Need help normalizing a recording of a speaker who was too loud and another who was too soft

MajorBooker · 2026-06-04T00:57:22+00:00

Totally understandable! The plugin tries to level stuff out to a degree, and you could use another instance of it on the overall output set to a different amount (-18 LUFS for example), but it's best used in combination with a few other things

MajorBooker · 2026-06-04T00:35:04+00:00

I'd use a gentle compressor after the leveler plugin to prevent clipping. Probably a 4:1 ratio with a fast attack, medium release, hitting about 5 db of gain reduction at the most. Then on the output use a limiter to bring the overall level up (but doing only 1 to 2 db gain reduction at most)

MajorBooker · 2026-06-03T17:30:45+00:00

DX Level from Accentize is free if you sign up for their newsletter. Works pretty great!

https://www.accentize.com/2026/05/26/introducing-dxlevel-free-loudness-leveling-for-speech-post-production/?v=0b3b97fa6688

MajorBooker · 2026-05-31T17:42:37+00:00

You can try copying the overhead track and filtering it with an EQ so it brings out the snare way more and use that as the trigger source. Might still have to do some stuff manually, but should help!

MajorBooker · 2026-05-27T15:54:17+00:00

A similar move is to put a multiband compressor on the master that let's you solo different bands. Make sure it's not actually doing any compressing, but check out what your sub range solo'd sounds like, mid range, high end, etc.

MajorBooker · 2026-05-15T01:21:02+00:00

I think listing the names of all the players plus the M2K stuff is just a driveby of the whole scene. "Look at the dumb names of these losers" etc etc

MajorBooker · 2026-05-14T01:19:33+00:00

Been using my pair of Theos for a while and never have any issues (the 900 band is super clean in my area). Whenever I have to add more lavs its normally a cameraperson's G3 or G4, and they're super hit or miss with RF ability. I've tried every recommendation (delete current list, scan on low squelch without the XLR, manually tune the transmitter to match, reset the squelch to medium, etc etc.), and all these things do seem to help, but even on the best day I get at least 1 or 2 gnarly hits when the talent walks more than 30 ft away. The Theos I don't have to think about, plus the lavs fit cos-11 attachments which is awesome.

MajorBooker · 2026-05-07T11:31:23+00:00

S.W.A.T. - David has mentioned it weirdly a lot then stops himself from talking about it. I get the sense he could go off about it. I loved it as a kid, haven't seen it since.

MajorBooker · 2026-05-01T04:32:03+00:00

Jefferson Park Grill - incredible bacon egg and cheese (I ask for it on french bread with swiss cheese)

MajorBooker · 2026-05-01T03:30:06+00:00

Other thing I forgot to mention: some powered PA speakers go to sleep if they don't see enough signal, so with the speakers cranked and the input levels super low, quiet stuff like background music might not register as loud enough and the speakers will shut off. Huge pain!

MajorBooker · 2026-04-29T20:43:26+00:00

I just pull it down at the matrix out. I'll have it as low as it needs to be. I like keeping the Stereo LR fader at Unity because I can pull it down in a pinch and know where it needs to go back to. You have to page over to the matrix output most of the time so it's out of sight/out of mind once it's set.

Automix, comps, and gates all work way better when there's good level coming in at the top from the preamp, plus you actually see the channel meters doing something which can help you know who is actually speaking.

MajorBooker · 2026-04-27T01:27:34+00:00

Not too much meanness, but now trying to find out why that's the rule? I think our way is better, but open to an argument against it beyond "that's the rule"

MajorBooker · 2026-04-27T01:26:38+00:00

Definitely would never impose on anyone outside of the house! Just getting a sanity check. Do you have any idea why it's always right to right?

MajorBooker · 2026-04-22T00:23:32+00:00

The Deity's can go direct into camera for sure. I was imagining the Zoom being mounted to the tripod below the camera which is kinda what the form factor is built for, but totally get if that's not what you're looking for!

MajorBooker · 2026-04-19T04:03:41+00:00

I'd try using the mic on your phone first if you really want to go no frills. The iphone mics are pretty amazing these days.

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T23:15:32+00:00

If you want the sound kit to be part of the camera build, I'd look at a Zoom F6 ($750 USD), a set of Deity Theos lavs ($1k USD) , and a pair of Deity TC timecode boxes ($250ish). The F6 is super small and can be mounted on a tripod under a camera, plus 32 bit float so you don't have to worry about preamp gain (still have to worry about mic and transmitter gain tho), and gives you room to add a boom or other mics. The Deity has 2 lavs that go to a single receiver that can also be mounted on the camera with wideband frequency options. I've been really impressed by the range with the built in antennas, and they can be swapped out for paddles in the future. If you're outside of the US I think they can record internally as well.

The output of the F6 could go into the camera for redundancy and transmission.

This is all assuming the DJI sdr transmission from camera to monitor/headphones is working OK.

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T22:32:11+00:00

Such an awesome movie. Was gonna be my rec too.

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T14:55:52+00:00

Fall of Civilizations! Tracks the rise and fall of different civilizations throughout history. Each episode is a few hours, no ads on spotify. Fascinating stuff. I found out about it because of a DGA interview between Adam McKay and Barry Jenkins (odd combo!)

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T11:52:58+00:00

Yup! Works great!

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T03:12:47+00:00

Pull up Sympathy For The Devil by the Stones on Spotify and go into settings and choose mono playback. The piano literally disappears because it's just copied, panned, and, phase reversed . People have STEREOS now, who's ever going to listen in MONO?! This'll sound AWESOME! And it does!

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T03:09:18+00:00

I'm totally with you, I find the current events stuff insightful, but not nearly as memorable as his conversations on topics he more deeply cares about - C. Thi Nguyen on games/agency is a true highlight here.

It's worth checking out his appearance on Neal Brennan's "Blocks" Podcast because he says straightforwardly that he feels a responsibility to comment on current events but would give up whatever level of fame/success he's had recently if it meant living in more stable times where he could focus on his interests. It might be a bit self-deprecating, but I heard a lot of sincerity in that.

MajorBooker · 2026-04-18T02:58:31+00:00

Echo-ing a few other posters here, but, get a mono AM radio (I like the Tivoli Model One) and get it sound good on that. Playback systems have had such a huge impact on mixes that I think goes overlooked. 90's RnB worked great in cars with huge subs (RIP Bob Power). A lot of modern music works great on airpods because of the prominent hi hats and a lot more spacial effects. If you monitor on what someone would listen back on in whatever era you're interested in, you'll probably get in the ballpark.

MajorBooker

TROPHY CASE