Overmodulated audio from CD

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

I have never heard of this.

CD audio files(if properly-recorded, and not distorted in the first place) should play perfectly in FCP.

These digital files, once imported and re-sampled to 48kHz for editing to the timeline (you did that, right) should sound virtually identical to the tracks played right off the CD.

[Pat Defilippo]

Hi Thax,

Thanks for your help on this!

Basically, I copied the .aiff file from the CD to the Mac hard drive. I then went to “Import” in the bin to bring the audio into the project. When I put the audio on the timeline, I can see the waveforms pretty much topped out and then some. When I play it, the meters at 0 play back the audio topping out at zero and it sounds distorted, even if I pull it down to -6.

I just looked into what you said about “re-sample to 48khz for editing to the timeline” in the manual but it only got me as far as the “Render” menu. Would you mind walking me through how to do this? I do have green render lines on the CD clip itself (not at the top of the timeline). So, from what I’ve learned so far, I do have to render it for editing but I can’t figure out how to exactly do it.

Thanks again and in advance for your help!
-Pat

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[Michael Bugera]

I do this process you described (copying to a drive then importing) and it always imports overmodulated. Ususally I pull the level down to -12 or below, especially under VO, and it sounds fine. I also never usually have to render it, unless my timeline is getting up there in layers.
If you want, you can open the raw audio file in Quicktime and choose Export… and choose your new settings.
Good luck.

Bugsy

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Ah- HAH!

(I just like saying “Ah- HAH!)

To import a CD track, the method I use is via “itunes.”

iTunes is a simple ready process after the initial set-up presets:
iTunes > Preferences > Importing > AIFF> Custom > 48.000 kHz, 16 bit, Stereo >OK

Once these are set, you won’t have to set them again.

Put a CD in the Mac (or use a imported audio file that’s already on the HD), open it up in iTunes, click once on the track you need, and choose:
Advanced > Convert Selection to AIFF.

Works VERY fast and stores new 48 kHz file in the iTunes library. You can just “drag and drop” this new file (.aif) onto your open FCP Browser.

Quicktime Pro works great, too, but I’m just MAD at ’em for wanting to charge me AGAIN after I upgrade the QT on the Mac… I paid $30 once, why do I need to buy it AGAIN?

iTunes is already on my Mac so I use it.

[John Pale]

[Thax] “Quicktime Pro works great, too, but I’m just MAD at ’em for wanting to charge me AGAIN after I upgrade the QT on the Mac… I paid $30 once, why do I need to buy it AGAIN?”

You dont have to buy it again. If you have an FCP license you have Quicktime Pro. It’s automatic, if you have FCP 5.x.

PS: You can also create a droplet in Compressor for this purpose.

[Pat Defilippo]

Hi Thax,

Thanks again for your help with this, but I went through the entire process that you outlined via iTunes and I’m still getting distored audio. The waveforms are just as high as they are when I take the audio file straight in from a copy from the CD. I would doubt that the CD was recorded so hot, so I’m not sure where the problem would be.

I also tried to do this via a QuickTime Export but the audio actually sounded even more distorted.

Bugsy’s suggestion of bringing the level down to -12 appears to help somewhat, however the waveform lines remain topped out.

Thanks again for your help – perhaps I’m just missing something.
-Pat

G5 Quad 2.5 Desktop with 4GB Ram, 500GB HD & Fiber Card ~
30″ Cinema Display & 17″ Sony SVGA ~
Swift Data 200 Internal 1.6TB SATA II RAID 0 ~
AJA Io LA ~
Final Cut Studio ~
Sony UVW-1800 Beta-SP ~~~

P D Post Productions, Inc. ~
TV~DVD~VHS~CD~WEB
for Corporate Communications, Commercials, Infomercials, Television Programs, Family Occasions since 1983 ~
E-mail PD@PDPost.com ~
Website http://www.PDPost.com ~
Business/Cell Phone (847) 275-5671

[Chris Poisson]

Pat,

How is your audio setup routed? Are you using a mixer? Capture card?

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

If you have captured directly from the CD inside the Mac, and you are sure (SURE) the audio waveforms are CLIPPED, then the problem is with the CD itself.
But many commercial (store-bought) CDs are intentionally recorded very HOT in level, but NOT digitally clipped.

If you are judging the distortion by EAR, then yes, I’d take a look at your audio monitor set-up to see if that’s giving you false info.

[Pat Defilippo]

Hi Chris and Thax,

Chris, the audio in this case is coming in straight off of the SuperDrive.

Thax, the audio waveforms are drawn right to the top of the clip very thickly. In this case, it is a store bought CD but I have had a few other CDs distort as well. The audio monitor has a little bit of play on the high end but 80%-plus of the bottom of the meter is solid.

I have noticed, though, that Bugsy’s suggestion of bringing the level down to -12 does help quite a bit although it’s still sounds somewhat distorted. I’m riding the levels at around -12 anyway, which is the magic number for FCP anyway.

Thanks for your help, everyone!

G5 Quad 2.5 Desktop with 4GB Ram, 500GB HD & Fiber Card ~
30″ Cinema Display & 17″ Sony SVGA ~
Swift Data 200 Internal 1.6TB SATA II RAID 0 ~
AJA Io LA ~
Final Cut Studio ~
Sony UVW-1800 Beta-SP ~~~

P D Post Productions, Inc. ~
TV~DVD~VHS~CD~WEB
for Corporate Communications, Commercials, Infomercials, Television Programs, Family Occasions since 1983 ~
E-mail PD@PDPost.com ~
Website http://www.PDPost.com ~
Business/Cell Phone (847) 275-5671

[John Pale]

Have you tried opening it in Soundtrack Pro? Do the waveforms look clipped there too?