Amateur Documentary Audio Editing

[Querorz]

Hi ,

I am making my first documentary with Premiere Pro. I got all video footage edited fine. Now comes the audio part. I got couple questions.

1- At some parts of the movie my voice is very low and some parts music is too high. How do i balance them? Just get the DB level down in effect controls?
2- How do i know audio levels are audience friendly and not disturbing. Is there a measure to that?
3- Should i be giving any effects to my narrating voice? Or just leave it raw?


By the way, please speak as you are speaking to a total beginner.

Thank you.

[TreeTops]

I'm pretty sure that 'Audacity' can normalize audio. At least it can do it among different tracks. Do a google search on 'How to normalize audio in Audacity' It also has a level meter so that you can see the disturbing parts and tone sound down or up to fix.

[raffriff42]

Search for "Normalize track" (set "normal" overall volume) and
"Adjust track volume with keyframes" (fine tuning, fading up or down etc)
https://www.google.com/search?q=Premiere+adjust+track+volume+with+keyframes&tbm=isch

[Querorz]

I'm pretty sure that 'Audacity' can normalize audio. At least it can do it among different tracks. Do a google search on 'How to normalize audio in Audacity' It also has a level meter so that you can see the disturbing parts and tone sound down or up to fix.

Thanks man. Should i use the software after renderind and outputting it?

[smrpix]

Premiere can send you tracks directly to an Audition muti-track mix. This is what you want to do because it gives you full access to your source media.

As far as actual mixing. Find a good level on your main sound (probably narration) where the peaks go into the yellow but not the red, then adjust your speakers or head phone so that is at a comfortable listening level. Do not touch the volume on your speakers or headphones again. Use your ears to determine what sounds right.

You can add-edits or keyframe levels to bring the tracks into better balance.

[Querorz]

rafrifff and smrpix thank you. I will be on my computer tomorrow. So i can't ask more questions just yet. But i will soon.

[Querorz]

https://forum.videohelp.com/forums/18-Newbie-General-discussions

Guys check this topic please. My audio edit is done.