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Adjusting Audio in Final Cut to Broadcast Safe
Hi – I’m trying to figure out the best way to adjust audio in final cut to broadcast safe limits. I received audio that was already professionally mixed. The issue is that the audio peaks high and low, so i’m looking for a way to even it out. I did read other posts, but didn’t see anything for evening out audio, just bringing levels down.
Any help is much appreciated.
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3 Replies
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The compressor/limiter filter is designed for this function. Compressors reduce dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and softest portions of audio) by a specified ratio. Start with a fairly low ratio like 1.5:1 or 2:1, perhaps even as high as 4:1 and set the threshold to -60dB. Too high of a ratio is undesirable, as it boosts the noise floor and can make audio sound unnaturally processed and lifeless.
Adjust the final audio gain level so that peak level is around -12 on FCP’s level meters. Consult the TV station to which you’re delivering the final output for specs on required average and peak audio levels.
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[Alan Okey] “Adjust the final audio gain level so that peak level is around -12 on FCP’s level meters. Consult the TV station to which you’re delivering the final output for specs on required average and peak audio levels.”
Actually that’s pretty low. All our audio goes out peaking at -6 if not slightly above.
But as you said, check the network / TV station specs before delivering. In all our shows so far, -6 to -3 has been the peak.
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International tech specs say -10db for peaks in SMPTE countries and -9db for EBU countries. That said, those peaks are achieved using sophisticated peak limiters, not the toy ones in FCP. If the audio was professionally mixed, then they should have set their compressor limiters to that standard. I would never recommend using FCP for this task.
A compressor/ peak limiter should never be set to a threshold as low as -60db. typically mine are set to compress around -20db and peak limit at -10db.
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