Normalize -3 db in effects rack

[johna76282884]

It would be like Moms Apple pie if I could add Normalize -3 db in my effects rack..... my question is why not?

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

None of the 'process' effects can be in the effects rack, because they require analysis before they can be applied - that's not the same as just processing the audio that is highlighted. This also applies to the Gain and Fade envelope options, for the same reason.

[Aske Bisgaard29163816vtmb]

Trying to automate the following steps for hundreds of clips:

1. Normalize to -2dB
2. Hard limit -6dB
3. Apply preset (vocal enhancer, pitch shifter, chorus, full reverb and single band compressor)
4. Insert silence (5s) before recording
5. Reverse
6. Full reverb
7. Normalize -2dB
8. Reverse

Am I right in understanding that there's no built in way to do this - so at best I'll have to use an external automation tool to click the menus for me etc., right?

[vpoppelm]

Aside from reopening a very old thread, what you're asking is certainly possible in Audition provided the hundreds of clips you speak of are separate audio files (as opposed to separate clips in a multitrack session).

From what I know about Audition the best way to achieve what you're looking for, is to record a favorite (Favorites > Start Recording Favorite...) and apply your steps in that order. I'm not sure if applying a preset is recorded into a favorite, if not you can perform the preset step by step as well - it's needed for just one clip in order to record the favorite. After all steps are done, stop recording favorite (Favorites > Stop Recording Favorite...) and save with a name easy to remember. 

Then open batch process from Window > Batch Process and load all remaining audio files, select your new favorite and click Run. (Be sure to check or uncheck Export before running, depending on what you want to do with the files after your processing is complete).

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

This really should have been another thread, as it's not related to the original question. Never mind...

I can confirm though that you can include anything you can get into the effects rack as a preset, into a favorite. But, and this was the OPs question, you can't get Normalize into the rack.

Just to test all this out, I tried creating a Favorite using the list above using a basic speech file, and yes it works. And the result is totally unintelligable!