Audio content specifications for global distribution (MnE)

Audio content for global distribution includes the music and effects (MnE) master files (sets of master files), dialogue master files, and optional master files necessary for full dubbing in a foreign language.

The list of master files depends on the content, therefore, they are divided into mandatory (ME and DX) and optional (OPT).

Each master file is exported in two formats—stereo and 5.1.

Music and effects master file (ME)

This master file is designed to clean the original soundtrack as much as possible of all audible lines in the original language, both spoken by characters or present in background noises.

Music and effects master files include the following key elements:

• Atmospheric background and foley.
• Crowd reactions without audible speech. For example, individual shouts, meaningful dialogue, or a crowd chanting slogans or names.
• All sounds made by “non-speaking” characters, i.e. by those who do not pronounce any intelligible words (e.g., deaf people, aliens, toddlers, etc.). All intelligible words spoken by such characters must be included in the dialogue master file.
• Source and off-screen music.
• Backing tracks for the songs that are performed by actors on camera or serve a dramatic purpose. Vocals from such tracks are exported to an optional master file. If vocals cannot be separated from the music, the entire song is exported to an optional master file.
• Music and effects from TV and radio shows recorded for the film.
• Music and effects from archive inserts (existing movies, TV and radio shows, etc.). If they cannot be separated from an archive insert, the full insert is exported to an optional master file.

Dialogue master file (DX)

This master file is designed to collect all voice information that must be translated in dubbed versions.

Everything that can be used for dubbing as is must be exported to an optional master file. Consult the manager if you have concerns regarding any element.

Dialogue master files include the following key elements:

• All uncensored actor lines in the original film language. If a film uses more than one language, each language has its own dialogue master file exported (the language code is specified at the end of the file name).
• Lines over background tracks that are performed by actors on camera or serve a dramatic purpose. Vocals from such tracks must be exported to an optional master file.
• Voice from TV and radio shows recorded for the film.
• Intelligible lines said by “non-speaking” characters, i.e. by those who most of the time do not say any intelligible words (e.g., deaf people, aliens, toddlers, etc.).

Optional master files (OPT)

Optional master files include all soundtrack elements that a dub director wants to be translated or used as is. If you are not sure whether to export any element to an optional master file, consult the manager. Though there are no rules regulating the number of optional master files, the key requirement is to avoid situations where elements cannot be separated from each other (i.e. located in one fragment of the same file).

Optional master files include the following key elements:

• Dialogues in languages other than the original language of the film. They are exported to one file with a corresponding three-character language code at the end of the file name.
• Vocals for the tracks that are performed by actors on camera or serve a dramatic purpose. If vocals cannot be separated from the music for some reason, the track is exported to an optional master file in full.
• Voice from archive inserts (existing movies, TV and radio shows, etc.). If voice cannot be separated from music or effects, the archive insert is exported in full.
• Lines in the background composed of purposefully recorded lines. Audible lines of supporting characters must be included in the dialogue master file.
• Crowds chanting slogans or names.
• Public announcements in the background (at railway/bus stations, airports, other transport, etc.), as well as messages from answering machines (e.g., advising that the person being called is not available).

File names can only contain English letters, underscores, and a full stop that separates the file name from the extension. Any special characters or spaces are prohibited.

Names must follow the same format for each file.

File names for series or films cannot be changed during a project.

File names include the following fixed sequence of elements:

• Project name (the same as for the main master files)
• Season and episode number (TV series only) in the following format: s00_e00
• Audio format (w/o full stops): 20 (for stereo) or 51 (for 5.1)
• Master type: ME, DX, OPT_A, OPT_B, OPT_C, etc.
• Creation date in the following format: YYYY_MM_DD
• Tag of the film language (only for dialogue master files) as per ISO 639-2
• Special designations, if necessary. For example, v2, v3, etc.

Examples:

Any additional information to be included in the name must be approved by the Customer in advance.

• Container: Wave or Broadcast Wave
• Codec: PCM
• All audio channels are combined into one file
• Channel sequence: L, R
• Sample rate: 48 kHz
• Bit rate: 24 bit
• Duration: all audio master files must have the same duration as the video with the native frame rate (accurate down to milliseconds)
• Peak signal (True Peak): not exceeding -2 dBTP
• Timecode: if timecode is embedded in BWAV, it must start at 01:00:00:00

• Container: Wave or Broadcast Wave
• Codec: PCM
• All audio channels are combined into one file
• Channel sequence: L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs (SMPTE)
• Sample rate: 48 kHz
• Bit rate: 24 bit
• Duration: all audio master files must have the same duration as the video with the native frame rate (accurate down to milliseconds)
• Peak signal (True Peak): not exceeding -2 dBTP
• Timecode: if timecode is embedded in BWAV, it must start at 01:00:00:00

• It is expected that all master files for global distribution, when played simultaneously, produce a sound picture similar to the main master file in the corresponding format.
• Master files for global distribution must not inherit the problems of the main versions. All corrections to the main soundtrack must also be applied to the master files for global distribution.
• No type of master file can include soundtrack elements that are not specified for such type (for more information see Master file list above).
• If any element of the original soundtrack cannot be included in a master file (e.g., it is inseparable from the final recording), it must be replaced with a similar sounding element.
• When exporting master files, all frequency-based side-chain processing (e.g., Trackspacer) must be disabled.