Audio level problem

G

golasa

Member
LO,

While filming a documentary the wireless micro channel was recorded at -50 dB. A level I could properly hear. While editing, I find the audio level too low.

How can I turn the volume up, to better listen to it?
I modified the audio level in the viewer, the +12 dB permitted, but it's still insufficient, I tried couple of filters but they distorted the sound, so here I am with a my question;)

thanks for any input!
 
Really depends- if that happened to me I'd simply ADR it. Otherwise you'll potentially spend a fortune in pro sound work to fix it to a level considered pro.

Noah
 
Hi Golasa,
There are a number of filters that will help you but please beware that your audio will never sound as pristine as if recorded properly in the first place. Do some research on 'gain staging' for a better understanding on audio levels. Also, always use head phones when shooting important audio.

1. High Pass. Set to allow only frequencies above 80hz or 100hz. This will help avoid amplifying an low end rumble.

2. Compression. Set the Threshold to anywhere between -12 and -20. The lower you go, the more it affects the audio. Set the ratio at 2.5:1. Click the "preserve Volume" radial. This will begin to squash the life out of your audio (and introduce distortion) but may help you to gain some much needed gain. Pun intended.

3. High Shelf Filter. Set to 10khz and begin to reduce the gain to between -2 and -12. This will reduce perception of the amplified noise floor (or hiss).

Experiment with the settings on those three filters in FCP and you will probably end up with a usable portion of audio.

There are also noise reduction plugins and software that can be applied, but without paying a lot and having a tremendous amount of experience in operating them, you will simply make your audio sound like it was recorded under water.


Jason
 
Hi Jason, Noah,

Thanks for the precious input. Before ARD it, I played a bit with the filters and noticed that actually the ambient noise is not too bad, so then come the question if the audio may be usable without filters - is there a way to push up the volume, let's say 20-30 dB without distorting it? or am I asking a nonsensical question?

cheers, g
 
In a pinch, I've tried the tick of doubling up audio tracks on top of each other to boost their gain where the normal level adjustments were not enough.

For the most part it worked, but audio quality wasn't a top priority for that particular project. So you'd have to test for your self.
 
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