Tone Lineup Reference Level

[mickeyk]

Hi folks.

I have only recently seen the redcam and its audio setup menu. What level should 1khz tone be set at ?

 

[10s]

-18 dB is std. tone. peaks should hit -14dB. I don't know how RED has it set up, so this is a guesstimate.

Sometimes -12 dB is used as ref., but this is a DV std. & each NLE has it's own ref. setting.

 

[Antoine Fabi]

Tone reference level is used to match 0 VU for brodacast.

There are two main standards.
0 VU=-20dbfs (for broadcast), or 0VU=-8dbfs or "full scale". (like music CDs etc...)

So you have about 8 db of headroom normally.

BUT

When you record "live" in an uncontrolled environment, you may need a lot more headroom than 8 db.

If the signal path is clean enough, combined with a 16 bit recording, you should not need to record too hot.

You better use a good compressor in post to raise the average audio level to
-4 VU to 0VU (average).

I never use "in camera" reference tone personnally.
I just try to record high enough signal without clipping.

By the way...Is there an audio compressor in the RED camera.

I will receive mine tomorrow, so i will experiment.