How Can I Copy/Paste Multiple Tracks at Once

[aimeep010101]

Hi Smart People!

I need to copy a few seconds of a quiet section simultaneously through three tracks of actors' voice over (in multitrack mode) and paste to extend the quiet section in order to fit in a sound FX on a 4th track.

If you need more context...

I am editing a drama podcast. I recorded 3 actors simultaneously, each with their own mic to control levels, but there is plenty of bleed--aka all 3 voices can be heard faintly on the other tracks. This is okay as I wanted to emulate Old Time Radio recordings.

The actors played through all of scene 1, not even a flub...great! And I've been able to do a few ripple deletes to close up any unwanted pauses. 

But, and here's my dilemma, at a couple points I need to insert a sound FX. The 1st sound FX lasts for 3 seconds, but the pause between the actors' lines is only 2 seconds. No worries, I think, I just need to select a quiet section through all three tracks, copy and paste, and voila I will have a pause long enough to add the sound FX to track 4 and keep all the actors' VO on tracks 1-3 in sync.

Here's where I hit a wall. I can't figure out for the life of me how you do this. I can copy and paste in the individual tracks, but unless I do it perfectly, the three tracks fall out of sync.  I can edit using the time code, but oh how tedious. Hoping I can just copy/paste all 3 tracks at once.

Thanks for reading this whole story!!!! 

And I really hope there is an answer so I can get this story edited...the actors are excited to hear the episode!!!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me!!!!!!!!

Aimee

[SuiteSpot]

Not sure I fully understand but what I would do is 'group' the clips on the three tracks, unlock them, split the 3 clips at the point you want and drag them along the timeline roughly where you want them.

Then you could grab a section of 'the quiet section' and drag that highlighted section wile pressing the alt key to the area where you have created the additional space/time on the timeline.

You can then drag/extend/etc to suit

It sounds all very complex but actually quit simple and quick to do

[ryclark · Accepted solution]

An alternative way is to use Insert/Silence across all dialogue tracks to make an identical gap in all of them at once. To do this select all dialogue tracks by placing the play cursor where you want the gap on the first track. Then you can use Cntrl+left Click to add the other tracks to the selection. Then from the Edit menu select Insert/Silence and enter the length of the silence that you wish to insert. that will make the gap and move all the tracks after the split identically up the timeline. I would suggest that you place the 'quiet section' that you want to cover the gap onto another spare track so that you can manipulate/stretch/level adjust independently of the dialogue tracks.

P.S. It is always a good idea to record plenty of spare 'silence' (or 'room tone' as it is sometimes known) during your recording session to help mask a multitude of editing sins.

[aimeep010101]

Thank you!!! I am zipping along now. Much appreciated.

p.s. thanks for the reminder to get room tone...totally didn't do that...will for future recording sessions!!