Postprocess Render: ability to normalize files together (common gain)

[cyril_meysson]

Hi there,

When mastering, it is very common to deliver files with a specific maximum peak or true peak target (for example, -1dBTP).
However, the option to normalise files in the Postprocess Render window doesn't offer the ability to preserve the relative volume of files, which is critical when dealing with an entire album, for example.

Surely this option could also be useful to others?
Thanks for your consideration

[mschnell]

Does this mean you would like to do some processing with each track (and by that defining their relative volume) and then in a final step create a final file for each track preserving the relative volume?

I wonder what exactly that final step is supposed to perform at all ?

[smandrap]

Originally Posted by mschnell

Does this mean you would like to do some processing with each track (and by that defining their relative volume) and then in a final step create a final file for each track preserving the relative volume?

I wonder what exactly that final step is supposed to perform at all ?

OP wants the same behavior as the Normalize Items dialog, but as a postprocess during render.

and has my +1

[schwa]

The postprocess render settings do support normalizing the master mix and applying common gain to stems. We can look into extending this to apply common gain across region or media item renders, although that would add a fair amount of complexity, because no files can be normalized until every file has been rendered.

[cyril_meysson]

Originally Posted by mschnell

I wonder what exactly that final step is supposed to perform at all ?

In a nutshell, the ability to export multiple files at a maximum output level without using limiters, while still preserving the relative balance between them intact.

Originally Posted by schwa

The postprocess render settings do support normalizing the master mix and applying common gain to stems. We can look into extending this to apply common gain across region or media item renders, although that would add a fair amount of complexity, because no files can be normalized until every file has been rendered.

Thank you for considering this. I hope there's a way that's not too cumbersome to implement.

[schwa]

In the render normalize/limit/fade settings window, the first two settings below already exist but only appear when rendering stems. The suggestion would add the third setting below when rendering multiple files (either stems, or regions, or selected media items).

[] Normalize/limit each file separately
[] Normalize/limit master mix, apply common gain to stems
[] Normalize loudest file, apply common gain to all files, limit each file separately