AudioVision KwikTips
by Robert Moore
In this issue I am providing you with more AudioVision single keystroke commands that are useful and not necessarily well known. The Command key has the Apple and "splat" symbol on it.
Audiovision Commands
F9 and F10 "snap" a sound element to the playhead. F9 snaps the head of the sound, F10 snaps the tail of the sound to the playhead.
OPTION copies elements. Simply holding down the OPTION key and dragging the sound element creates a copy of the sound to use elsewhere in the Timeline. Using OPTION with F9 or F10 makes copies of sounds and "snaps" them to the playhead.
COMMAND+L marks the In and Out points at the head and tail of a range or for selected element(s). "I" and "O" lets you set In and Out markers wherever the playhead is.
"5" and "6" on the numeric keypad performs a playback from In to Out marker. It is very useful to be able to select a sound or range of sounds and rehearse them. "5" plays from the In to Out marker once and "6" plays from In to Out in a loop.
"7" on the numeric keypad performs a playback Rehearse around the playhead. Under the Edit menu and Preferences you can set the Rehearse PRE-ROLL and POST-ROLL from 1 to 5 seconds.
Trackball v. Mouse
When I first began using a computer I always used a mouse. When I purchased my AudioVisions in 1994 I got trackballs for them, to make using "scrub" easier. What I found was that the trackball is, for me, a far superior point-and-click device to a mouse. I recommend anyone using a computer for any reason, but especially for audio, use a trackball - specifically, the Kensington trackball. An important advantage is not having to drag the mouse all over your desktop to move the cursor. A quick roll of the ball gets you across the screen, so it's not hard on your wrist like a mouse.
For Your Consideration
Anyone looking for a telecine-to- Avid solution might call NT Audio (310) 828-1098. By performing telecine directly to an Avid harddrive you can use that drive directly on an Avid picture system. After the picture edit, that same harddrive can be used directly on an AudioVision, saving a day or more of auto-assembly and seriously reducing headaches. All the edits remain intact for the dialog editor, saving hours again.
Now What?!!!!
OK, so the AudioVision may be out of production(?), but you still want to use one on your project. There are several companies that offer the AudioVision for rent. The companies that I am aware of are Digital Difference (818) 846-0589, WorldLink Digital (818) 842-2828 and my company, WorldMusic (310) 454-8893.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone with AudioVision questions. E-mail me or call (310)454-8893. Visit my website
Robert Moore, a Guild member,
owns WorldMusic USA.
He has been a sound designer and editor
on many features and TV shows.
Reprinted from
The Motion Picture Editors Guild Newsletter
Vol. 19, No. 3 - May/June 1998
Copyright © 1996-2001
The Motion Picture Editors Guild, IATSE Local 700, All Rights Reserved