Mastering music tracks for TV tips?

[SwirlyD]

I would like some advice/pointers on mastering music for TV commercials. Most of my work to date has been using voices, library or mastered music, and sound effects - there is one client which has mainly music for the whole spot, which is unmastered, so I must make the whole spot loud enough and it's turning out to be quite a headache. I have a few that I know sounded good on-air after the broadcast limiters, and use that as a reference to compare the latest mixes with, but still, it always seems hit or miss. I have tried leaving some dynamic in the mix so the broadcast limiters will squeeze it more, and it's too quiet on air- I've tried slamming them through L2s, L3s, Masseys, etc and sometimes they are still too quiet! It is generally on the denser tracks. Anyway, I am hoping someone(s) may have some advice/tips on mastering music tracks for TV = any EQ/compression/limiting techniques to take into account??


Any tips appreciated ..cheerz!

[tj_davies]

Limiting too much sometimes actually gets exactly the opposite effect on air, meaning it sounds quieter.

I would try to boost around 800Hz and maybe 4000Hz. Mainly try to make it bright, that creates the feeling of loudness. Maybe remove some low end to get rid of too high levels on the VU-meter?

Hope it helps,
Timothy

[mikevarela]

yeah, I'd echo the drop in the low end.... many audiences are only viewing on small speakers, so all that low info is triggering the limiters. focus your energy ont he mid range, near and around 1k, that'll give the impression of loudness. also, if you can meter in c weight - i.e. dbfs -20 (at least here in USA) then push up levels to -5, meaning they reside nominally at -5 below dbfs (digital clip). alot of engineers do that over here, and they stand out.

[AKA]

For TV we usually cut everything below 40Hz, and adding a hi-shelf at around 16k.
Following that we use Sony/Massey/L3 - whatever the weatherman recommends that day...