Volume and multi resolution videos

RayGus wrote on 9/8/2016, 10:38 AM

Hi

A friend whos is new to Magix has bought MEP 2016 PLUS to edit his 4K videos.

He has asked me 2 questions which I wonder if someone here could help with please.

VOLUME

He would like to adjust the volume in a clip and for example wishes to

fade down about 30 seconds in,
leave at that level for about 20 seconds,
fade back up again to original

He has asked me if that can be donw by simply selectung points on the audiotrack and rubber banding (pulling the audio level down etc)

I cannot see an easy way of doing what he wants other than splitting audio track etc.

BUT...is there an easier way please?

MULTI RESOLUTION VIDEOS

He has a 4K video clip at start of video and has the size set for 4K video....

He wishes to import some 1080P HD video onto the timeline and when he does, it asks if he wants to adjust the newly imported clip to current project size (4K)

He is wondering if the whole video should therefore be at 1080P or...is it better to upscale the 1080P to 4k rather than the reverse?

Any helo would I am sure be appreciated and I will hopefully get Phil to join this Forum!

Best wishes

Ray

Comments

Scenestealer wrote on 9/8/2016, 5:43 PM

Hi Ray

Volume - Right click the audio track and choose "Volume curve" from the menu. A green line will appear at the top of the audio track. Left click on a position in the track that the volume should alter at. A small green box will appear on the green line which can then be dragged up or down with the mouse to alter the volume. So in your example 4 points should be selected and the second and third point should be dragged down to the desired volume level to create the fade in and out.

You can also use "Track Curves" to vary the whole track in a similar manner, but this needs to be the last thing you do after all editing is finished because the curve stays where it is on the track if you subsequently move the clips.

Movie Settings - Resolution

This depends on whether you want to (or can) view the 4K segments at full 4K res after the export. It may be better to set to 1080 HD so that you do not see a change in sharpness from one clip to the next

It is best to set the Movie setting to the highest resolution clip but it can be set to a lower resn. during editing, which can reduce the load on the computer during preview. This however is not necessary in modern versions of MEP where they have provided the Lightning Bolt symbol and context menu below the preview monitor, which can toggle resn. and framerate reduction to achieve smooth playback. Of couse using either method will make the 4K clip slightly fuzzier in the preview window.

Another method to make editing preview smoother is to create Proxy files on import but this uses up a lot of disc space in the process.

None of this has any bearing on export resolution however, except that the title editor's resolution appears to be dependent on the movie settings resn., hence my advice to set the Movie Settings resolution to the resolution of the 4K clip, at least prior to creating and exporting with titles.

browj2 wrote on 9/8/2016, 11:30 PM

Hi Ray,

Further to what Scenestealer mentioned, you should have the video and audio on separate tracks. This can be set in the Program settings, or by using the shortcut Ctrl+H. The 2 objects are grouped together, so moving one moves the other, unless you ungroup them. Best to leave them grouped. You can expand the height of a track and zoom in horizonally to see the curve better. Look up "damping" and "ducking" in the manual and read up on the methods.

RayGus wrote on 9/9/2016, 1:46 AM

Sincere thanks to John and Scene stealer...

I too was not clear re the volume issue and could not remeber how to do it...so it is helpful for me as well.

Much appreciate your help...

Many thanks indeed.

Ray

johnebaker wrote on 9/9/2016, 1:46 AM

To add to Scenestealers advice

. . . . any bearing on export resolution however, except that the title editor's resolution appears to be dependent on the movie settings resn., hence my advice to set the Movie Settings resolution to the resolution of the 4K clip . . .

There is a gotcha - if you want to create DVD's or DV resolution video, the titles may move position.

This is because DVD video pixels are not square as in HD/Full HD/4k video. The pixels are rectangular in order to achieve a widescreen format from the available 720 px horizontally.

HTH

John EB

RayGus wrote on 9/9/2016, 4:50 AM

Hi

To add to Scenestealers advice

. . . . any bearing on export resolution however, except that the title editor's resolution appears to be dependent on the movie settings resn., hence my advice to set the Movie Settings resolution to the resolution of the 4K clip . . .

There is a gotcha - if you want to create DVD's or DV resolution video, the titles may move position.

This is because DVD video pixels are not square as in HD/Full HD/4k video. The pixels are rectangular in order to achieve a widescreen format from the available 720 px horizontally.

HTH

John EB

Thanks John...

I did not know this!!!!!

So much to learn!

Best wishes

Ray

RayGus wrote on 9/9/2016, 4:50 AM

Hi

To add to Scenestealers advice

. . . . any bearing on export resolution however, except that the title editor's resolution appears to be dependent on the movie settings resn., hence my advice to set the Movie Settings resolution to the resolution of the 4K clip . . .

There is a gotcha - if you want to create DVD's or DV resolution video, the titles may move position.

This is because DVD video pixels are not square as in HD/Full HD/4k video. The pixels are rectangular in order to achieve a widescreen format from the available 720 px horizontally.

HTH

John EB

Thanks John...

I did not know this!!!!!

So much to learn!

Best wishes

Ray

Scenestealer wrote on 9/9/2016, 6:49 PM

Further to what Scenestealer mentioned, you should have the video and audio on separate tracks.

John CB - thanks for adding that - I only work with separate tracks.

There is a gotcha - if you want to create DVD's or DV resolution video, the titles may move position.

John EB - Although I didn't make it clear, my point really was 'the gotcha', that you should set the program resolution to your intended export format and resolution prior to creating titles or exporting, and then check that the elements in the movie look as they should. MEP will usually warn you to do so if it detects that the Movie Settings and Export Settings differ.

johnebaker wrote on 9/10/2016, 2:13 AM

. . . . should set the program resolution to your intended export format and resolution prior to creating titles or exporting . . . .

I agree totally with this, however there are occassions when it is necessary to create BD and DVD or HD and SD video from the same project. Then it is necessary to either have 2 projects or accept that there may be some movement of titles.

In my experience, it is better to work with the project at the highest resolution to be output and accept the slight movements that may occur in the lower resolution output,

John EB