How to duck the original audio under sound effects you add
Tell Vizard Agent where each sound goes and what the original audio should do underneath it. It measures the source and every effect before mixing anything, dips the original around the moments you name, brings it back to a normal level afterwards, and mutes it completely where an added line has to be heard on its own.
What do you type into Vizard Agent?
Give Vizard Agent the behaviour, not just the placement. "Put this sound here" leaves the original audio's fate unstated, and whatever gets chosen will be wrong half the time. Saying "duck the original, then bring it back" removes the guess. Describe each moment by what happens on screen, because that survives a recut and a timestamp does not.
Prompt
What does Vizard Agent actually do?
It measures before it mixes, because the level an effect should sit at depends on what the clip's own audio is doing at that exact moment. Then it tries two answers in order. A dip keeps the clip feeling continuous and suits most effects. A full mute is what an added line of speech needs. In the session behind this article it:
- Transcribed the supplied sound clips to know what each one says, and previewed the effect files, for a gameplay edit with its own audio.
- Measured the level of the source audio and of every effect, placed the effects and rendered a first mix.
- Reviewed the waveform for gaps and spikes, measured again, and rebalanced with a temporary dip in the original, limited so it didn't overshoot on the way back.
- Checked the balance and the timing of each added line.
- Rebuilt the mix to mute the original entirely during the added lines, and confirmed it disappeared during them and returned after.
- Checked frames and the waveform with the two tracks separated.
When does this not work well?
Ducking assumes there is something to duck. Continuous loud audio, such as a crowd, an engine or music with no gaps, leaves the effect fighting for room, and a dip deep enough to make space becomes audible as a hole. Very short effects leave no time to dip and return, and many effects close together keep the original from ever coming back up.
Common questions
What is the difference between dip and mute? A dip leaves the original quietly present. A mute has Vizard Agent remove it.
Can it stop the level jumping back up? Yes. Vizard Agent limits the recovery so nothing overshoots.
What if my effect is a whole spoken line? Then mute the original under it. Vizard Agent will suggest that.