Quality Control (QC) Vocabulary

QC Vocabulary defines terms that are used in QC with the goals of 1) Ensuring that terms are used consistently, and 2) ensuring that terms are encoded consistently. The page for this topic is here.

This page shows terms for the "AUDIO" category. Audio covers any issues with audio concerning encoding, missing elements, sync, and general quality. Note that "PRODUCTION" covers audio issues caused during production.


Version 1.1, December 19, 2019

Term Description Definition V
ARTIFACTSAudio ArtifactsAudio tracks include audible artifacts such as "ticks", "pops", "crackle", "hiss", etc.1.0
BIT-DEPTHBit depth incorrectBit depth is incorrect. For example, 16-bit audio provided when 24-bit is expected.1.1
BITRATEAudio Bitrate Is Below SpecAudio bitrate is lower than specification in platform requirements.1.0
BUMPBumpExtraneous sound that does not sound natural in context. Usually lower frequency sound. Short in duration.1.1
CHANNEL-ASSIGNEMENTSIncorrect Audio Channel AssignmentsAudio Channels are not assigned correctly in the header/metadata of the file (e.g., 5.1 + Stereo .mov files with all channels assigned as 'mono').1.0
CLIPPINGClippingIncreased audio levels exceeding the technical spec for the format, causing flat-lining of the audio peaks which may result in distortion or clicking. Could be clipped at 0db or also clipped lower due to a problem with a source file. When DISTORTION is known to be caused by clipping, it should be reported as CLIPPING.1.1
CONFIGURATIONIncorrect Audio ConfigurationAudio channels are not in correct order or missing per specification in platform requirements. This term also accounts for extraneous tracks or channels which are not allowed.1.0
CONTENT-POLICYContent Does Not Adhere to Agreed PolicyContent does not adhere to platform's policy due to issues such as offensive language or sounds. Can address content ratings, censorship, or other policies.1.1
CORRUPTCorrupt AudioAudio file or track will not open, playback or transcode.1.0
CRACKLECrackleCrackle is similar to Pop/Click/Tick, but of longer duration (multiples). See POP-CLICK-TICK, SNAT1.1
DISTORTIONAudio DistortionAudio sounds overmodulated.1.0
DOUBLED-AUDIODoubled AudioA sound element is doubled on top of itself, playing twice, similar to an echo or causing phasing issues.1.1
DROPOUTSAudio DropoutsAudio contains one or more unintentional sections of silence. 1.0
DYNAMIC-RANGEDynamic range is not what was expectedAudio tracks that are expected to be full range are limited range; or when limited range is expected, full range is provided1.1
INCORRECT-AUDIO-ELEMENTSTrack contains incorrect elementsTrack contains unexpected elements based on the configuration. For example production sounds identified on a dialog stem.1.1
INCORRECT-CONTENTAudio Asset Is Incorrect ContentProgram Audio does not match title, description, file name, ID or corresponding video file when delivered as a discrete asset.1.0
INCORRECT-CONTENT-DUBIncorrect Dub Vocals trackSpecial case of INCORRECT-CONTENT where Dub is incorrect.1.1
INCORRECT-DOWNMIXIncorrect downmixAt some point, channels were downmixed to an incorrect configuration. For example, 2-channel stereo audio was mixed to 2-channel mono audio (both channels identical); sometimes called mono-summed. Another example is incorrect downmix from 5.1 to 2.0. Special case of CONFIGURATION.1.1
INCORRECT-LANGUAGEAudio Is in Incorrect LanguageAudio language does not match language flag or filename.1.0
INVALID-CODECInvalid CODECAudio encoded with codec that is not accepted within the specification.1.1
LEVEL-SHIFTShift in levelThe audio has an abrupt shift in volume unmotivated by picture.1.1
LOUDNESS-ERRORLoudness violates norms.Calculated loudness, such as using LUFS/LKFS, is outside specified limits. This is dependent on whatever specification applies.1.1
