Audio Levels - Premiere Pro

Gain vs Volume

There are multiple ways to adjust audio levels in Premiere Pro. Premiere uses the term gain to refer to level in the original file. Volume refers to the level adjustments to a clip or track in a sequence.

Audio Gain

1. In the Project panel or Timeline select a clip and go to Clip > Audio Options > Audio Gain....
2. The Audio Gain dialogue will open. It Displays the clips Peak Amplitude at the bottom of the window and has four options.
   • Set Gain to: The gain can be set to a specific value. The value is always updated to the current gain.
   • Adjust Gain by: The gain can be adjusted by + or - a specific decibel value.
   • Normalize Max Peak to: This raises the max peak of the clip to the value set. For example if the peak is -3dB and it is normalized to -1dB the gain would be adjusted by -2 dB. If multiple clips are selected the clip with the max peak will be adjusted to the set value and all the other clips will be adjusted by the same amount preserving their relative gain differences.
   • Normalize All Peaks to: When used with multiple clips, all of the clips will be normalized to the set value.
3. Select the desired gain changed and set the value.
4. Click OK

Adjusting Audio Levels

The levels of audio clips can be adjusted in the Timeline.

• Clip Keyframes adjust the level of a clip. The keyframes move with the clip if the clip is moved.
  • This what you'll normally use.
• Track Keyframes adjust keyframes on the track. If a clip is moved the keyframe stay at their place in the track. They do not move with the clip.

Creating Keyframes

1. Click the Wrench icon in the top left of the Timelines panel and select Show Audio Keyframes.
2. Click the Wrench icon in the top left of the Timelines panel and select Expand All tracks.
3. Right-click on the clip and select Show Clip Keyframes > Volume> Level.
4. Select the Pen Tool in the tool bar (press the P key on the keyboard.)
5. Click on the white line on top off the waveform to create a Keyframe.
6. Click and drag to create a Keyframe and change the levels.

Adjusting Keyframes

1. To adjust Keyframes select the Selection Tool (press the V key on the keyboard.)
2. Click on the Keyframes to adjust the levels ( up or down) or the place in time (left or right).