Can't monitor sound with audio meter in AE

Can't monitor sound with audio meter in AE

by Gus Tozzer

on Jun 8, 2012 at 4:29:36 am

Hello guys

I'm a new user of AE, somebody could help me on this? Here's the deal: I imported a .mov video file in with sound from FCPX in CS5. When I use the raw preview I can watch the video with the sound but without any monitoring since I can't see the audio meter ( it opens only the video without the panels when I choose to hear like this). When hiting the period key, I can't listen the sound but zoom the video ( my keypad doesn't have a numeric pad). Ok, when I press command and move the timeline cursor I can hear and see the audio meter but it's hard to monitoring like this. Now, when I press the command key clicking and holding on the timeline cursor the sound plays naturally with audio meter at last but only for afraction of time. My doubts are:

In this last option, can I change this time duration by any way at preferences?

Why the hell AE doesn't play the sound as any other software?? Is it for RAM saving?

The same thing happens on CS6?

Why by default in AE, the audio output is turned off? Is there a way to make it on by default?

If somebody can help me , I would be so glad.

Re: Can't monitor sound with audio meter in AE

by Walter Soyka

on Jun 8, 2012 at 1:49:23 pm

[Gus Tozzer] "When hiting the period key, I can't listen the sound but zoom the video ( my keypad doesn't have a numeric pad). "

You can do it through the menu system, too. Composition > Preview > Audio Preview (here forward).

[Gus Tozzer] "Why the hell AE doesn't play the sound as any other software?? Is it for RAM saving?"

AE isn't an NLE, so it's not built for realtime playback. (Other compositing systems work similarly.) To hear sound and view the visuals in real time, you must use RAM preview [link].

[Gus Tozzer] "Why by default in AE, the audio output is turned off?"

History, I guess.

[Gus Tozzer] "Is there a way to make it on by default?"

Yes. Modify the default output module [link].

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog - What I'm thinking when my workstation's thinking
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Re: Can't monitor sound with audio meter in AE

by Gus Tozzer

on Jun 8, 2012 at 11:15:22 pm

Awesome explanation, clear and concise it solved all my doubts. Thanks

Re: Can't monitor sound with audio meter in AE

by Lance Clayton

on Oct 13, 2013 at 11:04:07 pm

My audio meters don't update to display audio levels in realtime when I RAM preview in CS6. Is there a preference for this somewhere.

I audibly hear the playback but the meters show nothing.

Re: Can't monitor sound with audio meter in AE

by Lance Clayton

on Oct 13, 2013 at 11:06:24 pm

Ahhh....have to use period key (.) to RAM preview NOT numeric zero key (0)