Theatrical vs. DVD Mix

[seanmccoy]

A film I've been mixing (interminably) for a theatrical release now looks like it may go straight to DVD. With the reverse order assumed from the beginning, I had mentioned to the production company that we should reserve some extra time later (on the clock, of course) for a separate DVD mix, but now that extra time may not be possible. Should that be the case, does anyone have a recommended "quick fix" for adapting a theatrical for DVD?

I sincerely doubt that recalibrating my room and remixing would result in an exact, linear relationship across all tracks, but would simply increasing all the outputs by 3dB and adding a bit of extra compression make any sense at all? Any advice appreciated.

[Henchman]

Print the stems, re-calibrate your playback level for 79, and re-adjust levels using the stems.
Start by bringing everything up by 3db, and then adjust accordign to how it plays back.
You'll probably find yourself boosting some of the more quite dialog stuff, and pulling back louder bits of dialog and sound effects.
Shouldn't take more than twice the runnign time of the feature.

[kk@jamsync.com]

Originally Posted by seanmccoy

A film I've been mixing (interminably) for a theatrical release now looks like it may go straight to DVD. With the reverse order assumed from the beginning, I had mentioned to the production company that we should reserve some extra time later (on the clock, of course) for a separate DVD mix, but now that extra time may not be possible. Should that be the case, does anyone have a recommended "quick fix" for adapting a theatrical for DVD?

I sincerely doubt that recalibrating my room and remixing would result in an exact, linear relationship across all tracks, but would simply increasing all the outputs by 3dB and adding a bit of extra compression make any sense at all? Any advice appreciated.

Theatrical mixes are generally monitored with a system using an x-curve compensation. DVD mixes are not. That assumes that you are mixing the theatrical mix in a large room and the DVD mix in a smaller, "deader" room.