[BC] Loud movies (was: Digital Intgerference)

[Mike McCarthy]

I seem to recall the first serious LOUD movie was MIDWAY.  The movie's 
cannons and explosions were enhanced and focused on the sub-audible 
frequencies.  I recall many theaters needed to upgrade their audio systems 
from the traditional Altec Voice of the Theater to real beef using Crowns. 
That and sound isolation. Many woofers and some subs were blown on that 
movie if the theater didn't adjust the audio down slightly.

MM

At 07:24 AM 12/21/2005 -0800, Michael Yoshida wrote
>Hi,
>
>As someone who used to setup post production mix stages daily for the past 
>8 years in a previous job, 90 db is nothing. Each of the left, center and 
>right speakers are individually set for 85 db at the mix position and the 
>surrounds are combined to sum to 85db. Combined subs lap 92db. It's not 
>unusual for an effects driven film to hit 112db during loud parts.
>
>On the other hand, most theaters (despite the Dolby presentation standard) 
>will turn down their audio if enough customers complain so the efforts of 
>directors and producers are all for naught. Loud films have existed way 
>before digital, ie Judge Dredd. But the average levels seem to be going up 
>probably due to the use of an obscene number of tracks during rerecording 
>all made possible by ProTools and digital consoles with 350 inputs.
>
>Michael Yoshida
>former tech at the Saul Zaentz Film Center
>
>At 03:53 PM 12/20/2005, you wrote:
>>--- At 20.12.2005 00:10, Kevin Tekel wrote: ---
>>>Goran Thomas wrote:
>>> > Sound level in cinemas is also very high these days (though large
>>> > dynamic range of movie soundtrack helps here).
>>>
>>>IIRC, the "loud" parts of a recent Harry Potter movie were measured at an
>>>SPL of around 90 dB.  Considering that constant exposure to sounds above
>>>85 dB can cause hearing damage, that's pretty damn loud for a _children's_
>>>movie!
>>
>>Actually, loud parts at 90dB are OK. It is prolonged levels of high SPL 
>>that are dangerous.
>>
>>According to occupational safety and health rules in most countries, you 
>>are allowed to work 8 hours in environment with less than 90dB noise 
>>(A-weighted), though most experts would want that to be 85dB and suggest 
>>that you wear hearing protection in that case... Anyway, for every 5dB 
>>increase, "safe time" to be exposed cuts in half. For 95dB it's 4 hours, 
>>for 100dB 2 hours, etc.
>>
>>But somehow I doubt that's only 90dB on loud parts in cinema. In certain 
>>movies, like during the storm scene in "Captain and Commander", I had to 
>>yell ("This is loud!") so that a friend sitting right next to me could 
>>hear me. That's much more than 90dB!
>>
>>
>>> > High audio levels in headphones (and you need to mask that ambient
>>> > noise) is a sure way to easily loose your hearing. Permanently.
>>>
>>>It's even worse when you _lose_ your hearing.
>>>
>>>(Sorry, loose/lose and it's/its are my two worst linguistic pet peeves.)
>>
>>Actually, your correction is appreciated! Probably wouldn't notice it 
>>otherwise and possibly make the same mistake again. I try to at least 
>>write In English correctly (speaking is whole different matter ;-))
>>
>>
>>Regards,
>>Goran Tomas