[Brad Higerd]

…And Lou, look for Adobe TV tutorials on Audition, especially the ones done by Jason Levine. He talks REALLY fast (like he’s on crack or something), but his tuts are likely to help you understand Angelo’s outline better, as it applies to Audition.

Brad

[Brad Higerd]

Yes. And I totally agree with Angelo, especially about picking yourself up some studio headphones!

The Ozone mastering guide is just a nicely written document to help. I think those folks are top-notch…and no, I have no affiliation with their company whatsoever.

Brad

[Brad Higerd]

Lou,

I’m using CS5.5 still, so please forgive me if there’s anything outdated in this approach…

First, yes, you absolutely should use Audition! In fact, I’d even consider the Izotope Ozone plug-in (VST), IF there is any music involved.

As for the practical approach to this, you really need to search Adobe TV for tutorials (CS5) on how to send your entire timeline to Audition, where you’ll be working with “stems” of the original files. Keep well organized in your folders, and things will go much better.

If you’re working on multiple sequences without a master, then you’re going to need to deal with every sequence where the audio tracks can be individually attacked, assuming there are problems.

As for a target “loudness,” -0.6 dB is a good place to STOP. If you go higher, say -0.3 dB, it’s PROBABLY going to sound okay. Just never go past/above zero.

Last piece of advice, for anyone new to audio editing, Izotope has a free PDF download that outlines the standard audio mastering process that’s as well written as anything I’ve seen since my days using Sonic Foundary software (now Sony). You’ll find it at: https://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/support.asp

I recommend the PDF as audio editing/mastering is fundamentally the same, with or without Izoptope software plugins. Lynda.com might also be a good resource (has been for me, as Adobe software isn’t always intuitive).

And unless you have a sound system capable of reproducing low-end bass (like lots of people do these days), be sure to gate off ultro low end bass.

As for Premiere Pro, please don’t do any audio there (except maybe normalizing tracks to -0.6 dB. Otherwise, it’s going to keep you from learning audio editing.

Lastly, having shot your footage, I hope no voice-overs are needed. But if they are, be ultra careful with this. If you have to go there, you better have a great ear for tone, use similar microphones, and be prepared for a lot of equalization adjustment.

My 3 cents (inflation)

Brad

[Brad Higerd]

Sorry for the delay:

original:

With “soft contrast”:

Not sure how well these show what I’m asking about, but open to comments!

Brad

[Brad Higerd]

Thanks guys! Sincerely!

Ironically, I ordered the Meyers 700+ page AE book two nights ago. It’ll probably be 2047-2048 before I get through it, but hopefully, I’ll learn AECS5 by then.

And obtaining a screen capture from the “soft contrast” plug-in is a great idea. Hopefully, I can do that sometime this weekend. Looks like the “image upload” button is the way I’d do that? (As a newbie to Creative Cow, I’m learning…and I really like the idea of becoming a Kobe Cow, drinking beer, and having my butt rubbed all day. …But a Creative Cow and a Kobe Cow are probably not the same thing?)

[Brad Higerd]

Matrox video cards were once my favorite, even before the acceration you described. Now, with CUDA, I’m using what everyone else in the CS5 spectrum is using.

And hats-off to the higher end systems you guys at safe harbor build. I entertained returning to Apple last summer, but I couldn’t find a Mac laptop with a full HD screen (…at that time). But looking at your 12-core Mac, it’s tempting. (I’m currently running a 6-core desktop PC that does well enough, especially for AutoCAD and the stuff I get paid to do.)

Thanks again for the response to my question!

[Brad Higerd]

Thanks Jason,
I’ll give your advice a try!

[Brad Higerd]

Hi Jeff,

Before Vegas 9, that’s exactly how I learned to “soften” footage (while still retaining some sharpness). It was a great trick to fix noise issues resulting from low-light shoots with the now forgotten GL2. And maybe that’s the solution I’ll have to go back to. Bummer is that I have no desire to be a professional video producer; and when tools that worked easily are no longer readily available, I get nostalgic for the easy solutions I once relied on.

And no doubt the rise to 64-bit code left some things like your Matrox “soft focus” solution behind (as it did my “Noise Reduction” plug-in).

I’ve accepted that Adobe has great tools (particularly, Photoshop); I just wish their software was more intuitive and pared down with a few more easy fixes for people like me who don’t want to make a career out of learning the toolset. (Just venting a bit.)

Thank you for replying, and for reminding me of a past solution still readily available today.

Brad

[Brad Higerd]

Darius,

Thanks for replying. And no, I’m not looking for a simple plug-in like the one I previously discussed.

But I am looking for a solution within Production Premium CS5, as I don’t have money to pursue the other solution you suggested.

Can you provide a list of the “effects” I’d need to use in After Effects to accomplish what I’ve described? That would provide me a great start.

And just for added info, I own a copy of Magic Bullet Mojo (great plug-in), but none of the “effects” requested are color related. Softening, glow… are rather tricky effects that I’m willing to learn in AE…and possibly pointing to the reality that I started this thread in the wrong place? 🙁

Thanks, sincerely,
Brad

[Brad Higerd]

Darius,

Thanks for replying. And no, I’m not looking for a simple plug-in like the one discussed.

But I am looking for a solution within Production Premium CS5, as I don’t have money to pursue the other solutions you suggested.

Can you provide a list of the “effects” I’d need to use in After Effects to accomplish what I’ve described? That would provide me a great start.

Thanks,
Brad