Dubbing and Audio Description Archival Asset Specifications
As more Netflix Original productions continue to develop and our library of titles increases, it is our responsibility to viewers to ensure our content maintains its quality and adapts to technological demands the future may bring. We are asking our partners to help us future-proof our content by providing archival assets compliant with the specifications described in this document.
If you are looking for information relating to the archive of Original Language audio assets please review the relevant article in the "Content Hub" section within "Specifications & Guides".
- General Overview
- Dubbing Deliverable Types
- Audio Description Deliverable Types
- File Naming Dubbing
- File Naming Audio Description
- As part of the dubbing workflow, partner must deliver archival assets. This does not apply to supplemental content.
- Partner must deliver archival assets to Netflix within 20 business days of delivery of final secondary audio. A Netflix point of contact will notify you when archival assets can be delivered.
- Partner must deliver archival assets via Source Management.
- Partner responsible for updating estimated delivery date for archival assets in backlot.
- Partner may need to redeliver archival assets that are improperly created, incorrectly labeled, and or delivered with technical/linguistic issues at no extra cost.
Localized Mix Project Files
A fully mixed Pro Tools session, Nuendo, Pyramix or other project created during the alternate language mix at the sample rate, bit rate, frame rate, and the file format of the OV Print Master containing the following items:
- Fully-Filled M&E (matching channel configuration of primary mix deliverable).
- Synced and edited secondary audio dialogue tracks from the dub. Tracks should include all track-based EQ. compression, sends, level and pan data used during the mix.
- Mastering Aux tracks (where applicable).
- Mix asset record tracks and localization mix assets.
- Audio configuration must match OV (5.1+ 2.0 or 2.0).
5.1 + 2.0 Near Field Dialogue Audio Stem: Localized Version
A dubbed dialogue stem fully mixed in 5.1 + 2.0 format. The stem must be recorded in 8 channels at 48 khz/24 bit and clearly labeled.
- Dubbed dialogue must be an exact representation of the dialogue mix from the 5.1 + 2.0 Print Master, including all sync dialogue, and any additional dialogue that drives story.
- When compared to the final Print Master, the dialogue should match exact level, panning, reverb spread, and all other treatments (limiting, compression, etc.).
- Please deliver as discrete WAV files.
- If no LFE information, 5.0 is ok.
- If title is native stereo only, and no 5.1 was created for Original Language Mix, deliver only 2.0 Nearfield Dialogue Audio Stem.
ATMOS Near Field Dialogue Audio Stem: Localized Version
- A dubbed dialogue stem fully mixed in the ATMOS format with minimum 7.1.2 bed and no more than 118 additional audio objects. Stem must be recorded in long-play (not separate reels) as 48khz/24bit BWAV ADM file and clearly labeled.
- Dubbed dialogue stem should be an exact representation of the dialogue mix from the ATMOS Print Master, including all sync dialogue, and any additional dialogue that drives the story.
- When compared to the final Print Master, the dialogue should match exactly in level, panning, reverb spread, and all other treatments (limiting, compression, etc).
Pre Recorded Dubbing Script
Pre-recorded Dub scripts are delivered to Backlot as TTAL (unless exception has been granted to deliver in xlsx or another format) during these times:
- When translations have been completed using Dialogue List from Locked Proxy.
- When translations and conformance have been completed using Dialogue List from Final Proxy.
As Recorded Dubbing Script
These should match the final dubbed audio verbatim. If possible, it should match the original dialogue list formatting. These scripts should be delivered in Netflix TTAL format unless an exception has been granted to deliver in other formats.
Talent List
Please use Netflix’s Dubbing Talent List Template, and send directly to your Netflix Creative Dubbing Supervisor or Dubbing Contact.
The talent list must include:
- Full voice cast with associated roles.
- Artistic director.
- Translator and adaptors.
- Other associated talents (lyricist, dialect coach, vocal directors, etc).
- Studio name and location.
- Please use Netflix’s Dubbing Talent List Template as found in the Partner Help Center, and send directly to your Netflix dubbing contact.
Please Note: you must deliver one talent list per viewable.
Audio Description Deliverable Types
Audio Description Mix Project Files
A fully mixed Pro Tools, Nuendo, Pyramix, or other digital audio workstation project created during the AD mix at the sample rate, bit rate, frame rate, and the file format of the OV Print Master. containing the following items:
- Synced and edited narration tracks from the AD.
