Audio levels changing in mix

I spend a lot of time getting my audio mix right and ensuring that nothing goes above 0db (red line). After playing back the project time and time again and seeing no issues with the levels going above zero, today I open the project and now levels are guess what, going above zero! Why is this? What can cause the levels to change? The levels I have set on my clips are where they were yesterday so why are they now showing over 0dbs?

For the future: You may want to use the "Dynamics" effect for the master track with limiter set to 0dB and adjusted by compressor. Then it will take care nothing goes over 0dB no matter what.

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Random Audio Levels Change Exporting STP to Aiff Master

I've been mixing a feature film scene by scene (STP can't seem to handle a full feature mix at once due to memory problems) and generally pleased. However, I've noticed on two out of 10 scenes mixed so far, when I exported the aiff file as a master mix, audio levels on various clips (not all) drop considerably in the mixed file. Even clips in the same track lose audio level in places in the mix, seemingly randomly. It's very weird. Then, when I listen again in STP the levels have been mysteriously dropped as well. NOT the volume slider bar. It stays the same. No change in gain. All LOOKS as it was before exporting but the drops are there. It's as if the exporting process has done something to the STP timeline levels without visually changing anything. If I change the layout screens or play around with the submix locations, all returns to normal in STP. But after I tried exporting again, the same problem happens.
I couldn't find any other forum help with this. Some people suggested 'Render to Action' or 'Flatten Audible Actions' for a similar problem someone else posted, but those options are ghosted out on my multi-track project.
I tried deleting all .plist files related to audio, soundtrack and final cut studio (not easy to find, may have missed something). And this problem doesn't exist on some other scenes using the same process which worked fine.... so it's extremely odd.
I am using minimum filtration, just a limiter with -4.5db and 3db of gain on one track. All dialogue going to a submix and all fx to another. There are only 4 tracks of audio in the mix in question.
I 'analysed' and 'fixed' all phase issues in clips. No change.
The original recordings are .wav files from a Zoom H4N set at 44.1 hz, but that's the same in all scenes, so not sure why only two would make a problem. (the project itself is set to 48hz)
I'm fairly experienced in FCP Studio but getting a bit loony over this one, so hope you can offer some help. Please don't suggest using other software like Pro Tools for this mix. It has been working fine and I'm happy with 8 scenes. There must be something simple going on with the 2 odd ones.
Thanks, Ken STP 3.0.1 Snow Leopard, Intel Quad MacPro
'It's not a question of becoming. It's a question of uncovering what you really are, of letting everything that is not yourself fall away'. - Journey to Ladakh
I think this applies to editing as well....
Ken Barnes, Producer, Director, Editor
www.blissmonkeyfilms.com

I may have found a clue, but still don't know how to fix it. The file from FCP to STP was a stereo file with mic A on left and mic B on right (used a Zoom H4N). I split the file in STP into two mono files and separated the tracks. So actor A is on track 1 and Actor B on 2. All levels fine. I checkerboarded the tracks so there wasn't a lot of overlap. So far so good. Somehow, STP seems to be reading only Track 1 when it does the export; the level drop I'm hearing seems to be Actor B appearing on Actor A's lavalier, even though that data has (supposedly?) been chopped for the checkerboarding. Is this clear? IOW, even though the timeline shows clearly distinct and clearly audible separate mono tracks 1 and 2, the export mix isn't reading it that way and ignores my separation of stereo to 2 mono tracks, preferring to read from only one of the stereo tracks (or possibly only Track 1, but not throughout the track, only where the checkerboarding has occured). And then it somehow 'remembers' the export when it re-opens the project until I make almost any adjustment in STP and it magically returns to normal. Help!!

