MacFormat UK – September 2019

Fix audio issues APPLE SKILLS

macformat.com @macformat SEPTEMBER 2019 | MACFORMAT | 43

HOW TO Perform split sound edits >

HOW TO Get better quality audio >

1

Avoid competing sounds

If you add a cutaway to the timeline,

the sound from the layer below may be

too competitive. Select the cutaway, then

click Volume. Tick ‘Lower volume of other

clips’ to have iMovie automatically dip the

sound directly below the cutaway layer.

2

Create a J cut

≈-click on a trimmed clip in the

timeline (one with more footage available

at its start) and choose Detach Audio. A

green bar for the clip’s audio will appear.

Drag the start of the bar left so that it

overlaps the end of the previous clip.

3

Make an L cut

Repeat for a clip that has unused

footage at its end. Extend its audio (or

shorten its video) from the right so the

sound runs into the next clip. This and

the previous step create J and L cuts,

and they’re used to smooth transitions.

1

Background noise

To reduce background sounds, click

the Noise Reduction and Equaliser button

(above viewer). Tick ‘Reduce background

noise’, then use the slider to fine-tune the

balance between hearing your subject

and losing distracting sounds.

2

Adjust sound quality

The Noise Reduction and Equaliser

button also reveals a graphic equaliser.

Experiment with the Equaliser pop-up

menu’s presets to enhance voices, give

sharp sounds more bass, and even

reduce background hum.

3

Add a voiceover

By connecting an external mic to

your Mac, you can produce pro-quality

sound. Cheap acoustic tiles stuck to card

absorb room echo for a cleaner sound.

Choose Window > Record Voiceover and

speak after the countdown.

Sound advice

When filming a subject at a distance from your camcorder, you won’t be able to

hear them clearly due to the gap between the subject and the camera’s built-in

mic. Place the mic on your iPhone’s headphones near the person’s mouth and

record a video in the Camera app while they speak. Import the iPhone-sourced

clip into iMovie, detach the clip’s audio and replace the distant camcorder’s

inferior sound with the close-proximity sound captured on the iPhone. Now you

can hear your subject’s voice regardless of their distance from the video camera.

Create a radio mic