Sandy you're amazing!!! Thank you for these resources!!! And thank you
Derek for asking the question!

Scott, the technician I work with is a woman.

Always,
 Anna



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anna kipervaser
annakipervaser.com


On Tue, Feb 25, 2025 at 8:43 AM Sandy McLennan <[email protected]> wrote:

> There are different figures out there but it’s generally said that 16mm
> optical track plays back “flat” between 80-100Hz and 5-7KHz, with a dynamic
> (signal to noise) range of 30-40dB. So use any digital equalizer to reduce
> output below 100Hz and above 5KHz then compression to have all the audio
> (loud to quiet) within a range of just below 0bB to about -30dB. Reaper has
> these tools included, and is a low price.
>
> My main resources for specifications, from these two pages:
>
> Mixing for 16mm Optical Sound – filmlabs.org
> <https://www.filmlabs.org/technical-section/sound/mixing/>
>
> Simon Fraser doc: 16mm Film & Audio
> <https://www.sfu.ca/~gotfrit/ZAP_Sept.3_99/f/fsnd_lect_16mm_mix.html>
>
> Thanks to friend David Power for these notes (he has helpful audio and
> Resolve tutorials on YouTube):
>
> Hard limiter on master buss just shy of 0dB around -0.1dB or -0.3dB
>
> Hard gate at -30dB, so as you work you’ll hear dropouts of audio below -30
>
> Compressor with several render-listen-repeat passes of 3 - 6dB of
> reduction in each pass to bring peaks down ~18dB.
>
> At this point, with ~18dB of headroom, boost the entire master buss by
> 18dB. The hard limiter will keep it from clipping. Play it back and listen
> critically — with headphones, on studio monitors, at soft, medium, and loud
> volumes. If there are still dropouts in the audio (i.e. the gate closing
> over things we need the audience to hear), repeat the steps above:
>
> 1. Compress gently “a few” times.
>
> 2. Raise the overall gain by the amount of gain reduction.
>
> 3. Playback and listen for dropouts.
>
> NB: you’ll get far better mileage out of layering compressors (reducing
> gain by “a few” dB in each pass) than by knocking the peaks down super hard
> with a single compressor.
>
> In the early compression phases, you might want to start with a fast
> attack, medium release to knock down any super fast transient in the
> material. Once things the peaks are under control, then add slower
> compression passes to smooth out the entire track more subtly.
>
> NB2: Because you’ll likely boost overall gain several times using this
> technique, you’re bound to raise the noise floor. Once at / near the end,
> if there’s noticeable noise, you can either try a gentle Rx noise reduction
> pass or two. Or, use a soft-gate to knock down noise during quieter
> passages.
> Sandy
>
> On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 5:03 PM Derek Jenkins <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
>> Talking to the technician is always good advice, but the ones I use have
>> limited abilities to test the track for results in the right context. I've
>> had multiple tracks made, and I've found that tracks which sound
>> satisfactory on a portable projector may sound less so in a professional
>> exhibition space. I'm aiming to improve my results, so Sandy's resources
>> are very helpful. Thanks all!
>>
>> D
>>
>> On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 3:52 PM Scott Dorsey <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>> Talk to the man doing your optical track!  Just be aware that the
>>> bandwdith
>>> will be limited and so will the dynamic range... but you don't need to
>>> bandlimit or crush it because he'll do that for you.  You may find a
>>> little
>>> presence boost helps overcome the distortion on cheap classroom
>>> projectors
>>> but then again you may choose not to do that.
>>>
>>> Just make sure the timing is right and the 2-pop is in the right place,
>>> and give some leadin before the 2-pop.
>>> --scott
>>>
>>>
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>>>
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>>>
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