Outputting Audio from FCP to Beta For Broadcast

John Pale
June 22, 2006 at 8:21 pm

For most of the network stuff I have done, tone was required to be at -20 not -12.
Matt Larson
June 22, 2006 at 10:09 pm

Yep, tone at -20dB and keep your audio peaks to -12dB. DO NOT let them go above -10dB on the Final Cut meters!
Rsk3527
June 23, 2006 at 2:19 pm

So just to clarify, I should keep the peaks to -12db no higher than -10db when mixing in fcp. Then use -20db tone to output to beta.

Does this mean dialogue and VO should be hitting -12db on the fcp mixer?

Should the peaks on the UVW-1800 be hitting around zero?

Thanks again.
John Pale
June 23, 2006 at 3:05 pm

[rsk3527] “Should the peaks on the UVW-1800 be hitting around zero?”

You are confusing VU and Db. They can and should peak higher than that. Remember, -20 VU in FCP = 0 db on the 1800. Consult the network you are delivering to for what they want. They usually have this info in a printed document., You will get different answers from different people about what is “correct”.

For most shows you will have too much dynamic range. To keep everything sounding good, and within the narrow area which TV broadcast specs demand, its kinda advised to use compression filters. You can do that within FCP, Soundtrack Pro, or ideally export to Pro Tools and have an audio expert do it.
John Pale
June 23, 2006 at 3:18 pm

Ugh…I wrote that backwards.

-20 db tone in FCP = 0 VU on your UVW 1800 meters

I’ll shut up now.

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