Do you normalize your recordings?

[shhh...listen]

What are the downsides, if any, of normalizing. I can't increase the gain out of my setup without using another gain stage. So at some point, I normalize the file. Do all programs that have that feature implement it the same way, or are some better (sound wise) than others?

[Axon]

It's not necessary, but my peak levels are often at -20dbFS, so I tend to do it just to avoid obnoxious behavior for music players that do not support ReplayGain or SoundCheck.

There is a quantization noise imposed by the use of normalization, but it will virtually always be below the noise floor of the cartridge itself - to say nothing of the record noise floor. So I would just record at 16 bits, normalize and be done with it. If you want to get pedantic you can record and do all the work in 24 bits, and normalize to -1dbFS to avoid intersample peak issues, but you'd be hard-pressed to show you'd ever notice the difference.
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[leitmo]

my way and my 2 cent's:

ripping non-compressed music (jazz, folk, blues, classical...): adjust gain for peaks to reach -12dBFS in my computer

ripping compressed music (electronic, pop, rock...): adjust gain for peaks to reach -10 to -6dBFS

then i apply HPF (high pass filter) at 25 to 40hz to eliminate vibrations and non-musical information.

and add 3 or 4dB gain to reach -3 to -2dBFS

i always rip vinyl records at 24bit 48k

any process to digital records degrade signal. How much degrade it? 90% you won't notice the difference but try ripping vinyl with peaks at -20dBfs and 16 bit 44k, normalize it and compare the same vinyl record ripped with peaks at -5dBfs 24bit 48k. It's subtle but there's something missing.

Always IMHO

[leitmo]

sorry, forgot an important detail:

good ADC is crucial, in controlled environment you can compare same tracks processed through cheap and expensive ADC.

i personally use MOTU 828 MKII, not the best AD's but it's worth for the mid-price segment.

also important is software you use, audio engine does not process the same way: Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and Nuendo have their own sound.

[KentT]

I do not normalize, I use appropriate gain when recording to begin with. I use the level best suited for that recording and adjust playback volume.