Normalization vs. Correct / Original Volume

[Adam]

Hiya,

Possibly a daft question (apologies in advance!), but is there anything to be gained by having the "correct" volume of a digitized source to start with, versus normalizing it after the fact?

When I set the digital gain to 1 for my USB Audio CODEC input, I end up having to normalize by about +8 or +9 (on average) afterwards. Am I "losing" anything at this point? Would I be better off using the analogue line in instead, setting the levels manually, and then having to normalize "less" after recording? It's no bother to me to have to normalize afterwards, I'm just wondering if one of these approaches gives a "purer" or "more correct" starting point(?)

FWIW I have a "stock" Audio-Technica AT-LP120-USB, plugged into a Behringer U-Phono UFO202 (as the AT's pre-amp is total poo).

[Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft)]

Hi,

It is better to correct the level at source if possible as this makes best us of the 16 (or 24) bits of digitised audio.  However, if you are recording via USB Audio CODEC then set the digital gain to 1 and do it after the fact.

[Adam]

Ok - Thanks, Paul

...which brings me to the next question (I guess): recording via line in or USB makes no odds to me, really (be it convenience or whatever) so I'm happy to do either: What would you recommend (all things being equal, like cables and such)?

PS: I know it's periodically mentioned on these forums a *lot*, but it's still not enough in my book: Your software is an absolute Godsend and should be known far wider / further than it already is. There really is nothing else out there that even comes close to VinylStudio (thank you!)

[Paul Sanders (AlpineSoft)]

As I say, recording via line-in gives you better control over the recording level so, in your case, that would be my choice.