Using Time Shift audio plug for Avid Xpress
In case you missed it, Avid now includes a time-shift audio plugin that is included with the Avid software. You must have at least 5.7.X in order to use this new feature.
In some ways, it is the same as the old time compression expansion filter, but I find it much easier to use since it doesn't deal with ratios. The time-shift filter is good for adjusting the speed of audio without adjusting it's pitch. For example, let's say you are editing a 30 second commercial, but your edited spot is a little too long. You could use the time-shift filter to make a 32 second spot into 30 seconds!
Here's a quick tutorial on how to use this audio filter.
Start by editing a clip to an empty sequence. You'll need a clip that has audio attached to it. Preferably, use a clip that has some dialog.
Here's the tricky part. Anytime you perform a motion effect within the Avid Xpress or Media Composer software, the motion effect does not slow down the audio. You must adjust the speed for the audio and video separately.
If you are using Avid Xpress, you'll need to re-edit a slow motion clip over top of your original video clip in order to maintain the original audio. This means you'll need to go back to your source window with the original clip and click on the Motion Effect button to launch the Motion Effect dialog box. In this example, I'm changing the speed to 80%. Then you'll need to edit the (slow motion video) over top of the original clip within your sequence.
The last step is you need to render the audio effect (plug) that is placed within the A1 track. That's it, the audio track should now match the video track and everything should be in sync without a pitch change.
Here's the tricky part. Anytime you perform a motion effect within the Avid Xpress or Media Composer software, the motion effect does not slow down the audio. You must adjust the speed for the audio and video separately.
If you are using Avid Xpress, you'll need to re-edit a slow motion clip over top of your original video clip in order to maintain the original audio. This means you'll need to go back to your source window with the original clip and click on the Motion Effect button to launch the Motion Effect dialog box. In this example, I'm changing the speed to 80%. Then you'll need to edit the (slow motion video) over top of the original clip within your sequence.
If you have a recent version of Media Composer you can use the time warp effect located within the Avid effect palette to slow down the video portion of your sequence. Unfortunately, Avid Xpress doesn't allow you to adjust time_warp effects.
Either way, you'll end up with an audio track that is no longer in sync with your video track. The trick is to launch the AudioSuite filters from the Tools menu. Select time shift from the pull down menu. Simply adjust the shift knob to match the slow motion value that you used within the motion effect dialog box. In this example, 80%.
Next, trim the amount of audio needed to it's matches the video clip within your sequence.
The last step is you need to render the audio effect (plug) that is placed within the A1 track. That's it, the audio track should now match the video track and everything should be in sync without a pitch change.
