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Hey folks,
I've been exploring digitizing my LP's so I can play them on my upstairs stereo where a turntable setup isn't an option. I wanted to open a discussion about methods to properly bring in the analog data and have it at a reasonable playback volume. In particular normalization methods.
From the research I've done so far, while most agree a high bit depth at capture is best, it seems people are split on capture method otherwise. Here are some of the methods I've seen proposed/used:
The lower capture volume seems important to avoid clipping/distortion and remove any added THD+N from the soundcard itself, although the noise floor of the LP is most likely much higher than that of the soundcard.
The problem with normalization, and peak normalization in particular, is the presence of artificial peaks from record noise (i.e. clicks and pops). While one can meticulously groom the waveforms to remove them, some are still liable to be present and can then affect the normalization process. Additionally, this adds an additional layer of processing to the digital capture. I assume this is why some don't care for it.
However, I came across this article which explains the three different methods for normalization: peak, RMS, and EBU-R128. The latter two methods were interesting, and I had come across RMS normalization in Pro Tools, but never understood what it did.
My question is then, why isn't anyone discussing normalizing to an appropriate LUFS, instead of the peak dBFS? For instance, I own a digital copy of Khruangbin's Mordechai as well as the LP. I could import the FLAC files and check the LUFS level on each track, then using the Loudness Normalization tool in Audacity (which utilizes the EBU-R128 volume detection method) to bring the LP rip to the same perceived LUFS?
I've been exploring digitizing my LP's so I can play them on my upstairs stereo where a turntable setup isn't an option. I wanted to open a discussion about methods to properly bring in the analog data and have it at a reasonable playback volume. In particular normalization methods.
From the research I've done so far, while most agree a high bit depth at capture is best, it seems people are split on capture method otherwise. Here are some of the methods I've seen proposed/used:
- capture at a lower peak, around -6.0 dBFS, then use peak normalization to bring each side of the LP up to around -1.0 to -0.5 dBFS.
- capture at as close to -1.0 to -0.5 dbFS, no normalization
- capture at a lower peak (-6.0 dBFS), no normalization, adjust output volume with playback device (volume control)
- capture at a low peak then use REPLAYGAIN tag to adjust volume
The lower capture volume seems important to avoid clipping/distortion and remove any added THD+N from the soundcard itself, although the noise floor of the LP is most likely much higher than that of the soundcard.
The problem with normalization, and peak normalization in particular, is the presence of artificial peaks from record noise (i.e. clicks and pops). While one can meticulously groom the waveforms to remove them, some are still liable to be present and can then affect the normalization process. Additionally, this adds an additional layer of processing to the digital capture. I assume this is why some don't care for it.
However, I came across this article which explains the three different methods for normalization: peak, RMS, and EBU-R128. The latter two methods were interesting, and I had come across RMS normalization in Pro Tools, but never understood what it did.
My question is then, why isn't anyone discussing normalizing to an appropriate LUFS, instead of the peak dBFS? For instance, I own a digital copy of Khruangbin's Mordechai as well as the LP. I could import the FLAC files and check the LUFS level on each track, then using the Loudness Normalization tool in Audacity (which utilizes the EBU-R128 volume detection method) to bring the LP rip to the same perceived LUFS?