audio displays

[rann]

I use 4.24 and 4.6, and they act the same on these 2 questions:
1) The audio waveform can be displayed in either log or linear form. I usually prefer to have it act in a linear mode, but find that the displayed waveform is too small to see. So I have to set it to operate in log mode just to get a waveform display that's actually big enough to see. Is there a way to increase the waveform display itself (not the track) in linear mode?
2) When applying an audio crossfade between two clips, the rectangular duration icon appears centered over the cut point is, as expected (and like a video transition). However, the cut point is then displayed as offset to the end of the audio crossfade. Why? What's the reason, and can that "feature" be undone?
Thanks

[GrassValley_MD]

1. Under the track name (in the light grey area) right click your mouse and pick a larger height... works great.

2. Is your default crossfade a linear in and linear out?


Mike

[rann]

Mike, thanks . . .
1. If I understand your advice, it increases the height of the TRACK. However, I have the track comfortably sized to a "2" or "3" height; I'm trying to make the actual green waveform itself higher within the track. The problem is that, on the "timeline" page of the application settings, the waveform is MUCH smaller when set to "linear" mode than when set to "log" mode. In "log" mode the waveform does a nice job of filling up the track; but in "linear" mode, the same waveform is so small it's nearly useless as a visual reference. Why is that, and can I possibly resize the waveform itself in "linear" mode? I suspect the answer is "no", but can someone at least explain the huge difference in heights?
2. Yes, the default audio crossfade is a linear in & out. But it doesn't seem to matter: whatever crossfade is used, the cut point is visually offset to the end of the crossfade all the time. And it doesn't matter if the timeline is set to "linear" or "log" display/operation, as per question #1.
Thanks for any insights.

[antonsvideo]

linear waveform height is determined by the rec level of your camera

see if you can increase rec level to -6db or similar

[rann]

Thanks, Anton; yes, the linear waveform's size does have a relationship to the level. Unfortunately, I have no control over the original recording levels or the level at which the footage gets digitized. However, I usually am working with levels that are adequate, and can be adjusted to where I need them; that should be sufficient to display a waveform that's tall enough to see. The fact is that the "log" display is 3 to 4 times taller than the "linear" display (yes, I measured them). And I understand the difference between the two scales, and thus the difference between the displays, but the bottom line is that the linear waveform is way too small. The reality is that I have to be in "log" mode to see the waveform when I would rather have it act in "linear" mode. There seems to be no way to work in linear mode and have a waveform big enough to see.

[antonsvideo]

it would be cool to be able to adjust waveform height

when I bought my camera, audio was factory preset to -20db and the waveform was too small and the volume to low

I then set the camera to its highest possible setting which was -12db and all is perfect now, I hardly adjust level and the waveforms are good to see

however, when I edit other people's footage, I often have your problem

[SRsupport]

Anton,

Don't most TV stations require -18 (ntsc) and - 20 (Pal) for broadcast?

-12 has too little headroom especially when our audio person hooks up the psc or sounddevices mixer at line out.


Most of the professional camcorders , such at you use are default at -18 or 20 depending on the color system .

Steve

[antonsvideo]

when I shoot with camera at -20, then the waveform is way too low and the audio output is too low

I set my sound so the loudest part is at -6db on Edius VU meter which then shows as 0db on Betacam SP via SP XLR audio output

I use Soundforge9 to do a limit to -6 after all other processing

I never encountered an audio level issue with TV stations, maybe they change my level?