Audio mixing

Am very new to FCP. Being trying for several days to do a simple audio level reduction to a section of background music to make a sound effect more obvious.
Can someone please help.
Tried setting audio keyframes - could not get the level line to have a keyframe marker on it to pull it down.
Tried using the FCP audio mixer to reduce the levels - did nothing.
Totally confused.

In the lower left hand corner of the timeline you willsee several buttons. One looks like a set of mountains. Click that. Then you have access to the level bars in your audio. OPT-Click adds a keyframe.
Shane

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Unable to perform multi audio tracks mixing with Audio Mixer

How do you get a simple multi track mix with the Premier Pro 1.5 Audio Mixer?
I got 2 audio clips, each sitting at the start of its own separate track (Audio 1 and Audio 2). I just want to mix them into the Master track. Simple enough.
So I go to the Audio Mixer. Position the CTI at the start of the tracks and hit the red RECORD button. The red spot starts blinking. Then I hit the START/STOP button expecting the tracks to start mixing into the Master track. Instead, I get this error message
"PLAYER ERROR: You cannot record without enabling at least one track for recording."
I get the same problem if I try the mix onto a submix track.
What am I missing? I combed through the Premiere Pro User Guide and J. Rosenberg's Premiere Pro Studio Techniques but to no avail.
Thanks for any help.
JB.

Jacques, I havn't seen 1.5 for a while, so I need to stress that what I'm about to say is more of an educated guess linked to a rough memory.
Each audio track in the mixer has a small chip (tickbox in 1.5??) that you click in order to enable that track for recording. In CS3 it's a little microphone.
Having said that, I DON'T think that's going to give you what you want, as the intention of the recording functionality in PP is to record audio FROM AN EXTERNAL SOURCE (like a microphone) straight to an audio track, say, when doing a Voice Over for some video.
You can't "mix down" to the master, as the master is not a track per se. It's just a "final" level control. The master will always be the sum of the active tracks, and THAT'S what will be rendered in the final output.
You can still "live mix" your audio with the faders, it's just that those movements get recorded as keyframes on each of the tracks you modify (including, BTW, the Master).
The advantage to this workflow is that every fader move you make is infinitley editable... a small error when riding the faders can easily be fixed by dragging keyframes.
HTH.
Matthew

__is there a way to save a preset for audio mixer settings...??

I have CS5
Looking to speed up the process so that I don't have to redo the audio mixer settings for every project - rather just tweak where needed.
So wanted to setup the audio mixer how I want it - and just have it set as default for all projects or have some automated way to apply the same audio mixer settings to each new project.
What's the best way to do this my people ?
Thanks!

I agree with Jim Simon. Creating your own template is a good workaround to what would be a good feature.
The ability to save audio presets (and more) is in my feature request list for Pr:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/4392211#4392211
Please add your voice to the chorus requesting this feature, and any (or all) of the other useful features on my list. Adobe listens. Strength in numbers. Here's the feature request link:
https://www.adobe.com/cfusion/mmform/index.cfm?name=wishform
Bookmark it.

5.1 Surround audio mixing

Does anyone have some recommendations for a good 5.1 surround audio mixing program?

