Standard RMS levels when mixing for DVD?

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 10:21 am

So, I'm finishing up the audio for my friends film which is about to be released on DVD and I have a few questions. If any of you could help it'd be great.

I usually record bands and radio programs so that's where most of my experience resides. If I'm mastering material for people, 99.9% of them want the material brick walled. That's what I'm used to dealing with.

SO to my question, as I usually don't prepare stuff for DVD. I ripped a bunch of audio from a number of films on DVD to get an idea of what levels people were mixing at. (Pride and Prejudice, Tron, Undead, Return of the Living Dead). I was suprised to discover that the overall RMS for most of these mixes was at -30 db. Dialog sitting at -36, Music at -26 and fx peaking at around -16. Actually, -16db was the highest peak detected in any of these mixes.

Please keep in mind, I ripped only 2 channel mixes, no 5.1 or anything.

This levels seemed surprisingly low to me. What's the deal? Is this normal? I'd love some input on this as I don't want to give material back to my friend that's going to have people running for the volume knob to save their ears. My goal is to deliver the material at levels they are used to listening to.

Thanks!
-chvad

Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 5:44 pm

Those numbers seem a little low, as i have found that dialogue tends to ride around -27db, but what I have always found to be the case is that a lot of these films are mixed so well that they really maximize their levels, and that tends to be a combination of great recording (combination of production sound and ADR), very clean converters, exceptional use of processing (EQ, Compression, Reverb, etc), and as can be expected great mixing skills. They also have accurate monitoring systems, most of the time in mix stages which resemble a movie theatre. They have great gear, great talent, and a ton of experience and that goes a long way to making good soundtracks. I envy them, and I know I haven't even come close to what the folks at the top are able to do, but at least it keeps me hungry.

I think you are on the right track by bringing these film mixes into your system and seeing what they have done to get those levels and that "movie" sound. If you have an accurate monitoring system and clean signal path you'll probably be able to get your friend's film into at least an acceptable soundtrack, and with some effort even one that approaches the pros.

I admit, I have yet to do a mix that I was completely happy with, so it does take quite a bit to pull it off. There are some other highly experienced people on this forum who might be able to chime in and give you further advice. Best of luck with the film!

Regards,
Steve

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:48 am

chvad,
Go here:
http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=529464&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=31&fpart=all&vc=1

It is the "Room Calibration for Film and TV" thread that I wrote. Read it, calibrate your room and then listen and learn.
This should help you! Cool

Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:34 am

What Marti is trying to tell you is, you calibrate your room, then mix using your ears as you would like to hear it in your living room.

If you mix that way dialog will fall around -27 or so, so Steve is correct.

Looking at the relative levels you posted, they are all about 11 dBs low.
Thats the SPL difference between -10 and +4 operating levels!!!!

Read the link Marti posted.

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