How to change Loudness measurement in Amplitude Statistics window?

Report · Mar 03, 2023

When I open the Amplitude Statistcs window, I see the Loudness spec set to ITU-R BS.1770-3.

Can this be changed? If so, how?

Thank you,

Bob K.

Report · Mar 03, 2023

I'm afraid that you can't change that Amplitude Statistics measurement parameter, but under Effects>Special there is a Loudness Meter, and a Loudness Radar Meter (from tc electronic) which allow you to vary settings, and they will both give you a real-time display. Is that any help?

Report · Mar 04, 2023

Hi, Steve.

Thank you for the reply.

Unfortunately, the Loudness Radar is real time when playing the sequence.

Recently, I had a client that wanted me to check the Loudness of a file from Amsterdam. They use the EBU LUFS specs. In both the Amplitude Statistics and Match Loudness windows, the file is analyzed and, I believe, the numbers provided are for U.S. ITU LKFS. I'd also guess that the specs are set depending on your country of origin?

Not that I use it much, but it would be nice to be able to change that.

At least in the Match Loudness window, I can export at the EBU spec.

I just can't inform this particular client if his file is good to go or not without playing down the entire sequence.

Again, thank you for the reply and I hope you have a good weekend.

Bob K.

Report · Mar 04, 2023

In Match Loudness you can select the standard you want to use, and EBU R128 is an option.

The ITU-R BS1770-3 measurement in Amplitude Statistics gives an integrated figure for the selection you've made and scanned, displayed as LUFS. That is to the EBU standard. The momentary and short-term loudness figures that are refered to in EBU TECH 3341 and 2 both reference ITU-R BS1770 - essentially they are all linked and based on the same measurements and calculations (a modified Leq measurement).

One of Audition's developers was a member of the EBU committee that set all this up, so I'd be very surprised if Audition didn't comply with the published standard. But, the whole area is a bit of a minefield, and in practice it's pretty meaningless, as every broadcaster I know of uses Optimods on the audio anyway - which tends to make actual file levels a bit moot. And every broadcaster sets them differently, so you still end up having to change your TV's volume when you change channels. Originally the idea was to stop the need for this happening. That worked well, didn't it?