Audio Editing Audio Mastering and Post-Production 2

Question 1

What is 'dynamic range' in the context of mastering?

Accepted Answer

The difference in level between the quietest and loudest parts of an audio program

Answer

Dynamic range is the difference in dB between the quietest and loudest passages of the audio, and mastering balances it to suit the intended distribution format.

Question 2

What does 'stem mastering' involve compared to standard mastering?

Accepted Answer

Mastering from individual grouped stems (drums, bass, vocals) rather than a single stereo mix

Answer

Stem mastering gives the mastering engineer access to grouped stems, allowing more targeted processing than with a single stereo mix but less than a full remix.

Question 3

What is the standard integrated loudness target for music on Spotify?

Accepted Answer

-14 LUFS

Answer

Spotify normalizes playback to approximately -14 LUFS integrated loudness; masters louder than this are turned down automatically.

Question 4

What is 'M/S EQ' used for in mastering?

Accepted Answer

Applying different EQ to the mid (center) and side (stereo width) channels independently

Answer

M/S EQ processes the mono center and stereo sides independently, allowing the mastering engineer to, e.g., clean up low end in the mids or add air to the sides.

Question 5

What does 'dialogue normalization' (dialnorm) do in broadcast and film post-production?

Accepted Answer

Sets the target loudness level for dialogue so all broadcast content plays at a consistent perceived volume

Answer

Dialnorm is a metadata flag in Dolby Digital that tells the decoder the average dialogue loudness, enabling broadcast systems to normalize program loudness.

Audio Editing Practice Test

Audio Editing Practice Test

Audio Editing Audio Mastering and Post-Production 2