varying audio levels within a single audio file

[Irishrose]

I am creating a project with images as well as video. There are places within the project where the audio clips will cover images as well as video. I want the audio levels to be at 100% while the images are on screen, however, I'd like the audio level to be lower during the video; background sounds so that you can hear the videos' audio above the level of the audio clip. I want the change from 100% to 50% (or what ever level) to be gradual. Is there an easy way to achieve this or will I need to split the audio clip at several intervals and lower each one until I achieve the sound level required?

[Ken Berry]

If you go into Audio mode, which you do by clicking on the Sound Mixer icon shown by the red arrow in the attached image, your timeline will change, showing a graphical representation of the audio on the clip and a yellow line which represents the current level of the audio. To achieve what you are after you use what is called 'rubber banding' by pulling down (or up) that yellow line in the parts whose volume you want to change. To do this you go to a point on the line a little before you want the volume to reduce and left click. A block will appear on the line. Then move a little further to the right and insert another block. Then move further along the line where you want the volume to go back up again and insert another block, and again a little further right. Then go back to the second block and click and drag it down to a lower point. Do the same with the third block. That way you get a gradual fade down of the audio and a fade back up again. If, as you do, you want the background audio you have added to fade in or out, you do the same thing to the added audio track and leave the main timeline alone.

[Irishrose]

Ken,

Thank you for the easy to follow description of how to change the audio levels. Works perfectly.