Adding audio effects

Sound effects and sound tracks

Music can contribute immeasurably to the overall success of a project. Occasionally it is even preferable to begin the editing process with a piece of music and edit the video to match the beat. In this guide we use Premiere Elements, which has some specific tools to deal with this scenario.

There will also be times when a specific sound effect needs adding to a project, sometimes for comical effect (e.g. a cartoon noise when someone falls over) or because an important noise wasn’t picked up in the original recording. Such effects are rarely to hand but thankfully a number of free repositories exist online to obtain relevant sounds. Two examples being:

• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Sound
• http://freesound.iua.upf.edu/index.php.

The final audio element covered by this tutorial is narration. Again, Premiere Elements has specific tools for this purpose, allowing narration tracks to be recorded directly into the program and then inserted into the project.

1Detecting musical beats

To use a music track as the basis of a project, drag a music file from the Organiser onto the music track (identified by a musical note at the side) of the Sceneline. Now right-click the music file on the Sceneline and choose ‘Beat Detect…’ from the menu. Click OK on the next screen and the music file will be analysed. Sadly, the beats aren’t displayed in the Sceneline view so it is necessary to switch to the more complex Timeline view. Click the Timeline button above the Sceneline.

2Viewing the project in timeline view

Unlike Sceneline view, each clips size in the Timeline view is representative of its length, time-wise. The music track should be viewable (a purple bar) at the bottom of the Timeline. A ‘waveform’ runs along the purple bar. This is a graphical representation of the music. The troughs represent quieter moments and the peaks louder ones. At the top of the Timeline are white markers indicating the beats that have been detected. These are the markers the video should be edited against.

3Adding video in timeline view

Drag video clips from the Organiser onto the Timeline and then position the cursor over either end of the clip and drag to trim, lining up the clip with a relevant beat marker (the white triangles above). Repeat this process as necessary to fill the duration of the music. To help, increase the track height by placing the cursor in the track header area between two tracks and then drag the track size to suit.

4Adding sound effects

Once sound effects are saved in the MEDIA\Sfx folder, import the relevant sound effect into the project by choosing ‘Get Media’ from the Organiser and then choosing ‘Files and Folders’. Now browse to the sound effects folder. Once imported, add sound effects to the Sceneline/Timeline like any other clip. However positioning of effects for maximum effect requires split second timing. In Timeline view, use the Timeline ruler to zoom into the Timeline and drag the effect to the perfect position.

5Altering track and clip volume

In either Sceneline or Timeline view it is possible to alter the volume of a track directly. Click the track icon at the left of the track and use the slider that appears to alter the entire track volume. To alter the volume of an individual clip, Right-Click its tile and choose ‘Show Properties’ from the menu. Now click the disclosure triangle next to ‘Volume’ and adjust the clip volume using the slider.

6Adding narration

To add narration directly within Premiere Elements a working microphone must be connected. If using the Sceneline, drag the grey playhead within the Mini-Timeline to the point narration should begin. If using the Timeline view, drag the playhead along the Timeline to relevant point. Now click the Add Narration button (identified by a microphone icon). The ‘Record Voice Narration’ window opens.

7Recording narration

A monitor level at the left of the Record Voice Narration window indicates whether or not audio is being received. Click record and the clip will play in the Monitor Panel whilst you record the narration. Press stop when finished. An audio icon will now show in the Organiser window representing the narration recording just made and a tile titled ‘Narration.wav’ will show in the Sceneline or Timeline’s ‘Narration track’ indicating the recordings position.

8Using the audio mixer

If some portions of the audio are too loud (music for example) and other sections are too quiet (e.g. narration) the problem can be fixed by using the Audio Mixer tool. Click the ‘Mix Audio’ button above the Sceneline/Timeline. Press SPACE to playback your project and each tracks audio level will display in the Audio Mixer. Now drag the slider up and down to adjust. This process can be repeated until the perfect levels are achieved.