Target Levels during Soundediting

[belasoul]

Coming from working mainly with Ebu 128/TV Projects i am used to bring the levels in a ballpark of -23LUFS and -1dBTP during sound editing.

Atm i am using Waves WLM Plus for that.

Compared to that, what workflow can you recommend when working on a feature length film which is planned to be mixed for dcp?
What are the aprox. target levels?

WLM Plus can run a TASA leq (m) preset. Is that the go to preset to bring the levels in the right ballpark in preparation for the re-recording mix? If yes, what are the short term, long term & True Peak values for leq (m)?

Or do you suggest another, easier to use plug-in than Wlm Plus?

[Frank Kruse]

Originally Posted by belasoul

Coming from working mainly with Ebu 128/TV Projects i am used to bring the levels in a ballpark of -23LUFS and -1dBTP during sound editing.

Atm i am using Waves WLM Plus for that.

Compared to that, what workflow can you recommend when working on a feature length film which is planned to be mixed for dcp?
What are the aprox. target levels?

WLM Plus can run a TASA leq (m) preset. Is that the go to preset to bring the levels in the right ballpark in preparation for the re-recording mix? If yes, what are the short term, long term & True Peak values for leq (m)?

Or do you suggest another, easier to use plug-in than Wlm Plus?

TASA is for trailers and commercials (and WAY too loud to use on a feature). There is no loudness criteria for theatrical features. Calibrate your monitors to 85dB(C) and use common sense (ears).

F.

[BScout]

Originally Posted by Frank Kruse

Calibrate your monitors to 85dB(C)...

And then turn down from there unless you work on a proper Dolby-sized dub stage.
If you have the Dolby dialogue test file or have a well-mixed theatrical release copy of a film (not DVD/Blu Ray/Streaming because those could possibly be remastered for the "home" levels), adjust your room volume so the dialogue level is comfortable to listen to.

Most sound editing rooms are far too small to have them set up as 85dB(C) if you want it to translate to a feature dub stage.

[belasoul]

Thanks for your input guys! Even though i understand to calibrate the edit suite to 85dB(C) (or a little lower depending on room size), i was hoping to hear some thumb-rules for leveling and about where to (let's say) bring average dialog scenes to.
Are your tragets on dialog around -20dbfs, backrounds from -35 downwards?
Or do you use a LUFS meter if you have to make "on the road" fixes?
Would be great to hear some advice about this.

[Frank Kruse]

Originally Posted by belasoul

Thanks for your input guys! Even though i understand to calibrate the edit suite to 85dB(C) (or a little lower depending on room size), i was hoping to hear some thumb-rules for leveling and about where to (let's say) bring average dialog scenes to.
Are your tragets on dialog around -20dbfs, backrounds from -35 downwards?
Or do you use a LUFS meter if you have to make "on the road" fixes?
Would be great to hear some advice about this.

I have never seen a sound editor level to a loudness target for theatrical. Doesn't make sense since that standard doesn't apply to theatrical formats.

My target for B/Gs is done by listening not measuring.

[belasoul]

Thank you for the feedaback, Frank. I appreciate.