FAQ

Smart Post Sound Turnover Specs Editorial Picture: Photo-Jpeg Quicktime Movie 720p Production audio and Temp ADR on CH 1, FX (no music ) on CH 2 Time Code Window Burn in Upper Right Also Separate .wav Guide track files (Dialog, FX, Music) Mix Stage Picture HD Quicktime for dub stage, Codec DNX36 1080p Time Code Window Burn in Upper Right EDL The EDL should be in File32 or CMX3600 (This one is limited to only 999 events though) format e-mailed to edls@smartpostsound.com. It may also be included on any drive or folder that is delivered with other turnover materials. Most systems provide a correctly formatted edl currently. The EDL needs to be for Audio only, include scene/take, and with sound roll number as the Roll ID type. Please export 3 EDLS, (Sound Timecode, Start TC, and AUX TC sources). The sound roll number should reflect the production rolls of the dailies, Or Shoot date is also acceptable. Please uncheck the box “Dissolves as Cuts” when applicable Please export 1 Video only edl as well, V1.edl. If there are Recaps in the series please over-cut the recaps with a video source like CCM, VAM, or DnxHD, etc.. This will provide the episode number and the Master Source timecodes. Please export this recap edl separately. AAF and Production Sound Dailies Export using Embed Sequence with media. At least 240 frame handles. AIF or Wave Audio format (Preferred). Please include ALL audio tracks in the AAF outputs. Video track is not required here as we will receive the Video separately in the Quicktime format from the specs above. Please send All Master Production Sound Roll Dailies. Documentation (Digital Preferred) We ask for a copy of the Lined script as well as all sound reports and telecine logs (If applicable). Please send all Hard Drives to: 405 Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA We can also receive sound dailies and turnovers Digital via Media Shuttle, Aspera, Our Client FTP (please ask for login credentials), and most other Digital Delivery methods. Check with us if you are unsure. Download Links should go to our Secure Email: incoming@smartpostsound.com Call Kevin Meltcher at (818) 845-8050 or email us with any Questions at incoming@smartpostsound.com DOWNLOAD LINK FOR SPECS CAN BE FOUND HERE

We request 1920x1080 Photo-Jpeg, Apple ProRes, or Avid DNx36HD Quicktime Movie files [.mov] with Visual Time Code [VTC] burn-in located in the upper right corner, or in a non-obstructing area of the videos. * We can also accept h.264 Quicktime Movies [.mov] if the above codecs are not available, but note h.264 is not 'frame accurate', so it becomes an issue when trying to scrub and/or find sync in ADR/Dialogue recording sessions specifically. ** Other codecs not listed may be delivered, but if conversion is required, may incur an additional charge. Audio Channel Configuration for Quicktimes should be: Production / Dialogue Audio and any "Temp" ADR on Channel 1 [left] and Sound Effects on Channel 2 [right] or Production Audio on Channel 1 [left] and any ADR/Temp Audio on Channel 2 [right] No Music should be included on either Channel 1 or Channel 2, but is acceptable if delivered on either another channel of the Quicktime file or as a separate audio file [.wav] embedded in the movie file. High-definition [HD] Quicktime files should be delivered in: Apple ProRes 422 Standard - * not LT or HQ * - or Avid DNx36HD with the same audio channel configuration and time code burn-in as requested above. For .pdf of above specs, download HERE

Yes, Smart Post Sound is proud to be TPN (Trusted Partner Network) approved vendor. We take the security of our clients' content very seriously. Being TPN approved means that we adhere to strict security guidelines and best practices to ensure that all content is protected from piracy and unauthorized access. Our facilities, processes, and staff have been thoroughly vetted to meet the high standards set by the TPN, giving our clients peace of mind that their valuable assets are in safe hands.

View, or download parking instructions and map to 919/923 N Hollywood Way - Mix Stages 3, 4, 5 and ADR studios 1, 2, 3 HERE

View, or download parking instructions and map to 1907 Riverside Drive - Stages 9, 10, 11 HERE

Yes! We totally understand the importance of staying connected. That's why we provide complimentary high-speed WiFi for all of our clients and visitors. Whether you're working in our mix stages or recording studios, or just waiting in one of the lounges, you can count on reliable and fast internet access anywhere in any of our facilities.

