Best audio rec levels?

T

tduncan

Active member
I always thought that the best levels for recording audio were somewhere around -10db with peaks around 0db.

What level would you recommend if you were creating guidlines for a group of videographers?

thanks,
td
 
If you're audio is peaking at -0dB (digital), then you're probably clipping your peaks. Its always better to have a couple dB of unused headroom than to overmodulate a digital recording.

I prefer to keep 16-bit dialogue sitting between -12dB and -6dB, with maximum peaks not exceeding -2dB. It is also quite acceptable to use -15dB or even -20dB as your reference level, especially if you're working without the aid of reliable limiters.

If the videographers in question are handling both the video and audio personally, they're probably better off sticking to the more conservative -20dB reference level.
 
with regards to the DVX100, Ditto SMuir. However, I have had complaints from post with audio mixed around -20. Admittedly, post at that time was a 22 year old on final cut on one of the cheapest most incompetently run shows I've worked on. Since then, my average mix is around -12. I believe AGC on the cam does not affect audio so much as prevent clipping, if that helps. Just remember, 1-4 red bar = good. 5 red bar = bad.
 
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