Correct volume levels

[Phil]

Hi there,

I currently use VSP X4 and would like you to explain the tool(s) available to guarantee a good audio balance.

If we consider the 3 types of audio - the "Feature" audio, the "Ambience" audio and the "Effect" audio (like music or narration), how can I be sure they are as relevant & accurate to each other as possible?

An example.

I record someone talking on video, VSP assumes a 100 volume level for starters. I add a background music track and again it assumes a 100 volume level. Due to the nature of the MP3 or WAV file it is always louder so I reduce the volume however, sometimes when I produce a final DVD or video file, I wish I had have lowered the music track further or increased the person talking volume because the music has overpowered a bit much.

When I select Sound Mixer; Attribute; and hover over the clip volume meter, I notice 40% is displayed.

Q1/ Is this only using 40% worth of the original volume level?
Q2/ What measures can I use in VSP x4 so that when a DVD is eventually played, there isn't a need to crank up the TV volume to hear good audio levels which then in turn introduces audio "noise"
Q3/ I notice the audio meter is coloured and I suspect that touching the red signals mean distortion. How can I use this for overall best effect?
Q4/ Should I be mixing audio levels using the "-36 to +12" slider or the clip volume in Q1?

I intend using tie-mics soon and I expect all audios I throw at my projects will need a careful balance

Thanks for your reply and please include any detailed tutorials on this as I can only find generic ones.

Phil

[lata]

Hi Phil

First I have to say the Video Studio is a video editor, it does its best at allowing us to manage our sound files.

My personal preference is to use the edit options and the 100% slider.
I don't use that many audio tracks, the recorded video + music and voice over.

The audio from my camera is generally used as the norm with other audio being adjusted to match.
You do need to select a normal level, even if its a sample from the library. This will ensure your pc speakers are always set to the same level.

Some things to note:-
Choosing 0% will give no sound, effectively muted.
Sound Mixer, choosing -36 (lowest sound level) does not remove all sound.

To fade In or Out I always use the fade ramps adjacent to the 100%, that way my fade does actually fade out. Set the fade duration in Preferences (F6)

If I need a middle section muting, I cut the clip using the scissors, then apply the appropriate 100% or fades to each clip.

Using the Sound Mixer will allow for rubber banding, this will add key-frames to the audio clips. I always end up with far to many. Right click the clip to reset volume will remove all key-frames, or drag individuals down as far as you can.

I always render the project to a single video file, then play to check quality, adjust the audio within the project and re-render. Smart Render should make the second render quite quick.

With the audio levels correct the final video file being used to burn to disc.

------------------------------------
Use an audio editor to level the individual sounds prior to importing to Video Studio.
If you do not have a program try Audacity. Many on the forum have used this program.