As stated in the Adobe Premiere Pro User Guide, gain refers to the input level or volume in clips. You use the Audio Gain command to adjust the gain level for one or more selected clips. The Audio Gain command is independent of the output level settings in the Audio Track Mixer and Timeline panels. Its value is combined with the track level for the final mix. You can adjust the gain for an entire sequence with the Normalize Master Track command.
Your video products should adhere to specific audio standards to optimize sound levels and prevent competition between tracks. Primary audio, which typically consists of narration, interview or dialog should always be between -12 and -6dB. Secondary audio, such as natural sound, should always be between -30 and -18dB. It is important to remember that audio levels and volume are two different things. The audio level is the base level for your audio, while the volume is the audio the viewer controls.
Read on for specific steps to improve your audio adjustment skills.
Audio Adjustment Feature
Adjust audio gain by using the selection tool or the timeline method by following the steps below.
Use the Selection Tool to select one or more audio clips to be adjusted.
This step can be completed by using one of two methods: using the selection tool or directly on the timeline.
Adjust the audio level using the selection tool:
- Right-click on one of the selected audio clips.
- Choose the “Audio Gain..." option from the pop-up menu.
- In the Audio Gain box, adjust dB to the desired level. Use a positive number to increase it and a negative number to decrease it.
- Click "OK."
Adjust the audio level using the Timeline (alternative):
- Select and highlight the clip you want to adjust.
- Drag the clip into the Timeline panel.
- Grab the white line for the clip you want to adjust and move it up to raise the audio level; move it down to reduce it.
Audio Clip Mixer
As stated in the Adobe Premiere Pro User Guide, the Audio Clip Mixer acts as an inspector. Its faders are mapped to the clip volume level and the pan/balance control is mapped to the clip panner. For example, if a plane is moving left to right in a clip, you should pan the audio from left to right. Follow the steps below to adjust audio gain using the Audio Clip Mixer.
- Select Window from the top menu.
- Select the Audio Clip Mixer.
- Pull the fader up and down to adjust the track's volume output.
- VU meter levels will change as you make adjustments.
- Locate the audio pan dial in the Audio Clip Mixer panel.
- Adjust the dial with the "L" and "R" labels at the top of the channel to pan the audio track output left or right.
Adobe product screen shot(s) reprinted with permission from Adobe Inc.