best loudness range for short film.

[MixerGuy]

Hi Post wizards

I am a music engineer, not a re-recording mixer.

I am helping out a pal on a zero budget, short film. The sound of the film is very very simple, and not very dynamic. The film will live various places (internet, festivals, etc)

I need to know a safe range for final audio levels.

I am going to buy TC Electronic LM1n ($50 on sale) or LM2n ($99 on sale)

May I ask what is a safe ballpark for levels for me to hand off?

I am unfamiliar with the scales used in the LM1n / LM2n, so assume you are instructing a talented cat. ;-)

Thanks

[a1rflow]

For film, see the sticky below.

NEW UPDATED Room Calibration for Film and TV Post

[MixerGuy]

Originally Posted by a1rflow

For film, see the sticky below.

NEW UPDATED Room Calibration for Film and TV Post

I believe my question is loudness, not room calibration.

Thanks.

[8dB.co.uk]

For a short film there aren't really any guidelines. A good rule of thumb, to also ensure it's TV compatible might be an EBU R128 reading of -23lufs and a loudness range of around 15lu. Only as a guide, though it would also save you having to remix for TV.

[mr.armadillo]

Loudness range totally depends on the movie and the playback situation. Horror genre might need a much more dynamic mix than a verbal comedy, internet needs a totally different mix than TV or festival. 8dB.co.uk is right on the money that around 15 LU is a good starting point and probably the safest bet for a compatible mix. However, a cinema mix of an action film might be 28 LU, a web series 5 LU.

[8dB.co.uk]

Also a good idea to mix at a monitoring level as specified by the alignment doc linked to earlier (see, it was relevant).

[MixerGuy]

Great info. Thanks al!!!!

[8dB.co.uk]

This is assuming that the film is mainly going to be shown in theatres, in surround, at Dolby Fader 7. If not, then you might have to rethink.

[mikevarela]

Shooting for r128 or calm spec is probably best, it'll play well in the theater along with other films of the same type, but more importantly it'll still play on an average dvd player and also translate pretty well to web.

It's a good middle ground.

[MixerGuy]

Originally Posted by mikevarela

Shooting for r128 or calm spec is probably best, it'll play well in the theater along with other films of the same type, but more importantly it'll still play on an average dvd player and also translate pretty well to web.

It's a good middle ground.

Cool!

So that would be EBU R128 reading of -23lufs and a loudness range of around 15lu.?