Proxy Issue?

Report · Feb 10, 2023

I recently edited a project that's an hour long. After I edited the project, I created medium resolution proxies, to continue editing. I attached all the proxies to the original clips. When I try to pull in the original clips, without the proxy toggle on, the A1 track automatically locks in the bottom of the sequence, creating a track with a little 2. I believe this is a stereo track...but it is unwanted. I also can't move the audio up or down in the sequence (see attachments). When I delete the proxies, in hope everything will go back to normal...nothing changes. The problem still exists. Footage was shot on an FS7, I'm running the current and updated Premiere Pro on a MacBook with system Ventura 13.2. I'm currently going insane. Any help would be much appreciated!

Report · Feb 11, 2023

Hi VideoVideo,

It's difficult to say without more information, but from looking at the video it appears as if you are trying to edit a clip with stereo audio into a sequence with mono tracks.

What are your settings for the sequence? How did you set up your audio tracks for the sequence?

If you look at the media files in the Premiere Pro Project Panel browser window - do the proxy media files and the original camera files have the same audio characteristics (ie. number of audio channels?)

If you look at the media files in the Finder or Explorer - do the proxy media files and the original camera files have the same audio characteristics (ie. number of audio channels?)

R.

Report · Feb 13, 2023

Thanks for the help! This is really driving me nuts! It does appear that
I’m trying to bring in a clip with stereo audio to a sequence with mono
tracks! But that’s not what I’m “trying” to do! Ha! I’m editing in a
1920x1080 sequence. Majority of the footage was shot in 4K on an FS7.
Usually I’m able to pull the clips in directly at 4K. It’ll bring in 8
tracks of audio, putting them all in order (1 through 8). Since a lot of
what was shot was done with just a directional boom, the empty tracks are
deleted. This has always worked, allowing me to move the one boom mic track
up and down and all over, wherever I need it. Since it was 4K footage
dumbed down to 1920x1080, sometimes it would play “choppy” especially in
longer edits. Thus, I created proxies…and way after the edit was almost
locked. Now trying to bring in the footage that now has proxies attached to
it, it creates the issue we’re talking about. It’s almost as if the proxies
created took all 8 tracks of audio and baked them into one stereo
track…which I don’t want! When I delete the proxies and try to drag in the
original footage, it will still resort to the problem we’re discussing. Is
this making sense so far?! Whaaaaaaaa!!!

Report · Feb 13, 2023

You may be able to solve this with the Modify > Audio Channels function.

In the project panel, right click on a clip and Modify > Audio Channels. In the dialog that comes up you can set "Clip Channel Format" to Mono and "Number of Audio Clips" to 8 (if that is, indeed how many were in the original.)

Try that with one clip and see how it works.

HOWEVER - BIG CAVEAT

Adobe actually advises against what I've just told you to do. The Adobe Premiere Pro "Workflow Guide for Long Form and Episodic Post Production” (dated 2022) states on page 55:

"If your workflow relies on modifying the source clips using any of the following commands [including Modify Audio Channels], do not use proxies in Premiere Pro. Doing so will result in unexpected behavior."

I have written about this problem here. There has been no response from Adobe, and there is no further information on the implications of doing what I just suggested.

R.

Report · Feb 13, 2023

Hey! Thanks for the "Clip Channel Format" to Mono trick! It worked! BUT!!!!
Why did the proxies create this problem? If I don't have the proxies, when
I watch back the edit, if there's more than one audio track (someone
speaking, with music under it) either the music or speaking drops out. It
doesn't play fluidly. Ugh.