Adjusting sound levels in FCP at DVinfo.net

James Collins · September 2nd, 2009, 08:35 AM

I filmed an interview today with a client and the sound levels were a bit high, causing some muzzled sound.

Here is a link to the footage:Nick McCloud on Vimeo

Is there any way of correction this in FCP? I don't use Soundtrack Pro, just FCP.

Thanks,
James

Jonathan Levin · September 2nd, 2009, 09:45 AM

James,

When you are in FC, just below the audio tracks list, there is a little button called "toggle clip overlays". If you click this, you'll notice that a red line now appears in your audio track. You can now place your curser over the red line, the curser turns into something that looks like this: =. The button looks like a diagonal line leaning right with a dot on top, and then a line that drops down. You'll see it.

Simple click and drag the red line (audio level) to your desired level. And that's it. There is also a way to do this in the viewer by double clicking your audio track and then adjusting in the viewer. I like the first way better, but then if I have to get surgical, I'll use the viewer method.

Jonathan

Noah Kadner · September 2nd, 2009, 09:52 AM

Also just as some friendly shooting advice- back your talent away from the wall a bit and shoot them off center. This looks like a lineup for a police station... And a tiny on-camera LED or HMI mini light would give you some nice eye-light, instead of the dead sockets this poor chap has. :)

Noah

Les Wilson · September 2nd, 2009, 11:15 AM

ummm why do I feel like this guy does business in a dark alley?

Reshoot with slightly lower audio levels and a better background.

Re-EQ'ing what you have may help but there's no magic "fix this audio" button. FCP has some EQ filters you experiment with.

Jonathan Levin · September 2nd, 2009, 11:34 AM

What Les and Noah said.

Start with as good audio as you can get. My described audio thing is more a fine tuning.

Jonathan

September 2nd, 2009, 08:35 AM	#1
James Collins Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 59	Adjusting sound levels in FCP I filmed an interview today with a client and the sound levels were a bit high, causing some muzzled sound. Here is a link to the footage:Nick McCloud on Vimeo Is there any way of correction this in FCP? I don't use Soundtrack Pro, just FCP. Thanks, James

September 2nd, 2009, 09:45 AM	#2
Jonathan Levin Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, Illinois USA Posts: 692	James, When you are in FC, just below the audio tracks list, there is a little button called "toggle clip overlays". If you click this, you'll notice that a red line now appears in your audio track. You can now place your curser over the red line, the curser turns into something that looks like this: =. The button looks like a diagonal line leaning right with a dot on top, and then a line that drops down. You'll see it. Simple click and drag the red line (audio level) to your desired level. And that's it. There is also a way to do this in the viewer by double clicking your audio track and then adjusting in the viewer. I like the first way better, but then if I have to get surgical, I'll use the viewer method. Jonathan

September 2nd, 2009, 09:52 AM	#3
Noah Kadner Better than Halle Berry Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 435	Also just as some friendly shooting advice- back your talent away from the wall a bit and shoot them off center. This looks like a lineup for a police station... And a tiny on-camera LED or HMI mini light would give you some nice eye-light, instead of the dead sockets this poor chap has. :) Noah

September 2nd, 2009, 11:15 AM	#4
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	ummm why do I feel like this guy does business in a dark alley? Reshoot with slightly lower audio levels and a better background. Re-EQ'ing what you have may help but there's no magic "fix this audio" button. FCP has some EQ filters you experiment with.

September 2nd, 2009, 11:34 AM	#5
Jonathan Levin Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago, Illinois USA Posts: 692	What Les and Noah said. Start with as good audio as you can get. My described audio thing is more a fine tuning. Jonathan