFT+G ;)

[@bsmith5433]

Bedroom guitar player here. Recording at bedroom volumes has a lot of potential issues, however - I find that my wave forms are low (Amp into an interface, and a gate plugin placed on the input side of the track). In windows, I use Ctrl-Shift-N on the selected track item (recording of guitar at bedroom volume) after recording, to normalize the item. It allows me to mix with smaller db cuts by way of the track fader and doesn't mess with the other track items. The trick of 'splitting' the item never occurred to me - great tip!

[@31416]

Every single video of yours teaches me something usefull. According to my current level and needs. Never a wasted minute. You Sir are a teaching genious and a gift to our community. Thank you. ❤

[@CoverBeats46]

How to put the volume knob in the audio track? Thank you

[@blackvx]

Great video! There is another awesome tutorial you made 3 years ago to cleanup and optimize the audio using only reaper if anyone else wonder. 👍👍 Thanks!

[@alexanderjoewinterbone676]

how very timely.. you must have gained some mind reading powers during lockdown :)

[@ericgamliel8500]

This is exactly what I needed to know right now. You too??? LOL.

[@jmusicproject1]

Thx for all your videos.

[@andrewpasquan6220]

i dont have the normalize scroll thing how do i get it to show?

[@RiverwoodOfficial]

I always Normalize before I add stretch markers on visible transients ... much easier to get them down automatically

[@AjushiPhotography]

By far the best explanation on KZbin!

[@urasam2]

Quite uncanny, I was looking for info on this topic only yesterday! Great video, Kenny!

[@flamindigo]

the item volume knob preference made this video worth it

[@marcelchaloupka]

a couple of questions. the tiny gain control in the tracks title bar "the one you are clicking on and dragging up and down" to change the gain. how do you get that to display? also can you change the gain for a selected area instead of the entire track /tracks?

[@LaterHolmes]

He discusses this at around 7:40.

[@jerrymiller9350]

Just learning reaper. Excellent so far

[@hobojam31]

This channel and Kenny are so helpful. Really appreciate the effort here!!🎸🎸

[@LucianoClassicalGuitar]

I don't see those normalize buttons on my computer, the little knob that you move in order to make it louder. Where is it? It's not at the top of the track :(

[@kahnzo]

I'm just getting started, and this and your gain staging video really really helped me. Thank you!

[@JonHarris77]

Not explicitly mentioned, but if you are using any dynamics plugins such as a compressor, normalizing will change the sound since you will be hitting the compressor harder. This can be quite significant. That's why it's a good idea to normalize at the very beginning of the project, before you start adding plug-ins and tweaking things. Something to be aware of.

[@linus7255]

So true. Same with guitar amp sim plugins. They can sound drastically different after normalizing if you don't reduce the input level.

[@REAPERMania]

Yes. Either normalize as you go or before you start mixing.

[@TooGoodForTV]

Is there a way to set a limit on the normalizer? like to -10dB so it automatically gives headroom without adjusting it yourself.

[@espr7564]

Kennys vids are super thankyou from Germany 🇩🇪

[@mitchrosefelt8918]

Thanks for this! Double clicking the volume knob does not reset the normalization, only the volume adjustments. I don't see how to reset normalization of an item. Do you know how?

[@LucianoClassicalGuitar]

Where is that knob to normalize the sound? The one that makes it louder or softer?

[@CordaroRodriguez]

When I normalize, the DC offset of the transients are increased, resulting in some items having a softer perceived volume. Is there anyway to correct that?

[@shmuelgoldstein9020]

Curious. My Reaper does not have that option of grabbing that little circle to increase the volume. There must be some way to enable it.

[@no1hurduv29]

I am brand new to Reaper. I noticed that you have a nice and convenient Volume button in the upper LH corner of the window with the audio data. I have a *.wav filename in that location, but no volume button. I assume that I am running the latest version as I just downloaded and installed it on 10/3/2021. Is there some setting that I need to tweak?

[@Adam-hs1ft]

Watch at 7:38

[@bbronxx]

Hi, Kenny. I don't have that knob to normalize by the amount I want. Can you tell how can I have that knob on each track? Thank you!

