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If values have never been calculated, two dashes display. Click Scan Levels to calculate values.

Nonexistent Peak and RMS levels

Note: If the RMS level never reaches the Ignore below threshold, a value of -96 dB displays. If this occurs, decrease the Ignore below threshold level and rescan.

Use current scan level (do not scan selection)

When you select the Use current scan level check box, Sound Forge uses the current scan levels without initiating a new scan. This is useful when applying scan levels from a different selection or file to the current selection, thereby allowing identical gains to be applied to multiple files. This option can also be used to scan a selection of an audio file containing the loudest or most constant levels and then apply that scan to normalize the entire file.

If clipping occurs

The If clipping occurs drop-down list is used to specify how the normalize function handles clipping that may occur when an audio file is processed using the RMS option. This list provides four options.

Option

Description

Apply dynamic

Audio peaks that will result in clipping are limited below 0 dB using non-zero attack and

compression

release times to minimize distortion. This mode is useful for getting loud and clear audio

 

during mastering.

Normalize peak value to

The selection’s peak amplitude level is normalized to 0 dB, thereby allowing the

0 dB

maximum possible constant gain without clipping the selection. However, less gain is

 

applied than would be necessary to achieve the Normalize to RMS level.

 

 

Ignore (saturate)

Audio is permitted to clip and distort.

Stop processing

Audio peaks that will result in clipping force the normalize function to cease processing

 

and alert you that clipping will occur at the current level.

 

 

Note: When normalizing stereo audio, normalization is computed on the loudest sample value found in either channel and identical gain is applied to both channels. If a single channel is selected in a stereo file, normalization processes only that channel.

Pan/Expand

Pan/Expand allows you to create panning effects and stereo compression/expansion in selections.

Note: The Expand option is only available in the full version of Sound Forge.

CHP. 10

PROCESSING AUDIO