Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 896)

4 In the Audio Mixer, enter a new value in the audio level field below the fader you want
to modify, then press Return.
Valid values range from +12 dB to –167 dB. Numbers smaller than –167 dB are
automatically changed to –
∞ dB, or total silence.
5 Press Return.
The fader moves to reflect the new value.
Adjusting the Master Level of Your Sequence
The Master fader raises or lowers the combined output level of all the tracks in your
sequence at the same time. However, you should wait to use the Master fader until you
have set individual track levels. Once the Master audio meters show acceptable levels
throughout your mix, you can use the Master fader to increase or decrease the overall
level while retaining the same relative mix. This can be helpful in the following cases:
• Your audio mix has a good level for output to a particular video deck but is too strong
for another deck. In this case, you can easily bring down the overall level with the
Master fader.
• If you are using a lot of audio tracks, the overall mix may be too loud even when the
individual track levels are fairly low. If the individual track fader levels are all low, mixing
can be inconvenient. To keep the individual track fader levels higher without making
the overall mix too hot, you can bring down the Master fader level by several dB.
Important: You should not use the Master fader to adjust the volume setting of your
external monitoring speakers. Use the Master fader to make sure your meters show an
acceptable level. Use the volume controls on your external monitors to adjust the loudness
of your audio while you mix.
The Master fader cannot be automated.
Making Stereo Pan Adjustments with the Audio Mixer
You can control the stereo pan of clip items within audio tracks by using the panning
sliders in the Audio Mixer. Like adjustments made using audio faders, adjustments made
using a track’s panning slider affect only the clip that appears at the position of the
playhead, and these adjustments can be automated. For more information on creating
pan automation, see
“About Mixer Automation and Keyframe Recording.”
For more information about working with stereo audio in Final Cut Pro, see “Stereo Audio.”
Pan Controls for Stereo and Dual Mono Audio
The way clip items are linked together and the kind of output bus assigned to a track
affects how pan controls behave in the Audio Mixer.
896 Chapter 56 Using the Audio Mixer