[@johnenslinger6168]

I've learned so much from you, but thanks for this one especially!

[@stringsnare]

Hi Kenny, do you normalize audio files before mixing? Also, should we normalize before applying FX? What about after applying FX does it matter

[@REAPERMania]

Yes. I do it before mixing. You should definitely apply it before adding any dynamics based (compression) as it will affect how hard those effects are hit. Not sure what you mean by "after applying FX" because this is a volume change that comes before the track fx.

[@stringsnare]

@@REAPERMania thank you for responding! This answers it. I just meant pre vs.post plugins

[@rchlmusic]

Thanks @REAPERMania for such great videos, including this one. When I adjust my normalised track using the volume control I've enabled in View, it shows me a red line. This stays there, the part above the line greyed out. It works effectively and is handy - I just wonder if the difference from yours is the version, or something else I've got differently set.

[@rchlmusic]

Actually there is perhaps a problem. Having normalized some very quiet tracks to 0db I'm having to lower the db by as much as 8db to stop the Master meter going way over 0db. I have no plug-ins on the track or the Master. I'd be grateful to understand this!

[@reneaguilera1815]

@REAPERMania How do you normalize all tracks to a target dB?

[@RosssRoyce]

Very nice thanks! Key shortcut works but on mine there is no such little nodule at the corner of the wave which I can drag and normalize like you do. PS actually at the end you said it: preferences/volume! 😀

[@limouxine33]

I dont have the option to display knob under media in appearances. Everything looks the same but dont have that box to check.

[@AuddityHipHop]

how do i normalize the final output of the entire song to -3db without having to drag it back into reaper? even if just on export. There doesnt seem to be ike a normalize FX i can put on the master track.. thatd be useful..

[@mr_stix]

Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Quick question, what's the difference between normalising a whole track and normalising sections of a track to a common gain

[@REAPERMania]

That's in the video. 5:56

[@tjns3]

What about the idea that most plugins work best with an input around -18db? Is that true or does this affect it at all?

[@REAPERMania]

Most? No. There are some and those should be telling you that.

[@PixelDroid]

Hey, thanks for this! Additional tip: The normalization level can be seen (and set) in the Media Item Properties panel (RMB on file). To reset to 0, double click the volume slider.

[@jazmanjef]

A problem I have encountered in the past: If a waveform is too low, and you apply automation-fade to all tracks, the low waveform track will not be affected by the fade----you have to create a separate automation-fade on the low track using the same fade points as the all-tracks automation-fade. Maybe the volume envelope of the low waveform is not large enough to be recognized by the automation-fade for all tracks. (?)

[@iluvyunie]

You knew I searched this didn't you Thanks Christopher Walken's younger cousin

[@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101]

Your tutorials are excellent! Thanks for posting!

[@blov3615]

What if my stems are very low in volume and the wav files are barley seen on the screen from the original mix being very low? Is it okay to normalize all the stem files and mix from there without it changing the sound of the loop? I mix my loops low usually and when I export stems the wav files are barely visible

[@robertYTB78g]

Really well presented and useful. Thanks for posting.

[@revaintunes6947]

Why am I unable to see a volume knob to do the normalize thing in Reaper?

[@beto5720]

6:20 am perfect time for a Kenny video

[@snowandcoal]

Is there way to normalize pre fx volume instead of item volume?

[@StopGooN]

Very solid tutorial like all of your videos. Thanks!

[@helmanfrow]

4:50 Hey, Kenny. Thanks for the video! Quick note: Because all of Reaper's audio paths are 32-bit float, running out of _actual_ headroom is effectively impossible. You can run out of _apparent_ headroom (i.e. you can clip the meters-which top out at 24 bits), but internally the signal is still intact and can be restored simply by attenuating the signal at a later gain stage, like the master fader. Keeping levels moderate is still a good practice for a few reasons, one of which-ideal input levels for some plugins-you already mentioned. Also, some plugins might use fixed-point maths and could distort internally. Moreover, keeping all signals nominal allows the channel faders to operate in their intended range which is conducive to a smooth, effective workflow.

