How to Equalize volume between parts of audio tracks

Question

Dear Experts:
Using PRE 7 I have created a video using different recording devices (camera, lavalier, direct into computer) and since I have defective hearing I have a hard time making the different sections of the audio track at the same audio output level when I make/play the dvd it goes up and down in a very disturbing way to most viewers.
The yellow rubber band method is not very accurate and even tho I try to make all the same level, since some of them were recorded "louder" than ot\hers originally the db settings dont help. When I try the audio mixer approach same problem.
Is there anyway to highlight all the parts of the total audio track and make them all the same level?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Tom

Answer 1

Tom,
The Audio Mixer can be used in several ways.
1.) it can be used to monitor the Levels, just like with the Audio Meters
2.) it can be used to adjust an Audio Track statically and for the entire Audio Track (more on this later)
3.) it can be used to apply Track Keyframes, when the Slider is adjusted during playback. This creates a lot of Track Keyframes, and I have changed the default timing of those Keyframes, as the default seems too frequent for my needs.
Now, one workflow would be to place your loud Clips onto one Audio Track, and the ones with the proper Levels on another. Then, in Audio Mixer, adjust the Track w/ the too loud Clips, down a bit. Playback to test and adjust (not while in playback) to suit.
I use #2 and #3 most often.
As Steve points out, the Clips can have their Volume changed, with the fixed Effect>Volume. This can also be done several ways. One of the first things that I would do is zoom in on the Timeline horizontally, until just my Clip was occupying most of the visible area. Next, you can click-drag on the Audio Track's Header junction, to expand that vertically. This can be a bit tricky, as finding the right point to click-drag is like searching for pixels. Between the Audio Tracks and in the Header area, slowly move the Cursor, until it turns into parallel lines with arrows, click and drag to expand that Track vertically. This will show the yellow "rubberband" more clearly. Now, if your change is to be static, only affecting that Clip and all of that Clip equally, just click on the rubberband and slowly drag it up, or down. If you wish to do this Volume change dynamically, then you will want to add Keyframes. I find this much more easily done in the Effects Control Panel (with Clip Selected, Edit Effects), and use the little Timeline in it. With the fixed Effect>Volume, you would toggle the "stopwatch" so that Keyframes are active, and add those to adjust/modulate your Volume. Here is a look at the Effects Control Panel from PrPro 2.0, which is closer to the one in PrE 8:
Hope that this helps.
Also, there are several articles on Keyframing basics by Steve, on the Muvipix site.
Good luck,
Hunt