The EBU has published its Recommendation on Loudness metering and normalisation, better known as EBU R 128. The document builds on ITU-R BS.1770 and it is the result of the very dedicated work of the EBU PLOUD Group, which now includes over 230 audio professionals from all across the world.
Metering specification
PLOUD's output also includes a new metering specification (EBU Tech 3341), which specifies the so-called 'EBU Mode'. Loudness meters that implement EBU Mode, should give the same readings, making it easy for audio professionals to exchange material. EBU Tech 3341 actually specifies three meters: a Momentary (400 ms), a Short term (3s) and an Integrated (start-stop/compete programme) version. Currently more than 20 vendors have announced to support EBU Mode in their products.
Loudness Range descriptor
Another novelty is the specification of the Loudness Range descriptor (EBU Tech 3342), which helps audio professionals to identify what Loudness Range their material has. This can be used for example to determine what (if any) compression is required to fit a programme in a specific distribution platform's dynamic range.
The EBU work provides a strong basis to support the shift from peak metering and normalisation to loudness metering and normalisation, which is seen as the way to avoid excessive loudness jumps between content and to counter the 'loudness war' practice of extreme processing 'squeezing & sticking' audio to the top of the peakmeter virtually continuously.
EBU PLOUD
Last but not least, the PLOUD Group is finalising their Practical Guidelines for production and distribution. If you have a question on the Loudness work, please send an e-mail to tech@ebu.ch or visit the EBU stand (10.D21) and free EBU conference at the IBC.