Soundtrack volume level not changing

[Forge AC]

Hey All,

I am still very new to using PE4, but have learned enough to be dangerous. I started putting a video together that was simply a couple of monologues. I added a standard mp3 to the soundtrack line by drag n drop, which works fine. After adjusting the level to bring down the volume of the soundtrack, I watched the video within PE4. It sounds great. Then I export it to my PC, and the soundtrack is way too loud. You can barely hear the person speaking in the video, because the background music is too loud. After lowering and eventually turning it all the way down, the soundtrack volume on the exported video stays the same. What step am I missing here?

[Chuck Engels]

Hi Forge, Welcome to Muvipix

How are you lowering the volume of the clip?
Have you tried removing the Mp3 files completely, maybe trying another file just for testing?

[Paul LS]

It may be an issue with the MP3 file in PE4. Select the audio clip in the timeline then select Clip>Audio Options>Render and Replace. This will replace the MP3 with a WAV file. Adjust this and see if the settings work OK.

By the way welcome Forge to Muvipix.

[Steve Grisetti]

And don't forget to use the Audio Mixer or Audio Meters to check your audio levels! Don't trust your computer speakers to give you an accurate representation of the sound of your final piece.

[Forge AC]

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I have tried different MP3's with no change. I also tried the Render and Replace. It did convert the file to wave. Again...when I change the soundtrack level, the video within PE4 changes, but the exported video does not. I turned it all the way down where you can't hear it anymore, but it is still loud and clear in the exported video. Possibly my export method. I simply go to File>Export and export it to an avi file. IDK. I am viewing them in Windows Media Player, which shouldn't make a difference. Any other ideas?

[Chuck Engels]

How are you lowering the volume of the MP3 clips?
Are you working from the Timeline or the Sceneline?

[Forge AC]

I am working in Sceneline. I just click on the little music note to the left of the sondtrack line and slide the volume adjuster. Sliding it down does decrease the volume in the video when viewed within PE4.

[Steve Grisetti]

When you're in Timeline mode, is the horizontal yellow line that runs through the audio track lowered when you adjust the audio level?

Also, try moving the audio to another audio track (Audio 2, for instance) on the timeline.

Sceneline has some very limited editing features. You'll have much more control -- and you'll be better able to see what's going on -- in Timeline mode.

[Forge AC]

It worked! I went into Timeline and pulled down the line. I did notice that it was gray or black and definately not yellow like the other audio lines. Anyway, I pulled it down and exported the video, and the soundtrack volume had changed. I also was able to use the Audio Mixer to do the same thing, though when I tried it before, that did not work. Either way, I have seen the light and have been converted to working in Timeline. Thanks for all of the help!

[Chuck Engels]

Very glad to hear that Forge

Be sure to check out our free tutorials, lots of stuff about working on and with the timeline
http://muvipix.com/products.php?subcat_id=44