TV Audio settings

[Owen Rennie]

Hi guys. Due to limited budget on my series i'm stuck doing my own sound editing... A few questions please

With my audio on timeline. Do i set all levels for TV so they NEVER go over -12db? Some people have told me -10 and other -6db......

Also if i make a web version can i keep the same audio settings or should i raise it to -3db or so?

The other thing i seem to be having a problem with is if i mixing audio tracks some levels peak over -12... for example- If i have the music set under -12db its fine, and also the dialogue under -12db its also fine.. but when they both play together its goes to -9 in some spots. If i bring say the music down so nothing goes over -12db then i find i can hardly hear the music.... And i also noticed that some audio files that are set to stick around the -12db mark are very quite and some set at same point are way too loud...

Hope this makes sense to you guys because i have no idea what i'm doing

Thanks

Owen

 

[Alex H.]

With my audio on timeline. Do i set all levels for TV so they NEVER go over -12db? Some people have told me -10 and other -6db......

Your peak and average levels will be determined by your broadcast facility. Get their delivery specs. BUT...

You really need to find someone who has the right software, treated mix room, and know-how. If you don't know what you're doing, you can do more harm than good.

Also if i make a web version can i keep the same audio settings or should i raise it to -3db or so?

The Internet is the Wild West of content specs. There are no standards and anything goes, for better or for worse. There are videos out there that are way too quiet, some that are way to loud, and everything in between. It's always quite obvious when the sound was mixed by someone who has experience and knows how to do it.

My typical rule of thumb is to mix similar to the older (now outdated) US broadcast standard (brickwall limiter at -10dB with squashed dynamic range) but with a -6dB peak instead. That broadcast standard has been replaced with the ATSC A/85 standard under the CALM Act, and A/85 can be fine for Internet as well. However, there's no way that you'll be able to mix to A/85 without specialized meters AND without good monitors and a properly-calibrated room.

The other thing i seem to be having a problem with is if i mixing audio tracks some levels peak over -12... for example- If i have the music set under -12db its fine, and also the dialogue under -12db its also fine.. but when they both play together its goes to -9 in some spots. If i bring say the music down so nothing goes over -12db then i find i can hardly hear the music....

This is why you need someone to handle your sound. Audio is additive. Place one source in the mix with another and the meters will read higher than either of the individual sources. You don't build a mix by making sure each individual source is hitting your target peak, then un-muting everything. You build a mix comprehensively so that the whole thing is in your target range.

You need to have an accurate monitoring setup calibrated to proper levels. Plus, you're obsessing WAY too much over numbers. The meters are there to keep you out of the red (or in the required delivery spec range). Your ears have to do the other 95% of the work.

And i also noticed that some audio files that are set to stick around the -12db mark are very quite and some set at same point are way too loud...

Again, why you need someone with experience. What, exactly, do you mean by "set to stick around the -12dB mark?"

If you have two sources and they are actually adjusted to playback with -12dB peaks, and you're hearing a big difference, it means that one source has more dynamic range than the other, or has a lower recording level that still peaks pretty high once in a while. The other might have less dynamic range (which increases perceived loudness).

Or, if by "set to stick around" -12dB you mean that your audio level adjustment on each is set to -12dB, that has nothing to do with average or peak levels. The level adjustment should default at 0dB, which means that the levels are playing as recorded with no added or reduced gain. Set it to +4dB and you are adding 4dB of gain to that source (e.g. a signal recorded averaging at -10dB with and added 4dB of gain will play back at an average of -6dB). Set it to -12dB and you are reducing the playback level by 12dB.

 

[GaryNattrass]

Generally the two audio specs for TV are:

For EBU and UK line up 1khz tone is -18dbfs with max levels -10dbfs or 0db 4PPM and +8db 6PPM.

For the USA and certain other countries it is -20dbfs and -12dbfs.

If your levels are going over then you may need to apply compression or limiters to your output as any material delivered for broadcast with illegal levels will be rejected.

Surround sound and specialist delivery specs will be determined by the broadcaster and you need to get the delivery spec sheet from them.

As stated you need to have someone who understands delivery for broadcast and material needs to be mixed and balanced to the correct specification, as for web I generally peak to around 6dbs higher (-4dbfs UK -6dbfs USA) but a version can be created for web from a broadcast master.

 

[Owen Rennie]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. I realize I'm treading in dangerous waters here and this just confirms that for me. I've contacted a couple sound guys who I'll sit with and hopefully they can take care of this for me. ... I'd planned on doing at least a rough sound edit myself and then getting a pro to clean it up if my budget improved .. but as mentioned I'd probably do more harm then good.

When I said "stick" Alex I was trying to mean that l "adjust" the meter so it "stays" around the -12 mark....

In future I think I'll just stick to shooting

Thanks again

Owen

 

[Rick R]

If the meter 'stays' around -12dBFS it's likely to much compression was used.. and/or worse yet, recorded using AGC.
Prior to the CALM act, most US broadcasters specs stated a -20dBFS reference level with program audio peaks not exceeding -10dBFS. But this has all changed. FWIW, most B'casters are fussy about specs, so a pro should be enlisted to avoid rejection.

For on-line content, I mix program audio louder than for B'cast. Same with DVD and BD destined for the home user.
Generally peaks not exceeding -3dBFS for the web and -6dB for discs and such.