Normalization is useful when several recordings do not have the same perceived loudness. It is different from simply multiplying the waveform by a fixed gain: the goal is to measure the signal and apply a correction according to a target.
Peak, RMS and LUFS
Peak level describes the highest instantaneous level in the signal. It is essential for avoiding clipping, but it does not describe perceived loudness very well.
RMS gives an indication of average signal energy. It is more representative than a single peak, although it still does not model human perception as closely as loudness measurements.
LUFS is designed for perceived loudness. It is widely used for podcasts, video, broadcast and streaming workflows because it helps compare programs with very different dynamics.
Normalization is not compression
Normalization changes the overall gain according to a measurement. Dynamic compression changes the relationship between quiet and loud passages. They solve different problems.
If one recording is globally too quiet, normalization can be appropriate. If the voice alternates between whispers and very loud passages, a compressor may be required before the final loudness adjustment.
A practical workflow
Keep the original file, perform editing first, then normalize the material that will actually be delivered. For example:
Import → Trim → Edit → Normalize → Encode → DownloadThis avoids measuring sections that will later be removed. In the Bethemesh Workspace, the same logic can be saved as a reusable pipeline.
Use the audio normalizer for a single operation. If you only know that the signal must be raised or lowered by a fixed amount, the volume adjustment tool is more direct.