Mix-LN: Unleashing the Power of Deeper Layers by Combining Pre-LN and
  Post-LN
Authors: name: Pengxiang Li; name: Lu Yin; name: Shiwei Liu
Published: 2024-12-18 12:39:53

Abstract: Large Language Models (LLMs) have achieved remarkable success, yet recent
findings reveal that their deeper layers often contribute minimally and can be
pruned without affecting overall performance. While some view this as an
opportunity for model compression, we identify it as a training shortfall
rooted in the widespread use of Pre-Layer Normalization (Pre-LN). We
demonstrate that Pre-LN, commonly employed in models like GPT and LLaMA, leads
to diminished gradient norms in its deeper layers, reducing their
effectiveness. In contrast, Post-Layer Normalization (Post-LN) preserves larger
gradient norms in deeper layers but suffers from vanishing gradients in earlier
layers. To address this, we introduce Mix-LN, a novel normalization technique
that combines the strengths of Pre-LN and Post-LN within the same model. Mix-LN
applies Post-LN to the earlier layers and Pre-LN to the deeper layers, ensuring
more uniform gradients across layers. This allows all parts of the
network--both shallow and deep layers--to contribute effectively to training.
Extensive experiments with various model sizes from 70M to 7B demonstrate that
Mix-LN consistently outperforms both Pre-LN and Post-LN, promoting more
balanced, healthier gradient norms throughout the network, and enhancing the
overall quality of LLM pre-training. Furthermore, we demonstrate that models
pre-trained with Mix-LN learn better compared to those using Pre-LN or Post-LN
during supervised fine-tuning (SFT) and reinforcement learning from human
feedback (RLHF), highlighting the critical importance of high-quality deep
layers. By effectively addressing the inefficiencies of deep layers in current
LLMs, Mix-LN unlocks their potential, enhancing model capacity without
increasing model size. Our code is available at
https://github.com/pixeli99/MixLN.