Imovie6/itunes audio level question

i'm cutting a piece in imovie6. the audio attached to the video clip was recorded rather low, not too low, but a wee bit an the quiet side. i want to boost and level off the audio. on several boards the suggestion was to send the audio track via the imovie/ilife share menu to garageband where i could boost the audio level while adding a dose of compression to remove some of the now raised noise floor. i have tried this 2x and have not noticed/heard the difference (which should have been apparent). after garageband the path back to imovie6 is via itunes. in itunes i have been able to successful boost the audio via the get info box->options and raised the levels while also incorporating the "spoken word" setting in the equalizer.
the question is: are the itune "changes" on the audio track or only via itunes playback? in other words, if i burned the louder audio track to a cd would the itune "changes" be there? or will those "changes" only be present when i play the track thru itunes.
i hope my question is not too confusing.
thanks in advance to those who care to share.
be well
rob

I've not tried this and my system is busy, but...
Have you tried panning the first clip to center, then control-click on that clip, choose 'copy', then lasso the remaining clips, control-click, paste attributes?
Not sure it works for panning audio, so let us know.
K

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Indie Film Audio Level Questions...

I posted this in Final Cut Pro Forum as well, but no answer yet...
Been doing a lot of reading, but still cannot find a clear answer to this question...
What should my average audio levels be set at for a Standard DV indie film headed for the festivals on DVD?
I've read about the difference in audio ranges for TV & Cinema, and I've read about the average being around -12db & no more than -3db...
As a reference, I put 3 professional movies in my DVD player, and my sound is a lot lower. I need to boost them, but where should my meter read at on average?
Should I be using the Sound Mixer only? Or the Normalizer as well?
Can anyone help me out, so that I can put this film in the bag?
Thanks
Frankie

Hi Frankie:
I'm afraid your on a very slippery slope. First of all your comparing a home release of a DVD and comparing that with a movie. These are very different animals. The second question would be what are your comparisons and how are you making them. The speakers that you use for editing may not be useful for this job. Second of all you must calibrate your system so that you know what is what. Remember that -12 dB full scale digital is equivalent to 0+- within the analogue scale. You must calibrate your system so that you get a reading of -12dB at your outputs and 85dB when measured with a dB meter on fast and "B" weighted at the mixing position. You must do this using a 1k sine wave which is now calibrated in the room. Mark out this level using a dorrough meter. That will give you the proper level you are seeking. -3dB fsd is for peaks only. That is the loudest point at which your movie can fall. This is not for just dialogue. and -12dB fsd is the average of the soundtrack. The next question is what is the format of your deliverable? Film has it's own issues which are further complicated by each of the formats such as Dolby, Dolby digital, DTS, SSDS, etc. Remember that film is an optical medium unlike delivering on Tape or as files on a disk or HDD. In addition you may find that the festival should have restrictions and guidelines for audio levels as well as video levels and color standards if they don't they generally don't have their act together. I recently submitted to a film festival who's restrictions were incomplete and their guidelines ambiguous at best. Their guidelines were as follows. The deliverable must be as a DV tape accompanied by an AVI file. no audio levels, no video levels and a request that makes no sense. AVI file format or DV tape. These should never be the only required settings, and they seemed to be aimed at rank amateurs. DV tape is a very highly compressed format and in this day and age if your not shooting in HD you must be an amateur. What your acquisition format is should be irrelevant. EX Cam EXD Cam EX SR HDV P2 SxS, SDHC etc. are the formats you need to deal with to get the project into your editing system. Once you have completed your edit, color grading, and post audio including music you should then deal with a codec standard for deliverables. I can only say AVI isn't one! There are several Quicktime file types that should be acceptable depending on the audience and how big the screen will be. Mpeg 2 used in television or Mpeg 4 should be acceptable. Most if not all systems should be able to output these files but there are more. The audio should be in a standard format either aiff or wave for stereo but more complicated mixes such as surround mixes should use a compressed format such as Dolby or Dolby digital of the 5.1 or 7.1 variety. These are industry standards and folks who run these festivals should know this. If not perhaps they need to be replaced.

