This may be better suited for the Mastering forum.

I try never to normalize...the way I understand it, normalizing resets everything (signal and noise) to a user defined reference point as it relates to 0dbfs...

I think its easier and better in the long run to properly set gains going in...but if you must normalize a track (and occassonally these things just happen....) then I would recommend not going above 60%...most 'normalize' controls have a percentage of boost/cut that will occur...so pay attention to that.

Internet 'experts' tell that a properly recorded track/mix will never require normalization....in the real world, sometimes it just has to be done, but when it does, use as little as you can get away with...

That's the way I do it, anyway...

Yup, gotta agree.
I try to never normalize. I guess on a track or maybe 2 you'd be ok but you're raising the noise floor. Not good. I try to get it as hot as possible goin in.
Just my 2 pesos...........Kel

I do an alternate mix either in Peak or Digital performer and normalize it- sometimes is better (to my ears) normalized, other times is not- when it is, I keep it- when its not, i don't. But its worth a shot as it doens't take too long to do