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Normalizing Audio
I’m working on two plays performed by kids and I’m having a not-so-fun time with audio. Multiple cameras were used for both plays, and no “central” audio recorder was used, so I’m having to work with what the cameras picked up. For the most part, the two front ones picked up the bulk of the play while the rear camera picked up the audience. These three streams will be used in the final cutting of the plays.
My problem is that the front cameras, because of where they were positioned, didn’t both record at the same level. And to make matters worse, some of the kids have a much louder voice than others, there’s some yelling, some very loud applause, then some whisper moments.
So, is there some way of normalizing all of this? Does anyone have any suggestions of how to go about it? Should I just grab the audio off of ONE of the cameras and pitch the other two, maybe make my life easier? Then I only have to deal with the loud peaks or entire sections versus the more calmer, and thus quieter moments.
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2 Replies
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Yeah, I would use audio of one camera, provided that all the camera’s recorded without stopping here and there.
And then normalize that audio track, but it probably could be better to take it out to Audition if you have it? It’ll just be a bit easier working with the audio there.
– Derrick
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I have cut many school productions, got to do the pro bono work you know… Any way what worked great for me was to cut the angles and then lay all of the main audio beneath, then I would go through and use the best audio depending on where the performers were and the acoustics. It became pretty simple after the first few minutes to realize if they are performing stage left that the house left camera had the best clarity etc… Then within those tracks I would razor them as needed to add gain to quiet performers or take down the loud ones. I would razor the other tracks off and keep the dominant one. As for the applause/audience reaction audio I would pull the most robust parts and use them like canned laughter, make the audience more lively then it was. If there was any audience participation sections I would match frame and put them in as needed. hope this helps… My main advice is if production laid and egg on the audio then just get in and get out, polish it and fix it but don’t be overly critical because you may never get out the chair.
SteveThank You for your input!
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