Specifications

5.1-Channel Production Guidelines Production Environment
3-16
For film work, pink noise at reference level should produce a sound pressure level
(SPL) of 85 dBC for each of the front channels (left, center, and right). Each surround
channel should produce a sound pressure level of 82 dBC (the lower surround level is
specific to film-style mixing rooms).
For television work, pink noise at reference level is typically set to produce an SPL
ranging from 79 dBC to 82 dBC for each of the main five channels. The lower
reference level for television is due to the lower average listening levels used by the
consumer (typically 70–75 dBC). Since the reference listening level used can
dramatically effect the balance and intelligibility of the mix, it is important to
consider both the level at which a program was mixed, as well as the typical listening
level in the home for the same program.
For music mixing, each speaker channel should be set to the same SPL (the same as
television mixing). There is no standard practice for reference levels for music mixing.
Some engineers prefer to mix louder than others do, but if the levels between channels
are correct, the overall level is not as important. However, as stated previously,
consideration of the typical consumer listening level is always good practice.
When mixing for television or music in small mixing rooms (e.g., remote recording
trucks), the surround channel is generally set 2 dB lower than the front channels (for
example, 80 dB in front and 78 dB in back). This takes into account the short distance
to the surround speakers.
Experience has shown that this setting makes the sound in the home environment
very close to the sound heard by the mixer.