Audio Quality Control Checks: The Decisions That Matter
The final checks run on audio before delivery, covering loudness, peaks, phase, noise, sync and channel layout.
Tomas Lindqvist
What is at stake
Rejected deliveries cost time and money, and many problems are only caught by a deliberate QC pass.
The playbook
- Use a written QC checklist
- Listen to the full program at least once
- Measure loudness and peaks with calibrated tools
- Check sync against picture
- Record QC results with the delivery
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Skipping listening checks
- Checking only the first minutes
- Relying on visual meters alone
- Delivering without documentation
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Loudness | measured against the target specification |
| True peak | checked to avoid distortion after encoding |
| Phase | mono checks reveal cancellation problems |
| Channel order | multichannel files must follow the required layout |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when deliveries go to broadcasters or streaming platforms.
Where this comes from
- European Broadcasting Union — EBU R 128 loudness recommendation
- International Telecommunication Union — Recommendation ITU-R BS.1770
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
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Where to go next
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