User Guide

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ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 5.0
User Guide
Using audio layers
In After Effects, you can change volume levels of audio layers, preview them at a specified
quality, and identify and mark locations. An audio layer contains different properties than
a video layer, but you modify them the same way. You can apply special audio effects to
audio layers, and adjust the waveform values.
For information about using markers with audio, see “Adding markers synchronized to
audio” on page 146.
Previewing audio
When you preview audio, you control the quality and length of the preview. The audio
preview preferences you set do not affect rendering; the quality or audio in rendered video
is determined by the output module setting. See “Changing output module settings” on
page 361.
While previewing audio, After Effects displays clipping signals that indicate when the
audio is clipping. Clipping is a distortion that occurs when the audio signal exceeds the
maximum level that the audio device allows.
After Effects also displays a Volume Unit (VU) meter that actively displays audio levels
during playback. To view the VU meter and levels controls in more detail, increase the
height of the Audio palette.
A. Audio clipping warning icons B. VU meter
C. Level controls D. Level units E. Audio
Options menu F. Level values
You can also preview audio synchronized with layer motion. For more information, see
“Previewing animation” on page 191.
A
B
DC
F
E
UG.book Page 153 Wednesday, February 21, 2001 12:05 PM