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Matias Baridon · February 23rd, 2007, 01:16 PM

I am editing a documentary which will be finished to DVD.

My audio is OK from origin, being around -12db.

I am not sure how to finish my audio for DVD. There are interviews and bands playing. The interviews have the audio at a constant level, but the bands have a lot of peak variations.

I am not sure at how much dbs my final audio should be. I am also not sure if I should apply a compressor or a limiter in Soundtrack Pro so that all my audio is around the same level.

I think I should leave my audio levels at around -5 db, and limit it at -1db. But I really dont know if this is OK or not.

I appreciate suggestions.

Ralph Keyser · February 23rd, 2007, 01:27 PM

It's entirely up to you, and it's also a pretty complex topic.
Just FYI, most professional DVDs peak at around -6 dB.
Jay Rose has a good book out on the whole post-production aspect of audio that might be a good reference for you.

February 23rd, 2007, 01:16 PM	#1
Matias Baridon Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Montevideo, Uruguay Posts: 52	Audio for DVD I am editing a documentary which will be finished to DVD. My audio is OK from origin, being around -12db. I am not sure how to finish my audio for DVD. There are interviews and bands playing. The interviews have the audio at a constant level, but the bands have a lot of peak variations. I am not sure at how much dbs my final audio should be. I am also not sure if I should apply a compressor or a limiter in Soundtrack Pro so that all my audio is around the same level. I think I should leave my audio levels at around -5 db, and limit it at -1db. But I really dont know if this is OK or not. I appreciate suggestions.

February 23rd, 2007, 01:27 PM	#2
Ralph Keyser Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico USA Posts: 287	It's entirely up to you, and it's also a pretty complex topic. Just FYI, most professional DVDs peak at around -6 dB. Jay Rose has a good book out on the whole post-production aspect of audio that might be a good reference for you.