Best mixing level if it's being shown in theater, DVD, broadcast ??

[vudoo]

I will be mixing a 60 min doc in 5.1 surround and stereo. Their original plan was for DVD release and a few premiere at different venues, including cinema room. They also mention that they were also hoping to have it broadcasted.
With so many delivery options, what levels should i mix this doc at ? Usually my theater mix works fine for DVD but now that broadcast is also a possibility, should i just play it safe and mix this to bradcast level ( -10 db ) ??
I also have the DMM, is it a good idea to mix with dialnorm = -27 dbfs ?? Thanks

[eoats]

On size fits all is tough.
For me, do a Theatrical 5.1 Mix that plays nice at 85dB spl is first.

Sometimes it doesn't play loud enough from DVDs with that mix. Usually with a dialog oriented mix with no loud effects. So I'll do a DVD mix very much like TV mix using -3dBFS for my peak limiter.

For TV I would wait until there is a deal made & the Broadcaster has a spec sheet with their Deliverables. I see dialnorm of -25 or -27 with the HD allowed to go to -4 & SD to -10.... APT, ITVS, Discovery, History Channel - all have just a bit of a difference.

With that said you could mix, say at -27 dialnorm with no peaks over -10 dBFS and live happily ever after. When there has been a filmmaker insisting on having just One Mix for everything.

[swirlyd]

Originally Posted by eoats

On size fits all is tough.
With that said you could mix, say at -27 dialnorm with no peaks over -10 dBFS and live happily ever after. When there has been a filmmaker insisting on having just One Mix for everything.

This is what I've done lately when they "only have a budget" for one mix....it's a bit of a compromise, but for documentaries at least, works decently. It's good to communicate to them that it IS a compromise so they can't complain later

[vudoo]

Thanks for your reply guys,

My mix template/set up a louds me to monitor in 5.1 and ST via my Dangerous. I guess, i'll just create another ST bus with dialnorm set to -27 and a limiter set to -10 dbfs.
They don't have the budget for me to tailored the mixes for different versions. I'll see if i can make one mix translate well for all the above formats.

[Smallbudgetguru]

Originally Posted by vudoo

Thanks for your reply guys,

My mix template/set up a louds me to monitor in 5.1 and ST via my Dangerous. I guess, i'll just create another ST bus with dialnorm set to -27 and a limiter set to -10 dbfs.
They don't have the budget for me to tailored the mixes for different versions. I'll see if i can make one mix translate well for all the above formats.

Going that route is going to mean a major compromise for one of the delivery formats. There is a reason it is not done this way. Make sure your clients know this.

[eoats]

I've even offered on some programs to give them a free theatrical printmaster, just to keep from being embarrassed at some screening and been turned down because they don't want the hassle! ?