What is TASA?
Why is TASA necessary?
TASA and the MPA:
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 MPA 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, two track, and any other printmasters intended for theatrical release in the manner specified in the TASA Standard. If any 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.).

  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 MPA nor the TASA Committee is responsible for or endorses any one company's products or services.)

  5. If you are releasing your trailer on film, send a soundtrack-only print or a composite check print to an Independent Audio Engineering Firm (I.A.E.) that has been certified by the TASA Committee. If you are releasing your trailer in Digital Cinema, you must send a Broadcast Wave file of your mix to an I.A.E. for certification as well. You must send the soundtrack to the I.A.E. within 48 hours of your mix. Be sure to include a TASA Dub Stage Report/Certificate Request Form along with the audio media. (You may also fax the form.)

It is important to note that the TASA Certificate Request Form authorizes the I.A.E. to measure the trailer soundtrack that you send, but also to pull a trailer release print or Digital Cinema Package (DCP) at random from your release printing laboratory or DCP Distribution entity 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 MPA. The MPA requires receipt of a TASA Certificate for trailer approval under the MPA 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 MPA. 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 MPA. 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, or Digital Cinema Distribution entity and will pull a randomly selected print or DCP 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 mix.

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 MPA Advertising Regulations.

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