Unlock Pro Audio Mixing in iMovie - Unbelievable Trick!

In this video I show you how to add professional-grade audio meters to iMovie, so you can monitor and control your audio levels like you can in more expensive, pro-level editing software, like Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro. First, I show you a professional, inexpensive setup, using a $5 (US) piece of software from the Mac App Store. After that I show you a free audio meter solution for iMovie.
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00:00 Intro
00:32 Why audio meters?
02:29 Downloading ProLevel
03:47 Downloading BlackHole
05:18 Connecting BlackHole
08:04 Connecting ProLevel
09:06 How to read meters
10:37 Using Audacity's meters
This video is NOT sponsored.
Link to ProLevel audio meters for Mac:
apps.apple.com/us/app/proleve...
Link to download BlackHole - Free, open-source Mac audio driver
github.com/existentialaudio/b...
Link to download Audacity - Free, open-source, cross-platform audio software:
www.audacityteam.org/
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Tools used to make this video (Affiliate links):
Camera:
Sony Alpha 6400 | APS-C Mirrorless Camera amzn.to/32NP7JR
Lens:
Sony SEL35F18 35mm f/1.8 Prime Fixed Lens amzn.to/3cCpyNt
Camera HDMI to USB 3.0 Capture:
AJA U-TAP HDMI Simple USB 3.0 Powered HDMI Capture amzn.to/2X6TwRV
Camera Microphone:
RODE NTG-2 amzn.to/2G8jjBx
Voice-Over Microphone:
Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone amzn.to/2ZZBx4l
USB Audio Interface/Mixer:
Yamaha AG03 3-Channel Mixer / 1 Microphone amzn.to/2TGrz3i
Lights:
Elgato Key Light, Professional Studio LED Panel With 2800 Lumens, Color Adjustable, App-Enabled, for Mac/Windows/iPhone/Android, Metal Desk Mount amzn.to/2OSbNjW
Editing: Screenflow 9:
bit.ly/screenflowEditing
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TWITTER ➔ / michaelkinney
#imovietutorial #imovieaudio #imoviehacks
DISCLOSURE: I often link to products & services I regularly use and think you might find helpful. To support this channel, I use affiliate links wherever possible, which means if you click one of the links in this video or description and make a purchase I may receive a small commission or other compensation.

[@DmitryIliyn]

Not just for iMovie, but now I know how to send sound on all my headphones simultaneously. Great! Thank you!

[@lic4953]

Best iMovie tutorial on KZbin, very professional explanation.

[@HighFiveFriend]

Great tutorial. Love your pace of speech and your graphics/b-roll are excellent. Thanks!

[@paulsastroutomo4273]

the way you explain in all your youtube movie are very clear, all steps in orderly covered, easy to understand, also great audio output, Thank you Michael.

[@davidcking7]

Hats off to you, Michael ... I just found your channel and this is the first video I watched. The Audacity option is just brilliant - never would have thought of that. Tip of the hat to you, Sir.

[@anahidelrio5003]

The absolute best help! First time referencing this I felt lost...now that I've used this process more (imovie, blackhole, and audacity), it not only makes more sense to me but the clarity of the video is thay much more recognized/appreciated!

[@electricfruitcake]

I haven’t been able to get audacity to work with this tutorial... sad... but re listening to your voice for an hour has been calming, I still consider this a win!

[@destravefdp]

I am now starting to edit videos. I was going to buy some expensive program and try to learn. But your channel is making me learn so much on imovie and I am very grateful for that. Congratulations on the excellent work. Cristian Moreira.

[@EatWildDylan]

Thanks for this. It was super helpful.

[@charliemcelveen2418]

Fantastic!

[@VINZBROWN]

Broooooo..... THIS is everything!!!!!!! THANK YOU!

[@evancroker6159]

Thanks very much!

