True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

When I send out a mix to a client—at any stage in the process from rough to final—after printing, I like to peak normalize the print to a reasonable level so that the mix can be comfortably listened to on any equipment. I've been using -2.0dBFS, but this can lead to issues with intersample peaks above 0dBTP for dynamic material. Furthermore, peaks above -2.0dBTP can translate to above 0dBTP (or even above 0dBFS) when resampling, bit-reducing, or encoding to lossy formats.

To remedy this issue, I'd like to be able to easily peak normalize to -2.0dBTP within Pro Tools. Unfortunately, the Audio Suite Normalize plugin is old as dirt and doesn't have this capability, and likely will never be updated to include it. Are there any third party plugins to accomplish this, without limiting? Cursory searching here and on Google yielded no results.

Barring that, what is your true peak normalization workflow?

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

I don't do normalization as such. I work to K14 metering followed by a true peak limiter like Fabfilter Pro-L set to -1dbfs. All on my 2-bus. Don't like normalization plugins as for me they make stuff sound like crap.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

I do this too ^ but you could just normalize to minus whatever you want then use a true peak limiter with threshold set to that same value.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

Normalization is not my preferred solution either. Just a subtle peak limiter does the job for me.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

Agreed. Every normalization utility I've come across (even from Sony/Sonnox) makes things sound worse than before.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

I prefer to leave any limiting to mastering. I've never found the Audio Suite Normalize plugin to be anything but transparent. I haven't done any ABX or null tests, but nothing in a normalized print has ever made me go, "Huh, that sounds wrong. What happened?" It always sounds just as I expect it to. It should be no different than applying gain to a file (like clip gain).

At present, my workflow for true peak normalization is thus:

1) Print in real time
2) Export print
3) Run file through MAAT DROffline MKII to get true peak level
4) Open in Aurchitect Myriad (R.I.P.) and apply gain to bring true peak level to ~-2.0dBTP

Should be unnecessary in 2019. Any DAW worth its salt should be providing native true peak metering and workflows.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

It's possible in any daw, including PT, as long as you have the right plugins to do the job. What I outlined is but one way to get the job done. And a heck of a lot less work than what you're doing. Limiting can be used at any point in the process; I find the Fabfilter limiter to do a good true peak catch and correct.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

But I'm not interested in "catch and correct." I want the dynamic range left intact, with the transients as they are, simply peaking at -2.0dBTP.

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

Then do what I suggested above. I use the Waves WLM plus

Re: True Peak Normalization: Workflow?
 

That just doesn't sound like it will do what I want. I'm going to ping MAAT about offering DROffline MKII as a plugin for measuring loudness and peak levels of files within DAWs. Then, I could simply apply gain to match -2.0dBTP.