Our Health and Safety policies can be found HERE

ADR, or Automated Dialogue Replacement, is a process in post-production where actors re-record dialogue in a controlled environment to improve audio quality, add additional dialogue that wasn't recorded, or to replace lines that were unclear or unusable during filming. At Smart Post Sound, we understand the importance of ADR in achieving the highest quality audio for your project. Our state-of-the-art recording studios and experienced sound mixers ensure that the ADR process is simple and results in natural-sounding dialogue that blends seamlessly with the rest of the production audio - even employing some of the best digital tools to match quality and performance. We also employ Remote+ collaboration tools, including Cleanfeed, Zoom, SessionLink Pro, Riverside.fm and/or Source Connect, among other software, in almost every session. We've even 'bridged' studios that lack these capabilities to make it feel as if everyone is in the same room. With these tools, you now have the flexibility to monitor ADR, Voiceover, or podcast recording on all of our stages from anywhere in the world. By employing ADR, you can enhance the overall audio quality of your project, ensuring that every line of dialogue is clear and intelligible. Whether it's to correct technical issues, add lines, or enhance performance, ADR is a critical tool in achieving professional audio quality with your project.

Loop Group, also known as "Walla" group, recording is the art of capturing background dialogue and ambient noises to give scenes life and lend a sense of realism to the sound of a project where no prior ambience sound exists. This encompasses various scenarios, such as capturing "pass-bys" of actors walking in the background, to depicting couples conversing at tables in a restaurant or a mall. Radio chatter from a police officer's dispatch, and/or simulating "call-outs" in a city or park where distant conversations can be heard, among so many other scenarios that can be depicted in a story. Typically, Loop Group is necessary because the actors on sets or on locations are not engaged in conversations while the lead or supporting actors are speaking their dialogue. Therefore all the actors you see are not speaking while the scenes are being recorded and most of the time they are 'miming' their parts that will then get replaced by a Loop Group, or cut from a sound effects editor. If all the background dialogue was heard, then the main dialogue could become less intelligible and harder to hear above the background actors. Smart Post Sound offers state-of-the-art purpose-built recording studios designed specifically for Dialogue, Voiceover and Loop Group Recording. Our studios are equipped with cutting-edge technology and acoustically treated environments to ensure pristine audio recording. As pioneers in the field, we were also among the first to introduce "Remote Loop Group Recording." We led the way in developing and establishing what has now become a common practice for groups that prefer to work remotely from their personal studios and/or hybrid setups, combining remote work with in-studio sessions. Combine this with our suite of Remote+ tools, including Cleanfeed, Zoom, SessionLink Pro, Riverside.fm and/or Source Connect, among many other additionally requested remote collaboration products. With these resources, you have the flexibility to be anywhere, at any time, shooting group accurately, and in sync, no matter where you are in the world.

Speech-to-speech voice cloning is a technology that transfers one person's voice onto another's, and in any language needed. It involves capturing a person's speech, converting it into text, and then using a voice model to generate speech into another person's voice or dialect, aka 'model'. This innovative capability can be used for translation, changing the speaker's voice, altering vocal characteristics or performance, or creating realistic voice clones for various applications including temp lines, alternative reads, ADR, etc. At Smart Post Sound, we employ ethical and responsible methods to deliver this service. We provide transparency of our methods by involving all parties throughout the process, offering samples upon request, and providing clear communication throughout the phases or usage. Our goal is to demystify the somewhat unknown and intimidating realm of machine learning (M.L.), using it as a tool for positive outcomes in audio post-production.

