Cannot get audio to play without having to use "ram preview"

[JoeJITSU]

I have a Mpeg4 file and noticed that the ram preview render takes a long time. I try to preview with the space bar or play button just for that particular part and I get no sound. So the only way I know is I have to listen to the whole 8 minute clip just to get to that particular part. I have an i7 920 chip with 12gb of memory. I shouldnt have this problem,right? Is there another way for me just to preview the little area instead of having to hit ram preview just to get the sound also? Thanks guys in advanced.

 

[Hawk Teflon]

No, you're doing it right. AE isn't a NLE, it's a ... not really sure what it's called actually. However, AE is based for effects and fine tuning them. But yeah, you have to RAM preview to get audio. You can move your work bar to a smaller area to make it more concise, though. For faster RAM previews, just drop your resolution to Quarter if need be.

 

[handsome pete]

There are a couple of things you can do. One, you can set ram preview to play from "current time" so that you don't have to go from the beginning of your comp.

You can preview audio without video by pressing the period key on the number pad. That's probably what will work best for your situation. Again, this can be set to play from "current time" and not the beginning.

Also, you can scrub audio by holding down the apple key while scrubbing (I'm guessing control key on windows)

Also, I haven't worked with mpeg4 files in After Effects, but I guessing that could be slowing down your system as well.

 

[Hawk Teflon]

You can preview audio without video by pressing the period key on the number pad. That's probably what will work best for your situation. Again, this can be set to play from "current time" and not the beginning.

I've never understood this. What's the point of listening to my audio without the video? I know what it sounds like. And it's not like AE keeps the scrub bar on the same frame you stop it on. It goes back to the original frame you started on. Wow. Useful. I must be doing something wrong.

 

[handsome pete]

I've never understood this. What's the point of listening to my audio without the video? I know what it sounds like. And it's not like AE keeps the scrub bar on the same frame you stop it on. It goes back to the original frame you started on. Wow. Useful. I must be doing something wrong.

I use it all of the time. There are always instances where I just want to hear sound.

One good use is for setting markers for audio cues.