“2023’S Top Methods for Harmonizing Audio Levels: A Trifecta of Speed and Efficiency”

Normalizing Audio in 3 Quick Ways-Audio Normalization

Richard Bennett

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

To normalize audio is to apply a constant amount of gain to a recording to bring the amplitude to a target or norm. Or simply put, normalizing any audio file with a normalizer software searches the file for a peak volume to set a defined maximum and then brings up the rest of the audio to the same maximum level.

Audio normalization is a good practice to get your audio levels right for a better-balanced video, especially imperative for dialogue clips that stand out on YouTube and other platforms. However, out of many different reasons, getting the best audio results from old-fashioned AD/DA converters or matching a group of audios on the same volume levels are still the most common.

Nevertheless, it’s not always easy to find an efficient audio normalization tool and – most importantly – to master the process. But no worries because we have you covered. So, dive in to learn some of the best tools and how you can use them to create masterfully balanced soundtracks.

• Method 1: Normalize Audio Online
• Method 2: Normalize Audio with Wondershare Filmora’s Auto Normalization
• Method 3: Normalize Audio with Audacity

Method 1: Normalize Audio Online

Video2edit online video tool is a one-stop solution for all your audio and video editing needs. The versatile online tool offers a suite of editing features, from extracting audio to converting different formats to normalizing audio. With a drag and drop interface, it allows you to enhance the audio quality of your video and share it to YouTube, Facebook, or other social platforms.

Not to mention, it lets you convert your video files to various popular formats such as MP4, AVI, MOV, 3GP, and WEBM. One of the significant advantages of the tool is the convenience. Without any download or subscription fee hassles, you can normalize audio tracks in a few clicks using Video2edit.com. Here’s how you can use the free tool to get good-quality audio results.

Step 1: Launch the Video2edit Normalize audio tool

Begin by launching the online Video2edit.com on your browser. Then, on the main interface, select the Normalize audio tool from the variety of editing tools.

Step 2: Drop or upload your file

Now, drag and drop your video or audio file or tap the Choose file option to import the file from your local device.

Step 3: Normalize audio

From the Covert video to dropdown, choose the video format you want to convert your file to. Then, click on the Start button to start normalizing your file.

Step 4: Download the converted file

Once the conversion is completed, hit Download in front of the converted file to save it to your computer.

Method 2: Normalize Audio with Wondershare Filmora’s Auto Normalization

Yet another advanced audio normalization software is the Wondershare Filmora . Whether you are looking for basic editing tools or some advanced features, Filmora has it all. The powerful editor uses artificial intelligence editing that provides a smart way to improve your audio quality. The essence of this well-known software is the Auto Normalization feature that allows users to modify the volume of multiple recording clips to standard European audio programs at 23.0 LUFS – with just ONE CLICK.

And for the best part, the normalization process is pretty straightforward and lossless with Wondershare Filmora. Below is a quick step-by-step guide to using this intuitive audio enhancer tool.

Step 1: Download and install the Wondershare Filmora

To get started, download, and install the Wondershare Filmora on your PC. Then launch the program to enter the main interface.

Step 2: Import your audio/video file

From the main menu, go to Import media, then click on Import media files and select to upload your files in the media box. Once uploaded, drag and drop the media clips onto the timeline.

Step 3: Open the audio editing panel

Next, right-click on the audio or video clip on the timeline and then tap Adjust audio, or you can simply double-click it to enter the audio editing panel.

Step 4: Enable auto audio normalization

On the audio editing panel, scroll down and enable the Auto normalization feature. Wondershare Filmora will analyze and normalize the audio file automatically.

Step 5: Export the normalized file

After the normalization process is completed, preview your video or audio to check the auto normalization. If you are not satisfied with the output, hit Reset and try again. Finally, tap on the Export option, give your file a name, and again hit Export to save the high-quality output.

Method 3: Normalize Audio with Audacity

Audacity is a popular audio editor that works wonders for professional music producers. This free, open-source platform has taken audio editing to newer levels with a wide range of advanced features; there is a spectrogram view mode for visualizing and selecting frequencies. In addition, there is extensive support for various plug-ins.

Besides audio normalization, the creative platform can record, mix, add filters, and equalize multiple soundtracks. Moreover, when normalizing with Audacity, you don’t have to worry about losing audio quality, thanks to its 16-bit, 24-bit, and 32-bit support.

To take advantage of this excellent audio normalizer, just follow these quick steps and set your audio tone.

Step 1: Open Audacity on your computer

First, download the Audacity software on your computer, and then open the program.

Step 2: Import your audio files

Go to the File tab on the top menu bar and tap on Open. Then select audio files you want to normalize to import, or simply drag and drop the files on the main screen.

Step 3: Customize audio normalization settings

Now, select the added audio clip and go to Effect on the top menu bar. From the dropdown, choose Normalize and type your desired volume level into the dB.

Step 4: Normalize audio

After editing the normalization settings, click the OK button to start normalizing.

Step 5: Save the audio file

Once finished, select Export under the File tab, and choose how you want to save the file.

FAQs about Normalizing Audio

Here we sorted out some frequently asked questions about audio normalization, which can help you learn more about audio normalization.

1. What dB should I normalize audio to?

Well, that entirely depends on your audio use, and there is no exact number for normalizing an audio clip. However, for safety, the trick is to stay from the maximum volume level of 0 dB. For overall mix levels, most video editors recommend normalizing audio between -10 dB to -20 dB. Likewise, in the case of a dialogue clip, the recommended audio levels are -12 dB to -15 dB. Still some other suggestions are

• Music: -18 dB to -22 dB
• Soundeffects: -10 dB to -20 dB

2. What is the difference between audio normalization and compression?

Audio normalization only and purely changes the volume of a sound by applying a constant amount of gain with a goal to make the loudest peak reach 0 Db. And while normalizing also matches multiple audios to the same volume, it still does not affect the sound dynamics, unlike compression.

On the flip side, audio compression chops off the audio peaks in your recording to get a fuller, louder sound without reaching the clipping limit. In compression, you are changing a proportion of the audio over time in varying amounts.

3. Will the audio normalization process affect the sound quality?

Fortunately, no. Audio normalization, when appropriately done with the help of efficient audio editors, never affects the audio quality. When normalizing an audio clip, the digital bit having the highest level below 0 dB is identified, and all the other bits of the audio are amplified to the same level. This translates to no change in the relative difference between every bit, while the noise level also does not change. So, yes, the only thing affected is the output level and not the quality of the track.

Summing up

Audio normalization is an emerging trend as a good idea to manage high-quality audio levels. This feature can indeed benefit the final steps of mastering music production. However, you need to be careful when deciding where and when to normalize audio or avoid it for better results.

So, are you ready to level up your audio game? The above-mentioned audio editing tools are top-notch normalizers that will do the work for you. Also, don’t forget to try Wondershare Filmora’s distinctive auto normalization feature to produce studio-quality audio.

Richard Bennett

Richard Bennett is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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