Broadcasting audio specs at DVinfo.net

Blake Raidal · May 29th, 2008, 08:19 PM

Hello, Im currently a month away from getting my 24min doco on Network television. I have the specs sheet from Ten, but thier audio requirments are confusing me.

Heres the spec: "Audio reference level (line-up level) shall be minus 20db (or 0 VU), however, minus 18db is acceptable."

Its not an analogue video, its shot on DV so I presumed it line up level would be -6db.. Will this be alright?

Colin Pearce · May 30th, 2008, 04:01 AM

No. 0 VU would be analogue. It would appear the digital level should be -20 or -18db.

Harm Millaard · May 30th, 2008, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin Pearce

No. 0 VU would be analogue. It would appear the digital level should be -20 or -18db.

That is a bit too low. -12 or -6 dB is more common.

Zach Cobb · May 30th, 2008, 06:26 AM

Not in the US. -20db is pretty close to 0db analog. FCP defaults to -12db, which really annoys my colleagues that edit for broadcast with it.

Blake Raidal · May 31st, 2008, 12:14 AM

Damn, Im gonna have to ring up a TD. Cause I also reckon -20db is really low. Im sure if I keep it at one level they sould be able to adjust it at thier end.

Ervin Farkas · May 31st, 2008, 09:46 PM

Blake, the specs are correct, for broadcast the audio reference level should be no higher than -18dB. What that means is: most of your audio should be around this level (people talking normally), yelling or other repeated noise at -10dB, in order to leave room for peaks like gunshuts for example.

Blake Raidal · June 1st, 2008, 05:01 AM

Hey Ervin thanks for the info. So are you saying set my 1min tone to -18db? Do you know why do they have it at this level? is it something to do with a higher dynamic range?
Jeez corporate is so easy, Broadcast is a different beast altogether.

Ervin Farkas · June 1st, 2008, 11:58 AM

It's not only your tone that you need to set at -18dB, but most of your audio should be around that mark. Yeah, broadcast is strictly regulated, the station needs to make sure you're not too low or too loud; besides, they need to have your program lower than their commercials... you know, the yelling salesman needs a little room in order to be able to attract attention.

May 29th, 2008, 08:19 PM	#1
Blake Raidal Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 39	Broadcasting audio specs Hello, Im currently a month away from getting my 24min doco on Network television. I have the specs sheet from Ten, but thier audio requirments are confusing me. Heres the spec: "Audio reference level (line-up level) shall be minus 20db (or 0 VU), however, minus 18db is acceptable." Its not an analogue video, its shot on DV so I presumed it line up level would be -6db.. Will this be alright?

May 31st, 2008, 09:46 PM	#6
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	Blake, the specs are correct, for broadcast the audio reference level should be no higher than -18dB. What that means is: most of your audio should be around this level (people talking normally), yelling or other repeated noise at -10dB, in order to leave room for peaks like gunshuts for example. __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

June 1st, 2008, 11:58 AM	#8
Ervin Farkas Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta/USA Posts: 2,515	It's not only your tone that you need to set at -18dB, but most of your audio should be around that mark. Yeah, broadcast is strictly regulated, the station needs to make sure you're not too low or too loud; besides, they need to have your program lower than their commercials... you know, the yelling salesman needs a little room in order to be able to attract attention. __________________ Ervin Farkas www.AtlantaLegalVideo.com

May 30th, 2008, 04:01 AM	#2
Colin Pearce Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 99	No. 0 VU would be analogue. It would appear the digital level should be -20 or -18db.

May 30th, 2008, 06:26 AM	#4
Zach Cobb New Boot Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 9	Not in the US. -20db is pretty close to 0db analog. FCP defaults to -12db, which really annoys my colleagues that edit for broadcast with it.

May 31st, 2008, 12:14 AM	#5
Blake Raidal Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 39	Damn, Im gonna have to ring up a TD. Cause I also reckon -20db is really low. Im sure if I keep it at one level they sould be able to adjust it at thier end.

June 1st, 2008, 05:01 AM	#7
Blake Raidal Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 39	Hey Ervin thanks for the info. So are you saying set my 1min tone to -18db? Do you know why do they have it at this level? is it something to do with a higher dynamic range? Jeez corporate is so easy, Broadcast is a different beast altogether.