This tutorials will teach you the specs and guidelines for mixing both Broadcast and SMPTE/Film.

1. Mixing For Broadcast and Film

2. “Dialogue Norm”
 When mixing for Broadcast and Film the first thing
you need to understand is the term “Dialogue
Norm,” (Dia Norm) which refers to the average
dialogue level.
 Both Broadcast and SMPTE/Film have strict
guidelines for your “Dialogue Norm.”
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3. Mix Calibration
 When mixing for either Broadcast or Film you need
to make sure that you are mixing at the correct level.
 Film should be mixed at 85dBc
 Broadcast should be mixed at 79dBc
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4. Broadcast Levels
 Broadcast Levels require that you have a “Dia norm”
of -27dB (or -7VU) or -20db (or 0 VU) with NO
PEAKS EXCEEDING -10dB.
 On air promos, commercials, and TV spots require
that the Dia Norm is -20dB (o VU) with no peaks
exceeding -10dB.
 These guidelines are strictly followed and your mix
will not pass quality control if you exceed + 1dB.
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5. SMPTE/Film Levels
 Film requires that your Dia norm be between -31dB
to -27dB and that no peaks exceed 0dB digital.
 Movie Trailers are mixed at LeqM85 which is the
maximum level you can mix a movie trailer at. This
is set by T.A.S.A. (Trailer Audio Standards
Associations).
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6. Mix Setup
 When you are setting up your mix in Protools make
sure that you start your project at exactly 1 hour
even (unless it requires a two pop) so that you don’t
have syncing issues when you send your mix back to
the video editor.
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7. Mixing Dialogue
 The first thing that you want to do in mixing for Film
or Broadcast is to mix the dialogue so that the levels
are consistent.
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8. Monitoring
 While you are mixing your dialogue pay specific
attention to where you are hitting with your meters.
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9. Metering
 If you can’t afford the Waves Dorrough, the Dolby
LM 100 or Dolby Media Meter to monitor your
dialogue levels, you can use the Phasescope plug-in
in Protools to mix. You will want to make sure that
the mode is set on either Peak+RMS or RMS with a
two or three second hold.
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10. Music and SFX
 After you have closely monitored your Dia norm mix,
you can begin to mix your Music and SFX.
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11. The End
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