Audio reference level

[George Glou]

Whaat is the audio reference level and WHY it is in -20db when edius starts a project????????

please any answer would help!!!
thanks

[antonsvideo]

I have all my project presets set to -12db, so when I start a new project, it will be -12db which is the level I want my productions

so when you add a colorbar clip with tone, the tone level will be -12

and when I click normalize tool, it will be preset to -12

[John Hooper]

George, the audio reference level is to align equipment in a broadcast chain where standardisation is important.

It was set many years ago when the reference level was -8dB below peak. This was fine for analogue where slight variations over peak levels were not a disaster. But for digital audio any clipping mean't more of a loss.

So it was decided to set this reference level with some "headroom". This was to be another 10dB below the so called peak level. In Europe the EBU standard is a reference level of -18dB and in America and some other parts of the world, it is -20dB.

I don't often disagree with Anton's answers, but -12dB is not an industry standard level for broadcast.

[antonsvideo]

I don't often disagree with Anton's answers, but -12dB is not an industry standard level for broadcast.

when it comes to broadcast, I employ the loudness meter and set levels to the requirements of the channel

for non broadcast (90%) I employ my rules :)

[John Hooper]

when it comes to broadcast, I employ the loudness meter and set levels to the requirements of the channel

for non broadcast (90%) I employ my rules :)

Even if you use the Loudness Meter, you should still set the reference tone when using colour bars with tone, to the correct level as I understand it.

[antonsvideo]

Even if you use the Loudness Meter, you should still set the reference tone when using colour bars with tone, to the correct level as I understand it.

yes, as per TV channel requirement

[John Hooper]

I understand, I didn't want to confuse George with too many explanations if he didn't know what the reference level was for in the first place.

[George Glou]

Well you both made me study again :-) ....
I seached and read all about aurio reference level and I also called a friend who is α sound engineer and we "played" in Edius with peack, levels and so on.
Now its clear to me.
Thanks you guys.
RESPECT for the forum.Everyone here is like a teacher to us !!!!!!!!