Sound is 3dB louder when exported

[CineastCGN]

For my work I need to export my sequences as mxf files.

When I export my sequences and then import the finished clip into Premiere to check it, the finished clip is always ca. 3dB louder than it's original sequence.

How can I fix this this so my sequence and the finished clips have the same dB?

[Trevor_Asq]

MXF OP1a?

I suspect they do match but this is maybe to do with how you are monitoring the resulting file levels in PP. 3dB is the pan law PP uses (when it uses one, its a little inconsistent). I suspect you may be summing 2 mono tracks rather than monitoring discrete.

More details of your workflow would help (source audio mono/stereo? & assignments, sequence audio tracks Mono/standard?, track mixer setup, export audio settings, then how you are checking levels back in PP. Screen grabs helpful. Pp version helpful.

[Trevor_Asq]

Yes, just did a little test. -18dB tone feeding left & right of sequence - exported as DNXHD 25P SQ MXF OP1a

Reimported (it flagged as 2 x mono tracks) - plays fine at -18dB in source monitor on both channels.

Dragged onto 'create new sequence' - defaults to DNX SQ timeline with 4 *standard* audio tracks - thus:

a. both mono tracks are attenuated (reduced) by 3dB

b. The standard tracks are centre panned (as they are really 'stereo' tracks)

c. The two channels summed to centre should be +9dB but the attenuation reduces that to +3dB

So your levels are not unity and your tracks are now summed (which you may not want)

Your answers are to either:

a. modify the track mixer so it pans left & right and increase gain on both tracks by +3dB

b. modify the clip to be 'stereo' before editing into the sequence (thus track 1 will be left, track 2 will be right and there will be no attenuation)

c. create a sequence with mono tracks, panned alternate left and right in the track mixer, before cutting in your exported clip.

Audio in PP is powerful but a little bit farked in places & tricky in others. I've often taken over edits where the music & fx are mono because the previous editor didn't understand this.

[CineastCGN]

It took me a while to understand your message because of deficits in my knowledge of the editing craft and my english skills but I am getting there. What you are saying sounds great and it will me a lot. I will try those steps and let you guys know if I have solved my problem.

Again: many thanks to all of you!

[chrisbrearley]

We are seeing this in Prem 2019 outputting a stereo track to a DNxHD MOV as a stereo channel. Audio is 3db quieter. This is a massive issue. How do we get around it?

[NateW99]

Hi, having the same issue! Did you get a solve for this? Thx!

[excited_Genie16B8 · Accepted solution]

See if this offers any insight.

FAQ: -3 dB attenuation of Audio in Premiere Pro

[CineastCGN]

Thanks to all of you - I am not yet there but you help me a lot and I am sure that I'll soon understand the issue and be able to fix it.

Yes, I export my projects into a MXF OP1a. When it is finished, I have 8 audio tracks in my MXF with just two of them having sound. Having just two of them with sound is ok for me and no issue at the moment.

I attach a screenshot of my sequence audio settings. As you can see, the PP of A1 - A8 are all central and neither right nor left.

I already tried it now by adjusting A1 to be -100 (L) and A2 being 100 (R). The result was exactly what I was hoping for: about 3dB lower in volume.

What I don't get at the moment: should I adjust the PP in my original sequence where I have several audio on my timeline audio tracks 1-8? Or should I adjust the PP in my "control project" with the Master Level being 0,0dB, where I import the MXF to check if the audio level is what I want it to be?

[Dario27773457x8wy]

Hi. Were you able to fix this? I'm having the excat same issue.

Thanks.