Audio Level Change to and from progr

When I get into even a simple program that i made that didnt go full screen my media player music (WMP ) quieted even though there is now visable change in any audio, also and most importantly is when I load up WC3 or WoW my volume gets lowered on the media player and once again no volume controls change so there is no visable change, I've also had times were there was no sound coming from the player or game, unless I minimised the program and restarted play back in some way but then right when i get back into the game it quits. Sound Blaster Adigy SE?even this simple program that i made changes my audio level soundhttp://thesite.mine.nu:8080/elipse%20test.exeMessage Edited by CTS_AE on 04-20-20072:02 AM

Just to back up Michael. The native sample rate for video is 48khz. To work at anything other than that is to ask for problems.
x

Unexplained audio level changes

I keep running into a very strange problem. After I've put a sequence together, and done an audio mix (keyframing/rubberbanding audio tracks in FCP), certain pieces of music will be too loud during playback, even though I have them turned down low, or even all the way down. If I stop the playback and start it again from the same spot, or even back it up a few seconds, it plays back correctly.
It seems to do this only with music tracks. I've tried trashing render files, replacing the original files, and I repair my permissions and trash prefs on a regular basis.
Any suggestions?
Dual 5oo MHz G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Try this...
In your user prefs, reduce the quality of the audio playback to "medium" or "low" and see if it helps. Using a "low" setting drastically reduces the processor load on your Mac during playback.
The audio quality won't be affected to any degree that will bother you for any listening purpose except serious review for post-production done through a "reference" monitor system of speakers. In my opinion, you should be doing that work outside of FCP in a dedicated audio editor anyway. So practically speaking, changing the playback quality setting shouldn't matter much to you in most cases.
So try setting the audio playback quality to "low" and see what happens.
Another question: are all your audio tracks 16-bit 48Khz sample rate, or are some of them different, which means they need to be rendered before playback?
That could affect real-time playback, too.

Automated audio level changes in PP6 now possible on a clip by clip basis?

Anyone know if PPro 6 now enables audio automation to be written on a clip basis rather than on the track? This was the one key feature missing for me when attempting to move from FCP7. I couldn't get my head around having the entire mix rendered useless by inserting a clip at the front of the edit .... waiting for this one - please tell me it's been done!
Best, Ken.

Jim Simon wrote:
Using keyframes is automating volume.
Well...in this context, "automating volume" refers to using the Touch, Latch and Write options of the audio mixer. If you set the keyframes yourself, that's more of a "manual" adjustment.
Well then, let's extrapolate from your statement. The instant that you start moving the "Automation Fader," you have made a manual adjustment.
There's no way to get to "automation" without doing some work, "manually."
The "real" automation is in the playback, irrespective of the method you used to get there.
(BTW, I think that rippling track automation is a damn good idea, and it should have always been there.)

Audio levels change depending on dvd player

I have exported a 30 minute documentary from IMovie '11 to iDVD and burned it to disc. When I play this on my own dvd player and televison (standard definition) the sound levels are fine. But when the dvd was played on a friend's dvd player connected to a flat screen tv, the sound levels varied considerably. Is there a way to make sure that the DVD plays on all player?. Should I create one iMovie in the HD/widescreen format and export to iDVD and burn that version so that I have one version for SD and one for HD? Can someone explain what causes this variations?

Thanks for the comments. I checked the cables and they are correct.
If I put an earlier DVD into the same player, it plays fine. It's only the DVD to which I added additional audio that the DVD player won't play correctly. In other words, the audio in the tracks plays fine, but the audio in the menus doesn't play on the DVD player, but plays fine when using a computer.
I don't want to adjust the DVD player settings, because I want the audio to be present on all setups.
For the audio, it's stereo. I export it as an AIF from FCP and then run that through either APack or Compressor2, to turn it to an AC3.
If it were a DVD Player issue, then an earlier DVD with the same menu audio (that now won't play) shouldn't play, but it plays fine. It's only when I add new audio to the tracks that the DVD player stops playing the old menu audio.

Level change when adding audio keyframes

Hi all,
I've been in Avid Land for the last few months and just came back and noticed something that was getting on my nerves when I left (I don't recall seeing this before FCP 6). When I add keyframes to my audio levels with the pen tool, I get a keyframe, but at the same time, it lowers my level as if I had added a keyframe and then dragged it down. As far as I can tell it does this every time.
Does anyone know what this is about?
Thanks,
Matt