Audio level question

I have 10 clips of audio on my time line and they are all panned to the left. Is there a way to mark in at the first clip, mark out on the last clip and pan them all to the center at once instead of doing them individually?????
thanks!

I've not tried this and my system is busy, but...
Have you tried panning the first clip to center, then control-click on that clip, choose 'copy', then lasso the remaining clips, control-click, paste attributes?
Not sure it works for panning audio, so let us know.
K

What are the iTunes digital audio levels in and out

I am having a lot of trouble with finding out and setting the audio levels in and out of iTunes.
Digital audio has 16bits at '1' with an analog signal level of +12dB, 24bit has all'1's at +18dB. Making the overhead capability for CD 16bit 12dB and that for HD 24bit 18dB.
I would like to record (using SoundStudio) a set of standard audio tones from 20-20kHz with digital levels of "all 1's" 16bit, or +12 dB analog level, "all 1's" 24bit ditto, and the same for levels of analog 0dB (-12dB digital) for 16bit and 0dB(-18dB digital) for 24bit.
What I am finding is that if I get Sound Studio to inert a tone at what it calls 0dB, save it as AIFF, then the output it from iTunes I get a much higher level, around +8dB or so!
Any ideas?

As an addition to my first question. I asked the makers of Sound Studio about levels. They tell me that the Mac standard is to have all '1's in the digital stream defined as 0dB.
Which helps as I can now record a tone at the CD level of -12dB and the HD audio level of -18dB. And if I make recordings I know to keep the input levels well into the green, not yellow and definitely not up to the red.
As you say the output of iTunes is boosted, and from my measurements this boost is in the analog circuitry and is about +8dB.
I woul dnot recommend turing down the iTunes volume control as this brings in the digital volume reduction, which depends on the algorithm they have implemented. This is not so bad for iTunes as the Audio Core software works at 32bit and can handle 16bit volume changes fairly well. But on the iPad it is different as iOS is only 16bit audio so the volume algorithm is poor. So always leave the volume at maximum and turn down your HiFi volume control!
Or use a digital output to an external DAC as the iTunes volume control is then disabled. Set Audio MIDI for 24bit output and you are ready to go with HD Audio.

Low audio levels on itunes purchased music video's

Can anyone tell me how to boost the audio levels on purchased itunes music video's ?
I have purchased a few videos lately from the itunes music store and occasionally I find the odd one which has very low audio levels. I assume that itunes has not monitored some video/audio files closely enough when importing them into the in tunes system itself and the audio levels have fallen a little low on certain tracks. Have a look at some of the Eurythmics songs - 'Angel', 'Missionary Man', or 'Best of You' by the Foo Fighters for example.I have boosted these tracks by 100% within the in itunes track options, but its still a very low level compared to some of the other tracks I have downloaded.
I tried to import one of these video files to Mpeg Stream Clip to see if I could use the audio boost function within that program but it didn't like the video file ? I presume because it was an itunes purchased video, therefore a protected file.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this or what setting I should be using, doing with Mpeg Streamclip to fix this problame if this program can fix this issue ?
Windows XP
Windows XP
Windows XP

yes i have exactly same problem. Was all working fine till I upgraded to iTunes v8.1.
TV shows, everything works fine... its just music videos dont show the video, no matter which setting I choose?
Help please!!!

Audio levels on an external monitor vary during playback when using HDMI audio

I've been having issues with movie playback using a large 1080p HDMI TV. During playback the audio level will come in strong, go faint, then go strong again, but not on any sort of pattern I could discern. It did this on three seperate movies legally purchased via iTunes. I get audio and video without trouble, its just the audio goes soft when it shouldn't.
If you remember the VHS days and "MACROVISION" encoding, then you have an idea what it was doing, although it was the audio levels, not the video playback.
Is this a fault of the system, a DRM gremlin, or something else?

