Ducking Compression...

So yesterday and today I have been editing the voiceover for the Capoeira DVD. The lovely Mestre Maxwel master of the Ile De Capoeira group came to mine and we watched the movies together discussing ideas for the script and what he felt he would like to hear on the videos.

So far in the editing, I have been using a lot of volume automation not just to clean the voiceover audio but to balance between the voiceover and the background audio of the video itself. My plan is to blend these together and then to add to the video tracks in DVD studio pro when I compile the DVD.

I was wondering if there might be other methods of blending these two audio tracks together, so that the voiceover was louder than the background music/noise when it came in. Aha then I remembered ducking compression.... Would that work or would it fluctuate too much between the voice and then the music making the jump to one another to harsh??

Tutorial how to use ducking compression in Cubase 4:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNLBCPCgs-w

Capoeira DVD preparations on its way!

So after much frustration with file compatability I now have a trial version of Adobe master collection CS5 to create the footage for the DVD. For the past few days I have been editing the camera footage myself and Eleanor Thorne took of the local Ile de Capoeira group in Swansea University last November.

Below is a link to view the work so far on my youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MvLKzr3cOE

This is still in the process of being edited at the moment. I aim to add a voiceover to the footage this Saturday with local and experienced voice over artist Benesek, who also happens to be a member of Ild de Capoeira and a good friend!

Hopefully next week I will have finished footage to create the DVD...

DVD authoring and the .mts saga!

Well, easter weekend was rather frustrating but at least productive. My PC has now been upgraded to a 64bit OS and can finally run Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects CS5. Unfortunately though the 30day trial version from Adobe of the Creative Suite Master Collection has restrictions and one restriction is no Adobe Encore!!

For those of you who don't know, Encore is a DVD authoring software which I was going to use to compile all the footage of the Capoeira group, audio and video; into one DVD. Now that I do not have access to Encore, I have been exploring other options in case I am unable to get into uni and use the DVD studio Pro software they have installed on their systems.

The wonderful Natalie (who through all of this has had to put up with me worrying about whether I would get the DVD done), suggested looking for cheaper alternatives. So I did, and I came across this very useful review page with links to descriptions. Thank goodness!

http://dvd-authoring-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

However, despite the trial version having no Encore, the primary reason I needed to install it now was to gain access to Premiere Pro CS5. I have had an ongoing problem with the .mts file format I had filmed the Capoeira group in. I could not retain the HD quality when I converted it to a supported file format to use with an earlier version of Premiere, CS3 or Final Cut Pro on the Mac. With extensive reading of specifications and forums I discovered that there should not be a problem at all using CS5 to edit the raw .mts file. I needed to install the program asap to see if this was true and thankfully it is! Phew. I have now started to edit the footage and will be able to use this to create a DVD which will include the surround sound tracks, hopefully, fingers crossed, 6 weeks to go till hand in date!

Working on a website for Live Matters

http://www.wix.com/sera_music/livematters

Research on .mts file formats

Info I found on forum, will this work?

"You've got what you need on hand in Vegas. Best bet upfront (and least expensive) is to just convert the files to uncompressed .avi files. So just like when you take a Nav' test, here's the KISS Program for doing what you need in Vegas:

File > New Project
Under the 'Video' tab choose the following settings;
Template - HD 1080-60i (1920x1080, 29.970 fps)
Full-resolution rendering quality - Best
All other settings in the video tab should be left at the default settings. Don't forget to specify where you want your 'Prerendered Files Folder' to go. If you have a separate harddrive to store your video (which you should) you'll need to input that info in or it will go to your C: drive and end up causing you some major grief by slowing down your system.
Under the Audio Tab choose:
Master bus mode - Stereo
Sample Rate - 48,000
Resample and stretch quality - Best
All other default settings are fine and again in the 'Recorded Files folder' portion you'll have to input where you want the recorded audio files to go. As previous you want these files to go to your separate drive too.
Since you have the clips on DVD, load them up and then go to File > Import > Media and load them all into the Media Bin. Once you get them there, then drag them one at a time into the timeline and then drag the yellow slider just over the timeline ruler so that it covers the clip from one end to the other. Next go to File > Render As.
In this window you'll have to make a folder for your rendered clips to be stored. Again you want this to be on a separate drive. Once you've made the folder name the file and put the following number after the name; 001. Number all your clips in sequence like that as it will save you time and headaches trying to find your clips. Next do the following;
Save as type - Video for Windows (.avi)
Template - HD 1080-60i YUV (Next to this will be a button that says 'Custom'. Select it)
Custom Settings > Video format - Uncompressed
Hit 'okay'.
Back in the Render As window your new settings will be visible and just below them check;
Render loop region only (that's the blue area you chose with the slider)
Stretch video to fill output frame size (do not letterbox)
Uncheck everything else.
Hit 'Save'.
Do the same with each clip. Since Vegas doesn't have 'batch rendering' you're going to have to repeat that for each clip. Rendering from .mts to uncompressed .avi will take some time with a slower system. However, once done you'll be able to handle your clips easily. This you can do now. Save your cash for the new system. Hooyah!"

http://www.videomaker.com/community/forums/topic/how-to-edit-mts-files

Project Update

Ok so its now 6 weeks before I have to hand in my report and a week later present my work... Arrrggh!! I am currently having major issues with the capoeira DVD and the main reason being file compatibility. The footage I took with the uni equipment filmed and saved footage in .mts file extension which seems to be incompatible with the uni software final cut pro and DVD studio pro! When I convert the video file format at home using free video converter to an avi file format, which should be supported by Adobe Premiere Pro; I get this error message:

I have been able to watch and make a video using premiere pro but for some reason it is very jumpy and not smooth at all. I have been told this could be a graphics card issue or codec problem but need to investigate more!

Anyway as you can imagine I am in rather a panic, will I be able to produce any work for it at all!! I have finished mixing the surround sound Capoeira music which was to accompany the DVD but for some reason cannot import AC3 files into CS3 version of Premiere.... Panic stations!

As far as the live WIT album of 2011 that is coming along nicely, I am nearly completely happy with the mixes and plan to finish today. So far I have mixed 2 tracks from 4 of the 5 artists. Once I am finished  I will then leave a break before I master them for the final album to be press and printed. In the research I have read it is important to leave a gap between mixing and mastering:

"It's common practice and highly advisable to separate the mixing and mastering stages, since they are quite different”

– MusicTechFocus – Volume 3 - Mastering – Mastering on a Budget

I have already created a medley of the artists which will appear on the album using one song from each and can be listened to on the homepage for WIT's website:

http://www.womenintune.co.uk/

Watch this space for more news and updates!