When creating the M&E mix, sometimes mixers will also include Optional Tracks. An Optional Track is a separate audio track containing valuable but language-specific material that the mixer might want to make available for Dubbing Mixers. Optional Tracks are not a requirement.
Optional tracks also contain dialogue of other languages that are spoken in the content. The mixer may provide any number of optional tracks in the same channel configuration as the M&E (ex.: if M&E is 5.1, the provided Optionals also need to be 5.1).
Below is Netflix's M&E and optional creations guidelines for the mixer. We also recommend that QC vendors also adopt the same specifications when performing M&E QC.
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M&E |
OPT |
DIA guide or Remove |
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Crowd |
Walla and non language-specific crowd noises, reactions, cheers, etc. Generic crowd walla bed that matches the intent of the crowd reaction in original mix (if production bed contains crowd noises with discernible language that must be removed) |
Group dialogue that is not discernible in mix but is made up of distinct individual dialogue (possibly on group-specific stem) Live (and/or database) audience laughter/reactions (should be placed on reax-specific track) Crowd chants of a person’s name |
Specific, distinct lines of dialogue within walla bed or crowd stems Discernible language within audience reactions |
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Music |
Background music exactly as it is represented in the original language mix Instrumental tracks for on-screen musical performances original to or produced for show. |
Vocals from performances original to or produced for show. Instrumental/vocal mix if isolated vocals from on-screen performance are not available |
Discernible dialogue overlapping with musical performance |
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Foreign or Fictional Dialogue |
All dialogue that is in a language (recognized or original to content) different from the original version language. Separate overlapping speakers if possible. |
Short words/phrases interrupting lines of original language dialogue |
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Existing IP or Archival Audio |
Music and effects from audio source |
Dialogue of audio from outside sources (archival, outside film/ television IP, etc.) Full audio mix of outside sources if tied together |
Dialogue of anything scripted and recorded specifically for mix |
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Babies |
Babies/ young children crying, screaming, etc. in non-discernible language Non-language “mouth sounds”: groaning, coughing, grunting, heavy breathing, etc. occurring separate separate from dialogue |
Non-language “mouth sounds”: groaning, coughing, grunting, heavy breathing, etc. if it occurs close to dialogue |
Babies/young children speaking in a discernible language
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Yelling |
Non-dialogue yelling, screaming, crying, etc. from characters who never speak discernible language in program |
Non-dialogue yelling, screaming, crying, etc. from speaking characters |
Yelling, screaming, crying, etc. that contains dialogue |
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Breath or Efforts |
Breaths/efforts from characters who never speak discernible language in program |
Breaths/efforts from speaking characters not occurring next to dialogue |
Breaths/efforts from speaking characters occurring within lines of dialogue |