What is the best db for delivery?

[RobMacki]

I'm finding that spots that are attached here locally seem quieter than national spots.
The digital suite that attaches most of my audio has complained about my audio being too hot. I was using L1 @ -3db. But after complaints I modified to L1@-9db.
I know the difference between analog and digital 0db. (digital=18db of headroom or -18db.)
My sessions are 24 / 48 SDII bounced to 16 / 44.1 .WAV
The guy I deliver to knows video and trying to find out how his system is calibrated seems to go over his head. He says his system is +4db. Ok....you have professional gear...but that doesn't tell me how much headroom you need to get the hottest broadcast signal.
After all I want my audio to be the best local audio....hey, I'm in a small to medium market.

Any advice?

[RobMacki]

Actually, I want my audio to sound national.

[The Chinese]

Rob-Broadcast levels vary, but a rough basis would be +12dB over 0. Also, In the US post world, 0=-20dB, not -18dB (europe uses the -18 standard). This is Peak level...Use a set of Dorroughs or equivalent-they have a handy feature that allows you to see Both VU and peak simultaneously. If your spots are mixing low, It could be you need to mix hotter-try a Room reference of 79dB instead of 85dB. Broadcast stations have severe Brick wall limiters, so You could use one of these (L1 is not bad, but the +L1 or L2 are better....) For your spots, try to get your dialog levels to -3-5 VU. Other than that good Luck and keep pluggin'
-Todd A.

[RobMacki]

thanks Tod [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Cliff Hughes]

Just a comment on what I have read and I hope a clarification from Europe.

The EBU standard is as correctly stated earlier -18 dB but this is NOT PEAK LEVEL which is -10dB.

-18 dB is reference level equivalent to 8 dB below peak level or 4 on a BBC standard PPM or .775 volt into 600 Ohms.

If you peak your programme to -18 as measured on a Digibeta it will in all probability be low compared with other programme material.

From memory -18dB (or reference) is equivalent to -3 vu

HTH

[The Chinese]

I stand clarified-when i said peak level, I was referring to the +12dB over 0, not the reference levels-My mistake, sorry for not being clear. Interestingly, Cliff-Your answer (and clarification) was very informative to me as I do alot of work which ends up in your country-we have had many issues on what exactly the proper way to get the Levels right (BSkyB is really picky). Thanks for your answer, Im going to pass it along!!
-Todd A.

[The Chinese]

I stand clarified-when i said peak level, I was referring to the +12dB over 0, not the reference levels-My mistake, sorry for not being clear. Interestingly, Cliff-Your answer (and clarification) was very informative to me as I do alot of work which ends up in your country-we have had many issues on what exactly the proper way to get the Levels right (BSkyB is really picky). Thanks for your answer, Im going to pass it along!!
-Todd A.

[Cliff Hughes]

All UK broadcasters are pretty picky with both audio and picture levels. Many have automated gadgets that produce reports on same.

[Richard Fairbanks]

Rob, do you mean that ALL spots attached locally are low? I have noticed this sometimes, too. The best you can do is make sure your spots are not softer than other local spots.

Local spots are inserted into a broadcast by the local station, which usually means the station switches from the network feed to a local machine. The spots often are assembled onto a single playback machine in house. If the station has not calibrated their internal setup very well they don't match the network levels. I have also heard to opposite situation, where local commercials blast through, then those stinking gain controls keep the network level low for the first 5 or 10 seconds.

The key is keeping voice average levels very high, which you can only do with carefully tweaked compression and peak limiting. Also, voice eq is more important than you might think. Too much or too little of any area will actually decrease the voice presence. You want it warm and full, and perfectly clear, but never sibilant, never muddy. I find sometimes that a small boost or cut (2-4 db) in one spot can really make the difference. The only thing I usually do is apply a hi-pass filter. This is adjusted to taste per voice and per program, and I usually have it between 90 and 130 hz, maybe as high as 160 with females. No rules and not always.

The writers of a network show came to me (many years ago) demanding that their show sound as loud as the commercials. That was a challenge and one which we did not always meet. It is difficult to do that within the context of a dramatic presentation!

[RobMacki]

Richard
Yes to the clarification.
I want my local spots to compete with the national spots in level, quality, and style etc.
I do use the +L1 on master fader and limit to the point of maintaining consistant level as well as trying to maintain dynamic range (out at -9db).
on EQ:
I try to find the "sweet spot" for each voice and add a little air @ about 12k on a high shelf and
bump @ 2.5-3.5k for presince and then de-ess.
I also at beginning of vocal chain insert Renn. comp. at 2:1

Local spots over all tend to be a little lower and duller than national ones. But local spots varry from "wow is that local?" to "that's local."
I want to be the former.
Just didn't know if there was a "standard" db for delivery.