• Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

  audio levels

  Posted by Tony Sawicki on March 10, 2010 at 3:52 pm

  What is the fastest way to “even out” audio levels in FCP, ie, to make the entire audio “clip” even at -12 dB, or is this even possible without going through the audio clip and manually adjusting the levels? Thanks for the help, this could save me a lot of time.

  Adam Taylor replied 16 years, 2 months ago 5 Members · 4 Replies
• 4 Replies

• 

  Rob Grauert

  March 10, 2010 at 5:28 pm

  you could try:

  Modify > Audio > Apply Normalization Gain. This will adjust the audio of your clip so that the loudest part does not exceed the value you set

  Robert J. Grauert, Jr.
  http://www.robgrauert.com
  command-r.tumblr.com
• 

  Brian Pitt

  March 10, 2010 at 6:41 pm

  I would export the audio into Soundtrack Pro and add a Limiter filter. It’s a little more work, but you get much better results than you do in Final Cut.

  Brian
• 

  Michael Gissing

  March 10, 2010 at 10:02 pm

  All you are doing is setting the maximum peak to a fixed setting. That isn’t going to make for a mix or balance. Peak levels do not equate to apparent loudness.

  Just like grading is a shot by shot interpretation using scopes, audio is also an interpretive art using meters to help and also to check for tech acceptance.

  EQ & Dynamics control via compressor/ limiters are how to get both a balance and be within tech acceptance. It is just as much an art as grading or editing so either pass it on to a pro or spend the time to make it right. After all sound is much more than 50% of your final work so either take it seriously or get out of the way and let a sound post pro take over.

  Ironically it is the cheapest way to add value to your production and the skill that many editors seem to lack. Ignorance about sound is a constant amazement to me.
• 

  Adam Taylor

  March 11, 2010 at 9:22 am

  “…sound is much more than 50% of your final work so either take it seriously or get out of the way and let a sound post pro take over.

  Ironically it is the cheapest way to add value to your production and the skill that many editors seem to lack. Ignorance about sound is a constant amazement to me. ”

  Hallelujah, Amen and Praise be!!
  truer words are rarely written.
  Take heed, for the wise hath bestowed the gift of knowledge upon thee.
  Use it well.

  Adam Taylor
  Video Editor/Audio Mixer/ Compositor/Motion GFX/Barista
  Character Options Ltd
  Oldham, UK

  http://www.sculptedbliss.co.uk

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