Audio volume adjust

UlfLaursen wrote on 4/30/2007, 12:42 PM

Hi

Just finished editing something, where one person's speak was very low for a few minutes. I wanted to cut that part out and raise the volume.
I did split the clip on each side of the low speaking person. I wanted to raise the volume on that clip only, so I tried to adjust the gain, but the line could not be raised any more, allthough it was only at 0 dB.

I must be doing something wrong I guess.

I solved the problem here and now by ungrouping the video and audio, move the "low" audio to a separate track and put up the trackvolume for that track, but I guess it is not he right way to do it.

I know I could install soundforge, rightclick the clip and edit in SF, but I guess there must be way inside vegas too.

Could anybody guide me to a better way to solve problems like this?

Thanks.

/Ulf

Comments

rs170a wrote on 4/30/2007, 12:56 PM

Insert a volume envelope (shortcut is V), add 2 points (nodes) before and 2 points after (double-click the line to add points) the low portion and drag the volume up.
This will only give you 6 db of gain though so maybe installing SF is still a better plan.
Maybe the V key in conjunction with your original idea for a t total gain of 12 db might work better?

Mike

bStro wrote on 4/30/2007, 12:58 PM

You can't raise the gain, only lower it. That's why the gain line starts out at the top.

Could anybody guide me to a better way to solve problems like this?

Insert and adjust a volume envelope?

Rob

mel58i wrote on 4/30/2007, 2:06 PM

Why not try "apply non real time event fx"" and select track compressor to your split portion. That could get you up to 25dB - then perhaps use a volume envelope to smooth the transition from modified to unmodified clips.

Mel

mel58i wrote on 4/30/2007, 2:58 PM

A simpler solution would be to select switches and "normalize". That would raise the level to approaching 0dB to the waveform.

Mel

John_Cline wrote on 4/30/2007, 3:41 PM

Normalize is worthless. So worthless, in fact, I don't know why Vegas even includes it. The human ear doesn't perceive loudness based on the peak level, loudness is determined by average level. Let's say you had a recording of someone whispering with a loud gunshot right in the middle. Normailizing isn't going to do a bit of good in raising the loudness of the whispering.

Read my post in this thread:

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=406093

John

TGS wrote on 4/30/2007, 4:53 PM

I have made splits around quiet sections and then 'UNnormalize' and 'Renormalize' has made a big, fast difference. It still needs the volume envelope after renormalizing to get exactly what you want, usually.

riredale wrote on 4/30/2007, 6:41 PM

I use Normalize all the time to temporarily boost the waveform for editing purposes. I sometimes use it for permanent audio gain purposes, but then it makes using the rubber band volume line more complex.

mel58i wrote on 5/1/2007, 5:55 AM

Yes, J.C. one wouldn't include a "gunshot" in normalizing a quiet scene. The thread started with a low volume dialogue and normalize is a quick way of raising constantly low level.

John_Cline wrote on 5/1/2007, 7:08 AM

"Yes, J.C. one wouldn't include a "gunshot" in normalizing a quiet scene."

I was making a exaggerated point of peak vs. average level.

UlfLaursen wrote on 5/1/2007, 11:06 AM

Thanks for all help guys - I relly have a lot to work with now. :)

/Ulf

daryl wrote on 5/1/2007, 11:54 AM

I do have one process which I use the "normalize" switch. I play in our church's contemporary band. We are givin each week's songs in a digital format along with the sheet music. Not all of the songs are recorded at the same level, so, after I download the songs, I select all of them and hit the "normalize" switch. The levels now match and I can put them on CD if I want to, and don't have to turn the volume up or down when practicing. Works great.