Sound for Video Session: Decibels & Q&A
This week we'll talk about the decibel — what it is and why the numbers seem different in different situations. Then we'll answer your sound for video questions. Read Ofuk Önen' article "Decibels - Here Are 6 Simple Truths To Help Explain dB" here and Steve DeMott's article "dBs Explained: A Musician's Guide To Understanding Decibels" here.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We have a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini and just added Introduction to Izotope RX for Dialogue Audio.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Waves, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Earthworks SV33 studio vocal microphone — B&H, Sweetwater
- Earthworks ETHOS microphone — B&H, Sweetwater
- Neumann U87 Ai microphone — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Universal Audio Volt 276 USB audio interface — B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Epiphan Pearl Nano live stream encoder — B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon
- Canon C70 Camera - B&H
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon
- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H
- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2022, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Loudness Meters & Q&A
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we have a look at various loudness meters, from hardware to software, and then we cover your sound related questions.
ITU-BS.1770-4 Loudness standards document
Thanks to Musicbed for the music for this session - “Sunset Drive” by Virgil Arles. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed. Also check out the playlist of songs we've used over time on the streams.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVE Store, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- tc electronic Clarity M stereo loudness meter - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Earthworks SR314 - B&H, Sweetwater
- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon
- Canon C70 Camera - B&H
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L IS lens - B&H, Amazon
- TA3-M to XLR-F Adapter cable to feed microphones to C70 or Blackmagic Pocket cameras - B&H
- ATEM Mini Extreme & Extreme ISO - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel, pre-amp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd
Setting Audio Levels for Multi Person Livestreams Using a Loudness Meter - Youlean
Have you ever hosted a livestream with remote guests on a service like Streamyard, and then learned in horror from your audience that they can barely hear one person while another person is super loud?
In this episode, we have a look at one way to set your audio levels when you have multiple participants in a livestream on services like Streamyard, Restream.io, Riverside.fm, and other cloud based streaming services. Instead of using simple peak meters, we demonstrate how to use a loudness meter which is much better at getting everyone’s audio levels to the same target so that your audience can focus on the stream.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Audio Hijack for Mac - Rogue Amoeba
- Youlean Loudness meter (free and paid versions) - Youlean
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Signa EF 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS ART lens - B&H, Amazon
- Schneider Radiant Soft Diffusion Filter - B&H
- Canon C70 - B&H
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L - B&H, Amazon
- ATEM Mini Extreme HDMI switcher - B&H. DVE Store, Amazon
- Aputure C120DII LED Light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Aputure Light Dome II soft box - Aputure, B&H, Amazon
- Aputure Amaran 100D LED light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon
- Aputure MC tiny RGB LED lights - Aputure, B&H, Amazon
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.
Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd
Understanding How to Loudness Normalize Your Audio for Video
In a previous episode, we covered the difference between volume and loudness and introduced the loudness metrics LUFS and LKFS. In this video, we talk about how to loudness normalize the audio for you videos in conceptual terms with a practical example. For the example, we edit our video and mix the audio in DaVince Resolve and then loudness normalize the audio mix in Izotope RX. But the goal here is to show you the concept so that you can adapt loudness normalization into your workflow.
Please watch part 1 first where we cover loudness, LUFS, and LKFS.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Support my work creating videos by donating.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- TZ Audio Stellar X3 large diaphragm condenser microphone - TZ Audio
- Sound Devices MixPre recorder/mixer/audio interface - B&H, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Amazon
- Panasonic GH5 - B&H, Amazon
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS Lens - B&H, Amazon
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed: http://share.mscbd.fm/curtisjudd
Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd
Live Sound for Video Session: Q&A & Loudness Normalization Demo
In this week's Sound for Video Session, we answer your sound for video questions and demo how I loudness normalize a mix in Izotope RX 8.
Thanks to Musicbed for the music for this session - “Why Not” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed.
If you'd like to submit your questions ahead of time, please join over at School.LearnLightAndSound.com. Opt in to the mailing list and I'll contact you once a week where you can reply with your question.
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. We also just added a course on sound for live-streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Jim & Rob Overanalyze "Making Waves" with guest Curtis.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- Earthworks SR314 - B&H, Sweetwater
- Canon C200 Camera - B&H, PictureLine
- ATEM Mini Pro ISO - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon
- Allen & Heath SQ5 Digital Mixer - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Sound Devices MixPre II Series Recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, Amazon
- Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel - preamp, EQ, compressor - Sweetwater, B&H
Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd
Volume vs Loudness - LUFS & LKFS for Measuring Loudness for Video
Are volume and loudness the same thing? NO! In this video, we explain the difference, cover how to measure loudness, and talk about the target loudness you should use for your videos.