- Tracks should include all track-based EQ, compression, sends, level and pan data used during the mix.
- Mastering Aux tracks (where applicable).
- Mix asset record tracks and AD mix assets.
5.1 + 2.0 Near Field Audio Description Audio Stem
An audio description voice over stem fully mixed in the 5.1 + 2.0 format. The stem must be recorded in 8 channels in 48 khz/24 bit and clearly labeled. When compared to the final Print Master, the dialogue should match exactly in level, panning, reverb spread, and all other treatments (limiting, compression, etc.).
- Please deliver as discreet WAV files.
- If no LFE 5.0 information is present, 5.0 is okay.
- If the title is native stereo only, and no 5.1 was created for Original Language Mix, deliver only 2.0 Nearfield Audio Description voice over stem.
- Please deliver without any OV Print Master sound.
- This may be a single mono WAV.
ATMOS Near Field Dialogue Stem: Audio Description
An audio description stem fully mixed in the 7.1.2 format. The stem must be recorded in 10 channels in 48 khz/24 bit and clearly labeled. When compared to the final Atmos audio description mix, the dialog should match exactly in level, panning, reverb spread, and all other treatments (limiting, compression, etc.).
- Please deliver as discreet WAV files.
- For any AD Atmos mix, VO must exist on separate beds from OV content.
Audio Description Script
Verbatim to final audio description audio. Approved to deliver per studios preference.
Localized Mix Project Files
The file naming of the localized mix project files should be as follows:
- [PackageID]_ShowTitle_[framerate]_[langCode]_LocalizedMixProject_48k24b_[Version].zip
5.1 + 2.0 Near Field Dialogue Audio Stem: Localized Version
The file naming of the 5.1 + 2.0 Near Field Dialogue Audio Stem: Localized Version should be as follows:
- [PackageID]_ShowTitle_[framerate]_[langCode]_LocalizedDialogStem_48k24b_[Version].[channel].wav
Pre Recorded Dubbing Script
The file naming of the Pre Recorded Dubbing script should be as follows
- [PackageID]_[Framerate]_[Title]_[LangCode]_DS.ttal
In cases where exception to TTAL delivery has been granted, the file naming convention would still stand and the extension will match the file being delivered. For e.g., if the file is being delivered as xlsx, the file name would be [PackageID]_[Framerate]_[Title]_[LangCode]_DS].xlsx
Please note that for projects delivering via Netflix's Authoring tool, the naming will be handled by the Authoring tool.
As Recorded Dubbing Script
The file naming of the Pre Recorded Dubbing script should be as follows:
- PackageID]_[Framerate]_[Title]_[LangCode]_ARS.ttal
In cases where exception to TTAL delivery has been granted, the file naming convention would still stand and the extension will match the file being delivered. For e.g., if the file is being delivered as xlsx, the file name would be [PackageID]_[Framerate]_[Title]_[LangCode]_ARS].xlsx
Please note that for projects delivering via Netflix's Authoring tool, the naming will be handled by the Authoring tool.
Talent List
The file naming of the talent list should be as follows:
- NflxDubTalentList_[PackageID]_[ShowTitle]_[languagecode]_[SeasonNumber]_[EpisodeNumber].xlsx
Audio Description Mix Project Files
The file naming of the audio description mix project files should be as follows:
- [PackageID]_ShowTitle_[framerate][langCode]_ADMixProject_48k24b[Version].zip
5.1 + 2.0 Near Field Dialogue Audio Stem: Audio Description
The file naming of the 5.1 + 2.0 near field dialogue audio description stem should be as follows:
- [PackageID]ShowTitle[framerate][langCode]_ADStem_48k24b[version].[channel].wav
Audio Description Script
The file naming of the audio description script should be as follows:
- [PackageID]_[Framerate]_[Title]_[LangCode]_[ADS].ttal
Translations
Pending
Change Log:
2020-12-02
- General Overview: Clarification around archival assets for supplemental content.
- Dubbing Deliverable Types Section:
- Added new sub section called "Pre Recorded Dubbing Script"
- Updated the "As Recorded Dubbing Script" sub section
- File Naming Dubbing Section:
- Added new sub section called "Pre Recorded Dubbing Script"
- Updated the "As Recorded Dubbing Script" sub section