AUDIO FOR VIDEO

Dion Wilton, who has lectured and tutored us in several areas, has told us that the audio levels are important for television stations. The example used is TVS - the local community channel in Sydney, Australia.

The requirement is that the audio fluctuates around -12db (minus 12 decibels) with an absolute ceiling of -6db.

As a general rule, background music should be set at no more than -20db (minus 20 decibels) and should not be increased during voiceover silences (unless there is a need to make a point).

The Sydney Moviemakers had noticed that the audio in the videos presented for their Video Of  TheYear contest was generally below standard, with a few exceptions. There was clipping, where the audio is at or above 0db so that it distorts. There were audio levels all over the place in the same video - sometimes very soft and sometimes too loud. Background music sometimes overpowered the voice. [Sounds familiar to most club members and festival organisers - webmaster.]

We need to spend some time on audio in our videos. We are generally shooting better pictures and content, but our audio capability is lacking.