Decibels (dB) In Audio | The 5 Things You NEED To Know... 

Don’t you mean dBu? dBV is for consumer electronics whereas the former is for pro audio. There’s still a ratio at play because any change from zero is relative to 1V for dBV and 0.775V for dBu. Is that not correct? dBA is based on the Fletcher-Munson curve for a 1kHz sine at 40 phons, about 3 millipascals or 44dB.

Correct!

Thanks, @sweet hart! Glad to help!

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I woud say a bit too concise...

Thanks, Nedim! Glad to help.

Thanks, Dewa! Please share the channel!

@@AudioUniversity sure, my pleasure

Thanks, Firebrand VOCALS!

Glad you like them, Ankush! Thanks for watching!

Thanks, Leonardo!

Thanks, Eric! I’m glad the videos are helpful to you.

Glad to help, gomez richard!

@@AudioUniversity For real. I naturally inclined to the pro audio. I could never explain what I hear, but when I watch your videos you teach me terminology And the im able to better explain myself. Ive always been inclusive and attracted to recording, ins and outs... fun stuff!

Thanks, Edgar!

Thanks for watching, Niyoh!

Glad to help, ibrahimissa Issa!

Thanks, TeamSpaceMan!

Thanks, Thomas!

Thanks, Gib Son!

@@AudioUniversity My pleasure ;)

The voltage can’t be determined by the SPL alone. It would depend on the sensitivity of the speaker or microphone, the current, and the impedance. Check out “the power equation” and “Ohms law”. These might help you understand what I’m trying to say. Hope this helps!

@@AudioUniversity Thanks for replying. Of course, there should be a reference value. So would this be correct? Exanple 1: V = 100 * 0.1 * (10^(40/20) = 10 Volta Example 2: To estimate the voltage output of a Shure SM58 microphone for a 40 dB sound pressure level (SPL): Sensitivity of SM58 mic: -54.5 dBV/Pa Sound pressure level (SPL): 40 dB Using the formula: Voltage (V) = Sensitivity (dBV/Pa) + SPL (dB) + 94 dB Substitute the values: Voltage (V) = -54.5 dBV/Pa + 40 dB + 94 dB Voltage (V) = -54.5 dBV/Pa + 40 dB + 94 dB Voltage (V) = 79.5 dBV Therefore, the estimated voltage output of the Shure SM58 microphone for a 40 dB sound pressure level would be 79.5 dBV.

At SouthYarraMan, Your calculations have some issues Ex 1: 100 * 0.1 * 10^(40/20) = 10 * 10^(2) = 10 * 100 = 1000

Ex 2: The question asks how many volts would the mic produce with 40 dB SPL of sound. This is my process for solving these kinds of questions. I try to keep to first principles thinking and derive things rather than memorize formulas. Mic sensitivity (-54.5 dB V/Pa) 1 Pascal of pressure causes the mic to produce 1.85 mV How many Pa is 40 dB SPL Known : 1 Pa = 94 dB SPL So 40 dBSPL is 94 dB SPL attenuated by 54 dB Attenuating 1.85 mV by 54 dB means Attenuation in dB 54 dB = 20 log (Va/Vref) 54 dB = 20 log(Va/1.85 mV) 54/20 = log(Va/1.85 mV) 2.7 = log(Va/1.85 mV) Inverse log or 10^X of both sides 10^2.7 = Va/1.85 mV Rearrange Va = (10^2.7) x 1.85 mV Va = 501.2 x 1.85 mV Va = 927 mV = 0.927 V Answer You should expect 40 dBSPL sound to produce 0.927 V (about 1 V) of output on a shure SM58 microphone

Thanks, Jeff! Are you able to find any REW tutorials on RU-vid?

@@AudioUniversity Yes, I think that is the problem, too many. I find one that has some of the items I have, but not the same. If I get close, the REW pages look different, maybe a different version. I am sure it is not as hard as I make it, some things just don't register with me like they use to, mainly do to age and early dementia. I appreciate you and your video, I see you going far. Any suggestions for me, I'm willing to try. Take Care my Friend. JL

Over the years, Home Theater Shack forum ... has offered the best support for REW questions.