I was having this problem, so just before I composed this reply I did some tests. It could well be 'sloppy mouse work' but I don't think so. This time the audio level went up by 1 db but before it was dropping by 1 db when adding a keyframe. During the test, no matter how accurate I was the audio level changed when adding a keyframe. The track I was working on was enlarge somewhat and the problem didn't happen on standard sized tracks. I feel that this has to be some sort of bug.
I have always found FCP a little bit on the 'accurate' side. You have to be very precise when clicking on items otherwise you will miss. Some buttons are way too small and I think Apple could improve the FCP workflow by enlarging some buttons and allowing more space around clickable items.
A good example of this is the 3 way colour corrector. The left and right buttons for blacks/mids/whites are very hard to hit and I quite often hit the maximum by mistake.
I have worked on many non-linear systems and FCP is the only one where mouse accuracy is so important.
I am, to some extent used to this now and I suppose it is a minor inconvenience in comparison to the benefits of using FCP but, in the interests of improvement and ease of use it would be good if Apple could take this onboard.
Weenie.

My iPhone automatically changes the audio level to max/zero

Hi all. I have a problem with my iPhone audio level. When I'm listening to music with my head phones on, my iPhone sometimes changes the audio level max or zero all by itself. When I try to decrease/increase the sound, it continues to increase/decrease until sound reaches to the max/zero. Restarting the iPhone stops the audio level change. But this does not solve problem once and for all. It happens time to time, but it is becoming somewhat irritating.
Anyone have a solution for this? I've checked the internet, but couldn't find anyone have this problem. I guess I'm the only one who has this problem. Thanks in advance.
BTW, my iPhone is 6 plus & its iOS version is 8.1.3 (12B446). Although I has been happening since I bought it in December

I wanted to update this post. I realised a something new with the issue and found a way that I can temporarily solve it without restarting the iPhone. Right before it happens, an orange blinking light appears on the empty (white) side of the sound level at the music player. I marked that area on the photo below, although I couldn't managed to capture that orange blinking light. If I change the sound level via buttons, sound goes to max or min (depending on my button choice). Unplugging and re-plugging headphones don't affect this. After re-plugging, blinking continues. But if I unplug my headphone, then close the music player from double tapping the home button & restarting the music player, turns it it to normal. Even my sound level stays the same, at the level I configured before this issue starts happening.
A remainder, this issue only happens after I start listening to music with my headphones. Same thing with speaker never happened. I hope this message make you all understand my issue better. I also hope that there is a solution

Exporting & Audio Levels

When I share (export) back to my Panasonic mini Dv deck my audio levels change. For example...I have imported music and set the audio level low as a person is being interviewed so the music is in the backround behind the interview. When i export, the music takes over the entire project and you can't hear the person being interviewed. The audio level actually increases and drowns out everything else. Has anyone else had this experience? Solutions! Thanks!
Tom

Hi Tom,
Yes, I have the exact same problem, but with a "share" that makes a QT movie on my hard drive. See
flailing, "audio levels won't export when doing a "share."", 10:25pm Nov 1, 2005 CDT

Lock Audio Levels of a Storyline

I'm working on a Project where a woman is describing several processes/instructions on how to do things (like assemble a small box for a book cover).
She pauses often mid sentence (English is her second language). It's really bad, a 3-5 sentence ends up being 10+ because she pauses for 2-3 seconds after every 2-3 words. (often times it's because she can't say what she is doing & actually show it at the same time).
So, I need to delete/remove the audio pauses & then match it to the video (basically remove the some video from when she is talking)
I Detached the audio & then made it into a Secondary Storyline. I then select a range (using the waveform of the audio to delete the pause)
The only problem is that 50% of the time the audio levels change when I drag & drop the range (IE the horizontal line for the audio track changes levels with the drag).
Is there a way to keep the Audio waveform but remove the built in audio level adjustment? Can it be turned off?

Huh? I don't want to adjust the audio level in the any clip(s).
The photo above was to show the audio level adjustment feature found in a clip on the timeline.
I'd already edited out the pauses in that timeline.
Each demo I'm editing are single take multicams (2-3 cameras) that range from 5-30 minutes long (sometimes there are more than 1 take but I simply incorporate each take into a single multicam.
Here is another picture of my next edit.
I don't want to adjust levels & there are no adjacent clips.
I simply want to remove anywhere from 20 frames to 4 seconds of dead audio
When it works correctly:
I turn range selector on, I then click & drag to create a range (see pic). Then hit delete. Repeat.
When it works incorrectly:
I turn range selector on, I then try to click & drag to create a range, however a range isn't created, the audio of the entire clip is adjusted. Obviously because the mouse was over audio adjustment feature of the clip. I want to turn that feature off/lock the audio levels so they can't be adjusted.
I should also point out that the in the photo, the timeline has been magnified for visual purposes.

