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DigiMake
Participating Frequently
mars 3, 2026 11:48 AM UTC
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Media Encoder exports incorrect audio levels

Hi all, 

I am currently experiencing an issue when batch exporting from Premiere Pro; When I batch export sequences using Media Encoder, they all seem to have the music levels way too loud - and does not accurately reflect the timeline. I’m certain the issue is with Media Encoder, as when I export my video within Premiere Pro, the audio levels are all correct. I’m not sure what’s causing this but I’d appreciate any advice on solving the issue as my job requires a lot of batch exporting.

I have tried reinstalling both Media Encoder and Premiere Pro, but the issue persists.

It is strange how it’s always the music track that seems to be the one boosted.

For context, I am running Premiere Pro Version 26.0.1 (build 3) and Media Encoder 26.0 (build 60) on a MacBook Pro (Nov 2024) w/48 GB Memory on macOS Tahoe 26.3.

It may be worth noting that I do run plugins in Premiere Pro, such as Artlist.io, Premiere Composer, and a select few from Knights of the Editing Table - Not sure if this could cause issues.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

      15 commentaires

      jean-claude_louison7342
      Participant
      oct. 24, 2026 2:07 PM UTC

      Hello,

      I am experiencing the same issue with audio ducking when exporting a Premiere Pro sequence through Adobe Media Encoder.

      I use automatic ducking to lower the background music during voice-over sections. The generated keyframes are visible, and the music volume drops correctly during playback in Premiere Pro.

      However, when I export through Media Encoder, the ducking is not applied: the music remains at its normal level during the voice-over.

      I tested attenuation settings of −17 dB, −30 dB and −45 dB, with the same result.

      To isolate the issue, I exported a short section directly from Premiere Pro with −30 dB attenuation. In that export, the ducking worked correctly.

      Steps to reproduce:

      1. Add music and voice-over clips to a sequence.

      2. Assign the Music and Dialogue audio types in the Essential Sound panel.

      3. Enable ducking on the music and generate keyframes.

      4. Verify that the music volume drops correctly during playback.

      5. Export through Adobe Media Encoder: the ducking is missing.

      6. Export the same section directly from Premiere Pro: the ducking works correctly.

      Expected result: Both export methods should preserve the ducking heard during playback in Premiere Pro.

      Software and export details:

      • Premiere Pro version: [version and build]

      • Media Encoder version: [version and build]

      • Operating system: [OS and version]

      • Export format and preset: [format and preset]

      For now, exporting directly from Premiere Pro works as a workaround.

      Please let me know if you need any additional information to investigate this issue.

      Thank you.

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      jean-claude_louison7342
      Participant
      oct. 24, 2026 2:10 PM UTC

      • Premiere Pro version: V26.5.2

      • Media Encoder version: V26.5.2

      • Operating system: MAC OS

      • Export format and preset: xxx.mp4

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      Our_World_stgt
      Participant
      juil. 8, 2026 7:37 AM UTC

      Hello. I’m having a similar problem. When I use audio ducking in Premiere to highlight voice tracks and lower the volume of the other audio file, the ducking doesn't work correctly in Media Encoder v26.3.1 (Build 1). However, everything works perfectly when exporting directly from Premiere v26.3.0 (Build 93). This issue must have started after the Media Encoder update. I hope it gets fixed in the next update. If there are specific settings to resolve this, I’d appreciate any advice. Regards, Markus

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        clint.watson
        clint.watson
        Participant
        juil. 15, 2026 4:46 PM UTC

        Thank you for pointing out that exporting directly from Premiere worked correctly and that your issue was with ducking. I’m getting the exact same results. For what it’s worth, I duplicated my music on a separate track and adjusted the levels manually with keyframes (using the same track which I had applied ducking to with essential sound as the guide). Media encoder didn’t have a problem rendering that correctly.

        I also tested the Essential Sound tools in other ways: dialogue was fine in both Premiere and ME, music clip volume was fine in Premiere and ME. I’m only having the issue of ME not understand my levels when I let Essential Sound do the ducking for me -- and again, that’s only in ME. Premiere can export that just fine.

