RMS measurement - Audio mastering for just a Voice Reading

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mikebeam
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2014/01/28 07:23:12 (permalink)

RMS measurement - Audio mastering for just a Voice Reading

I've been asked to 'master' a bit of audio for someone.  It's just a voice reading a book at a fairly steady level, but there are certain parameters he has to meet.  I've only mastered my own music and am a total amatuer.  I know the basics, but have only just tried to make it sound as good as possible...  Still learning.
 
The track has to:
 
Measure between -23dB and -18dB RMS.
Have peak values no higher than -3dB.
Have a noise floor no higher than -60dB RMS.

I'm pretty sure I know how to do the Peaks - a brickwall limiter should take care of that.  I set the meters to measure RMS and kind of eyeballed it - but is there a way to make absolutely sure that it fits the RMS specs?  How do I measure noise floor?
 
I think the track is all set, but I was interested to see how more experienced people would approach this.
 
Thanks!
 
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    AT
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    Re: RMS measurement - Audio mastering for just a Voice Reading 2014/01/28 11:31:13 (permalink)
    1st, vol automation.  Raise up the lower parts, tho if you have a good recording you shouldn't have anything peaking over -3dB.  You can set SONAR to show the peak vol on the master buss.
     
    A limiter or compressor can stop anything over -3dB, but it may introduce a "sound" of its own.  Sonitus does fairly transparent compression.  Freeze it (or bounce) and check the levels.
     
    As far as noise floor - just look at the meter when there is no reading. That will give a noise floor.  After compression/limiting, check it again since that can raise the noise floor.  Highpass filter can help w/ any noise, too.
     
    SONAR can work fine, but for this kind of job a stereo editor is quickest - something like Sound Forge, which I use.
     
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    mikebeam
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    Re: RMS measurement - Audio mastering for just a Voice Reading 2014/01/28 12:06:44 (permalink)
    Thanks.  I think the file will be fine - it seems like it was well recorded.  I just thought since the company he is submitting it to requested very specific parameters that there might a way to confirm it.  I see that Audacity has a "wave stats" plugin - I might try downloading that.  I do not have Sound Forge but I'll look into it for the future...
     
     
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