Dialnorm for Theatrical release

[Eric Seaberg]

We have completed a film release, specifically for television, using -24dB LKFS for dialnorm. We have been asked for a 24FPS conversion to DCP for theatrical release. Is there an easy way to deal with the -31dB LKFS difference or do we need to do a complete remix? I suppose it's not as easy as turning everything down 7dB?

Thanks...

[smurfyou]

There's bound to be a lot of opinions here.

Most common advice is to take a broad set of stems and rent a dub stage for a day. If there is already a distribution deal surely the production could swing it. Or at least a playback where you could take notes.

That would be my preferred advice. I would not do a blanket level drop. Kind of depends on the type of film too. Documentary might not need much, drama probably more work.

[Eric Seaberg]

Thanks, but we're out of time. It's all good as it is a basic documentary. We had a premiere in LA last Friday night at Regal LA Live downtown... I was OK with it.

[gives]

It's been my experience that if DCP places are asking for -31db that is simply too low for an overall level. I spoke with Marti Humphrey at the Dubstage about this a month or two back when one of my clients had taken a streamed file and tried to use it for a theatrical DCP. Haha. That was a mistake on their part-:). Anyway I got asked to deliver a -31 LUFS for the DCP file. I have never had to deliver any film I've done here below -25. This one I did over for them at around -24 LUFS and it got approved just fine. Super quick turn around. Keep in mind this was only a stereo mix however and I had just hours to get it done. Totally the clients fault.

G

[dr sound]

No Theater plays at Dolby "7" Reference ( 7=85spl). Every Theater will play it lower. Mixing it for Dialog Norm of 31 is FAR TOO LOW. Mix it for 27 or just leave it at 24. It will be fine. If you're really concerned then take it to a Calibrated Dub Stage and listen to it.
Since you don't have time then do as I mentioned above.

[smurfyou]

If you already screened it at a theatre that's great. Marti is spot on, they'll turn playback down if they want to. IME level 5 seems to be the starting point for screens around here.

Also Dialnorm ≠ LUFS, technically speaking.

[gives]

Originally Posted by dr sound

No Theater plays at Dolby "7" Reference ( 7=85spl). Every Theater will play it lower. Mixing it for Dialog Norm of 31 is FAR TOO LOW. Mix it for 27 or just leave it at 24. It will be fine. If you're really concerned then take it to a Calibrated Dub Stage and listen to it.
Since you don't have time then do as I mentioned above.

Yup. Marti is right as usual!

G

[Eric Seaberg]

THANK YOU ALL!!! I so appreciate everyone's experience and expertise on this forum, and your willingness to share.

As I mentioned we did screen it in LA last Friday and there were some initial audio problems... for some reason the channels weren't mapping properly and even when they did, their system was way out of spec. Even pink noise sounded different all around the room, but we had to go with it.

Other private releases this week have been good and no one has complained.


Thanks again!!