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        Felix22589348tzpk
        Participant
        juin 24, 2026 10:33 AM UTC

        I'm experiencing the same issue. I've already wasted over two hours on that today.

        The blue audio was exported using ME and didn't sound right.
        The green audio is from the video that I exported in Premiere. It sounds the same as it does in the timeline.

        I have no idea why ME changes the audio. It's super frustrating.
        Using the ducking feature in Premiere, seems like ME just began to ignore the amplifying. Deleting cache didn’t help either.

         

         

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        Johnny29957850d8g6
        Known Participant
        avr. 6, 2026 6:18 PM UTC

        after updating to 2026 ME and PP, I finally got the piece of crap to export.. NOW the audio on the export is not right. WHY CAN”T YOU PEOPLE MAKE A PRODUCT THAT WORKS?

        [Profanity removed by moderator]

         

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        DigiMakeAuteur
        Participating Frequently
        mars 23, 2026 2:55 PM UTC

        ​@EckiAME & ​@Warren Heaton, 

        I think I’ve identified this bug.

        The issue appears to occur when batch exporting sequences that include audio clips with my custom ‘Background Audio’ effect preset applied. This preset is essentially just a mastering effect designed to create space for vocals. I’ve attached an image showing the exact parameter settings.

        My usual workflow is to place the background music on the timeline and apply the preset directly to the clip (rather than the audio track).

        Media Encoder seems to interpret my volume keyframes correctly, but it doesn’t always render the preset mastering effect. This could explain why the music is coming through much louder in the exported files.

        Keen to hear your thoughts? Perhaps this is a note for the developers.

         

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        EckiAME
        Community Manager
        EckiAMECommunity Manager
        Community Manager
        mars 24, 2026 11:29 AM UTC

        Woudl you be able to share a small project? I will try to investigate. I can send you the instructions via private message.

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          DigiMakeAuteur
          Participating Frequently
          mars 24, 2026 2:54 PM UTC

          Of course, please let me know how to best send 

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          DigiMakeAuteur
          Participating Frequently
          mars 17, 2026 3:13 PM UTC

          Appreciate your responses here, I am finding it difficult to replicate this issue at the moment but if/when it happens again, I will feedback to you

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          EckiAME
          Community Manager
          EckiAMECommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          mars 17, 2026 5:17 PM UTC

          Got it. I understand that this is a lot to ask, of course. 

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          EckiAME
          Community Manager
          EckiAMECommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          mars 16, 2026 4:58 PM UTC

          Sorry. I was on PTO. Would you be able to try with the plugins disabled to find out whether your audio issue is plug-in related?

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          Warren Heaton
          Community Expert
          Warren HeatonCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          mars 14, 2026 5:29 PM UTC

          ​@DigiMake 

           

           

           

          Sorry to see that you didn’t get a reply about the issue you’re currently experiencing.

           

          Under macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, I tried creating five short projects in Premiere Pro 26.0.1 from scratch that use source video generated from Firefly, voice overs generated from Eleven Labs and free stock music from Adobe Stock and then batch renders each Sequence through Media Encoder 26.0 to QuickTime ProRes 422 Proxy and H264 Match Source - Adaptive Bitrate.  The audio levels were fine in each export.

          I think you’re onto something by taking a closer look at the third-party plugins and add-ons that you have running.

           

          If I were troubleshooting this issue, I’d create two or three duplicate Sequences, remove any third-party filters, and try sending those through Media Encoder as a test.

           

          Another thing I would try is sending the Sequences over to an After Effects project instead of Media Encoder for batch rendering - mainly to see if there’s something different with how Dynamic Link is or is not working as expected.  If trying After Effects for batch rendering, I’d use “Best Settings” for the Render Settings and “High Quality” for the Output Module.  Assuming those movies have the correct audio levels, then batch render those in Media Encoder.

           

          Of course, you want to get Media Encoder working as expected.

           

           

           - Warren

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