Volume control on Audio Tracks

[Terfyn]

I am wondering if there is another method to control volume levels on the audio and voice over tracks. I am thinking particularly about a method to easily (automatically) reduce the volume of the background music when a voiceover starts and raising it again after the voiceover is finished.
I find the existing process of capturing a volume node fiddly and, for me, a bit hit and miss.

Perhaps this is something for the post on "nice to haves" for VSx6.

[pvreditor]

I am wondering if there is another method to control volume levels on the audio and voice over tracks. I am thinking particularly about a method to easily (automatically) reduce the volume of the background music when a voiceover starts and raising it again after the voiceover is finished.
I find the existing process of capturing a volume node fiddly and, for me, a bit hit and miss.

Perhaps this is something for the post on "nice to haves" for VSx6.

VideoStudio has no way to set up automatic audio "ducking" for a voiceover. I do a lot of voiceovers, so I would love that particular feature. A couple of us have mentioned it in the wishlist thread for VSx6, so we will have to hold out hope.

Bob Kovacs

[n00b]

VideoStudio has no way to set up automatic audio "ducking" for a voiceover. I do a lot of voiceovers, so I would love that particular feature. A couple of us have mentioned it in the wishlist thread for VSx6, so we will have to hold out hope.

Me too! I would love to have a feature which will auto mute the music track in an easy (and configurable) way.

[Old_Friend]

I was just thinking, wouldn't it be nice if there was an 'Audio Effects' filter that could be used to control sound volume and fades--in/out? It could also have configurable options to set the volume levels desired and the length of fades. Just pop it onto a track and stretch it to fit the voice-over clip-length, or even better, individual segments of a longer, continuous clip length.

[Terfyn]

Thanks for the replies. I hope that Corel may take note. VSx5 is such an advanced program in many ways and, in my opinion, better than Pinnacle but this is one (very small) area that Corel have let the software down. Either an Audio Effects filter or an option to lower the volume on the audio track adjacent to the voiceover track when a voiceover block is identified. The relative levels could even be preset in Preferences.
We can already set the overall volume of an audio track from the start and include fade in/out.

[lata]

Hi Terfyn

Have you used the Sound Mixer option. Wav form icon below preview screen.
This allows you to drag the clips sound levels up or down. (Rubber Banding)

I found this tutorial from the Corel Guide, i am sure there may be more

Working with the Audio Mixer

http://youtu.be/8uke_TQ2VUQ

[pvreditor]

I assumed that he is using the Sound Mixer function, since he said that he found "...the existing process of capturing a volume node fiddly..." But you know what they say about people who assume.

Bob Kovacs
http://www.bobkovacs.com

[lata]

Hi

You may be correct, and yes the “nodes” are difficult to adjust.
You can always drag the slider.
But yes Corel need to allow more control for adjusting audio levels.
Besides the lowest level is not silent but approx 40db?

[Terfyn]

I must admit that I was not aware that you could use the sound mixer slider " on the fly" as it were, although, even on the tutorial, you would be hard pushed to hit the reduce and increase in volume exactly at the right moment.
It is the nodes that I find difficult:- first you have to be spot on when capturing a node, second it is very easy to generate an unwanted node.
So I shall practice but an auto fade when a voiceover is met on the timeline would be nice!

[pvreditor]

I must admit that I was not aware that you could use the sound mixer slider " on the fly" as it were, although, even on the tutorial, you would be hard pushed to hit the reduce and increase in volume exactly at the right moment.
It is the nodes that I find difficult:- first you have to be spot on when capturing a node, second it is very easy to generate an unwanted node.
So I shall practice but an auto fade when a voiceover is met on the timeline would be nice!

If you expand the timeline, it is easier to create a node in the exact spot you want. I used to have to do that when setting up voiceover and music tracks, but I've gotten better at it with experience and now can usually do it without expanding the timeline. However, you might want to expand the timeline some and see if that makes it easier to get the adjustment nodes where you want them.

Bob Kovacs
Bob Kovacs

[lata]

I have to agree that the Sound Mixer is not the easiest of tools to use.
The program is a video editor not a sound editor, even so I think Corel could improve on the use of the Mixer.

I generally use the main edit timelines, cut using the scissors, then apply %age volume levels along with Fade In/Out ramps

Don’t try to fade In/Out using the Sound Mixer, getting hold of the last frame is difficult. Otherwise you may hear those cracks or pops at the end of clips.

I guess it’s a learning curve, gets better with use.

[Terfyn]

Thanks Trevor. I understand why you say VSx5 is not a sound editor but sound is so important to the video and, in my opinion, should be treated with the same high level in the software as the picture. If we could link a sound editor such as Audacity to VSx5 and keep the whole lot in sync, it would be brilliant.
For me VSx5 does everything I would ever wish for in the video and the sound is given good treatment as well. I just find the "real time" alterations of the soundtrack a bit fiddly.

After all where would the shower scene in "Psycho" have been without the brilliant sound track!