Clarification with Final Cut Express, particulary the Audio Pan and AspectR

[TagoFilm]

Being a semi-amateur, I'm in need of a few pointers regarding FCE. I recently screened a film in my buds theater, I exported the video with the Audio Pan set to 0 in FCE. Meaning, instead of the audio blasting out of speakers on the left, the audio blasted out of both speakers at the same time. The film was shot on the Canon 5D Mark II, the audio was recorded directly to the camera from a Rode Video Mic. My questions are somewhat hypothetical, let me know if anything sounds off base;

1 Why is it that the audio automatically sets to a -1 Pan in FCE, or simply put the left speakers? Why isn't it set to +1 or 0?

2 Would exporting video filmed in 4x3 or 1.33 aspect ration stretch, if exported in 16x9? - I've learned a great deal about aspect ratios yet, when it's time to export, I get caught in dead ends.

Thanks,

Tom

[mrswla]

Welcome to the forum

1 Why is it that the audio automatically sets to a -1 Pan in FCE, or simply put the left speakers? Why isn't it set to +1 or 0?

Probably because the camera records audio in mono. I'm not positive on this, can't find any info to the contrary. Therefore, if it is mono when you import it to fce it will only be on one channel.

2 Would exporting video filmed in 4x3 or 1.33 aspect ration stretch, if exported in 16x9? - I've learned a great deal about aspect ratios yet, when it's time to export, I get caught in dead ends.

Depends on your settings. It will either stretch it to a 1.77 ar, or it will cut off the top and bottom of the image to make the 1.77 ar.

Take all this with a grain of salt. It's been all long time since I've messed with fce.

[edDV]

The Canon 5D MkII has notoriously poor audio performance unless custom firmware and external mixer are used. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwpDLo0NVps

The Rode Video mic is mono and if just plugged into the mic jack will record on the left channel.

[budwzr]

Try the Apple forum

[TagoFilm]

Yeah, I suppose my question is what is the norm for audio? Is is better sounding to have the audio paned to the left channel? Or is it supposed to be Paned at 0, or both speakers? ...When I played the video in my buds theater, that audio sounded terrible, I was wondering if the Pan set to 0 was responsible for the poor audio quality, or the camera itself?

[budwzr]

As edDV stated, you have a stereo track with no sound on one of the tracks. You need to do a mixdown to mono, or copy the audio to the empty track and leave as stereo.

What is normal? Mono tracks have sound on one channel, stereo tracks have sound on two.

[edDV]

...
I was wondering if the Pan set to 0 was responsible for the poor audio quality, or the camera itself?

No. Not sure exactly what FCE does but panning to 0 may have half volume left right that needs to be raised. This will also raise noise floor.

The main problem with many DSLR's for audio is explained in the clip I posted. They default to a very poor AGC (automatic gain control) that causes level pumping (always bad). The custom firmware allows turning AGC off and manual gain setting adequate for accepting an external mic mixer with better preamps, meters and headphone monitoring.

Every and I mean every pro broadcast uses meters and headphones to set levels in the field. Most have a separate audio man tending mics and levels. The pack on his chest is the audio mixer. After setup, he runs mic level by positioning the mic (just like any pro singer with ear plug monitor headphones).

Hope these guys sterilized that mic and boom.



A DSLR is not a pro camcorder but can approximate one with external accessories. A pro camcorder has all this built in. The DSLR advantage is all about adapting low price interchangeable lenses. DSLR's are most appropriate for B roll (no audio).

[dherrmann115]

I just joined this thread and am having a similar problem. Sorry, I can't find how to start my own subject so, hope you don't mind. I am using final cut express and have imported footage from my Nikon D5100. I have music and a dialog of an interview. For some reason one section of the dialog will not play on iphones but sounds fine when watching on a PC. I have tried everything in my power. Even exporting the sound track to garage band and then back. Even created two separate tracks, one panned right and one panned left and put it back in Garage band. I used a lapel mic plugged into my camera.

What I don't understand is that for another shot with the same subject and the same mic, the sound works. It's just from that one take. I'm at whits end here and can seem to get it to work. Anyone out there have any suggestions? Any help would be greatly appreciated.