Thanks, Freg! Yes. This is a second edition with better structure, delivery, and some edits.

Great question, AS X! The answer is that it varies. That’s probably why you’ve had difficulty finding the answer. The calibration depends on the manufacturer. My research suggests that the “standard” is 0dBFS = +24dBu. However, this isn’t a hard and fast rule, so you’ll need to check your device’s manual.

@@AudioUniversity ah OK. Thanks.

@@AudioUniversity Another common reference point I often see in digital mixers for live sound is 0dBFs=18dBu, but there sadly isn't any norm indeed, which would make life a little easier sometimes.

Faders on mixing consoles should be around 0 (where the fader values walk from +10 to -∞). That way you have the most precise control over the volumes. Metering is another story. It depends what type of dB's are used by your mixer. Behringer X32 has a meter from 0 to -57 dB, where Allen&Heath uses a scale from +12 to -40. The best values for the mixer is to run sound at the level where the loudest parts are just in the orange, just so the average sound fills green leds. A quick note to that is if you run mp3's (composed sound) instead of live sound from an instrument/microphone, have it turned down a couple db's in the metering, that way it is in line with the perceived loudness, and you can still run the fader around 0, where you get the most precies control.

Bittamin - Check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-TCBHysRV4vs.html

@@edewaal97 thank you, I'm basically just working with loops and synths in logic so I have nothing external going on that I'm recording, I assume that makes it easier to control but could also but wrong on that front

@@AudioUniversity That was great thank you! I honestly try to watch every video, but who knows how much I can retain lol, a refresher never hurt anybody!

@@edewaal97 so new to avr reciever, does increasing DB for front and center speakers increase volume, or should I set to 0.

The point of using dB is that it better matches our loudness perception. Ex: believe it or not, a 200 Watt amp wont be noticeably louder than a 150 Watt amp at maximum non distorting loudness. The difference you hear is when you overdrive the 150 Watt amp and it starts introducing distortion. This of course assumes the wattage ratings are honest real measured values.

Great point! Thanks. Can’t believe I haven’t done a video on Fletcher Munson and weighting!

Check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ihif-XEL6XQ.html

Just because it’s not illegal doesn’t mean it’s not damaging. Hearing damage is understood as a combination of level and duration of exposure.

@@AudioUniversity Thank you. I understand that loudness can cause damage, but what about dangerous frequencies that don’t create loudness or register on a dB reader?

Good question. It depends on the sensitivity and impedance of your speakers. Check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Ee9bmALhhtg.html

That’s an easy enough video to find, this channel is geared more towards audio production concepts than basic voice-over for a RU-vid video. You record your VO in a recording app like Voice Notes and paste it into your video. Or some programs allow you to record audio within the video editing software.

im talking about pro audio for voice over and how to do setting in audacity

Thanks to both of you for watching! I am planning a video on Voiceover with a guest who does VO professionally!

@@AudioUniversity please do it man im doing voice over from home,so please give suggestions and setting for home studio (which dont have sound proof rooms)

Thanks for watching!

@@AudioUniversity anytime 💯

Decibel is one tenth of a Bel, so that means that 1 Bel is equal to 10 decibel: 1B = 10dB. (Think 1 Kilograms = 1000 grams) Run the calculation now--> 10* (log10) = 10 dB

0 dB SPL is usually defined as the threshold of hearing (quietest sound we can hear). But everyone’s ears are different.

@@AudioUniversitythank for the response. Have an older Sony receiver ES 5000 and at 0 GB. It’s pretty loud which I don’t understand. My newer receiver is an Onkyo RZ50 zero db is inaudible. We usually play the Onkyo around 65-70db. Thanks for your video

See you tomorrow, Al One! Thanks for watching.

A decibel is 1/10th of a Bel. In the same way that a decimeter is 1/10th of a meter.

@@AudioUniversity ah yea that makes sense, thx!

Thanks, Timothy! If it’s any consolation, I still didn’t get it after the 10th time it was explained to me! It just takes time, repetition, and practice.

@@AudioUniversity You need to open that brick and mortar Audio Engineering University you've talked about.

Let’s hear ur mixes then genius. This stuff is important.

Thanks, Freg!