Strategy for choosing/setting audio level for final burn to BluRay

Chuck23322

Newbie Joined: Jun 15, 2013 07:00 Messages: 16 Offline

Solved by

Sep 23, 2013 18:19

I'm shooting in the dark for how "loud" to make my sound tracks when I burn to BluRay. I mean, pretty much I'm guessing on how 'loud' or 'soft' a given track should be...

I assume there is some sort of 'standard' for the audio level range of a BluRay -- because virtually every BluRay I play I set my home threater system to like "65" (on a 100 scale) -- and it's fine -- maybe a small up or down on volume.

But BluRay's that I create with Powerdirector 11 -- I'm getting some that are WAY too loud, or some that are WAY too soft. I've been "blasted" by the level of the BluRay created, or have had to turn up my stereo system to 100 to just hear it...

I assume I need to amplyfy or decrease the audio level in my project -- but what's the missing piece here of what I should be "targeting" for a general level.

And how to acheive "targeting" that -- strategy?

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Sep 23. 2013 18:21

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Sep 24, 2013 08:45

Managing audio levels, takes paying attention to the audio level on each audio and video file on the timeline.

You can adjust the audio levels of each individual audio or video in the Audio Mixing room.

Some audio may need editing in a external editor (WaveEditor) or a third party editor.

As a general rule if the waveform on the timeline is about the same size for all your audio, then the Bluray disk should be OK.

You may find a Digital level meter useful.
http://www.darkwooddesigns.co.uk/pc2/meters.html

Scroll down to "Digital Level Meter". This one works well on Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.

cuartetto

Senior Member Joined: Jan 28, 2011 20:22 Messages: 168 Offline

Sep 24, 2013 09:41

I always use the digital meters for level adjustments. Calibration is critical since changing your speaker volume will change the level on the meters, at least on my system.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Sep 24. 2013 09:42

Chuck23322

Newbie Joined: Jun 15, 2013 07:00 Messages: 16 Offline

Sep 24, 2013 10:55

Ok, thanks folks -- I get the basic idea on getting various audio clips to match up in relative volume. I have just two clips to get to be similar.

But, my question was really more on choosing the overall "level" to target towards.

Take an extreme example... I get the two clips to match in volume -- but when it records to bluray, it's a whisper and I have to turn up the stereo system really loud.

Or the other extreme -- I get the two clips to match in volume -- but when it records to bluray -- my stereo system, set for a normal volume level I use for watching other blurays -- BLARES at me with a HUGE LOUD volume.

So, while getting the audio clips in relative volume to each other, is a seperate issue (I think) than determing what that overall relative volume should be to match what a "normal" (commercial?) bluray volume is.

Back to my original question:

I assume there is some sort of 'standard' for the audio level range of a BluRay -- because virtually every BluRay I play I set my home threater system to like "65" (on a 100 scale) -- and it's fine -- maybe a small up or down on volume.

I assume that using the Sound Meter -- I can get an overall idea of what, say, is my 'speakers' level on the two tracks, and then get that similar volume through an editor (I use Audacity) as needed.

But the unknown to me is what to "target" as a Sound Level for a Bluray to not be a whisper and not be blaring -- as compared to other blurays.

Carl312

Senior Contributor Location: Texas, USA Joined: Mar 16, 2010 20:11 Messages: 9090 Offline

Sep 24, 2013 11:17

Quote: But the unknown to me is what to "target" as a Sound Level for a Bluray to not be a whisper and not be blaring -- as compared to other blurays.

This is a case of trial and error.

Using a Digital level Meter, you can see what the level of a produced Video is at.
So you produce a video of the project you would burn to a Bluray. Check the audio level of that video.

You can also burn a Bluray Folder only and check the audio level of the Videos in the "BDMV\Stream" folder. You do not have to burn a Disk to view the Contents of a BluRay disk.

Once you have found what level you should have your video/audio for your system, Just use that level for each Video you produce and burn to BluRay.

There are standards for the Audio level on a DVD or BluRay.
The movie industry uses those standards for commercial Disks.
Carl312: Windows 10 64-bit 8 GB RAM,AMD Phenom II X4 965 3.4 GHz,ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB,240GB SSD,two 1TB HDs.