I think you may be onto something with the graphics card concept. The problem I am having only exists when I am working on an HD project. When I switched back to DV-NTSC then the monitor is fine during playback.
Yes, I am routing my external monitor through my DV deck, which is not an HD deck - so again, that could be another weak link in the chain.
This is the first HD project that I am editing, so obviously a few kinks still need to be worked out. My internal hard drive has 1.5 gigs of ram but I am not sure what the specs are on the graphics card.

Different Audio Levels in Edit View vs. Multitrack View

Here's what happens...
I begin a new session. I then import a .wav file and it appears in the left column. I double-click the .wav so I'm in Edit View. When I play the clip, it ranges from about -9 to -6 dB. Now I go back to Multitrack View without having edited or changed the .wav in any way. I send the clip to Track 1. When it plays back, it now ranges from about -12 to -9 dB on the levels meter...this is an issue. In terms of trying to balance audio levels within a session, something that sounds good in one view might be too loud or too soft when playing back in the other. It's my understanding that regardless of Edit View or Multitrack View, a .wav should play at the same exact levels (unless you tamper with the mixer which I have not done).
So my question is, why is there a 3dB difference between playing a clip in Edit View vs. Multitrack View?

Try setting view>advance session properties>mixing>
L/R cut logarithmic
discussion here:
http://www.adobeforums.com/webx?128@@.59b56d34

Audio levels on the timeline & Audio Mixer

I'm confused why when you change the audio levels on a clip using the Audio Mixer it changes the levels for everything on the track?
I'm from an FCP & Avid background where you can adjust each clip using the Audio Mixer, is there a way I can do this? I find using the yellow sliders in each clip is very unaccurate and having to open each audio clip in the viewer is such a time waster.
Thanks, Andy

Audio in Premiere Pro is different--but quite a lot, in many circumstances. I'd recommend going through the help file's audio section to get a better idea of what some of the main controls are: Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 & CS5.5 * Editing Audio
But to answer your question more directly: the Audio Mixer controls track volume, not clip volume. By default, the Audio Mixer isn't set to drop keyframes, so it will affect the level of a track as a whole; check out Recording audio mixes to get more background on setting up the Audio Mixer for automation, so that you can record level changes.
The rubberbands (the yellow lines you're referring to) can be more finitely controlled by holding down the Ctrl/Cmd key as you drag; the values will move in smaller increments, then.
You don't have to load a clip into the Source Monitor to adjust the levels, if you want to adjust by the numbers. Just single click a clip in the sequence, and if the Effects Controls panel is forward, you'll be able to adjust the volume with the standard effects sliders/dials. Note that keyframing is enabled by default for the Level property, so if all you want to do is adjust the total level of a clip, it might be faster to do it in the sequence.
Audio mixing in Premiere Pro is pretty capable and the feature set is pretty deep, but I'll grant you it's a little overwhelming coming from a different NLE. I don't know if any of the previous helps you, but post back with any specific questions and we'll try to figure out a way to approach this in a fashion that makes sense to you.

Lets get Apple to increase the audio levels again

Hi everyone! Well, I sold my 2.16 C2D on eBay and I just bought the new 2.2 model. I broke even selling the old and buying this one. So I think its a great deal. Anyway, I'm happy with the new machine. Speed and everything else is the same to me but the graphics are killer. Way better than the 128mb x1600. So far I've only tried it out on call of duty 2 but I'm more than satisfied.
So my reason for starting this thread is that we should all write to Apple's feedback section (which I can not find right now) and let them know that we would like the audio levels to increase again just like in 10.4.9.
The audio was low up to 10.4.8, in 10.4.9 the audio was much louder, and in 10.4.10 it went back to how it used to be. Now I know why Apple did this. It was because of all the 24" iMac users who complained about the audio being way too loud on the lowest volume setting. I know exactly how loud it was- my brother is one of those 24" iMac users. Reverting the audio level makes sense for iMac users but for everyone else its a downgrade. Especially since Apple sells a lot more notebooks than desktops.
A solution to this would be putting out a patch for just notebook users. Its really a major issue to me and I have not upgraded to 10.4.10 on this new machine because I'm in love with the fact of actually being able to hear the speakers on the MBP.

