Analyzing Waveform for Display

Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Solved by

Aug 31, 2015 18:14

When I import an audio file recorded from my phone into PowerDirector, normally the waveform becomes visible after a few minutes. It has been hours and the waveform has not become visible on two separate audio clips, one over 11 minutes and the other just 6 minutes. When I upload previous audio clips downloaded from my phone just to test it, their waveforms appear right away.

The audio file type is .3gp and the audio type is (AAC). To get the waveforms to appear I have deleted the audio files from the timeline and re-inserted them again, nothing has resulted from this.

I have closed PowerDirector 10, re-opened it and re-inserted the audio files and the waveform still do not appear.

I am not sure what else to do.

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 19:33

I've had that happen with random clips sometimes, and I can usually get the waveform to appear by making the audio track taller. Go to the left edge of the timeline and drag the bottom edge of the audio track down until it's at the max height. When you let go of the mouse, the waveform should appear.

Also, please make sure the "Show sound waveform" box is still checked under Settings (Gear icon)

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Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 19:43

I can't make an audio track taller; I can only stretch it to make it longer...

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 19:49

No, you're dragging the end of the clip. You need to drag the bottom edge of the track, like this:

EDIT this screenshot is obviously not from PD10, but I don't have any old versions on this computer and the icons are very similar

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at Aug 31. 2015 19:58

Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 19:55

I do not recognize those icons; I have no fx button underneath those other two. There is only the emblem of a fan.

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 19:58

Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 19:58

Disregard, I found the ability to stretch the height of the track. It didn't work. And yes, the "show waveform" box is checked under settings.

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:01

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:05

If you used to be able to see the waveform and you haven't changed anything on your phone, it's possible that something has changed with Windows or with PD's installation that's causing the issue.

That's why I was asking how important it is to see the waveforms - it might take some detective work to understand what's changed and then bring them back, but it might not be something you want to pursue if it's really not that big a deal.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Aug 31. 2015 20:06

Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:10

Oh I need to see them pretty badly in order to edit out parts of speech where I messed up lines or there is awkward silence. Without seeing the waves there's no way for me to accurately trim those parts out.

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:17

I understand. Try converting them, it should only take a couple seconds. You can even do that inside PD10 (I think), by using Wave Editor. Click on Edit Audio when the clip is selected and just make a simple change like adjusting the volume and W.E. will send the produced audio back to your timeline.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at Aug 31. 2015 20:18

Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:20

I do not have Wave Editor for Power Director 10...

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:26

No problem. Like I said, there are many free converter apps out there, and you can even do it directly in PD10 by simply producing your current audio clip to WAV.

Just go to the Produce tab and click on the music notes button. Forgive me if it's labeled something different as it's been years since I worked with PD10, but basically that's all you need to do.

When you return to the Edit window, the produced audio clip will be added to the media library and you can then replace the original track in the timeline with the produced version. If the waveform appears, then it was something about the original track that was causing the problem.

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Immortal

Newbie Joined: Aug 31, 2015 17:34 Messages: 46 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:31

Well the waveforms miraculously just appeared; only took them seven hours to finally do so : /

optodata

Senior Contributor Location: California, USA Joined: Sep 16, 2011 16:04 Messages: 8630 Offline

Aug 31, 2015 20:34

RNoll3815

Newbie Location: Edmonds, WA Joined: Aug 17, 2015 15:03 Messages: 10 Offline

Sep 30, 2015 15:44

I find that turning the option off and applying and then turning it back on and applying under Preferences>General>Show sound waveform in timeline usually does the trick. It seems to get stuck or run out of resources.