Foley is the art of recording custom sound effects to enhance the audio quality of a movie, television show, audiobook, podcast, or video game. This can include creating sounds for footsteps, cloth movement, interactions with objects or props, sound design and more, to create a sense of realism and immersion for the audience. As for whether you really need it in audio post-production, it ultimately depends on the specific project and the level of audio quality and realism you want to achieve. It also depends on any international delivery requirements that will require a 'Fully-filled' M&E (aka Music and Sound Effects) track. M&E tracks are often created for various purposes, including foreign language dubbing, international distribution, and localization. By separating the dialogue, music, and sound effects into distinct tracks, it allows for easier replacement, or adjustment, of specific elements without affecting the overall mix. For example: when a film is dubbed into a different language, the original dialogue track is replaced with the translated dialogue, while the M&E track, containing the music and sound effects, remains unchanged. This allows for more accurate synchronization of the dubbed dialogue with the existing audio elements. Foley can greatly enhance the overall audio experience, fulfill delivery requirements, and add depth to the storytelling, making it a valuable tool for many projects. Smart Post Sound prides itself on offering comprehensive audio post-production services, including Foley recording and sound design, to bring your project to life with high-quality, custom sound effects tailored to your specific needs and vision.

Audio post-production is the process of manipulating and enhancing audio recordings after the initial recording - usually from on-set or on-location material. This critical stage in audio and video production involves several key steps to ensure the final audio quality meets a desired standard. The main components of audio post-production include: Editing: Cutting, trimming, and arranging audio clips to fit the project's needs. This step ensures that all necessary audio elements are present and correctly timed or 'synchronized' to the events in the picture. Sound Design: Creating and integrating sound effects to enhance the storytelling and create an immersive experience. This includes both naturalistic sounds and imaginative effects. ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement): Re-recording dialogue in a studio setting to replace or augment the original on-set recordings. This is often done to improve audio quality or modify dialogue delivery. Loop group or 'walla' can also be recorded to enhance a project's sense of realism and immersion. Loop group is often used to fill in the background chatter and ambient sounds that would naturally occur in various settings, such as a busy street, a crowded restaurant, or a busy office or hospital. Foley: Reproducing everyday sound effects (such as footsteps, cloth rustle, and prop/object handling) in a studio to match the visuals. Foley artists synchronize these sounds with the on-screen action. Mixing: (aka re-recording) is the craft of balancing and blending all audio elements (dialogue, music, and sound effects) to achieve a cohesive soundscape. This step ensures clarity and proper volume levels across different audio components and includes mixing in specified formats. At Smart Post Sound we mix in all requested formats including: Dolby Atmos, Dolby 7.1/5.1, and Dolby Stereo. Sound Effects (SFX) and Music Integration: Adding and mixing background music and sound effects to support the narrative and emotional tone of the production. Mastering: Finalizing the audio mix to ensure consistency and optimal playback across various formats and devices as well as various broadcasters and streamers. This includes applying final adjustments to equalization, compression, and limiting to meet specifications of the distributors and/or studios. At Smart Post Sound, our goal with audio post-production is to create a polished and professional audio track that enhances the overall impact of your film, television show, video game, or project. With our cutting-edge technology and expert sound teams, we ensure superior audio quality, affordable packages and services, and a seamless integration of sound, elevating your project's immersive experience altogether.

Smart Post Sound offers the most competitive pricing in the industry by focusing on long term client value. Our goal is to earn your trust and work with you over and over. We believe that excellent quality and service, offered for a price that makes sense, is the key to the long, creative relationships for which Smart Post Sound is known. Obviously, pricing varies based on specific needs, but the value proposition we offer here is what makes us unique. The post sound bidding process is not complete without a proposal from Smart Post Sound.

Yes, we can accommodate screenings and/or events at any of our facilities. For more information, email info@smartpostsound.com or contact us HERE.

Smart Post Sound was founded in 2005, but with origins dating back to 1967, making it one of the oldest and most respected independent audio post-production companies in the world. With over 50 years of experience, Smart Post Sound has built a reputation for delivering high-quality sound and post-production services to the entertainment industry, including television, film, and streaming content. Our team of award-winning sound artists and designers are dedicated to providing innovative and top-notch audio solutions for our clients, ensuring their projects stand out with exceptional sound quality. For additional info, visit HERE

At Smart Post Sound, our culture is "Partnership before Salesmanship," and this principle even extends to our hiring practices. We frequently collaborate with creators, storytellers, and filmmakers—some of which we've even hired. We're open to discussing potential opportunities with anyone interested in partnering or collaborating with our organization. Feel free to email us at info@smartpostsound.com or send us a message for more information.

Smart Post Sound's Smartcast podcast can be listened to, or downloaded, on the following: LibSyn iTunes Stitcher Google Play TuneIn Radio