You might be interested in my post from the Compressor forum on exporting from FCP to Compressor 2 for Dolby Digital:
Here is my procedure for a basic 5 channel project consiting of one stereo pair for the front speakers, a mono track for the center, and a stereo pair for the rear speakers.
First make a copy of your FCP surround project and name it as such.
i.e. My Project saved as My Project_surround
This will leave your original project untouched as a two channel mix should you wish to provide the user of your DVD with a seperate mix optimized for stereo only playback.
We will now be changing audio track assignments.
"My Project_surround" will now not play all tracks in your stereo audio monitoring environment unless you have a soundcard with at least 5 outputs.feeding a surround speaker set-up.
(or you use the Audio Mixer from the Tools drop down to monitor a downmix to two channels)
Open My Project_surround.
Let's assume that your timeline has a stereo pair "A1/A2" for the front L/R speakers, a mono file "A5" for the Center, and a stereo pair "A3/A4" for the rear speakers, Ls, Rs.
Use command "0" (zero) to open the project properties.
Go to the Audio Outputs tab.
Choose 6 from the Outputs Tab.
in the 1/2 grouping choose stereo (leave downmix at "0").
in the 3/4 grouping choose stereo (leave downmix at "0")
in the 5/6 grouping choose "dual mono" (turn off 6 using the downmix drop-down)
Click OK. (ignore the warning that pops up)
In your timeline we will assign your tracks to the appropriate output channels.
In the empty gray area next to the lock icon on track A1 right click, or control click, and you will get a dropdown menu
In the audio outputs sub menu choose 1 & 2.
Do the same for A2. (choose 1 & 2)
For A3 and A4 use the same procedure now choosing outputs 3 & 4.
For A5 choose 5.
Save the project.
In FCP export menu choose Export/Audio to AIFF(s)
(create a new folder on your media drive to hold your exported files)
You will get four files named after the project appended by: 1-2, 3-4, 5 and 6.
Delete "6" as it is a dummy/empty file.
Close your project.
Close FCP.
Open Compressor. In the batch window click on the speaker icon to open the "import surround sound group".
In the graphical interface either drag the file with the 1-2 suffix to the left speaker icon, or click the icon and choose the file.
Compressor will intelligently assign the left channel of the file.
Repeat by dragging or choosing the same file for the right speaker.
Compressor will intelligently assign the right channel of the file.
For the mono center file either drag the file with the "5" suffix to the center speaker icon, or click the icon and choose the file.
Use the same procedure for the Ls and Rs assignments.
Once done click OK.
Click to select your new group in the Batch window and from the dropdown menu choose "audio formats/Dolby 5.1"
Setting up your Dolby settings as a preset for this project is now up to you.

Audio Mixer Won't Slide

We are currently editing a project that has lots of sound fx. When I open the audio mixer I can only adjust the level slider on 3 of my tracks. All of the other tracks say -inf, and they won't move. Even if I enter a number in the box it stays at 0. Any ideas?

You have to have your playhead in the timeline parked over what you want to adjust. If there is no audio where the playhead is located, the audio mixer will behave like you describe.
In order to adjust audio where your playhead is not, highlight the clip/s in the timeline and use modify -> audio -> gain +/-

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.

Audio mixing questions

Since starting with Final Cut, I've set levels in the timeline. Problem is, when I set my first keyframe, whose level I don't want to change, most of the time I inadvertently lower the level by a few decibels. Not a huge deal, but a time waster that adds up and minor embarrassment when the client is sitting next to me. Any way to avoid this?
On the other hand, I've tried switching to the audio mixer, and I don't like that you can only set keyframes when the play head is moving. Is there a way to, using the audio mixer, set a keyframe when the playhead isn't moving, scroll to the desired location of the next keyframe, set a keyframe and adjust it's level, all while the playhead isn't moving?
Seems to me that this process is easier in Avid...but maybe there's an FCP feature I'm overlooking or misunderstanding.
Also, is it possible to gang tracks in FCP's audio mixer? I can't seem to figure that out.
Thanks in advance for help.

For me I have a completely different method when working with audio. Others might think this way is crazy but it works for me. I rarely use "rubberbanding" or keyframes when working with audio. I treat my audio clips the same as video...using edits. I will make an edit where I want the audio level to change and then add an audio cross dissolve between the clips. The only time I will add keyframes is if there is a random peak that I can't knock out using the Compressor/Limiter filter. Like I said though, I rarely need to. Not sure if this is the type of answer you're looking for as it changes the workflow, but I hated the finickyness of the audio keyframes so I just avoid using them.

