Creating Audio-follows-video Presets in VT[4]
by Donny Oropeza

Concept: live audio sources follow the switcher
Module: Audio Mixer
Assets: None
Time: 10 minutes

There are shoots when the VT[4] technical director can happily tap into the existing audio board, and let another professional worry about switching audio sources and adjusting levels. Other shoots require the video switching team to handle it all. NewTek VT[4] makes this a manageable process with the integrated audio mixer’s capability to switch audio sources at the same time that cameras are cross-fading, known as ‘audio-follows-video’. Here is how to do it:

When setting up our Audio Mixer Presets we will need to have an idea of how our show is going to go. For this tutorial our setup will be two microphone inputs then be mixing over some audio from a deck and a DDR. The mic inputs are coming in from XLR 1L and 1R and separate audio from RCA 3 and a DDR..

First, we need to open up the Audio Mixer. Before we start setting the presets, make sure you are set to 2 Chan under SX-84 Controlled (If not the presets are grayed out). Also make sure you are set to Live. For the first preset we are going to be using preset 1 so under Automation select the number 1.

[Preset 1.bmp]

Since our first two inputs are going to be microphones we can just use the mute to bring them in and out. On 1L we will want to adjust the volume for 0(this may vary according to the talent). For 1R we will hit the mute which is the M above the input so that it is still set to the correct level but not active. The other inputs are going to be faded in so they will be adjusted to infinite. Hit Set and select the number 1; we now have our first preset.

For our second preset under Automation select number 2. Since this preset is for the second talent remove the mute from the 1R and select mute for 1L. This leaves the 1L level the same but not active. The other inputs would remain on infinite. To set the preset once again hit Set and then the number 2 preset.

With the microphone presets setup we can now move along to setting up the fade in and fade out audio. Select Preset number 3 and select Mute on the 1R Now raise the input on 3 which controls the RCA 3 to 0. This will allow the audio to fade in and the microphone input is now not active which makes for a smooth transition.

The last preset is going to be a DDR; go ahead and open one up.The DDR will be listed under Computer Sources. Select 4 under the Automation section. Lower the input 3 under SX-84 Sources to infinite and under Computer Sources raise the DDR to 0. Now hit set then select Preset 4.

To check the Presets select Preset 1 and hit go you should have all the inputs at infinite except 1L and 1R with 1R muted. Now select Preset 2 and hit go this will change the mute from 1R to muting 1L.With Preset 3 both 1L and 1R should mute and the number 3 slider should raise to the set level. On the last preset with number 4 select hit go and the number 3 input will slowly fade down while the DDR increases bringing the Computer Source.