Audio Editing and Mixing
Levels, routing, and track types
Audio questions test signal flow. Clip gain changes the source level before effects and fades; track volume changes the channel after clip gain and effects; the Master track controls final output. Standard tracks carry clips, submix tracks bus multiple tracks, and the Master track is the final bus. Mono sources on a stereo track may play on one side unless panned or mapped; use the Audio Clip Mixer or Channel Volume to center them. Sample rate mismatches cause resampling, and bit depth affects headroom, not perceived loudness.
Dynamics and loudness
Know the difference between peak normalization and loudness normalization. Peak normalization raises the highest sample to a target, which can make quiet dialogue too loud relative to effects; loudness normalization targets integrated LUFS and is better for delivery specs. Essential Sound provides Dialogue, Music, SFX, and Ambience categories with repair, clarity, and loudness controls. Compressors reduce dynamic range above a threshold; limiters prevent peaks from exceeding a ceiling. Apply EQ and repair before compression, and leave headroom on the Master.
Worked example: For web dialogue at roughly -14 LUFS integrated, set clip gain so dialogue peaks around -6 dBFS, apply a gentle compressor, then use a limiter at -1 dBTP and check the Master meter. Rule of thumb: fix level first, then tone, then dynamics; never use the Master fader to compensate for badly set clip gain.