One of the most persistent complaints in modern media — from streaming platforms to broadcast TV — is that dialogue is too hard to hear. Whether it’s buried under music, lost in ambience, or simply too quiet, unclear speech is a major frustration for viewers.
NUGEN Audio, the UK-based developer known for precision mixing and metering tools, has responded to this issue with the launch of DialogCheck — a new plug-in designed to provide a scientific, repeatable way to assess dialogue intelligibility.
What Does DialogCheck Do?
DialogCheck analyses speech content and assigns an objective clarity score, helping mixers and editors identify trouble spots in real time. It supports mono, stereo, and surround formats, making it suitable for a wide range of post workflows — from indie film mixes to large-scale streaming series.
Key features include:
- Speech detection & recognition algorithms to isolate dialogue
- Psychoacoustic modelling to simulate how the human ear perceives clarity
- Visual feedback showing problem areas that may require EQ, level adjustment, or dynamic range treatment
- Compatibility with DAWs and NLEs via plugin format (AAX, VST3, AU)
Why It Matters
Dialogue mixing has always been as much art as science. But with viewer expectations rising (and mobile playback increasingly common), engineers are under more pressure than ever to deliver intelligible speech without compromising on dynamics or creative intent.
DialogCheck offers a valuable assist — especially in team-based or remote workflows — by helping to standardise clarity targets and reduce subjective guesswork.
For post houses, broadcasters, and independent mixers alike, this could be a game-changer.
Available now from: nugenaudio.com
