Dialogue Normalization and Levels with AC3

[fellini]

Hi guys,

Hope I'm not asking a question that has already been asked, but as far as I checked, it hasn't...
So, I've read all there is to know about dialogue Normalization but no one has determined:

1. Do all the audio tracks have to be with the save audio levels (Volume) before encoding it to AC3? Or should I decide based on my judgment and taste at the post house, how to author the final levels of the 6 audio channels?

2. I know I should take the RMS level of the original audio tracks, then take the number (e.g. -16dbFS) and enter it in the dialogue normalization rubric in my AC3 encoder.
But there are 6 discreet audio channels. Do I need to take the RMS level of each one then make an average of them, or just measure the center channel?

Thanks,
Lior

[BJ_M]

1. no - don't have to be the same level , or even have all the tracks

2. just centre (if dialogue track) , if you have a average of say -16 , i would reduce that by 3 to -19

[fellini]

Thanks, I'll try that.