Audio levels Peak -3.22 dB

[Larchose]

Hi, I’m a new here and try to make a short video to DCP, the audio said it’s Peak:3.22dB, Should I leave it or at more Gain? And what is calculate button for? the graph of the audio levels i’ll send it here. Thanks.

[Carsten]

You should actually RAISE the overall level by 3dB - this will get you close to the clipping point, but, that is not a problem. I can see your center RMS level is a bit too low compared to common levels.

Unfortunately, you don't calculate/show LUFS/LEQ numbers, these would give a more useful hint towards proper level. You can enable LUFS/LEQ calculation in prefs.

'Calculate' is meant towards the typical volume setting for cinema audio processors. Until you have listened to your DCP in a cinema using such a processor, 'Calculate' makes no sense for you. It enables kind of a feedback mechanism that allows you to bring your audio level to common values for cinema presentation. But, looking at RMS/LUFS/LEQ will also achieve similar results.

[Larchose]

Thank you for answering my question before.
When you said RMS center, you mean the green graph? The center sound? should I raise it a little bit more?

This is the LEQ calculation on the photo, what should I do about it?

[Carsten]

The LUFS value is not too bad. While it is not your center level that is closest to clipping, but L and R, you can't do much more - it is already close to peaking. I would stay with the +3dB overall gain. That will bring you to -21 LUFS - which is on spot in my opinion.

[Larchose]

Thank you so much Carsten, I hope you have amazing 2023. This actually saved me!

[Larchose]

I raised the Gain to +2.7dB, and it show this (In the photo), the true peak is 0.50dB. I remember this sound, it was slamming the door follow with some loud music. Is it a problem? should I still raise it to 3dB? or should I stay? The LUFS now is 21.16dB

[Carsten]

Peak and True Peak should never rise ABOVE zero. That's your ultimate limit. So, -0.5dB True Peak is okay - even if it's red. It's just close to clipping, but not quite yet.

However, these peak levels are a technical category - clipping should always be prevented. They can not be used to judge proper, or 'adequate' playback loudness.

RMS (especially for dialog) , LUFS and LEQ are better means.

[jdent02]

Just to add: with sharp transient sounds (i.e. a door slam), it's not terribly uncommon for a signal to clip briefly on film soundtracks. Whatever distortion results from that is masked by the sound itself. Continuous clipping is a bad thing though.

[Larchose]

Thank you Carsten and jdent02, again.

[Larchose]

I finally raised the Gain +2.7 dB, the LUFS is now on 21.16
This is actually short film (Drama)
But this message pop up before I make DCP (in the photo), Should I override this?