Matching Sound To Video

[vidrookie999]

I just purchased Elements 2021 and I am trying to match my other recorded sound to a video.

I of course clapped on video twice so that i could match the recorded sound exactly.  But in my Elements editor it is very troublesome tring to drage the audio along to match the video.  If I move it in fine adjustments it is always slightly out either to the right or left of the marker when magnified to maxium for exactness.

How do I match sound and video exactly?

[Ann Bens]

Elements does not have dual system audio syncing.

This might help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2kLOnOnx9c

[vidrookie999]

Thank you Ann.

I am quite shocked.  It is 2021 and I just purchased a 'video editor' where I cannot match up external recorded sound to produce videos.  In fact I have to guess where the sound goes and then hope for the best or use another program and watch Youtube.

Who uses on camera recorded sound today?  Possibly somebody doing their first ever video.

Can I get a refund for this video editor which doesnt actually edit the video?  Well it 'almost does' I suppose.

[Steve Grisetti]

If you want a refund, you need to contact the vendor you bought the software from. That means contact Adobe Customer Care via chat if you bought directly from Adobe. This is a user to user forum and we can't be of much help there.

But if you're saying your unsatisfied witha  consumer video editor because it's designed primarily consumer video, I'm not sure what to tell you. Whether you're shooting on an AVCHD camcorder, GoPro, a phone or some other consumer video recorder, the audio is included as part of the video clip. If you're shooting Hollywood style, with the audio recorded by a separate device and you're syncing audio and video in post production, you really should consider a professional program for working with that type of workflow. These under $150 video editors are designed for us plain vanilla video types.

[vidrookie999]

Steve I have no idea what you do and would never lecture anybody.  But sound recorders are as common and as cheap as buttons today.  We all use them because it allows better microphones and also better facilities to reduce wind noise etc which ruins most 'on camera' recordings.  It is 2021 and a video editor which says that date in it's name I would have and probably most other people would think same, that it has 2021 features. 

Would you not agree Steve?

[Ann Bens]

Sound recorders are more common among advanced videographers.

Elements is a consumer program. Auto Audio syncing is a more advanced feature.

If you want more advanced editing, you will have to look for a different NLE.

[vidrookie999]

Yes Ann it certainly appears that way.  Just looking most others do have some feture.  That will teach me not to trust that all is upto date specifications.

[vidrookie999]

I actually had an upgrade from a 2015 version of elemts and there appears to be nothing new. 

[Bill Sprague]

...But sound recorders are as common and as cheap as buttons today.  We all use them because it allows better microphones and also better facilities to reduce wind noise etc which ruins most 'on camera' recordings.  ...

By @vidrookie999

Rookie,

I can't make Adobe put features into Premiere Elements that they put in Premiere Pro!   I do have what is, for me, a better solution. 

As an alternative, you might try one of the consumer targeted wireless mics.  Sony makes a tiny, very good and easy to use bluetooth version.  It includes a wind guard and a jack to use 'better' mics, if needed.  Rode offers the also tiny "Wireless Go".  There is a one mic system and a two mic system both operating on the 2.4 GHz band.  Wind muffs are included as well as options for lav mics. 

I've recorded audio with both the Sony and Rode systems feeding direct to a mirrorless camera and a Zoom H1n recorder.   The results from the wireless mics is equal to or better than the independent H1n recorder.    The wireless are certainly less work in post, regardless of what NLE used.  

Yes, both the Sony and Rode systems cost money.  But, compared to software costs and camera costs, wireless mics make such an improvement to video recording quality and workflow they are a bargain!

[vidrookie999]

Thank you Bill.  The option to align imported sound onto a video is in most other video editing software which is for sale for less than Adobe Premiere Elelments 2021.  It is my fault.  i just assumed the latest version would have a run of the mill standard feature such as this.

As regards your idea which is good but I am recording natuire sounds and really need proper wind suppression such as a dead wombat.

[vidrookie999]

I just looked back and asked the community  about synching imported sound/video before I purchased.

This was one reply......

I routinely edit 4K video from Panasonic and DJI cameras.   I can add .wav files and manually sync them.  There is not an automatic track syncing capability.  As already stated, the trial is free!

...........So I just thought all would be ok.......drag the sound file along until the peak matches the clap in the video as on other video editors.

Appears I cant even do that.............unless I watch Youtube videos and mess about with other software.

[Bill Sprague]

You are right that for nature sounds an audio recorder would be more convienent.    I don't get how ambient sounds like a river running would need to be synced to the primary track.   You are doing something special and creative!

The wireless mics I mentioned do have dead cats.  The Rode Wireless Go II is set up so that each of the two transmitters will work as minature field recorders.  You could easily record nature sounds with one.   You could put one of the small transmitters on the ambient sound and the other on the "talent" and feed the camera with the reciever.  

I wrote what you quoted.  And, it is correct.  You can manually slide/drag the audio track file to where the peak matches the clap.  The only limitation is that the tracks move by a minumum of a single frame.   If you shoot 60 frames per second, you can only get within 1/60th of exact.  Usually that's good enough!    If not, you use the Audacity method in the video Ann suggested.   

It is a guess, but it sounds like you might not be seeing the audio wave form where the peak and clap can be aligned.  Are you not able to move the audio track? 

[vidrookie999]

Actually Bill when you wrote that yesterday I just assumed it was same as others I have used like Camtasia when you just enlarge all for fine adjustment.  So I tried and in Elements it jumps one side or the other of the marker so is not a perfect match.  The auro synch I am not really bothered about as long as I can do it manually........which I cant.

I only found this out today after purchasing the upgrade to my 2015 Elements which I havent used for years because it is obsolete.  This 2021 junk is the same.

I had to do an upgrade otherwise pay more money for the same so I did not go down the 'trial' route.