audio levels for web video

Hey FCPers,

I'm cutting 60 short spots for a client...all for web distribution. When editing I usually keep my audio levels in the -12 range, with nothing really peaking over -9db. I've applied these standards to these videos as well.

Is there a different standard for web videos? The client has mentioned that it seems too low (not loud enough with their laptop speakers turned all the way up). The videos are compressed ("broadcast high" setting) but I can't imagine this would effect volume. Do they just have a crummy set of computer speakers? Interested in thoughts, etc. Is there a web standard that suggests running levels hotter?

Thanks.
danny

for web, i will go as loud as it can go without peaking above 0.

DO NOT NORMALIZE!

This is a very much misunderstood function.
What it does is finding the highest peak, and use that as a max.
If you did not mix with a brick wall limiter, chances are HUGE that nothing will happen if you normalize at 100%.
(Even one little unnoticable high peak, like from a raindrop or scissors will set the maximum level)
So it is highly unpredictable, and there will be a huge difference between your clips.

If you mix to -12 with peaks to -9, you can add 9 dB gain and your peaks are still safe. But there WILL be some distortion then. (small peaks that you cannot see.)
Adding 6 dB probably gets you where you want to be without any effort.
But again, adding a brickwall limiter first is the best way to go. After that it does not make a difference if you use gain or normalize.



Bouke

http://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro's

Bouke -

Well there is normalizing and then there is Normalizing ... if you are referring to the totally inadequate normalizing tools that you find in Final Cut and Soundtrack Pro then I totally agree - do not normalize.

But if you have a proper normalizing tool like (Sony) Soundforge then normalization IS the way to go. With it you can choose between normalizing to peaks or to a "loudness contour" determined after analyzing the entire track. Then you can set your "normal" loudness profile and the while adjusting the overall volume you can pick a level above which you can have all peaks compressed. This is the way a quality normalizer works and should not be confused with the crap Apple gives us in FCP and Soundtrack Pro.

Herb Sevush
Zebra Productions

Just wanted to update this based on the last message.

Normalizing is not even CLOSE to being a limiter. Normalizing raises the volume to the specified dB based on the LOUDEST PEAK of the file. If you have a spike, it will only bring the volume up based on the spike. Limiting pushes the dB DOWN, based on the specified dB.

This is all ancient now with the new R128 / CALM act.

You don't need expensive metering anymore to be compatible.
(Although i keep them alive cause they are handy sometimes)

Check this:
http://www.videotoolshed.com/product/68/loudnesschange

hth,

Bouke

http://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros