Maximize vs. Loudness
Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:54 pm
1. The problem that I am trying to correct is that various tracks seem to be recorded at varying volumes. Since I am usually listening to my library with random/shuffle, I can't be running back and forth to the stereo to change the volume. I have one recently downloaded, purchased mp3 of modern classical/new age music that was so quiet my remote speakers shut off.
My understanding is that maximize/normalize looks for the loudest sound and adjusts the volume and that loudness looks at the average volume and adjusts. It occurs to me that if, say, I'm processing the 1812 Overture with real cannons, normalize would result in a very quiet play until the end, but that loudness would result in blowing my speakers at the end. So, if my goal is to have all my music play at the same volume, which is the better process: loudness or maximize?
2. I have been sharing tracks with an audiophile friend who just yesterday flipped out when he found out that I had been maximizing/normalizing volume on everything I sent him. "Normalizing causes distortion!" Does it? I must say that all my tracks sound fine to me and he did not complain about distortion until he found out I had been maximizing. So, do loudness and normalize cause distortion? Can the human ear hear it?
My understanding is that maximize/normalize looks for the loudest sound and adjusts the volume and that loudness looks at the average volume and adjusts. It occurs to me that if, say, I'm processing the 1812 Overture with real cannons, normalize would result in a very quiet play until the end, but that loudness would result in blowing my speakers at the end. So, if my goal is to have all my music play at the same volume, which is the better process: loudness or maximize?
2. I have been sharing tracks with an audiophile friend who just yesterday flipped out when he found out that I had been maximizing/normalizing volume on everything I sent him. "Normalizing causes distortion!" Does it? I must say that all my tracks sound fine to me and he did not complain about distortion until he found out I had been maximizing. So, do loudness and normalize cause distortion? Can the human ear hear it?