Academy curve / Academy sound

The name of the standard mono optical track that has existed since the beginning of sound on film. Standards were codified in 1938, although the standard has changed somewhat through the years. The standard specifies a flat response throughout the range of 100Hz-1.6 kHz and is down 7dB at 40 Hz, 10dB at 5 kHz, and 18 dB at 8 kHz. Also called an N-Curve.

See also X-Curve.