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.

CS6 - how do I adjust audio level part way through a clip using audio mixer?

Hi there - I'm using the trial version of CS6 and will almost certainly buy it. I've watched lots of the video tutorials but am stumped on this simple issue!
1. Let's say I have a clip and I want to increase the audio level part way through a clip.
2. In Example A below I have added a keyframe at the point I want to change the volume.
3. I then went to the audio mixer and increased the volume level using the slider. But nothing changed on the clip.
4. The only way I could get it to work was to add more key frames after the first one (see Example B) and increase the volume on the timeline.
5. This is very fiddly and I'd prefer to be able to do this using the audio mixer. Is this possible?
Example A Example B

With the proper Send settings (Write, Touch, etc., as Craig mentions), you can easily ride the Volume in real-time. I like to add a Numbered Marker to where I want the adjustment to begin, hold, and then end, so that I have several visual clues, besides the aural ones.
I also have found that the default setting for Audio>Minimal Time Thinning Interval places too many Keyframes on the Track, so I have bumped that up in Preferences.
Also remember, the Keyframes added with Audio Mixer are Track Keyframes, and not Clip Keyframes. If you were to remove all Clips, those Keyframes would still be there, and would affect any Clips that you added back.
Good luck,
Hunt

Exporting a project with multiple audio tracks changes the loudness level regardless of export format

I recently had to submit a TVC and discovered that premiere was changing the loudness level after export, when the TVC failed the quality check.
I checked the audio loudness of other formats that I had exported and the same thing had happened the audio loudness, it had changed.
After a bit of troubleshooting I found a workaround. I mixdown all of the tracks in adobe audtion to one track and then imported it into premeire.
Once I did this the audio loudness was not changed after exporting.
Workflow for when it didn't work.
I used edit in adobe audtion for the audio tracks from premiere.
Matched the audio to the loudness level I wanted, and then saved each track.
Export from premiere.
To Check Audio Loudness
Bring in exported file into new premiere project
Edit the audio in adobe audtion.
Drag the audio file into match audio to check loudness level.
I am using
Adobe Premiere Pro CC v8.1
Windows 7 on PC
Please fix this adobe.

I recently had to submit a TVC and discovered that premiere was changing the loudness level after export, when the TVC failed the quality check.
I checked the audio loudness of other formats that I had exported and the same thing had happened the audio loudness, it had changed.
I have never experienced that or had any need for a work around.
What did your Broadcast Quality Control pick up on?
Audio Levels and Loudness are two different things in this regard.

Audio level doesn't change immediately

When I change audio level in the clip (I usually need mute/unmute, so I do 100-0% or back) iMovie doesn't respond that chage for a while. After some time it becames ok. What can be the problem here?

Hi there
Assuming the audio clip is the longest object on the slide, you can fairly easily adjust the slide to match the audio clip exactly. But it will require a small and simple adjustment for each slide. Perhaps this will help?
To make the adjustment, just click the slide in the film strip so it has focus, then click on the time indicator field over in the General section of the properties panel. Type a 1 in the field and press Enter. The slide should auto-adjust to the audio clip timing.
What would be even better would be if we could just select all the slides in the film strip and do that once. But in my testing it fails.
Cheers... Rick

If I change audio levels in AE CS6 from 0db, it decides to output left channel only.

This is a bug that's been prevalent in every iteration of AE CS6. I'm updated to the most recent version. This is also something I've seen around a lot of forums, but nobody has an answer.
If I change the audio levels on any audio track from the default 0db, the RAM preview only plays back the left channel which completely breaks the way I can properly work.
If I render it out, the audio is fine... it's clearly only on RAM previews. But rendering out things to check audio levels is not a solution.
Any idea why this happens?
Using Windows 7 Pro
AE CS6 (on Creative Cloud)
MSI Motherboard with onboard RealTek sound.

Submit bugs to http://www.adobe.com/go/wish . More on how to give feedback: http://bit.ly/93d6NF

Audio levels changing in mix

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