Avid Tip

Audio Gain Rubber-Banding

by Tony Solomons

One of my favorite new Avid features (in v6.5) is audio rubber-banding. Audio rubber-banding has been a popular feature on many audio and video non-linear systems for years. Now Avid has incorporated this very useful tool into the composer timeline.

The rubber-band feature provides a fast and easy way to modify audio tracks through gain level control and ramping. It completely eliminates the need for adding edits on audio tracks.

The rubber-band feature can be activated by selecting volume from the choices under audio data in the timeline's hamburger menu. As you add audio key frames, instead of add-edits, you can map out a fade-in, fade-out, dip, peak, reduction or raise in audio levels for a given audio segment.

Customize your Composer window or keyboard with the audio key frame button which can be found in the command palate. Also, enlarge each audio track in order to see the dB levels more clearly. Remember to save this enlarged view.

Audio can be raised or lowered by pointing and dragging key frames up or down. Holding the command key while dragging an audio key frame will snap the volume bar to even dB increments. The audio key frames can be slid left or right by utilizing the option key while dragging a key frame. This will allow you to modify a ramp angle.

Multiple audio segments can be modified simultaneously by setting an in-mark and an out-mark around a group of clips. Any modifications to a key frame in the selected area will affect the entire group.

The energy or sample plot volume display can be used in conjunction with the audio volume display.

This tip is an excerpt from "The Digital Editing Room Handbook: an Assistant Editor's Guide To The Avid" by Guild member Tony Solomons. It is available from: Hazeldean House Publishing, PO Box 57831, Sherman Oaks, CA 91413, at a special introductory price to union members of $24.95 + $3.00 S & H. (CA residents add 8.25% sales tax). Allow 4-6 weeks for shipping.