Getting a good Audio mix

SPOILER ALERT - rookie here...
..it's getting better, but i've had some difficulties getting a good final audio output.   There are 2 tracks, dialog and "background" music,
and i basically mix to bring up the dialog sometimes, (while also reducing the music), or vice versa, depending on the clip.
I'm using the audio mixer with the "Touch" method of automation. Actually, my first burn had an acceptable "mix", although
the ENTIRE level was too low, so i remixed, turning down my computer speakers, and running each track a little hotter. I'm a little
confused as to which meter i should be watching - the master meter in the mixer, or the meter that appears alongside the
timeline, which seems to vary somewhat.   If i use the timeline meter, it's hard to get it UP to -12db, and the audio mixer meter
doesn't seem to be adjustable.    Often, the audio 1 dialog can be pretty high, but the output volume just isn't a lot.
I've also played with the normalize track feature, and discovered that if i set it at, say "-8db",
it churns for awhile and gives me an errmsg regarding having to go to 0db, therefore not possible. I've been through a few tuts
but not finding some of the fundamentals i think i need to get this right. In short, the mix is pretty good, it's just that the final output
level seems too low.   (I have to play it at about 85 % volume on the dvd player).   MAYBE this is much ado about nothing, and
it's all perfectly normal, but i don't know enough yet to know one way or the other.    After working with vectorscopes and RGB parades
for awhile, i find it comforting for the system to tell me if it's correct, instead of relying on my own observation, although i guess that's
what needs to prevail at the end of the day/

Using the audio gain feature is for sure the easiest method of turning an entire sequence up, just as Jim correctly described by nesting everything then turning the gain up.
One thing I'd really recommend though taking a look at using in the future is a compressor. Once I started using one for my audio levels I found that it made my life extremely easy. Once you have it setup correctly it will raise your lows and lower your peaks for you. Basically what it does is reduce volume once it reaches a certain threshold. Then using the makeup gain option it also adds gain to the audio. I generally just apply the dynamics effect to entire audio tracks. The other great part about the dynamics effect is that it has a limiter on it as well. Which is wonderful because you can set a limit of -10db for example and it won't allow anything to go over that point. So it makes it very easy to achieve consistent audio levels. So normally I always put a dynamics effect on my master track, with only the limiter enabled. So that nothing can go over whatever value I set. Then I use the dynamics effect using the compressor/makeup gain only as needed for the rest of the tracks. However depending on what your exact needs are that setup may or may not make since for you. I really think that it sounds like using this effect could be helpful for you though, so you might want to try it out.

Audio mixer volume problem

I'm working with CS3. My timeline has two audio tracks. Track one is the clip verbal audio, that track is fine. Track 2 is the music that I want to fade in and out at certain chapter intervals. After adjusting all the volumes in track 2, when I go back to listen to the final product, my volume adjuster button keeps popping back to the bottom, no volume. When I did the adjusting I did it in "write" and then immediately saved it, but it keeps going down on its own. There must be a simple solution.

I've always had this problem in Premiere 6.5 too. I simply refuse to use the goofy audio mixer. I either do everything with envelopes, or if it's something much more complex I'll export to Audition and make my changes there.

Editing After Laying Final Audio Mix Into The Time Line - Possible?

Hello Board,
I finished my film recently and layed the final audio mix (stereo track) into the timeline, replacing all the seperate audio tracks. Now, I want to go in and do some edits at the beginning of the movie.
I still have the main video tracks and several other video tracks for noise filter, credits, etc.
Is it possible to link the video track with the stereo audio file and keep everything synced as I make the cuts to eliminate the need to remix the sound?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lin

Because the video and audio aren't linked, I'm using the razor tool to cut in and out point on the timeline, first to the video and then to the audio seperately. after marking the spots with the razor tool, I delete the unwanted area in between (I do both to the video and audio track) and then pull the pieces together on the video and audio tracks. So far it has stayed synced.
In your case, Lin, I'd recommend using Add Edit and Ripple Delete instead of the Blade tool and the other steps you're doing.
That is...
1. At the point where you want to cut, press Control-V (that's Add Edit)
2. At the next point where you want to cut, press Control-V again
3. Select the region to be cutout and press the Del key, that's the key below Help and to the left of End on your keyboard, not the Delete key.
(This is a Ripple Delete, which clears the selection and moves all clips to the left, leaving no gap)
However it seems like doing transitions would be hard because unless I can match the space on the audio track it will all go out of sync.
I'm honestly confused by what you mean about 'space on the audio track' and things not matching - care to clarify?

