How do you make M&E Tracks

capitalP

capitalP

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Just curious how would I go about making M&E(Music & Effects) tracks in Vegas. I'm using Vegas 6 by the way.

Should I do a Render for all the Effects than do a separate Render for all the music or do I do both together.

Just curious, I have never done this before, I have this company who wants me to Deliver the M&E to them along with my film.

Does the M&E go onto an Audio CD or DVD or make it to a DATA CD.

I would appreciate any help.
 
Well, you have to check with them for what they need. But likely you'd do it as one uncompressed WAV.

They may want a different format, but they almost certainly won't want an audio CD or DVD.
 
My understanding is that generally, the reason you want a separate M&E track is so the distributor can dub the dialogue in other languages, for foreign distribution. Essentially what they're looking for is a version of your movie that has no dialogue, but still retains the music and sound effects. You may be able to get away with just providing them two masters of your movie -- one with dialogue, and one without. But yes, check with them and see what they specifically require.
 
Great, thanks. I kind of had an idea what an M&E was from reading some threads in here, I just haven't came accross any threads specifying how thid should be done.

I have a better understanding now.
 
Someone got back to me and they sent me a list of things they need for the M&E Tracks... very confusing. I thought just giving them a Render of just Music and Effects would be it, but they're asking for these specifics...

Before I go back to them looking like an Amuturish filmmaker, maybe I can get some help in breaking these specifics down... below are what they sent me.

DA-88 info:

~Separated stereo dialogue tracks on channels 1 and 2

~Separated stereo music tracks on channels 3 and 4

~Separated stereo FX tracks on channels 5 and 6

~Please label tape clearly with TRT, film title, etc.



Audio Specs For Masters:
~Non-Dolby encoded

~48khz sampled, synchronized to video, 20 bits/sample

~Channels 1, 2, 3, 4: AES format

~1khz tone at 0 VU shall reproduce at 0 dB in unity on all channels

~Stereo composite mix of dialogue, music and FX in phase on channels 1 and 2 only

~Stereo composite mix of music and FX only on channels 3 and 4

~Average dialogue levels should be between -2db and -7db. Dialogue may reach OVU.

~Loud passages of music and FX should not exceed +3db (VU) or +12 peak.

~Levels shall be maintained such that the headroom of the system is not exceeded.

~No digital clipping

~1.1 in phase sum of the left and right stereo tracks will be recorded on channels 1 & 2 to produce an acceptable monophonic signal.
Click to expand...
 
DA-88 is a tape format use to transfer mix from one facility/distributor to a client, etc...
There are 8 channels on this tape (DA-88).

This is the reason why it says channel 1 & 2 , etc...

2 options:

1. you already signed a contract with your client syaing that you will provide a M&E mix, etc...

>>> Go back to your client and tell him/her that you will still provide the M&E mix, but you don't provide the TRANSFER onto a DA-88 tape. That is an additional cost. You can provide the service for them by subcontracting another studio or your client can take care of it by him/herself.

2. You haven't signed any contract but submitted a quote.

>>> Same as above, your quote includes a M&E mix, not a DA-88 transfer. Check with your client what he/she would like to do, knowing that you will provide the M&E, etc... If you subcontract the transfer, include it in a new quote

And Finally, you haven't submitted a quote yet...

Easy, get a quote yourself for a DA-88 transfer and include it in your own quote...

Cheers

Ugo
 
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