LOW-LEVELSLow Audio LevelsAudio loudness is low relative to specification in platform requirements.1.0
MISSING-DIALOGMissing DialogueAudio mix is incomplete with no dialogue present.1.0
MISSING-EFFECTSMissing EffectsAudio mix is incomplete with no sound effects present.1.0
MISSING-MUSICMissing MusicAudio mix is incomplete with no music present.1.0
MIX-BALANCEMix/BalanceGeneral category that covers issue in the mix, either from the balance or volume on certain channels. For example left channel is louder than the right channel. This can include incorrectly located sounds, either because of mislocated objects or incorrect channel usage. For example, an explosion could come from the wrong place, or an object moving onscreen from left to right might have audio that moves right to left. See SHIFT, INCORRECT-DOWNMIX.1.1
NO-STREAMSNo AudioSource file contains no embedded audio tracks.1.0
OTHEROtherAny issue not covered by the standard terms and definitions.1.0
OUT-OF-PHASEAudio Channels Are Out of PhaseAudio channels within a mix are audibly out of phase with one another.1.0
PAN-SHIFTShift in image (pan)The audio has an abrupt shift in imaging (pan) unmotivated by picture.1.1
PEAK-OUT-OF-RANGEPeak/Out-of-RangeThe audio peak level of an event or effect exceeds the format specification.1.1
POOR-QUALITY-COMMENTARY-DESCRIPTIONPoor Quality Commentary or DescriptionAudio quality of Commentary or Description is not crisp and clear, but muddied, garbled, or subject to distortion or generation loss which creates a poor listening experience. See POOR-QUALITY-MAIN, POOR-QUALITY-DUB.1.1
POOR-QUALITY-DUBPoor Quality DubAudio quality of Dub is not crisp and clear, but muddied, garbled, or subject to distortion or generation loss which creates a poor listening experience. See POOR-QUALITY-MAIN, POOR-QUALITY-COMMENTARY-DESCRIPTION.1.1
POOR-QUALITY-MAINPoor quality main mixAudio quality of main mix audio is not crisp and clear, but muddied, garbled, or subject to distortion or generation loss which creates a poor listening experience. See POOR-QUALITY-COMMENTARY-DESCRIPTION, POOR-QUALITY-DUB.1.1
POP-CLICK-TICKPop/Click/TickAn out of place pop, click or tick on the soundtrack, could be from bad digital processing, a bad splice, weak signal, microphone noise, or any number of other causes including mouth noise, clicks. Terms are interchangeable. See CRACKLE, SNAT1.1
SAMPLE-RATESample Rate incorrectSample rate is incorrect. For example, 44.1 KHz provided when 48 KHz is expected.1.1
SCRATCHScratchAn unexplained audio anomaly, could be an out of place ripping noise in the audio track, generally refers to a result of an analog recording issue or a transfer from an older legacy optical soundtrack source.1.1
SILENTAudio Channel SilentOne or more audio channels in a source are silent (e.g., Silent Left Surround and Right Surround within a 5.1 mix).1.0
SNATSnatUsually digitally created. Sharp change in waveform. See POP-CLICK-TICK, CRACKLE.1.1
SYNC-DRIFT-EARLYSync - Drift EarlyAudio sync with video becomes progressively earlier throughout program. (e.g., In sync at the beginning, 2-seconds early in middle, 5-seconds early by end).1.0
SYNC-DRIFT-LATESync - Drift LateAudio sync with video becomes progressively later throughout program (e.g., In sync at the beginning, 2-seconds late in middle, 5-seconds late by end).1.0
SYNC-INTERMITTENTSync - IntermittentAudio/Video sync is inconsistent throughout source (i.e., some scenes are in sync and others are out of sync).1.0
SYNC-OFFSETSync - OffsetAudio is out of sync with video for a consistant duration throughout program (e.g., 2 seconds out at all points).1.0
TRUNCATEDTruncated AudioAudio ends prematurely before end of program.1.0
WOW-FLUTTERWow/Flutter impact pitchThe pitch of the audio cycles slowly (wow) or quickly (flutter). Often related to an older analog formats.1.1