Audio levels

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mrpink89

hey guys, was wondering if anyone knew what the best levels to shoot dialogue would be, i heard in between -24 ad -12 is good but if anyone has any other suggestions, that would be cool.
 
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There is NO correct level you should always aim for because what you want to record is the highest signal to noise ratio (SNR) possible. Once you've treated your recording environment and reduced the ambient noise as much as possible, your SNR is effectively fixed. Turning your pre-amp up higher to get a louder recording is not just going to increase the level of the dialogue but also of the noise floor because your environment SNR is fixed. You might think you are getting a cleaner recording because the dialogue is louder but actually you are getting a noisier recording because not only are you getting the same SNR as when you recorded quieter but now you are getting more noise due to the fact you're over-driving your pre-amp! So, trying to record as close to zero dBFS as possible is almost certainly going to get you a noisier recording.

In other words, you have to consider the SNR of the recording equipment you are using rather than just aiming for a level someone on an internet forum says is correct. Using sound equipment well is like using a camera well, you've got to spend a considerable amount of time experimenting, to work out where it's strengths and weakness are and how best to work around those weaknesses.

This thread will give you an introduction to these issues and SNR: Production Sound (Gain Staging)

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On fully budgeted shoots with professional experienced PSMs working with top quality boom-ops using high quality equipment in controlled environments the PSM wants the dialog to average -12dB on the meters; this allows for transient peaks at about -6dB.

At least, this is what the guys over on Jeff Wexler's site always say.
 
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