Nerd out with the full ITU BS.1770-4 specification & algorithm
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- D&O 180W LED Panel light - Amazon
- D&O Softbox - D&O Direct
- Earthworks SR314 Microphone (my favorite for my voice for livestreams) - B&H, Sweetwater
- Aputure MC lights to create the color in the background - Aputure, B&H, Amazon
- Lupo Smartpanel Dual Color used as a hair light - B&H, Amazon
- Canon C200 camera - B&H
- Canon EF 24-105 f/4 L lens - B&H, Amazon
- Canon C70 camera - B&H
- Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens - B&H, Amazon
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed.
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: Loudness Normalize your Video Sound in Adobe Audition
How do you get loud audio for your video projects? What if the music is much louder than the dialogue or speaking parts? In this session, we cover the basics of mixing music and dialogue and show how to loudness normalize your video’s sound using Adobe Audition.
Please consider my sound for video classes available over at Learn Light and Sound.
Gear used to record this episode:
AKG C414 XLS large diaphragm condenser microphone - this is my new, main voice over microphone
dbx 286s Preamplifier and channel strip (Amazon) - new vocal processing channel strip. I’ve had a ton of requests for help setting this up so I had to add one to my collection so I can learn how to use it first.
Universal Audio Apollo x6 - Thunderbolt 3 audio interface used to take audio signal from the dbx286S channel strip, convert it to digital, and send to my computer for recording.
Copyright 2019 by Curtis Judd
Outro music from Artlist: Sunscape by Oliver Michael. You can receive a 2 week discount on a subscription to Artlist, a subscription service for stock music you can use with your videos. Check it out at Artlist.
Audio Loudness in Final Cut Pro X with Free Plugin from Youlean
For those who edit in Final Cut Pro X, ensuring that your audio was loud, but not too loud, and consistent from video to video has been a challenge. Of course you could buy expensive plugins to help with this and often what the pros do (it’s the cost of doing business and broadcasting your pieces on TV). But for those who are mainly publishing to the web and working on VLOGs or passion projects, the budget for expensive software or hardware loudness meters just wasn’t there.
Recently I found a free loudness plugin by Youlean which you can get over at Youlean. **NOTE** Several notified me that the Youlean site appears to display spam types of messages and opens new tabs. Close these windows and do NOT click on the links in them. I have notified the site owner and hopefully they can fix this soon.
And once you have that installed, you can get the right loudness consistently with the technique we show here.
For those not familiar with loudness normalization, here are a couple of other pieces where we go into some detail on how it works:
Links to Gear Discussed and Used to Record the VT500 lavalier review (which we use as a demo piece in this tutorial):
Voice Technologies VT500 Omni-directional Lavalier Microphone
Voice Technologies VT500 O Eco (same microphone without the waterproof case or extended accessories and lower price)
Blackmagic Ursa Mini Pro - for talking head shots. quite a lot of moire with this particular shirt
RODELink Wireless Lavalier Filmmaker Kit
Sennheiser EW 112p G3 Wireless Lavalier Kit (516-558 MHz)
Panasonic GH5 Camera - for product shots
Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 Zoom Lens
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
How to Get Consistently Loud Sound with Loudness Normalization
In the last episode we covered how to set the input or gain level on your audio recorder when recording dual system sound (sound recorded by a separate, dedicated audio recorder). One of the things I suggested was that it is best to leave some headroom so that if the person speaking suddenly gets very loud, the sound will not distort and clip.
But the problem is that most of the sound isn’t loud enough. So how do you manage this? You loudness normalize the audio. This ensures that it is loud enough and that it is consistent from video to video.
Here are three ways to do that. The third way is to manually loudness normalize and is a longer, more involved process. You can see how to do that here:
Gear used or mentioned in this episode:
—————————————————————————————
Tascam DR-60DmkII Audio Recorder (good option for a beginner who wants to record higher quality sound - shown in the clip to demonstrate leaving headroom)
Audio Technica AT4053b Hyper Cardioid Microphone (for the talking head clips)
Sound Devices 633 (Talking head portions recorded with this)
Aputure Light Storm COB120t LED Light (Key Light)
Aputure Light Dome Soft Box (for COB120t key light)
Celadon LED Pro Radiant 2XL Pro LED Light (background light)
Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 Lens
Copyright 2017 by Curtis Judd
Sound for Video Session: EQ, Choirs, Loudness, Run 'n Gun Sound
This week we discuss questions on EQ - how to get more bass and make one clip sound more like one another - recording choirs, loudness, and run and gun sound.
Other episodes mentioned in the session:
Recorder Meta Review
Loudness Normalization
