Upon analyzing the audio of a 5.1 DUB that we received, I see the graph as in the image at http://prntscr.com/l7trwa
Are these volume levels ok or would i need to tweak them (+/-)?
Optimum Audio Level
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carl
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Re: Optimum Audio Level
I'd drop them by at least 10dB, possibly a little more.
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Carsten
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Re: Optimum Audio Level
Sorry Carl, I have to disagree 
They are in the right ballpark. There is content that needs to be played loud, other simply IS soft.
The important number here is the LUFS value. Around -18 to -19 gives a proper level in the cinema. It tends to get louder (like a trailer for an action or SciFi movie) towards -15 to -16, and speech intelligibility suffers above -23 to -25. Those are rough numbers, and it's always a good idea to check them on a calibrated cinema sound system.
You will get complaints, below -14/-15 LUFS. With below, I mean 'numbers'. As LUFS are negative, 'below' is 'higher' mathematically. So, a LUFS value of -12 is insanely loud. Also, many cinemas play preshow at a lower level than main feature. So it depends a bit on the character of your piece and the playout habits.
There is no objective measure wether a specific sound mix loudness is 'right'. Just as there is no objective measure for the 'right color' of a sunset in a movie.
- Carsten
They are in the right ballpark. There is content that needs to be played loud, other simply IS soft.
The important number here is the LUFS value. Around -18 to -19 gives a proper level in the cinema. It tends to get louder (like a trailer for an action or SciFi movie) towards -15 to -16, and speech intelligibility suffers above -23 to -25. Those are rough numbers, and it's always a good idea to check them on a calibrated cinema sound system.
You will get complaints, below -14/-15 LUFS. With below, I mean 'numbers'. As LUFS are negative, 'below' is 'higher' mathematically. So, a LUFS value of -12 is insanely loud. Also, many cinemas play preshow at a lower level than main feature. So it depends a bit on the character of your piece and the playout habits.
There is no objective measure wether a specific sound mix loudness is 'right'. Just as there is no objective measure for the 'right color' of a sunset in a movie.
- Carsten
Last edited by Carsten on Fri Oct 19, 2018 5:12 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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carl
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Re: Optimum Audio Level
Take Carsten's word over mine in this matter
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Carsten
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Re: Optimum Audio Level
I learned that LUFS really helps in setting levels to a usable value. I analyzed a lot of commercial trailers with DCP-o-matic, and also was able to get some client feedback. I think I wrote something around this a while ago here with some interesting screen shots, let me see...
The common recommended LUFS of -23 LUFS implies a home listening experience (as LUFS/R128 has a broadcast background). People are used to higher levels in cinema, so, 3-5 dB more is okay as a rule of thumb. That results in 'average' LUFS values of -18 to -20 to be 'okay'. Not necessarily 'right', but 'okay'.
Ah, there it is...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=980&p=3576#p3576
It's a long read, but it sure is interesting...
- Carsten
The common recommended LUFS of -23 LUFS implies a home listening experience (as LUFS/R128 has a broadcast background). People are used to higher levels in cinema, so, 3-5 dB more is okay as a rule of thumb. That results in 'average' LUFS values of -18 to -20 to be 'okay'. Not necessarily 'right', but 'okay'.
Ah, there it is...
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=980&p=3576#p3576
It's a long read, but it sure is interesting...
- Carsten
Last edited by Carsten on Fri Oct 19, 2018 6:14 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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Guddu
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Re: Optimum Audio Level
Last night while waiting for feedback on this and given that I had some very strict timelines to tackle, I did a adjust of -2 on all the channels (except LFE). Still need to see how it plays out in the cinemas though. Is that Ok to reduce it by 2 dB or did i messed it up?
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Carsten
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- Location: Germany
Re: Optimum Audio Level
-2 dB won't hurt anyone.
- Carsten
- Carsten