OT: avoiding audio compression in DVD project in Final Cut Pro

[JR1]

Hello all

I have tried a number of online sources, without success, in search of an answer to this problem. Given that the audio side of the project has been recorded and mixed in SawStudio, I hope some of the good folks here may be willing to contribute their thoughts.

The situation is that when I ask Final Cut Pro to create a DVD from an edited audio/video file, I find that the higher- or mid-level audio has been severely compressed - typically by 12 dB or more - compared with the original levels. Combine this with the inevitably audible 'pumping' as the system engages or releases, and you can imagine why the result is unacceptable.

At one point I wondered if these audio effects were present only in cases where the file had to be compressed in order to fit on the DVD - but I've tried rendering just a 1 Gb section of the file to a disc, and the audio is still mangled, so the processing seems to be applied by default. And the currently unsolvable problem is how to remove or defeat the effects.

This is the first video project I've been involved in, so I have no relevant experience to draw on. None of the obvious online sources I've tried even seems to acknowledge that there's an issue. Is there something obvious I'm missing (a 'don't mess with the audio' button, for example!) or are there at least some suggested approaches I could take, in search of an answer?

Perplexed, but hopeful,

John

[Microstudio]

What format is the audio in that you imported into FCP?

[JR1]

It's a 44.1, 16 bit stereo wav file. No compression, but with levels set so that peaks reach to 1dB below maximum.

Just in case it's relevant, I should add that when we check the levels of the imported audio in FCP itself, they are exactly the same as in the original edited file. It's only when we ask FCP to create a DVD from the audio/video we've inputted, and then measure the audio levels on the actual disc, that the very obvious problems with the sound are observed.

John

[Dave Labrecque]

It's a 44.1, 16 bit stereo wav file. No compression, but with levels set so that peaks reach to 1dB below maximum.

Just in case it's relevant, I should add that when we check the levels of the imported audio in FCP itself, they are exactly the same as in the original edited file. It's only when we ask FCP to create a DVD from the audio/video we've inputted, and then measure the audio levels on the actual disc, that the very obvious problems with the sound are observed.

John

I know it's a work-around, but could you render the audio from FCP, then burn a DVD via a third-party app?

[JR1]

Thanks: that does seem to be the most practical approach! There seem to be a number of possible apps for the task: has anyone a recommendation, from personal experience, of a suitable, straightforward one to use?

Secondly, though, I'm still interested to understand the reason that FCP itself, when it creates a DVD, crunches the audio in such an obvious and unpleasant way, and how that processing can be avoided or defeated. All thoughts, on any of these matters, gratefully received.


Still perplexed

John

[DominicPerry]

Is it possible that FCP is building a surround mix with a bunch of compressed streams, (either instead or as well as an uncompressed stereo mix) and you’re listening to the L&R channels of the compressed mix?