[@REAPERMania]

Yes. I only mention because if you leave it fully normalized and add even a tiny bit of EQ, you will be clipping pretty fast. It won't matter if the fader is lower on the channel but I also think it's a good idea to give yourself just a bit in this area.

[@Hermiel]

@@REAPERMania Yes, it would clip the meters, but not the internal mix bus. Dan Worrall did a short video on this topic a while back kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpmUfmaHj6yeq5o but there's no talking. Perhaps this has potential as a future _REAPER Mania_ video?

[@Ihadtosettleforthis]

@@Hermiel Kenny actually already did a video on this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5bJmpaha959d5Y

[@Hermiel]

@@Ihadtosettleforthis Ah, so he did! I realize now that I've even seen that video. My bad!

[@Ihadtosettleforthis]

@@Hermiel No worries, just wanted to point it out in case anyone else was reading this thread as well :)

[@tony_austin]

Right at the start of the video (0:34) you say "bring up the volume like this" - but I don't have the little round knob control that use at the top left of the item. Where can I find that?

[@tony_austin]

He explains at 7:52 - Preferences/Media/Volume Knob

[@apfelzimt8068]

PERFECT eplenation! Keep up the good work!

[@DrumsbyPaulyG]

Very helpful. Thanks. Cheers Paul.

[@TheSkull698]

Another awesome lesson, thank you!

[@muhammadsarmadhussain3400]

Thanks for sharing such a great info!

[@simonwalker2073]

This increases the signal post effects right?

[@BlackNomad1]

This is one of the areas I’ve always been a little confused and disappointed by with Reaper. In other DAWs you can normalise to a specific dB. -3dB etc. Yet Reaper just smashes it right to 0 dB every time and I don’t understand why they don’t let you normalise to a specific dB easily like others do.

[@veryawful861]

I agree. You could always normalize using a third party plugin though?

[@BlackNomad1]

@@veryawful861 it’s okay. More recent versions of Reaper let you do exactly what is mentioned here. Which is great :)

[@Setha107]

When I normalize my tracks. That little wheel that you are using to adjust the normalization isn't appearing for me. How can I get that knob? e.g. 2:25

[@Setha107]

Very much appretiated.

[@moecool1157]

How do I find the volume button top left of track

[@ALLWAYZJSGll]

Thanks for this kenny

[@thewrenchreviews9986]

Thank you Kenny.

[@dubcitystudios509]

Can you make a video of the presence eq for vocals ? Also how to use the de-easer and saturation PLEASE! Man u the GOAT

What's the best way to render to a normalized file? What I do now is do a normal render, see what how close I am to the normalization I want (0 dB, -3 db, etc.) and if I'm not getting the level I want, adjust the master output and re-render until I get the proper level. Is there a better way?

I usually just render to whatever level (as long as it doesn't clip) and then use an external audio editor to normalize each rendered file.

[@REAPERMania]

I usually put a limiter on all of my mixes.

[@jessicapsalmist8205]

How can we improve signal to noise ratio and get rid of the hiss? I've noticed this when recording level is high

[@TheresaCroft]

I really was thinking this question so than you so much...I have subscribed. I'm loving Reaper but there is a learning curve from using Audacity...

[@richpav]

How do you find out what volume plugins prefer?

[@zendakk]

The manuals/documentation usually mention it if relevant. You can also do some manual testing to hear how the plugin responds to different gain levels. It's mostly stuff modelled on analog gear, like classic compressors, consoles etc, but also many guitar amp sims work best at -18.

[@mariodario9033]

I am many years in sound engineering but still don't get it...why use nirmalization at all ? Soundcard resolution is high enough to mix properly if gain during recording was set right...then why should I normalize material ? Any idea more than "because I can" ?

[@TheCompleteGuitarist]

That would presume all recordings come back within a certain range. What do you do if the signal of one take is too low and off the chart in the mixer?

[@bruce1106]

I edit audio files that are recorded by my church, and extract the sermon audio. Sometimes the mic level is a bit low. Normalization is a quick and easy way to bring the level up to something reasonable.

