Audio in Multicam Sequence - Lower dB in the audio master track

[Vintage TV]

Hi guys,
I am editing a multicam sequence. I cannot figure out why in the sequence that I am editing the audio master track is almost -6dB lower than the actual audio track contained in the synced sequence. If I open up the synced sequence the audio plays at its right gain. Nevertheless, when played in the nested sequence where I do the edit, the audio is way lower. Why is this happening? How can I fix this?
Thank you very much.

[Trevor_Asq · Accepted solution]

Audio in PP multicam sequences can get a bit messy.

Basically it will put mono tracks into 'standard' tracks in the Multicam sequence.

A mono track placed within a standard track follows a -3dB pan law (i.e. if it is panned to one output it will be at unity, centre panned it will dip 3dB)

Various ways of sorting but I've found it easiest to use multicam for video only - flatten the audio back to master clip source. But then I don't have to 'switch' audio usually - only video.

[excited_Genie16B8]

I've never noticed any different between Source Sequence audio levels and Target Sequence levels.  My best guess is that you've got track or clip volume adjustments in play somewhere.

[Trevor_Asq]

Jim_Simon  wrote

I've never noticed any different between Source Sequence audio levels and Target Sequence levels.  My best guess is that you've got track or clip volume adjustments in play somewhere.

Create a sequence with 1 mono and 1 standard track

Take a reference mono tone and edit onto both timeline tracks

View audio track mixer - mono track will be at reference, standard track will be -3 dB from reference

Thus when a mono source is used for multicam then edited into a 'standard' audio track in a sequence then -6dB is easily achieved.

[Trevor_Asq]

Even when using 'mono' audio tracks in the multicam timeline; the sequence is 'stereo' and thus the output is -3dB. Compounded by another -3dB when nested in a standard track in another sequence.

[excited_Genie16B8]

Thus when a mono source is used for multicam

That is likely the difference.  I never have any mono sources.

You might try the Fill effects, or Modifying the audio to make it 'stereo'.

[Trevor_Asq]

Or maybe log a feature request that this be changeable?

Other apps it’s switchable 0, -3, -6dB

PP its not consistent to my mind. Mono clip centre panned in mono or adaptive track in sequence should match same clip in standard track in same sequence. Currently only standard track has -3dB pan law applied (and I don’t think it changes if you pan left/right)

Why does it exist - http://www.audiomasterclass.com/newsletter/finally-pro-tools-gets-new-pan-laws

[Trevor_Asq]

Further to that - some observations on this inconsistency

Mono -18dB in mono track panned left = -18dB, panned centre = -18dB

Mono -18dB in standard track panned left = -21dB, panned centre = -21dB

Mono -18dB modified to be stereo (with left channel only)  in standard track panned left = -18dB, panned centre = -18dB (panning right will reduce to silence)

So PPro automatically reduces level of mono designated track by -3dB in a standard track but does not apply any pan rules when centering mono tracks

Stereo -18dB in standard track = -18dB stereo

Stereo -18dB in mono track = -18dB dual mono

Stereo -18dB modified to be dual mono in 2x mono tracks centered = -12dB dual mono

Stereo -18dB modified to be dual mono in 2x standard tracks centered = -15dB dual mono

Really I think PPro should pass through the mono tracks at unity when in standard tracks - would be more intuitive & one knows, when mixing, that multiple mono sources will sum and need attenuating.

[excited_Genie16B8]

FAQ: -3 dB attenuation of Audio in Premiere Pro