Extending music

[Kabeeo]

I was done with an extended project that includes still photos and 7 songs for soundtracks. Came out great. Then I was sent about a dozen extra photos that really need to be included at various spots in the show. Unfortunately now each song runs out about two photos before it should. I tried to shorten the length of the photos but that looked horrible. Is there a way to copy a short portion of the song (like the part where it fades out) and then just tack it on to the end of the song so it sounds like it is continuing? Does that make sense? Thanks everybody.

[ATR]

Kevin,

Have you tried just taking your cursor and dragging the audio to fit the video?

ATR

[Kabeeo]

Thanks. I will try that. At the risk of sounding stupid, what exactly would that do? Would it actually lengthen the song?

Thanks again,

[ATR]

Kevin,

If the duration of your stills is 5 sec and you are only 2 photos off, as a first pass select the Time Stretch Tool to the left of the Timeline (I have Premiere Elements 2), then take your cursor and drag out the audio to fit the stills length. Note that on the title bar of the audio the % of the expansion should then be visible.

Depending on the extent of the alteration, sound distortion can be an issue. For finer control, right click the audio and from the pop up menu select Time Stretch that way. In the dialog that appears, you can set the %, time, but importantly you can check "Maintain Audio Pitch" which will let you alter a little further without problems.

Let me know how that works.

ATR

[ATR]

Kevin,

This is the long version before I decided to consolidate in my previous post.

Just how much shortening or expanding of the audio is needed? The following is going to depend on how much and is addressing music without lyrics. This is what I have found:

With Audio,

Selection Tool and Cursor
Shortening
If I select the Selection Tool in the Timeline and then use the cursor to drag the audio in to contract it, I actually cut off a portion of the audio. Depending on how far I contract it, the cut may include the Volume Fade Out that I set.
Lengthening
If I select the Selection Tool in the Timeline and then use the cursor to drag the audio out to expand it, I never get that to work.

Time Stretch Tool
There is a Time Stretch Icon on the Timeline. If I select that, I can use my cursor to expand or expand the audio, and I do not lose my Volume Fade Out in doing either. BUT, sound distortion problems become an issue as you increase the contraction or expansion process...more contraction, speed up of audio and more expansion of volume slowed down audio.

I can overcome some of that problem by using the Time Stretch feature associated with right clicking the audio, selecting Time Stretch from the pop up menu, setting amount of effect, BUT making sure that I check off Maintain Audio Pitch.

ATR

[Kabeeo]

Wow thanks for all of that ATR. I am going to work on it tonight. The Presentation is Friday night and I am running out of time!! Thanks again,