[@vanderneut]

Your abstract animation at 0:58 of your normalising the wave file is actually incorrect! In your animation you simply moved the whole signal up: the higher signal goes up by the same exact amount as the lower Noise level, making it look as if the Noise is now twice as loud before (increase of about 100%) and the Signal is only increased by about 33%. If that were true, then you *would* have worsened the signal-to-noise ratio. In actuality the wave shape should have been stretched (instead of merely raised), to indicate that both the noise and signal have been raised at the same proportional rate to their original loudness, in which case the signal-to-noise ratio stays the same.

[@Ihadtosettleforthis]

Yes I agree

[@Eckster]

Ah, I was gonna actually ask about that, the math didn't add up (if you add a constant to two numbers typically their ratio WILL change) glad you were able to clarify.

[@dariusmolark6820]

as always sir, excellent!

[@robertporter2447]

You should tell how to turn knob on at start! Everyone is saying I don't have that knob. This setting should be default on. To turn on it is not easy to find or understand by menus. Thanks for the great tutorial on how to use it!! Z.K.

[@artysanmobile]

I know this is duh obvious, but it’s worth mentioning that normalizing a file in a track that already has dynamics plugins inserted requires great care, resetting of at least one plugin parameter, often more.

[@dvalward]

Kenny, I don't have that audio button on my track like you do. How do I get it there??

[@zendakk]

It's off by default. You need to set an option under Appearance, he shows it in the later part of the video.

[@moondog50002000]

Love the accent . "Hello my name is Kenny Gioia , in todays video I am gonna teach you how to whack a rat fink with a piano string ".

[@QBtracksandstuff]

Amazing!! You are the man Kenny

[@Eric-dd8bk]

But wouldn't you need to normalize your dry guitar recording for there are certain signal level that amp sim plugins are modeled on top of? Otherwize, good to know that normalizing isn't always necessary. Thank you.

[@chrisburns2853]

Hey @REAPERMania Just curious. I am learning reaper to help many that are doing VO. They are being told to Normalize to -3 or -1. They have been using audacity or audition and want to transition to reaper. How do we set that as a standard in Reaper? I know it is required for some of the VO websites to be at a -1 or -3.

[@frankthomas8782]

Kenny...You my only friend.

[@artysanmobile]

One more thing to watch out for is gain-setting an entire edited track’s clips, then much later deciding to make some improvements to the edit. Oops. An option I could really get behind would be ‘normalize parent files’. This could use the peak level of the parent file, rather than the visible clips to determine max gain, saving some grief later.

[@Benjamin-om3ih]

Hi Kenny Would you recommend normalizing all audio before starting a mix?

[@REAPERMania]

I talk about this in the video. I do it. But it's up to you.

[@cmccormick1996]

thats a hot vocal track

[@rickpearce9239]

Again, great information. thank you.

[@adammullendore4060]

Ive always done this, manually, word by word, on my vocal tracks. Its taken so much time that seeing this makes me want to jump out my window. 😂😂😂

[@MCAlvesPortugal]

Great review.😎

[@jonniejlo]

Nice work. Thanks man!

[@mutably]

Great stuff, as usual

[@susanfrisby3762]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[@metaldreams3595]

Dang IT!! I thought oh great! Finally Ill learn how to make all the tracks the same level! My dang Music app that came wiht my cell ohone does it. A switch you turn out that makes all the songs the same volume...

[@jeanfrancoisraynaud]

I did learn something, thank you so much 😊

[@arnaudhubert1501]

top un tout grand merci à toi pour cette info, i'am technical man in a theater

[@stevef3663]

Thank you very much for this. These videos help me so much as I'm a Reaper beginner. One slight criticism. It was harder for me to follow the instructions. Because. Of the. Constant. Mid-sentence pauses. Thank you, again, for all the work you put into these excellent videos.

[@NKShooter-l4w]

thanks Kenny

[@cookbookforcannibals]

This was super informative 👌👍

[@TheRealDanji]

Very informative, thank you. But I could do with a little less pauzes between every few words and with intonation that doesn't go up and down like a seesaw. It is a little distracting from the clear and helpful info.

[@MichaelLeeMetalProject]

Control shift N COMMAND then throw a de esser plug on to eliminate the hissing sound

[@WyGryFfPodcast]

love you! :D Now I know it all! Thanks a thon!