Glossary → Audio engineering
Audio engineering
Normalization (peak)
Peak normalization scales an entire recording so its loudest sample hits a target level — a uniform gain change that does not alter dynamics.
Peak normalizing makes files consistent at their maxima but not equally loud: a whisper with one loud clap normalizes to the clap. That is why loudness normalization (LUFS-based) replaced it for delivery.
Related terms
Loudness normalizationLoudness normalization adjusts audio to a target perceived loudness, measured in LUFS, rather than to peak lev…
dBFS (decibels relative to full scale)dBFS measures digital audio level against the maximum a file can represent: 0 dBFS is the ceiling, and every s…
AmplitudeAmplitude is the magnitude of an audio signal's oscillation — the physical correlate of loudness, displayed ve…