Cool Edit Pro vs. 2000 question

[Chris Desjardin]

I was looking at these 2 software packages the other day. I know that pro has multitrack capability, and 2000 has it as an add-on. One thing I noticed was that pro has RMS normailzation capabilities. I make a lot of compilation discs, and would like to normailze the average volume of all the tracks so they sound the same volume. When I normailze peak volume, it still doesn't make the tracks the same volume. Would this RMS normailzation do the trick for me?

I tried a software called audiograbber, which could normailze for average volume, and while it made all the tracks the same volume, it made them sound like crap. I need something that will adjust the average volume without ruining the sound quality.

Since Cool Edit pro has just come out with version 2.0, I was wondering if they had improved any of the algorhythms vs the old version and 2000. I'm wondering if it would offer any sonic benefite vs. 2000.

[Grant]

The basic functions are the same, although things have been enhanced from Cool Edit Pro 1.2 and 2.0. Cool Edit 2000 is the slightly stripped down version that sells for cheaper.

The RMS function in Cool Edit 2.0 really works great and won't ruin your music. The Group Normalization (RMS), as it's called here, is very precise when getting your songs at the same level. It dosen't make mistakes like Sound Forge, or any of those cheap programs out there. I use the one in Cool Edit 2.0 exclusively!

CEP 2.0 is a great program for restoration, anyway, and you can use just about any DirectX plug-in with it. You can even use a VST wrapper.

[RetroSmith]

Grant, How would one Mormalize a bunch of tracks in CE 2.0?

What directory do they have to be in, and what are the keystrokes?

thanks!!

[Grant]

Originally posted by mikey5967
Grant, How would one Mormalize a bunch of tracks in CE 2.0?

What directory do they have to be in, and what are the keystrokes?

thanks!!

Follow these instructions to the letter, and you will be on your way.

1. Open all your tracks that you want to normalize.

2. Go to EDIT/GROUP NORMALIZE

3. Decide if you want to make all of your files the same volume as a certain file of your choosing, or if you just want to choose an arbitrary value, like -16.0 (-16.db will get your files to a very acceptable level without limiting the peaks-much, if at all). For simplicity, let's just choose -16.db.

4. In the "choose files" tab, hold the shift key and select the first and last files. All files should now be highlighted.

5. Go to the "normalize" tab and set the parameters. Since we are going to use a predetermined value, select "Normalize to a level of________, and enter -16.

6. Important! CHECK the Equal loudness contour! This will get all files the same average level and take EQ and compression into account when analyzing the waves.

7. Out of band peaks: If you are working with 16-bit files, you WILL want to check LIMITING on this one! You can use any value you wish, but I personally prefer a look ahaed of 12 ms and a release of 80 ms, especially for fast music with crisp transients. You can use a longer release time for slower, lush songs. Here is where good knowledge of how limiters and compressors work. Remember that this action will ONLY work on those peaks that would otherwise clip! You will not compress your whole file unless the you set the volumes high.

8. Keep the RMS width at 50 ms.

9. Press "run Normalize".

10. When you are done, go to FILE/SAVE ALL.

There, your files will now all be the same volume. Always double check everything in seqence to make sure you want to keep everything the way it is.

If you want to use a certain song as the standard for all the other files, choose that song in the "Analyze volume" tab and runstatistics on it. When done, use the EQ LOUDNESS figure to set the normalization.

[mudbone]

Grant, while I have your attention :D I have CE2K. Syntrillium is offering CEP for a special price of $199.

Basically I use CE2K for editing tracks, recording vinyl to cd-r. Fairly straighforward kinda work.

Question: what does upgrading to CEP get me?

(I know this question has probably been asked before but I have a short attention span)

[BradOlson]

You will get more enhancements which are worth it.

[mudbone]

cbs, thanks!!!

[BradOlson]

You're welcome. You don't have to call me by my username, you can simply call me Bradley.

[Chris Desjardin]

I just did the same upgrade move from 2k to pro. You get multitrack capability, what seems like all the plug in options from 2k, and the group normailzation (which I don't believe is in 2k). I don't know about any other differences yet, as I have only had pro for a couple of days. I am hoping (but don't know yet) that since it is a newer build, it might have some tweaks done to the algorhythms to possible offer improved sound quality (although I had no problem in this regard in 2k). I emailed them and they told me the processing is faster in pro than in 2k, although I have not had time yet to compare.

[Grant]

You have a whole ******** of stuff to use including a multitrack which will handle 192 tracks!!!

For $199, just get CEP!

If you don't ever plan to do anymore than straight-ahead work, stick with what you have.

[mudbone]

Originally posted by Grant
You have a whole ******** of stuff to use .....


Grant gets technical !!!:D

(Just kidding, Grant.)

Bradley, didn't know your name until your post.

Thanks!

U2 Chris.

Mud-

[RetroSmith]

>>>>Hey grant, thanks a million for the Normalisation info!!

Very Much Appreciated!!


Mikey