Preparing International Broadcast Mix

[goodfellamikec]

Hey all,

I'm doing my first mix on a :30 commercial that will be broadcast internationally. These are the specs:

"To be delivered in stereo with the following layout:
􀁸 Channel One: Stereo Left Total
􀁸 Channel Two: Stereo Right Total
􀁸 Channel Three: International Stereo Left*
􀁸 Channel Four: International Stereo Right*

􀁸 Reference Audio Levels: -20dBfs
􀁸 Peak Audio Levels: -10dBfs

*An International Track is defined as complete mix-minus voice over/commentary. All elements including music, sound bites, sound effects and ambient sound are included, minus the announcer unless the announcer/narrator is on-camera. Anytime a person is on-camera, their audio must be on the international sound track. The reason
for this is that we don’t want “lip flap.” If we SEE a person, we must HEAR that person. Our foreign/international announcers translate over the on-camera."

In this case, the spot is an interview with a host and two guests. Light jazz music in the background. Mixing for the first two tracks is pretty straightforward; just need to make it broadcast safe.

But for C3 and C4, I'm not so sure. Do I lower the dialogue level to accommodate for foreign dubbing (a la 60 minutes?). Or should levels stay the same since it might be subtitled? I don't have access to the broadcast facility, so I'm trying to reach the editor now. In the meantime, any advice/opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[quadraphonics]

These are usually dipped by the house that is mixing in the new VO.

Randall

Originally Posted by goodfellamikec

Hey all,

I'm doing my first mix on a :30 commercial that will be broadcast internationally. These are the specs:



In this case, the spot is an interview with a host and two guests. Light jazz music in the background. Mixing for the first two tracks is pretty straightforward; just need to make it broadcast safe.

But for C3 and C4, I'm not so sure. Do I lower the dialogue level to accommodate for foreign dubbing (a la 60 minutes?). Or should levels stay the same since it might be subtitled? I don't have access to the broadcast facility, so I'm trying to reach the editor now. In the meantime, any advice/opinions would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Reckless Erik]

I actually prefer split stems for International delivery. Just makes for an easier mix.

[goodfellamikec]

Thanks! It turned out the Post Super said, "Don't worry about it" after handing over all my carefully prepared stems. Oh well...