why audio mix variables for movies on Blu-ray? - Blu-ray Forum

scarecroe · 10-05-2017, 10:17 PM

Why do sound engineers mix a movie's audio with such a high range of volume?

There are no small number of movies I watch on Blu-ray where the sound is so soft I have to crank the volume up to 90+ but then it gets so loud as to blow my eardrums out where I drop it down to 60, but then it immediately gets extremely soft again. I have to keep my thumb constantly on the volume button.

Why do they do this?

BozQ · 10-05-2017, 10:41 PM

Because movies were meant to be experienced in cinemas. A controlled environment to experience a high dynamic range.

If this is an issue at home because of privacy reasons, then you can try turning on Dynamic Range Compression or DRC on your receiver. It's blasphemy for many here, but if you really need it, it's there.

BozQ · 10-05-2017, 10:49 PM

If you want an experience as close to cinema as possible, you will need a sound pressure level meter, and a calibration disc that has pink noise.

Tune your speakers to project at 78db to 85db, and your subwoofer 3db higher than your satellites to get a reference, optimal experience.

The Disney WOW is a very good disc and I used that to calibrate both my TV and speakers. Along with a SPL meter app I use on my phone.

scarecroe · 10-06-2017, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the detailed answer.

What if I just have a PS4 and a TV?

BozQ · 10-06-2017, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarecroe

Thanks for the detailed answer.

What if I just have a PS4 and a TV?

Are you playing the soundtrack off a home theater system or TV? Describe your setup please.

scarecroe · 10-06-2017, 10:46 PM

I just have a PS4 and a TV.

(please be kind)

Canada · 10-07-2017, 07:11 AM

Why they very in volume so wildly is dynamic range, you want a wide dynamic range in movies to accommodate everything from talking to gun shots, planes crashing and so on.

CD's are generally to compressed because it is mastered at too high a volume, so you can't turn it up therefore not getting good bass response.

BozQ · 10-07-2017, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarecroe

I just have a PS4 and a TV.

(please be kind)

Try checking the PlayStation 4 for Dynamic Range Compression, and turn it on.

But even then, it only works with Dolby Soundtracks.

10-05-2017, 10:17 PM	#1
scarecroe Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2009 4K collection:47 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:11	why audio mix variables for movies on Blu-ray? Why do sound engineers mix a movie's audio with such a high range of volume? There are no small number of movies I watch on Blu-ray where the sound is so soft I have to crank the volume up to 90+ but then it gets so loud as to blow my eardrums out where I drop it down to 60, but then it immediately gets extremely soft again. I have to keep my thumb constantly on the volume button. Why do they do this?

10-05-2017, 10:41 PM	#2
BozQ Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Singapore 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:-	Because movies were meant to be experienced in cinemas. A controlled environment to experience a high dynamic range. If this is an issue at home because of privacy reasons, then you can try turning on Dynamic Range Compression or DRC on your receiver. It's blasphemy for many here, but if you really need it, it's there.

10-05-2017, 10:49 PM	#3
BozQ Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Singapore 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:-	If you want an experience as close to cinema as possible, you will need a sound pressure level meter, and a calibration disc that has pink noise. Tune your speakers to project at 78db to 85db, and your subwoofer 3db higher than your satellites to get a reference, optimal experience. The Disney WOW is a very good disc and I used that to calibrate both my TV and speakers. Along with a SPL meter app I use on my phone.

10-06-2017, 08:49 PM	#4
scarecroe Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2009 4K collection:47 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:11	Thanks for the detailed answer. What if I just have a PS4 and a TV?

10-06-2017, 10:46 PM	#6
scarecroe Active Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2009 4K collection:47 Blu-ray collection:811 DVD collection:11	I just have a PS4 and a TV. (please be kind)

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