For the Love of Music: Loudness Normalization

Wild theories about level normalization "destroying sound" continue to reappear, as if decades of loudness normalization efforts have been for nothing. This article hopes to set the facts straight regarding loudness concepts, standards, and implementation. Loudness normalization not only tremendously improves the listening experience for consumers, but it is also an element in control of sound exposure and prevention of hearing loss.

The Institut für Rundfunktechnik (IRT), the central research and development institute of the public broadcasters in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and DSPECIALISTS GmbH, a company specialized in the development and distribution of products for digital audio signal processing and measurement technology, have established a cooperation agreement focused on high-quality loudness control. DSPECIALISTS already ported the IRT loudness adjustment algorithm to its HARVEY signal processing platform.

For our readers interested in loudness standards, Jon Schorah provides a great article about Loudness Meters and Measurements. If someone has extensive experience both in understanding the norms and cutting-edge implementation of corresponding loudness tools is Jon Schorah, the creative director and co-founder of NUGEN Audio, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of loudness products. Read the full article available online.

XiVero is a new German software company with a complete dedicated range of audio analysis and repair solutions for everyone - from audio enthusiasts to music professionals. Their most interesting product is called MusicScope and it is a very complete and affordable audio analyzer which measures everything anyone would want to measure to understand audio sources.