I will never tire of talking about the importance of quality sound in a video product. Sounds, dialogues, additional noises, voiceover, etc. – all this complements and enriches the video. It is necessary to constantly remember that the editor should pay attention not only to video, stabilization, color, and direction but also to sound. Working in Adobe Premiere Pro, the editor can fully work with sound. The software offers many functions for editing audio material. Or edit sound in Adobe Audition. But before that, you need to get the sound for editing.
The correctly recorded sound is already half of the work done successfully. There are many ways to record sound. From professional recording studios to home tape recorders. Later, this sound is imported into a future project, where an editor in the software works with it.
Premiere Pro also allows you to record audio directly into your project. This is a useful function that can partially or completely replace third-party sound recordings. There will be no need to go anywhere and use voice recorders or recorders. Whether you’re creating a professional video project or simply editing personal footage, Adobe Premiere Pro provides a convenient alternative for recording sound.
When you need to record sound in Adobe Premiere Pro
There are various scenarios where recording audio directly within Adobe Premiere Pro becomes necessary. It is either a lack of time, or resources, the circumstances could be that way. And if someone thinks that all this is said in a negative way, then no, you are wrong!
Being able to record sound on location without external devices is pretty cool. Believe me, it saved more than one project! On the other hand, it is a great way for beginners or media creators. No need to understand all these voice recorders and other sound recording devices. Just plug in the microphone and you’re ready to record!
Here are examples of where recording audio in Premiere Pro might be the best way to go:
Voice-overs
Probably one of the best situations where you can use Premiere Pro to record audio. Especially if the person recording the voice is the editor! Convenient, fast, and most importantly, always at hand. There is no need to go anywhere, connect something additional.
Podcasts
If we are talking about simple podcasts that 1-2 people are engaged in, then you can record the sound immediately in the created project. This will make work easier, because there will be no need to connect microphones to sound consoles, learn to record multi-channel audio, etc. Just create a project in Premiere Pro, adjust all the parameters there, and enjoy the podcast! Interviews can also be included here, for the same reasons.
Foley
Let’s imagine that you are editing a video and realize that one sound is missing for completeness. You can’t find it in your sound library (I hope you have it). There is something on the Internet that does not suit you. And this is the case when you can write down exactly what you need yourself.
Preparation for recording
Despite all the simplified processes, there are still things that need to be prepared before sitting down to record sound. No recording is complete without a microphone and headphones.
Choose a microphone suitable for your specific needs. Options include USB, XLR or Lavalier microphones, or shotgun microphones. Depending on your microphone and audio interface setup, ensure you have the necessary cables and adapters to connect your microphone to your computer or audio interface. Also, use a pair of closed-back headphones to monitor the audio while recording. This helps identify any potential issues or unwanted background noise. So you can immediately listen to what you recorded or listen in real-time.
Now you’re prepared for recording audio in Adobe Premiere Pro!
Method 1: Record audio using the Audio Track Mixer
It provides control over individual audio tracks, allowing you to set input levels, adjust audio effects, and monitor audio signals. To open the Audio Track Mixer, navigate to the “Window” menu and select “Audio Track Mixer”.
Step 1: Setting up the Audio Track Mixer
In the Audio Track Mixer, choose the appropriate input device from the drop-down menu. Adjusting the input levels: Set the input levels using the sliders or knobs in the Audio Track Mixer. Aim for a balanced audio signal without peaking or distortion. Use the Audio Track Mixer’s metering tools to monitor the audio signal in real time.
It is also worth trying a test recording to make sure that everything is recorded well, the voice is not overloaded and there are no extraneous noises in the background.
Step 2: Starting the recording
To start recording, select the track on which the files to be recorded will be. To do this, press the “R” button on one of the tracks. After that, press the button “Record”, then “Play-Stop”. And start speaking into the microphone.
Step 3: Stopping the recording
To stop recording, click the “Play-Stop” again. That’s all! The newly recorded file will automatically appear on the timeline and in the Project window.
Method 2: Record a Voice-Over on an Audio Track from the timeline
Recording voice-overs directly on the timeline in Adobe Premiere Pro offers convenience and flexibility. It allows you to synchronize your voice-over precisely with the visual elements of your video. That is, you do not need to open a third-party window but immediately see the timeline.
Step 1: Setting up the microphone and audio input preferences
But before recording, you need to adjust some settings to make everything work properly. Access the Preferences menu in Adobe Premiere Pro and navigate to the “Audio Hardware” section. Here, you can select the appropriate microphone input and set other preferences, such as sample rate and bit depth.
Step 2: Adjusting audio levels and monitor the recording
Select the audio track that will be used for the voice-over. Ensure that the levels are peaking within the desired range without distortion.
Step 3: Starting the voice-over recording
To start recording, click on the icon of the microphone (voice-over record) on the track that was chosen for recording. The time will count down and you can start recording sound. Use the audio meters in the timeline to monitor and adjust the input levels.
Step 4: Stopping the voice-over recording
When finished, click the “Stop” button or use any key (I use “spacebar”)
Tips and techniques for professional-sounding voice-overs
– Maintain consistent microphone placement and distance throughout the recording for consistent audio quality
– Minimize background noise by recording in a quiet environment
– Consider using a pop filter to reduce plosive sounds
– Maintain consistent microphone placement and distance throughout the recording for consistent audio quality
Editing and fine-tuning the recorded voice-over
Once the voice-over recording is complete, you can further refine and polish it. Use the timeline tools to trim the beginning and end of the voice-over recording. Split the audio at specific points if needed for editing purposes. Enhance the voice-over by applying audio effects or filters. Premiere Pro offers a range of options, such as equalization, compression, and noise reduction, to improve the overall sound quality.
Record audio in Adobe Audition
Open Adobe Audition. Click on the red “Record” button or use the “shift+space” key combination. A pop-up window will appear with the creation of a new audio file. Name it, set the parameters, and get ready to record!
The recording will start immediately, so don’t be afraid. Take a deep breath, focus, and record the sound. When done, press the same red “Record” button, or use the same “shift+space” key combination.
Everything is ready! Don’t forget to edit your audio file afterward. To save the recorded file, press “command+S” (mac) or “control+S” (windows).