[Michael Gissing] “EBU (PAL countries)- tone of 1 Khz @ -18dbfs. Peak levels should not exceed -9dbfs. The BBC (bless them) however only accept peaks to -10dbfs. “
Hi
Here’s a quote from an ex-BBC audio professional:
“The UK, and most of Europe, still specify signal levels in terms of readings on an analogue PPM — and that is important because the meter is specified with certain ballistics and integration times that materially affect the measurement of transient peaks.
Sadly, some companies have mistakenly calculated digital levels from static tone PPM levels (eg, the infamous -10dBFS peak level limit) without any understanding whatsoever of what the metering is all about or what the numbers mean — and that just adds further confusion into an already confusing subject.
…in the UK and in most of Europe you won’t go far wrong if you use a standard Type II analogue PPM, and keep peaks at or below a metered +8dB or PPM6 on each channel (+9dB in parts of Europe). Dialogue, music and effects levels depend on the nature of the balance, but in general, speech would be expected to lie between PPM 4 and PPM 6 (0dB and +8dB), with music and effects balanced to suit the artistic intention.
The ONLY relation to digital levels is during line up with steady tone, when PPM4 (0dBu) tone should align to -18dBFS (in the UK and Europe). Since most digital meters are true peak reading rather than integrating (as per the PPM), transient peaks will be seen regularly as high as -6dBFS and sometimes even higher. This is quite normal and completely acceptable to anyone that understands the engineering of a broadcast transmission chain.
Anyone who insists that programme peaks of PPM 6 = +8dBu = -10dBFS is a complete muppet and should be sent to stand in the corner of the room until they have learned their lesson!”
https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=569913&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1#569913