limiting in 4 stems

[Storyville]

Doing the final mix down off of my four stems. Post isn't my main thing, I do it once in a while. I'd like to know how people are applying limiting in their final mix? On the master, or a little bit on each stem? And generally speaking where are people setting their peaks and rms levels. This is to be played in a theater, not a network broadcast.

Thanks greatly for your help!

[emf1138]

For theatrical there's usually no limiting of stems needed.

[Big Andy]

There is no such thing as Mastering for feature films. That's not to say it hasn't been done, but it isn't a job title in the industry.

Don't put any type of limiting on your tracks unless you absolutely have to. Let your stems play unaltered and if it sounds good, print it. RMS for dialogue is typically around -31dBFS and I don't like to let my dialogue peak more than -8dBFS, the most I typically like to go is -10dBFS.

There really aren't any standards for foley, SFX, BGs, or Music levels. Just make it sound good in relation to your dialogue.

Since you already have stems made for your Printmaster, I would just do trim automation on individual channels if you hear something funky.

Good luck and have fun!

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by Big Andy

There is no such thing as Mastering for feature films. That's not to say it hasn't been done, but it isn't a job title in the industry.

Don't put any type of limiting on your tracks unless you absolutely have to. Let your stems play unaltered and if it sounds good, print it. RMS for dialogue is typically around -31dBFS and I don't like to let my dialogue peak more than -8dBFS, the most I typically like to go is -10dBFS.

There really aren't any standards for foley, SFX, BGs, or Music levels. Just make it sound good in relation to your dialogue.

Since you already have stems made for your Printmaster, I would just do trim automation on individual channels if you hear something funky.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks! (clarification: When I said master, I meant on the master bus).