How to separate left and right audio channels?

Question

Level 1

8 points

How to separate left and right audio channels?

I've imported some AVCHD footage that had audio recorded separately to each channel, left and right. When I put a clip in my timeline, I can separate the audio tracks, but I can't edit them individually. When I bring down the level to 0db on one track and play the clip, the audio meter still shows equal levels on both left and right channels. Any advice?

Second question - I transcoded some AVCHD footage to MP4 and can't figure out if the audio tracks remain separte after the transcoding. I used Free MTS M2TS Converter to do the transcoding. While I can choose 'dual mono" for an AVCHD clip, I do not have that same option for the MP4 clip. It offers me "6 mono" but not dual mono. Any advice?

My concern is that when I provide my clients with raw MP4 footage with right and left audio recorded separately, that they'll be able to edit each track individually.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2008), OS X Mavericks (10.9.2), 500 GB 7200RPM, 8GB RAM

Posted on Apr 14, 2014 6:17 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Apr 14, 2014 6:36 AM in response to jamesryan

In channel configuration change from Stereo to dual mono.

Switch channel configuration to six mono and see what's on the channels. Some might be empty. Many AVCHD cameras shoot 5.1 surround. There may be content on all six channels.

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Answer 2

jamesryan Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2014 6:45 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks Tom. I recorded 2-channel audio, not 5.1 surround. Six mono was only an option on the MP4 clip. I did change the channel configuration from stereo to dual mono on the AVCHD clip, but I still wasn't able to edit the audio independently. Even when I mute one track, the audio meter still shows equal left and right levels.

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Answer 3

jamesryan Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2014 7:40 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Yep, they have separate sound. I've tried monitoring it in both the browser and timeline. The clip shows different levels for each channel when set to stereo, but equal levels when set to dual mono.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Apr 14, 2014 7:04 AM in response to jamesryan

Play each channel separately in channel configuration. Do they have separate sound? Are you monitoring the clip audio in the browser or the timeline?

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Apr 14, 2014 7:05 AM in response to jamesryan

You may have recorded in stereo but it sounds as if the conversion software automatically makes six channels when converting from AVCHD.

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Apr 14, 2014 7:50 AM in response to jamesryan

In the project use the expand audio components function. You should be able to adjust the channel levels independently. The project output is stereo, a combination of all channels.

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Answer 7

jamesryan Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 14, 2014 7:55 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I did that, but when I bring down the level on either channel, the audio meter still shows equal levesl for both left and right channels when I play the clip in the timeline.

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,815 points

Apr 14, 2014 8:06 AM in response to jamesryan

That's right. As I said the project output is stereo; it's not separate dual mono channels. I don't know how to get separate channels out of FCP. You can get separate tracks on export using roles.

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