CS3 Audio mixer automation not keeping changes

I'm using CS3 on a Mac. My current project marks the first time I've done any editing in almost thirty years. When I opened CS3 for the very first time and did a few trial edits, I was able to adjust audio on the three tracks as I played it back and the changes were saved. Now that I've finished my 21 minute project, I can't get the audio changes to hold. I've followed the isntruction in the help file and that I found online, but no matter what automation settings I use, the changes are gone when I play it back. THere were changes noted in the keyframe timeline for the first couple of minutes, but nothing after; now I've even managed to loose those changes. Any ideas??

Hi Tahseen,
Thanks for your help with this problem.
I have been using PE since version 5 - a long time!. I have used Audio
Mixer for all those years but I have never had this problem before.
My video clips are AVCHD video. My stills are JPG and the soundtrack
music is MP3.
I have a slideshow which is a mixture of stills, video and soundtrack.
During "Expert" editing there is speech on Video 1 so I try to lower the
music soundtrack so that the talking can be heard. Something that I have been
doing for years. Using Audio Mixer, I lower the volume to -18 by sliding
down the volume slider. The soundtrack volume is reduced. I then replay
the clip and the sound reduction I have just carried out has been ignored
and the soundtrack reverts back to 0 as if nothing had been changed.
Can you help me please.
Regards,
John

Audio Mixer Window Does Not Appear

I have been using Premiere Elements for years in various versions (current project in V8, just downloaded V9 trial. Tonight I went to use the Audio Mixer function and found that when I click on Audio Mixer in the dropdown menu it does not appear. I then downloaded the V9 trial and have the same issue.
Its hard to believe that I have not tried to do audio mixer functions in V8. But the last time I used the audio mixer in Premiere Elements it was accessed with a small button and worked find. Perhaps that was version 7. I have no memory of when I upgraded from 7 to 8.
Help! Why will the audio mixer window not appear?

I tried to access the Mixer from both the drop down menu below the right side panel and top of the interface on 8.0. Then I loaded 9.0. Same test same result first time around.
Then I read your note and tried both places again and the top of the interface worked in 9.0! Now both locations work in both versions. Weird.
Thanks very much for the response.

Hardware for Premiere's Audio Mixer?

Hey Adobe Community!
I probably know the answer to this question but I'll ask the experts, you guys, to be certain of it
When Im 'teching out' and getting very perfectionist with my edits, a mouse and digital mixer on premiere just cant satisfy me.
I've been wondering....is there a hardware device somewhere in this tech savvy world that can be programmed to adjust the audio tracks individually in premiere's audio mixer? To fine tune each track to your liking without having to click here and there?
I thought the ShuttlePro V2 can do that but it's more towards the actual video editing.
If anyone can provide me any possible info, or 'hack' so to speak, or straight up tell me it's not possible, then it can settle my mind a lot.
Thanks in advance peeps.

So any device that has the Mackie Protocol can work with premiere? Even if there is a control surface that was made primarily for AVID, as long as it has the Mackie Protocol it can work for premiere?
And is it just the Mackie or can other protocols such as ENCON or Red Rover (just saw an adobe video stating these other control surface protocols)?

Using an audio mixer with Onlocation

Onlocation connects directly to the camera with firewire - but if I need to add an audio mixer - how can I do it?

You'll have to have the mixer feed into the camera. You can't insert the mixer between the camera and the FW input.

Quality Audio Gain vs. Audio Mixer

Is there a quality difference between using Audio gain or normalization instead of only increasing oder decreasing audio volume in the audio mixer?

A friend of mine - coming from Audio Applications working with ProTools and Logic says, that Gain always require resample and new quantization that results in quality loss...?! I don't hear any difference...!?

Premiere Pro 6/Mac - 5.1 audio mixer master channel order

The channel order of the audio mixer 5.1 master channel appears to be L, R, Ls, Rs, C, LFE. Can this be changed to one of the more common standards esp. L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs so that I don't have to reconfigure channels for every 5.1 clip I bring into the project.

Same thing here. See this post I made prior to seeing yours:
Output Mapping Preference for 5.1 Audio

Audio mixing

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