What is TASA?
Why is TASA necessary?
TASA and the MPAA:
What you need to know!
The TASA process for trailer finishers.
The TASA process for Digital Cinema trailers.
TASA Certified Independent Audio Engineering Firms.
What is "Leqm"?
Where do I get a Leqm meter?
How effective is TASA?
Who do I talk to at the MPAA about trailers?
What about commercials in theatres?
Who are we?
TASA History.
The TASA Standard - Technical Document.

The TASA process for trailer finishers.

  1. Make sure your sound mixing facility has a properly calibrated Leqm meter.
    Click here for a list of Leqm meter suppliers.

  2. Check this website to get the current TASA Leqm Upper Volume Limit.

  3. Mix your trailer. When you have finished your mix, measure the playback of your six track and two track printmasters in the manner specified in the TASA Standard. If either of your printmasters exceeds the current Leqm upper volume limit, remix the trailer until it complies with the standard. It is important to note that the measurement begins with the first sound of the trailer, regardless of where the visual image starts. The measurement ends at the final sound of the trailer, regardless of any continuing silent credit blocks or coming card. There is a three second grace in the start of your measurement. (You must hit the start button on the Leqm meter within three seconds of the first sound.)

    Any material measured using these procedures with a duration of 30 seconds or less shall be measured to within ± 1 second of the length of the program. In other words, the start button of the measuring device shall be pushed within 1 second of the first audio, and the stop button shall be pushed within 1 second of the final audio.

  4. Fill out a TASA Dub Stage Report and Certificate Request Form. These forms are available from any of the TASA Certified Independent Audio Engineering Firms.

    Click here to download the form from THX.

    Click here to download the form from TMH.

    (Note: This contact information is provided for informational purposes only. Neither the MPAA nor the TASA Committee is responsible for or endorses any one company's products or services.)

  5. After your mix, send a soundtrack-only print or a composite check print to an Independent Audio Engineering Firm that has been certified by the TASA Committee. You must send this print within 48 hours of your mix. Be sure to include a TASA Dub Stage Report/Certificate Request Form along with the print. (You may also fax the form.)

It is important to note that the TASA Certificate Request Form authorizes the Independent Audio Engineering Firm to measure the trailer print that you send, but also to pull a trailer release print at random from your release printing laboratory to double check TASA compliance.

The I.A.E. will measure the trailer's Leqm in all formats and confirm that the trailer complies with the TASA Standard. The I.A.E. will then issue a TASA Certificate and forward this certificate to the MPAA. The MPAA requires receipt of a TASA Certificate for trailer approval under the MPAA Advertising Rules.

Effective June 1, 2006, there will no longer be allowed a 1dB grace discrepancy over the current 85dB standard. If the trailer does not pass the standard the I.A.E. will contact you, the initiating studio, the dubbing stage and the MPAA. Within seven days, the studio shall remix the material to comply with the upper volume level, currently at 85dB, and submit a new married sample to the I.A.E. for verification. Any further printing must be from the new mix. Evidence that the studio has pulled and replaced any of the original non-compliant soundtrack negatives from the film labs must be submitted to the MPAA. If after investigation, it is found that a trailer does not pass the standard due to a technical error that was beyond the control of the releasing studio, a "TASA Exemption" may be issued. It is extremely important to note that TASA Exemptions are given ONLY if you have submitted your trailer for TASA Certification within 48 hours of your sound mix.

After you have begun release printing your trailer, the I.A.E. will contact your film lab or depot, and will pull a randomly selected print from the stock of release prints. This print (called a "Blind Check Print") will be measured by the I.A.E. to confirm the volume matches the original certified print.

If the Blind Check Print fails the TASA Standard (and does not match the print originally certified), the studio in question could be found in violation of the MPAA Advertising Regulations.

Any steps taken if a trailer fails the TASA Standard are entirely up to the MPAA.