2. “Dialogue Norm”
When mixing for Broadcast and Film the first thing
you need to understand is the term “Dialogue
Norm,” (Dia Norm) which refers to the average
dialogue level.
Both Broadcast and SMPTE/Film have strict
guidelines for your “Dialogue Norm.”
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3. Mix Calibration
When mixing for either Broadcast or Film you need
to make sure that you are mixing at the correct level.
Film should be mixed at 85dBc
Broadcast should be mixed at 79dBc
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4. Broadcast Levels
Broadcast Levels require that you have a “Dia norm”
of -27dB (or -7VU) or -20db (or 0 VU) with NO
PEAKS EXCEEDING -10dB.
On air promos, commercials, and TV spots require
that the Dia Norm is -20dB (o VU) with no peaks
exceeding -10dB.
These guidelines are strictly followed and your mix
will not pass quality control if you exceed + 1dB.
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5. SMPTE/Film Levels
Film requires that your Dia norm be between -31dB
to -27dB and that no peaks exceed 0dB digital.
Movie Trailers are mixed at LeqM85 which is the
maximum level you can mix a movie trailer at. This
is set by T.A.S.A. (Trailer Audio Standards
Associations).
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6. Mix Setup
When you are setting up your mix in Protools make
sure that you start your project at exactly 1 hour
even (unless it requires a two pop) so that you don’t
have syncing issues when you send your mix back to
the video editor.
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7. Mixing Dialogue
The first thing that you want to do in mixing for Film
or Broadcast is to mix the dialogue so that the levels
are consistent.
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8. Monitoring
While you are mixing your dialogue pay specific
attention to where you are hitting with your meters.
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9. Metering
If you can’t afford the Waves Dorrough, the Dolby
LM 100 or Dolby Media Meter to monitor your
dialogue levels, you can use the Phasescope plug-in
in Protools to mix. You will want to make sure that
the mode is set on either Peak+RMS or RMS with a
two or three second hold.
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10. Music and SFX
After you have closely monitored your Dia norm mix,
you can begin to mix your Music and SFX.
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11. The End
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of our tutorials at
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