Are you serious? I'm running 10.4.9 right now I can't hear anything on iTunes until the 2nd or 3rd volume setting. Yes, I have sound check and everything else off.
Don't even wanna imagine what it will be like again when I have to go to 10.4.10.

Audio level setting for music tracks in dance recital video project

I am editing dance recital using the CD music tracks and editing in the audience clapping, some of the music tracks have lower audio level than others.
I am setting up the audio levels between -3dB (for the lower audio tracks) up to -6dB (for the higher ones) including the audience clapping. I am making the adjustments by listening to the tracks on fixed output volume level.
My question is if the final output (DVD) will have the the same adjusted audio levels I am hearing, or should I just stick to fixed level (-6dB) for all the tracks? If so is -6dB ideal for DVD output?

Thanks for your reply Steve,
I normally watch DVDs on different sound system than the TV, however, from your answer I gather you're setting the master level -18 to -20db. If it is so, are you setting the individual tracks below that, and in my case where the audio levels of the original music fluctuate from high to low, would you set them all on the same level or adjust to hear them out the same?

Audio level peaks in FCP

Is there a range that you audio levels should be while editing, such as between -18 and -12?

There are a different suggested values because you're measuring an average
of a moving target. Also different types of sounds produce different
measurements. Typically, peaking at -12dBFS most of the time works out well.
As a point of reference, you can record some pink noise at -18dbFS (RMS)
and that should produce 85dB SPL (C-weighted) from each speaker.
That way you'll know how loud your mix will sound in a theater.
Your question asked about a range of levels rather than a peak value.
That's a little trickier. How soft should the "quiet" sounds be?
I usually get the loud sounds set up with good levels (peaking at -12dbFS),
then turn down the volume of my system, so that I can hear the effects
of background noise in the listening environment. Make sure you can
still hear those soft sounds. Usually you'll have to make the softer
sounds louder that they would be in real life.

Audio Level Adjustment for Multicam Clip

Greetings,
I have 2 issues while some audio tweaking for a Multicam edit. I have assigned the audio for a single angle to apply to the entire sequence.   There are some clips in the sequence where, at times, I cannot adjust the level of the audio. It will show the level when clicking with the selector, but it cannot be dragged up or down.   Stranger still, if I select it within a series of clips and use CTRL -/+ to change levels, it is unchanged even though all the others changed. There is nothing differnent about the clips in question (they are not Compound Clips or anything.)
Restarting seems to often fix the above problem. But it seems to be happening enough that it's a real inconvenience. Also I am having similar issues with the audio level meter freezing up intermittently. Sometimes when I toggle audio skimmer it can correct it for a while, but once it starts, a restart is inevitable.   Does anyone have any workarounds for making this work properly?
One last question that is not a glitch but a functionality I hope exists but cannot find. Given that I have one angle of audio for the entire clip, I want very badly - and feel like it should be possible - to make adjustments to the audio as I would if it were one continuous clip; for instance, to be able to select a range across the clip transitions and adjust levels accordingly. So far the best workaround is to select all the clips and use CTRL -/+ to adjust. But this allows less control, because I must then go in and adjust sections of clips on the ends that I did not want changed.   Would love to know if anyone knows a way!
Thanks for your time and assistance!
Brian

I would think it would be easiest to open the muticlip in the Angle Editor where you would have a clear view of each individual angle and its audio.
Russ

