HI. Builds own instrument but...
If the samples are normalized to 0dB (volume) after the export of the instrument when I play several notes at once (chord) - the sound is distorted.
If the samples are normalized to -6dB (volume) after the export of the instrument when I play a single note - the sound is very quiet.
What is the volume of samples should be used to build my instrument?
What is the volume of samples should be used to build my instrument?
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- KVRist
- 44 posts since 7 Aug, 2013 from Connecticut, USA
Well, you certainly don't want to normalize your samples to 0 dB! That's like filling a glass of water to the absolute top and being shocked when moving the glass results in spilled water. 
You can normalize or record your audio at any volume level. I suggest making sure the highest peaks appear anywhere in the range -12 to -6 dB. Use the volume settings (per sample, per group, and per instrument) to increase the volume to a reasonable level from there. Remember that recording audio at a very quiet level and then adding lots of gain will result in a raised noise-floor, so try to record audio at a reasonably high volume (like -21 to -6 dB). Be very careful not to push past -3 dB or you may risk hitting 0 dB and have a distorted signal.
You can normalize or record your audio at any volume level. I suggest making sure the highest peaks appear anywhere in the range -12 to -6 dB. Use the volume settings (per sample, per group, and per instrument) to increase the volume to a reasonable level from there. Remember that recording audio at a very quiet level and then adding lots of gain will result in a raised noise-floor, so try to record audio at a reasonably high volume (like -21 to -6 dB). Be very careful not to push past -3 dB or you may risk hitting 0 dB and have a distorted signal.
Founder of Versilian Studios
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- KVRAF
- 4290 posts since 31 Oct, 2004
This is it. I normalized at -6db most of the time, unless I want the sample to saturate, then it will be normalized at -1db (especially for percussive samples). Adding velocity amp range controls helps a lot too.Samulis wrote:Well, you certainly don't want to normalize your samples to 0 dB! That's like filling a glass of water to the absolute top and being shocked when moving the glass results in spilled water.
You can normalize or record your audio at any volume level. I suggest making sure the highest peaks appear anywhere in the range -12 to -6 dB. Use the volume settings (per sample, per group, and per instrument) to increase the volume to a reasonable level from there. Remember that recording audio at a very quiet level and then adding lots of gain will result in a raised noise-floor, so try to record audio at a reasonably high volume (like -21 to -6 dB). Be very careful not to push past -3 dB or you may risk hitting 0 dB and have a distorted signal.
