Why Is Audio Louder in Browser vs In Timeline?

I've noticed over, but never really NEEDED to figure it out for certain that audio that I bring in to FCPX is louder in the Browser than when placed in the Timeline. This is kind of strange and annoying. I'm curious if there is a reason why this is, or if this is a bug? This is mostly referring to mono interview dialogue.

What way would you recommend correcting this?


(For the record, the loudness in the browser matches the loudness of the audio files off the memory card in the Finder, so its definitely accurate vs the timeline audio.)


Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Never seen that. Is anything else in the Timeline? Does the Timeline versions have any effects applied?

Here is a screen recording of what I mean...fresh Library, added in the audio clip and then you can see the difference between the browser and timeline...

I confess I don’t really understand pan law, but I think it’s applicable here. You have a mono recording that you’ve converted to stereo. If both channels maintained the original level the overall output would seem louder.

Yes, in researching what could be happening over the past day or so I think its probably got to do with that...basically its being split so its going to have less loudness...okay, I more or less get that.

I'm not entirely clear how to compensate for it though...is it destructive to just increase the db to a level where its back to equal to where where the mono file in the browser would be?

Not at all. You should adjust it to your reference level for normal speech.

I asked the same question in October but had no replies. (Well, it was the weekend…)

I’m working with some mono voice-over audio supplied by a recording studio. The audio level drops by about 6 db when the clips are placed in the timeline compared to when I listen in the browser. The level meters also show this is happening.

It only happens with mono tracks. A stereo track (such as a piece of music) plays at the same level in both the browser and the timeline.

I think Shane is right that it’s something to do with a mono track being split into two channels in the timeline.

It’s not a problem but it is a bit odd. Also odd that I’ve only noticed it recently. It would be interesting to understand what’s happening within FCPX.

This isn’t a bug, it’s normal. When you add two mono files in a Stereo timeline, you double the loudness +6db. FCPX compensates this and applies a downmix attenuation -6db. This is something logical.
If you add only one mono file in your stereo timeline, you need to up the gain 6db (for cancel the downmix attenuation) or you can add twice the same mono file.
Sorry for my bad english.

Yes, that makes sense. I'll experiment a bit more...

Thanks