-
Can one boost the level of an aif or ac3 file?
Hello:
A couple of laptop users reported back to me that the audio on the DVD program I burnt them is too low, said need to boost maybe by 3 to 6 db.
I know the level going out of FCP 4.5 was at -12, then I compressed the aif using Apack ac3 at -31, no compression, 256kbps…it plays/sounds fine on my workstation and regular TV, but their laptop isn’t happy.
They said commercial DVD’s – they have to reduce the volume by up to half, whereas my G5 burnt DVD-R they have to boost all the way and still it’s low-ish.
How can one globally raise all levels in a FCP seq, from -12 to say -6…OR can the aif or ac3 file be boosted? That would be easiest seems to me.
Thanks much
KB -
4 Replies
-
I hope this is what you’re asking. Go into your audio mixer (tools->audio mixer or option+6). On the right side of the mixer there is a master level which control the level of the entire timeline (if ‘Master’ is not present, you should see a little left-pointing reveal arrow all the way over on the top right of the mixer, just below the source selector, that will open up the master controls). You could boost the levels of the entire piece from there.
-Ben
-
Great – thanks
KB
-
You can also use most audio software editing programs to increase the volume after it has been exported from FCP.
David
Dual 2.5 G5 {OS 10.3.7}
4.5 GB RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL
DeckLink SP
ATTO ExpressPCI UL4S
Medea Video Raid RT320
Sony UVW-1800
Pansonic AG-DV2500
FCP Production SuiteHD 4.5
Media Cleaner Pro 6
Squeeze 4.2 (PC)
ViewSonic 19″ LCD
Optiquest 21″ CRT
Bella EZ Keyboard -
FYI – DVD standards aren’t the same as tape standards. You should set your audio so that the maximum peak is very close to 0dB. In FCP, there’s no way to be precise about this. You can just raise the master slide till you know you are close, but not exceeding 0dB.
The best way to do this is to export your audio as an aiff or mov and open it in an audio application, like Sound Track Pro. Then use the programs “Normalize” process. It’s actually safe to set the normalize process to 0dB peak (not RMS if that’s available to you), but most people, that I know, set it to minus .5 for some reason.
So you can see, by setting your levels to -12, your audio is actually 11.5 to 12 dB lower than most DVDs. Even at -6dB, your’s will still be lower. Go on up to 0dB, or very close to it.
There’s another whole conversation about mastering your audio, or compressing it, to make it appear louder without raising the peak level. This is also done on a lot of pro titles.
Thanks,
Gary
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up