Amplitude in Soundtrack pro

I am stuck trying to figure out how to achieve a certain volume without causing the db meter to go into the red or past 0db.

I have some audio that I am trying to make almost uncomfortably loud for impact purposes, but I can't seem to do this without causing audio distortion.

How do the movie studios handle these types of situations?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time and your thoughts.

-J

Hi jacyk,

Welcome to the MPV Forums!

The thing about digital audio is if any level exceeds 0dB you're going to be clipping the signal and probably induce distortion.

Now the most common way that some sounds are given special "impact" in films and broadcast TV is by lowering the overall levels. Mixed dialogue never hits 0dB for example.

e.g. it's very common for dialogue for film to peak at -12dB... or sometimes -6dB. Some would have the average between -18 and -12dB... either way that gives you a lot of headroom in which to add that special explosion that really blows the audience away - which may be anywhere above those levels and therefore will be perceived as louder.

Try this out by recording a segment of audio from a professionally produced film or DVD where the characters are talking... and record another section where there is some 'impact sound'... import them both into STP and

Hope this helps,
Rounik