Audio Track - Increase and Decrease - Equalize

[Dekade]

I have an issue with the audio track of a timeline imported video file. Some parts of the video have strong audio while other portions have very weak audio. I need to equalize these different track portions.

I am using VSx3 Ultimate. Windows 7 Professional. Is there a means by which to increase the volume of a section of video? In turn the same question for decreasing? Or - can one part of the track be equalized to equal another part of the track? After all manual or automatic equalizing has been finished (- if possible in the first place -) can the volume for the entire track then be adjusted up or down?

If this is not possible in VSx3 is it possible to do so in VSx7 Pro and/or Ultimate?

Any help will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,

Dekade

[asik1]

Try to NORMALIZE your clip.
Split the audio, and on the audio track , right mouse to add the normalize audio filter

[Dekade]

I take it that you can 'split' the audio track and it will remain in the same timeline location as the video - correct?

[wormil]

I take it that you can 'split' the audio track and it will remain in the same timeline location as the video - correct?

Yeah but you might want to enable ripple editing and lock those two tracks to maintain sync. Not necessary if you have only one clip but if working with multiple clips it's a good idea.

[Dekade]

Okay, and for the last question - Is ripple editing explained in Help? OR - where can I go to get a little information on that method. Then I'll start experimenting.

Thank you.

[Ken Berry]

Otherwise -- and my preferred option -- you would need to master the admittedly rather delicate audio editing mode in VS, called appropriately enough, rubber banding. I simply can't remember much about X3 except that it was perhaps the worst klutzy mess Corel ever made of Video Studio, and we were all happy to move on from it, Corel included! But I am pretty sure audio editing using the rubber band method has remained the same since I first started with Video Studio in version 7 about 12 or 13 years ago...

You have to click on the 'Sound Mixer' icon -- which is where the red arrow in the image below is pointing. (Note: this image was taken from the current version of VS but I am pretty sure the one in X3 looks much the same.) Then the video in the timeline will take on a solid colour and have a line through it. That line indicates the current volume level.

To adjust the volume in various sections, you have to move the cursor along that line to a point a little before where you want the first adjustment to start. The cursor will first look like a four pointed set of arrows. When it is just touching that sound line, however, it converts to a single upward pointing arrow. Left click it and a node point is inserted in the audio line. Then move the cursor along to the point where you want the audio reduction to start and click again. Another node point will be inserted. Then move the cursor further along to the point where you want the audio to revert to the original or to another level, and click again. Another node will be inserted. Then move a little further to the right, and insert another node. You should now have four nodes visible.

Then you go back to the second node and move the cursor to just touch the node. It should then convert into something looking like a folded hand with the index finger point directly at the node. You then left click, hold it, and drag the node downwards (if you want to lower the sound) or upwards (if you want to increase the sound). Then you go to the third node and do the same. Nodes 1 and 4 will remain in their original positions, but there will now be a slight fade-out of the volume between nodes 1 and 2, and slight fade-up between 3 and 4. Unfortunately it is a matter of trial and error to get to the volume you want. To do this you need to press the Project button immediately below the preview screen and play the clip to judge if the reduction/increase you have made is acceptable. If not, you have to go back in and make further adjustments to how far down or up you drag the nodes. And unfortunately, again, this has to be done for each and every adjustment in the volume you make. It's delicate and fussy, but after a little bit of experience becomes easy enough to do, and best of all, it works pretty reliably!

[Dekade]

Many thanks for the detail on rubber banding. However, feeling (without prompted forum knowledge) that x3 was a blunder I just decided to download the x7 trial version. I am just now getting acquainted with it in an 'on the fast track' manner. Short on time. With that in mind should my needs to adjust audio levels be more user friendly in x7? Is there anything in particular that you might like to bring to my attention about adjusting audio levels from the same video clip? If x7 works out then it's bye bye to x3.

Thank you,
Dekade

[Ken Berry]

Sorry, but that image above was from X7. In other words, rubber banding is the same in the latest version, and no other shortcuts -- at least of which I am aware -- for audio editing. Unfortunately, audio editing is not one of VS's strong points, though I find it works just fine if you are prepared to put in the effort.

[Dekade]

Okay, thank you for all input. I'll go to work.

[Dekade]

Is there any means by which to separate the audio from the video timeline on an mp4 file?
Is there any means to control the volume of the audio at different locations along the timeline of an mp4 file?

Dekade

[Ken Berry]

There should be no difference due to the format of the video you are using. The same rules should apply to mpeg-4, as they would to mpeg-2 or other formats. Or are you having trouble with a particular mpeg-4 file?

[Dekade]

Yes, I have an mp4 file and the audio shows right along with the video on the timeline. I cannot get the audio and the video separated

[Dekade]

Okay, I got the audio split away by right clicking and selecting split audio. Now, I guess I have to work with rubber banding to increase and decrease audio level - correct?

[Ken Berry]

Yes!

[Dekade]

Okay, we'll just take off and rubber band our way to oblivion!

Thanks,
Dekade