split audio for a break

[michelehamilton]

I need to add a bell ringing sound in between a voice speaking.. how can I accomplish that?:)

Thanks!!;)

Michele:)

[THoff]

You probably don't actually want to simply split the audio, since inserting the sound effect in the middle would get the audio out of sync following the ringing bell.

Simply insert the audio file with the ringing bell into the voice track.

[michelehamilton]

You are right! Thanks!!;) Next question.. how can I use a song in the background while someone is talking.. but when they don't talk for a few seconds.. I want to raise the volume on the song? Like with a video.. we can cut it..and use that segment to raise the volume.. but we can't "cut" the audio? Is that clear at all??:) I'm not sure how to say what I mean!:)

Thanks so much.. I'm having a blast!;)

Michele

[Ken Berry]

It really depends on which version of VS you are using, and you don't tell us that.

From VS8 on, however, there is what is called 'rubber banding' for audio. You can lower or raise the volume of individual parts of an audio track, whether it be the original or added audio. That way, you can lower the bit of the original audio you want quieter, and at the same time raise the added music volume for that part at the same time.

You can't do this in VS 7, however.

[michelehamilton]

But I see no options for "rubber banding"?:) Sounds exactly what I am looking for..where is it??:)

THANK YOU,
Michele:)

[Ken Berry]

If indeed you have VS8 (and I now assume you do), then you have to go into Audio mode. To find this, look down at where you have your clips in the storyboard. To the immediate left of this is an icon of a little piece of film. The next icon down is the timline mode or view, and the one below that is the audio mode. Click on that, and you no longer have the actual images of your clips in the top line, but a pale grey-blue colour with a black line running through the middle of it. That line is the audio level of the clip and you can select spots along it and move the line up or down between those selected spots. That is, you are stretching the 'rubber band' of the audio volume.

When you have other audio -- either added voice or music or other audio effects -- added in the lines below, they too will have this black line running through them, and you adjust them the same way. That way you can, say, lower the original volume in your clip for a selected period, and, for the same period, raise the volume in the music track and/or voice track.

Just be careful through, since putting the selected points in the rubber bands can be a bit fiddly as you get a couple of passing icons which sometimes disappear too quickly or have no real explanation: the white icon in the form of a cross with pointy ends really only indicates that you are not touching the volume line. When you actually touch the volume line, you get a black arrow below the line pointing right at the line. You move that along the line till you reach a spot where you want to start altering the volume. When you click on the mouse button, the icon changes to a small white hand with pointing finger. You have to be careful to keep the mouse button down as you move the line up or down, or else you will merely insert another selection point. But it gets easier with practice.

[Trevor Andrew]

Hi
You can also adjust the audio levels using the vertical slider in the middle of the upper left panel.
Select the time line to edit clicking the icons to the lift.
You need to play the clip in project mode, then drag the slider up / down.
Again it’s a bit tricky to use. The anchor points can be fine tuned in the timeline.

To remove individual anchor points, drag the point to the bottom of the timeline (using the hand)and release.
Right click the clip and select reset volume will remove all anchor points.

[michelehamilton]

GREAT!! I have learned a lot!!:) Now, here is an odd thing.. I am doing exactly as both of you are telling me..and yep..that is working except for one odd problem.. when I raise the volume up with the rubber banding.. whatever is LOWER will then have NO sound? Then when it raises up.. there comes my sound back.. anyone else had that?

Thank you so much!
Michele:)