Audio Level Way Too Low On Movie

I just downloaded my first movie 'Mamma Mia' from iTunes and the audio level is dramatically lower than the hundreds of songs I have purchased.
Furthermore, the preamp, equalizer, sound check and sound enhancer functions in iTunes 8.02.20 don't seem to work on movie audio although they are fine on music. Bottom line, there is not enough audio level from my iPod Touch to drive parallel headphones on an airplane.
Does anyone know if all iTunes movies have this problem, and if so, what can be done about it? I am used to the normal variations in songs but this is ridiculous. iTunes customer service either doesn't know or won't tell me what is going on.
Thanks

"When the iPod is connected right click on the file (on the iPod) and click Properties."
Well, now it's right click on the file -> Get Info -> Options. And yes, both a volume adjustment and equalizer preset come up but neither is active in the window (not on songs either...) I tried changing several options under the iTunes preferences but wasn't able to activate these adjustments - probably not available on the iPod Touch.
Thanks for the idea, anyway!

Audio levels different from camera to Premiere Pro

Why is it that the audio levels on the camera can show the subject peaking right above -10dB, but when I bring the clips into Premiere, they are below -12dB and I always have to boost them?
Just to test this, I cranked up the volume on our camera's inputs to the point where it was clipping. When I took this clip into Premiere it still wasn't hitting 0dB. It was peaking into the yellow, even though the clip was completely distorted because of the clipping coming into the camera.
Is there a way to calibrate either Premiere Pro or our camera so that they match, so when you are peaking at -6dB on the camera, it's the same in Premiere Pro?
I know the solution probably involves a tone generator being used with the camera, which we have, but I'm not exactly sure what to do.

>I cranked up the volume on our camera's inputs to the point where it was clipping. When I took this clip into Premiere it still wasn't hitting 0dB. It was peaking into the yellow, even though the clip was completely distorted because of the clipping coming into the camera.
What I think is you have run into is definitions of the dB. One has dBm and dBV in the electrical world, among a lot of others (for example sound pressure/power and different types like dBA, dBC, and so on within sound levels).
Anyway, to make this not to be a too deep lesson in deciBel (dB), it seem like your cameras define 0dB to be something different than what Premiere defines it to be. The dB presentation (what the display shows) is a logarithmic number depending on a reference level, meaning in this case, if the voltage (sound turned into electricity) hits for example 1 Vrms then we'll call that 0dB (which is probably what Premiere does, and maybe your camera uses 0,775 Vrms as 0dB reference).
Clear as mud so far, right, just wait for the following. Just kidding, but look up decibel in google, and you'll find a pretty complex world.
Bottom line:
I don't think you can get the dB levels in Premiere and your cameras to match, unless your cameras have a setting that defines the 0dB level. The best you can do, in my opinion, is to learn the difference and go from there as you have ("I always have to boost them"). But, also remember that if you do some audio stuff in Premiere that you want to record back onto tape, you'll have to go the other way, lessen the audio level.
Reference levels made by a tone generator is a fine way to learn the differences.
Dag
EDIT: Allthough it probably is a definition question, just never let your camera go over 0dB. As you have noticed, it will be distorted sound. The electric circuits on your camera won't handle over 0dB well.

Audio levels in the Viewer

After recording or capturing an audio clip in FCE 3.5, I play it and monitor levels in the floating levels meter. Then when I open that same audio clip in the Viewer to adjust the level, I find it's is always set to zero db, instead of the level at which the clip was recorded/captured.
Question: Does an audio clip's level in the Viewer always default to zero, regardless of the level the clip was recorded/captured at?
Thanks.

OK.
And, since I don't have an audio levels meter on my camera, I don't really KNOW what level I'm recording at; so, beyond knowing the dynamic range of my equipment, can I assume that after ingesting into FCE, upon playback, if the floating levels meter is not going red, and the waveform in the Viewer is not clipped at the peaks or valleys, that I have good sound?
Thanks.

Imovie6/itunes audio level question

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