M&E Tiering - Full Comparative and Full Integrity (2 pass)
Files to be Provided:
- Video Proxy + (2.0 Audio)
- Print Master audio
- M&E audio
- Optional Stems (if created/ available)
Process:
- Full linear review of M&E for both technical quality and consistency with PM audio
- All errors should be flagged individually
- NO examples or blanket durations should be used
Full Comparative pass - full linear review used for comparing the original language Print Master elements against the M&E
Concentrate on the following during the comparative pass:
- Levels - Music levels should be identical between mixes and general effects levels should be identical or similar between mixes. The X/Y phase scope will easily show level discrepancies during music or effects-only sequences where no dialogue occurs
- Music Content - All music cues should be identical
- Sync - Program should be in sync with picture within a 1-frame tolerance, and sync should match between the M&E/ Optional and OV Print Master mixes
- Level of Fill - All plot-pertinent effects occurring in the OV Print Master should be reasonably covered in the M&E. The creative intent of the OV Print Master should match the M&E to ensure all dubbed content will retain the original viewing experience
Examples of effects that must be covered are as follows:
- Major SFX such as gunshots, explosions, body hits, door closes, glass breaking, etc. Any effect that is plot pertinent/ propels the story forward must be present
- All prop handling by the characters
- Footsteps
- Cloth SFX associated with character movement
- Ambiences such as exterior wind blowing, birds chirping, traffic noise, interior room tone, etc.
*NOTE: If an effect doesn’t exist in the OV Print Master it does not need to be covered in the M&E.
Panning / Treatment - All panning, reverb, or other sound design elements should match the OV Print Master. Missing music or effects treatments or panning may be easiest to catch during the comparative pass by using the X/Y phase scope.
Extraneous Content - Any content that doesn’t occur in the OV Print Master and detracts from the creative intent of the original mix. Examples would be added music cues, unnecessary effects, or excessive wallas that don’t match the nature of the scene.
Walla - Non-language specific walla and crowd reactions should be present in the M&E to fill out the on-screen space. For instance busy restaurants, gymnasiums, classrooms, etc.
Walla with discernible dialogue should not be present in the M&E, but it can be included in the
Optional stems.
*NOTE: If you find discernible walla in the M&E it should be marked as an “Issue” in Asset QC.
Optional Content - During this QC pass it is important to recognize events that must have coverage in the Optional stems such as song vocals, foreign dialogue, archival source audio, etc. Spot check the Optional stems, as needed, should you find missing events in the M&E.
Full Integrity pass - full linear review used for reviewing the M&E as a whole
Concentrate on the following during the integrity pass:
Audio Artifacts - Pops, ticks, dropouts, bad edits, abrupt shifts in noise floor, poor production Fx fills, etc. There should be no extraneous audio artifacts that distract from a seamless customer experience.
Level of Fill - This is a second opportunity to evaluate the level of fill as you experience the M&E on its own. Please add to or adjust any existing notes from your first QC pass if you find additional fill issues or feel the level of fill is acceptable when reviewed in its native configuration on its own.
Panning / Treatment - All panning, reverb, or other sound design elements should match the OV Print Master.
Character Dialogue - No discernible language dialogue should be present in the M&E.
Walla - Non-language specific walla and crowd reactions should be present in the M&E to fill out the on-screen space. For instance busy restaurants, gymnasiums, classrooms, etc.
Walla with discernible dialogue should not be present in the M&E, but it can be included in the Optional stems.
*NOTE: If you find discernible language walla in the M&E it should be marked as an “Issue” in Asset QC.
Vocalizations - With the exception of non-speaking characters, such as infants, efforts closely tied to dialogue such as breaths, sighs, grunts, etc. should be included on an Optional stem, not the M&E. The same would apply to exertions that are very unique or stylized. This is included as a reference ONLY; should NOT be flagged during QC.
Optional Content - Optionals should blend seamlessly into the M&E without abrupt edits or shifts in noise floor. Additionally, Optionals should contain appropriate content. Spot check the
Optional stems, as needed, should you find missing events in the M&E.
Process Change to M&E Full Comparative:
Context:
After discussing with our Dubbing Operations QC team, it has been advised that the most effective method for completing a comparative review of the M&E against the Print Master is the crashdown method previously employed. There are some updates to the correct setup and suggested workflow to most effectively utilize this method of comparison:
Setup:
The 5.1 M&E should be sent out of one speaker/ headphone while the 5.1 Print Master should be sent out of the opposite speaker/ headphone.
Suggested Workflow:
Lower each track level as follows for the crashdown:
- 5.1 Center -0dB
- 5.1 Left/ Right -3dB
- 5.1 Left Surround/ Right Surround -6dB
- 5.1 LFE/ Sub -12dB
In addition, lower each mono output by -6dB for a more comfortable listening level.
Use an X/Y phase scope during this QC process as a visual aid to spot level differences between mixes and effects discrepancies. Mixes should be as phase-coherent as possible to achieve the tightest possible azimuth on the scope when played back simultaneously.
M&E Tiering - Full Integrity (1 pass)
Files to be Provided:
- Video Proxy + (2.0 Audio)
- M&E audio
- Optional Stems (if created/ available)
Process:
Full Integrity pass - full linear review used for reviewing the M&E as a whole
Concentrate on the following during the integrity pass:
Audio Artifacts - Pops, ticks, dropouts, bad edits, abrupt shifts in noise floor, poor production Fx fills, etc. There should be no extraneous audio artifacts that distract from a seamless customer experience.
Level of Fill - This is a second opportunity to evaluate the level of fill as you experience the M&E on its own. Please add to or adjust any existing notes from your first QC pass if you find additional fill issues or feel the level of fill is acceptable when reviewed in its native configuration on its own.
Panning / Treatment - All panning, reverb, or other sound design elements should match the OV Print Master.
Character Dialogue - No discernible language dialogue should be present in the M&E.
Walla - Non-language specific walla and crowd reactions should be present in the M&E to fill out the on-screen space. For instance busy restaurants, gymnasiums, classrooms, etc. Walla with discernible dialogue should not be present in the M&E, but it can be included in the Optional stems.
*NOTE: If you find discernible walla in the M&E it should be marked as an “Issue” in Asset QC.
Vocalizations - With the exception of non-speaking characters, such as infants, efforts closely tied to dialogue such as breaths, sighs, grunts, etc. should be included on an Optional stem, not the M&E. The same would apply to exertions that are very unique or stylized. This is included as a reference ONLY; should NOT be flagged during QC.
Optional Content - Optionals should blend seamlessly into the M&E without abrupt edits or shifts in noise floor. Additionally, Optionals should contain appropriate content. *See below for details.
The following should be spot compared against the Proxy picture reference and the original language Print Master mix and flagged when inconsistent:
- Sound effects
- Music
- Levels
- Treatment/Effect
- Panning/Phasing
CHANGE LOG:
- 7/30/21 - Added guidance to not flag breaths in M&E QC