Output Volume Level question

discburn wrote on 8/6/2018, 7:06 AM

My current Audio for Video workflow is as follows...

Monitor the timeline at what I call ‘CD Level’, ie peaks don’t go above -.5dB (giving me .5dB headroom) and the audible volume is similar to CD level. This works well for YouTube, MP4 Versions and also if I distribute my soundtrack as audio files or go to CD (after conversion to 44.1KHz.

For burning DVDs or Blu-ray discs, I drop the timeline master volume output by -6dB, so peaks are at -6.5dB. This works very well. Some years ago, I read that DVD players boost volume so that it goes to the TV at high volume. When I used to burn at ‘CD Level’, I would always hear distortion in TVs. Not any more.

When I export MPEG 4 files for iPad or computer playback, I also now use ‘CD Level’. Any comments on that?

My main question is: if exporting an MPEG 4 file for viewing from a ‘file player’ to TV, what should the Output Level be set to? Do ‘file players’ boost volume like DVD players?

Thanks in advance!

Seamus

Comments

browj2 wrote on 8/6/2018, 9:14 AM

Hi Seamus,

I use (from the manual):

"Normalize (EBU R128)

EBU R128 is a transceiver standard that normalizes the audio signal to -23 LUFS (loudness units relative to the digital full level). Unlike normalizing to the maximum level, this provides enough upward space for temporarily loud signals. This is used, for example, by cinema productions and classical recordings."

I select all of my voice-overs or audio part of video clips that are on one track, right-click, and apply EBU R128. It normalizes all clips together, except for those that are too short to analyse. This evens things out.

I also sometimes mixdown the audio on a track (or a clip) after normalizing and then edit in an external editor. Try right-clicking on an audio object or a mixed-down object, and you should see "Edit in external editor." This will open the file in Music Editor 3 for cleaning and mastering. The audio tools in ME3 are more extensive than those within VPX. I have Magix Audio & Music Lab (AML), so I sometimes clean up the audio files with it. I changed ME3 in the Folders to AML, so it opens AML instead. With either one, when closing, it will ask to save, accept, and the audio file in VPX will be updated with the cleaned one. AML has a spectral editor which I use to remove sudden background noise, like a door closing, a tap, a cough; very practical.

In VPX, the last thing that I do is in the Mixer for the master track, click on Mastering and turn on the Limiter.

John EB will most likely give you more and better information. Like him, I use the Melda MDynamicEQ to do some compressing. I also use it on some objects to remove sibilants and other defects.

John CB

johnebaker wrote on 8/6/2018, 10:33 AM

@discburn, @browj2

Hi Seamus, John

In VPX I too normalise to EBU R128. I used to have the issue with TV being very loud accepting the default audio levels after normalising, I spoke to a music/record producer friend and he recommended for DVD, BD or export to -6dB ( 0dB or more for heavy rock providing you do not get the meters into the red).

This I have done since with no issues of having to chase for the remote on the TV or the volume on the PC or player.

I too use the MeldaProduction MDynamicEQ with the 5 band compressor/expander and normally have this set to 0dB in -6 dB Out.

@ John - did you see my latest tutorial on the FX channels in the mixer - you may find this useful if you have many audio objects that require de-essing and some that do not.

HTH

John EB

discburn wrote on 8/6/2018, 11:21 AM

Thanks to both of you for these insights. I'll certainly look into these settings and get back.

Seamus

browj2 wrote on 8/6/2018, 12:20 PM

@johnebaker

You're becoming prolific! I hadn't noticed the new tutorial. Excellent!

For voiceovers, I just apply de-essing to the entire track, as I put the voiceover objects all on one track, unless I miss something. The FX channel is great for easily taking care of more than on track with the same effect.

Other plugins received from Magix that work in VPX are:

iZotope Ozone 7 Elements (with Samplitude Pro X 3 Suite)
iZotope Nectar Elements (with Music Maker Premium a year ago)
VariVerb II

You can do some voice sweetening with these, amongst many other things. I just noticed that I forgot to install these on my Surface Pro.

We have so many great tools at our disposal that require a lot of learning and experimentation.

John CB

discburn wrote on 8/6/2018, 1:06 PM

@johnebaker

I just noticed that I forgot to install these on my Surface Pro.

John, how do you find the Surface Pro for editing? Is it fast/powerful enough? Which version do you have?

Seamus

browj2 wrote on 8/6/2018, 1:52 PM

@discburn

I have SP 4, i5-6300U CPU@2.40GHz 2.50 with 8 GB RAM, built-in SSD 256 GB, 128 GB SD card in internal slot. I also have the external hub which gives me 4 more USB ports, as the one that comes with it is insufficient.

It comes with a stylus which is very useful. The Arc Touch wireless mouse and the keyboard have to be purchased separately.

Space is limited, so I'm careful about which programs get installed.

I find it rather difficult for major editing as the screen is too small. I have a 27" external monitor (abandoned by my wife as she bought a hi-res one for her Mac) that I have yet to plug in. Space on my des is limited. I'm used to using 2 monitors - 25" and 27" so limited to just the small screen is rather frustrating.

I use various windows settings, like making the Media Pool full height and removing the Source and Project Folder windows, when not needed.

I bought the SP4 for travelling on business, but I also use when holidaying for doing up videos, at least putting things in order. I did a complete project recently whilst camping, so it's doable.

I have found that with VPX, not everything works well with the touch screen, so the mouse is required. How does one right-click without the keyboard/mouse connected?

The stylus is quite useful, but again, sometimes it balks in VPX.

You do not want to record audio using the built-in mic - terrible. I've found that my Bose wireless headphones (QC35 II) give me reasonable audio recording. Even a cheap cell phone plugin earbuds with a microphones was a significant improvement.

I have a large external battery (Lizone) that comes with the special plug for the SP4, so I can get many more hours of battery life when needed. However, if I plug in my external WD Passport drive, battery life decreases significantly.

I use the SP4 for many things other than video, so overall, I find it excellent. I use it like a table often. I just wish that I had the i7 - 512 GB SSD version, but that would have doubled the cost.

John CB

discburn wrote on 8/6/2018, 2:06 PM

Thanks for that, John. For video editing, I use LumaFusion on my iPad Air 2. It's excellent, but IOS fails for intensive work without a Mouse. I'm always threatening to change to a Surface Pro! Especially since I can put my Magix programs on it.

I've researched the i7 with lots of space and, yes, very expensive! If you get around to buying one, let me know how it goes! 😉

Seamus

johnebaker wrote on 8/6/2018, 4:17 PM

@browj2

. . . . How does one right-click without the keyboard/mouse connected? . . . .

My wifes SP 4 stylus has a flat button on the side, press and hold and then tap to get a right click, also works for dragging.

HTH

John EB

browj2 wrote on 8/6/2018, 6:01 PM

@johnebaker

The stylus trick works with other programs, like OneNote, but not with VPX, unfortunately. I should add this to the list.

Thanks,

John CB

johnebaker wrote on 8/7/2018, 3:57 AM

@browj2

How odd that it does not work - do you have MMM on the SP4 and does a right click work with it?

John EB

browj2 wrote on 8/7/2018, 9:04 AM

@johnebaker

I tried VPX, MEP, MMM (version 27 something) and Samplitude Pro X3. The right click with the stylus only works in Samplitude.

John CB

johnebaker wrote on 8/7/2018, 10:23 AM

@browj2

Hi John

Thanks - as you say another one for the list !

Cheers

John EB