Monitoring At 85Db: How To Know You're On Track

Monitoring at 85db is a common suggestion for larger spaces such as cinemas. However, this level can be overwhelming and uncomfortable for smaller spaces like home studios. It is important to calibrate your speakers to a suitable monitoring level for your studio space to ensure an accurate response from your monitors. While 85dB used to be the recommended level, it is now considered too loud for most home studios, with 73-76dB SPL C being a more appropriate target. This level is still loud enough to provide a flat response across the frequency spectrum while being comfortable for extended periods of mixing.

85 dB is the absolute maximum for safe listening

To put this into perspective, a normal conversation is around 60 dB, while a whisper is about 30 dB. Sounds above 70 dB can damage your hearing over time, and the louder the sound, the shorter the duration of safe listening time. For example, at 90 dB, safe listening time reduces to four hours per week. At 100 dB, just 15 minutes of exposure per week is enough to be harmful.

It's important to note that the decibel scale is logarithmic, meaning that loudness is not directly proportional to sound intensity. A sound at 20 dB is perceived as twice as loud as a sound at 10 dB, but it is actually 10 times more intense.

To protect your hearing, it's recommended to keep volumes below 60% of the maximum and to use noise-cancelling headphones, especially in noisy situations. In loud environments, use ear protection such as earplugs, and limit your exposure time, giving your ears frequent breaks.

You can use apps to monitor sound levels and track your exposure, but a basic rule of thumb is that if it sounds too loud, it probably is.

85 dB is a limit, not a goal

85 dB is the generally accepted upper limit for safe sound exposure. Sounds at or below 70 dBA are considered safe, while sounds at or above 85 dBA can damage your hearing over time. The louder the sound, the more damage it can cause to your hearing, and the quicker this damage will occur.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended that worker exposures to noise should be controlled below a level equivalent to 85 dBA for eight hours to minimise occupational noise-induced hearing loss. This limit is based on averages, and a small percentage of people will still suffer hearing loss from eight hours of exposure to 85 dB.

The extent of damage to your hearing caused by noise depends on the decibel level, the distance from the source, and the length of time exposed. Researchers have found that people exposed to noise levels at 85 dBA or higher for long periods are at a much greater risk for hearing loss. This is why workers in certain industries are required to wear hearing protection.

In smaller spaces, such as home studios, 85 dB can be overwhelming and uncomfortable. Most home studios are calibrated to a lower level, between 73 and 76 dB.

To measure if you are monitoring at 85 dB, you can use a sound pressure level (SPL) meter. These can be purchased or downloaded as a phone app. Place the SPL meter in the listening position and adjust the monitor volume until the meter reads 85 dB.

85 dB is a standard determination

The decibel scale runs from 0 dB, which is barely audible to the human ear, to 130 dB, which is considered the threshold of pain. 85 dB is a high noise level on this scale and is 15 times more intense than the 70-decibel level considered safe for human hearing by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

According to the WHO-ITU Global Standard on Safe Listening Devices and Systems, it is recommended that adults limit their total weekly exposure to volume levels no higher than 80 dB to 40 hours. For children, this level is 75 dB.

It is important to note that the safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dB. For example, you can safely listen to sounds at 85 dB for up to eight hours, but if the sound increases to 88 dB, the safe listening time decreases to four hours.

To measure the decibel level of a given sound, you can use a sound-level meter or a decibel meter app on your phone.

85 dB is not safe for prolonged exposure

The decibel scale runs from 0 dB, which is barely audible to the human ear, up to 130 dB, which is considered the threshold of pain. 85 dB is a high noise level—15 times more intense than the 70 dB level deemed safe for human hearing by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Extended exposure to 85 dB noise levels can be harmful to your hearing and cause hearing damage or hearing loss. This level of noise is equivalent to being inside an airport, heavy traffic while in a car, a noisy restaurant, or a cinema.

To protect your hearing, it is recommended to wear appropriate hearing protection when exposed to noise levels above 85 dB, even if your exposure time does not reach eight hours. This is especially important in noisy environments such as factories or construction sites, where noise levels can fluctuate and often exceed the recommended limit.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dB. For example, at 88 dB, the safe listening time is reduced to four hours, and at 91 dB, it further decreases to two hours.

To summarize, 85 dB is not a safe level for prolonged exposure, and it is essential to take precautions to protect your hearing when exposed to such noise levels.

85 dB is a common monitoring level for cinemas

The monitoring level of 85 dB is often used as a standard in cinemas and theatrical spaces. This level is chosen to achieve a flat response across the frequency spectrum, ensuring that all frequencies are heard evenly. This level is also used as a reference point for mixing audio in studios, although it may be adjusted depending on the size of the room and the type of audio being mixed.

The level of 85 dB is based on the Fletcher-Munson curves or equal loudness contours, which illustrate the human ear's perception of different frequencies at various volume levels. At around 85 dB, the response is the most flat, meaning that the bass and high-end frequencies are heard in balance with the mids. This level is also comfortable for most people to listen to for extended periods without causing ear fatigue or hearing damage. However, it is important to note that this level may still cause hearing loss for a small percentage of people, as it depends on individual genetics.

In cinemas, the lack of official limitations or guidelines regarding loudness allows for a wider dynamic range in the mix. While momentary sounds like gunshots and explosions can be loud, sustained sounds like dialogue and music need to be kept at a level that is generally audible for comprehension. By having a wider dynamic range, filmmakers can create a starker contrast between the softer and louder elements of the soundtrack.

When mixing audio in a studio, it is important to consider the intended listening environment. For broadcast and home video mixes, the mixing stage is typically calibrated for smaller speakers and room acoustics. In contrast, theatrical mixes are calibrated for larger spaces and speakers. Most stages are calibrated for broadcast, so it is essential to communicate with the mixer about the intended distribution plan for the film.

While 85 dB is a common reference level, it may not be suitable for all studio spaces. Smaller home studios, for example, may find this level overwhelming and uncomfortable. In such cases, a lower monitoring level of around 73-76 dB is recommended. This level takes into account the size of the room and ensures a more balanced frequency response, allowing for more consistent mixes.

Frequently asked questions