[@riasoss]

Thank you soo much michael for the info, really appreciated it..👌

[@ChrisParayno]

Omg I've been using a more expensive program this whole time. Thanks for this

[@RegitYouTuber]

Ah, would be lovely to have a floating window option for free software. That really made it look like a plugin. I personally use the free "YouLean Loudness Meter 2" with iShowU. YLM gives a lot of stats about the sound with a rolling graph of the audio levels. It measures in LUFS (very similar to dB), which for anyone planning to use it, has an industry-standard target of -23 LUFS

[@CraftyAliConfessions]

Thankyou once again Michael, your instruction are soooooo easy to follow. My kids are going to be obsolete soon, and they are going to wonder why. 😂😂 I’m a crafter YT, so crafty hugs. Xx

[@GustitisLaw]

Thanks, Michael. Your knowledge and teaching are spectacular. I could not maximize my iMovie skills without you. Steve

[@MacVideoMagic]

Wow, thanks! Much appreciated. 🙂

[@GustitisLaw]

@@MacVideoMagic Of course. You deserve it!

[@WattsupVideo]

Another great video. Didn't know this was available. Have you seen any video plug ins for imovie? Templates like you would use in final cut?

[@southbear123]

Hi Michael, really like your clear voice over. Can we use iMovie to add motion trails effects, e.g.bird flying, horse running etc? When one bird is flying, it looks like hundreds of birds are following its trail.

[@kenromero9236]

Michael I've learned so much for your tutorials but I have to ask if you can do a video on assigning/changing 'Hot Key's in iMovie? Any help would be appreciated.

[@fyremansam]

Hi Michael. Thanks for this great heads up. I've installed ProLevel and love it. Is there anyway I can retain control of audio volume in my cans whilst metering? Kind regards. Simon

[@SharelCassityMusic]

Great video, thanks! I bought pro- level but it's not showing up in audio midi setup. Any suggestions?

[@JackieZCreation]

Can you make a tutorial on color match in iMovie?

[@bukococonut]

Michael, Do you have tutorials about how to use Garage Band? Thank you, David

[@charliemcelveen2418]

Followed this step by step and I could never get the meters to work. I appreciate the video, I’m just bummed it didn’t work for me.

[@itshalima08]

What software do you use to record your screen? and what camera do you use??

[@HealerWarrior]

@MichaelKinney - Is it possible to import the audio from my iMovie project to GarageBand to enhance my audio track with EQ, compression, etc.? If so, would you be able to do a video on how to do that? Thank you and looking forward to your next video.

[@amanlohiya2975_]

@michael Kinney When will new video come sir?

[@seangutierrez1337]

Was there an audio meter in previous versions of iMovie?

[@VigneshDhakshinamoorthy]

Checking in from 2021. That Audio meter app is now $4.99.

[@jdhaidergaming4507]

Hey sir im unable to export my video at fps in the latest version of imovies 2.3 pls help me put!

[@ThirulogaChandru]

Sir, Please Make a Video about "How to make Kinetic Typography Video using Keynote"

[@sk8corpuz]

I'm not sure why but when I select iMovie audio meters under system preferences, sound, output it disables my speakers

[@anandkumarvin]

Sir how to add title with marking the parts name

[@SaturnAteHisSon]

Currently troubleshooting. My system preferences and audio MIDI all show that the iMovie meter is the output and blackhole is the input meanwhile no sound is being detected by pro level. Anyone know why this may be? I have used pro level successfully before so I know it is possible.

[@jakep8314]

Everything works well until i get to prolevel to change the device and it only shows macbook pro speakers. It says that they are built in when i go to system preferences, but i can't do anythinig about it when i go to prolevel and i want to change the device to blackhole... Good video, but its not working for me.

[@alsaysale9751]

Michael Kinney, can you explain on how to make a good green screen, cause iMovie green screen usually SUCK

[@theaishateuse5432]

Omg he was the Gym/Math teacher from Degrassi!😂🙌🏾🎉💕

[@KieraSWilliams]

Thought he looked familiar!

[@LoveIsWhoWeAre]

I wish audiometers were available for the iMovie app!

[@MacVideoMagic]

So do I.

[@megan2176]

Hi Michael! I was searching for an Inquiring Minds episode to answer my son's question about tear free shampoo (and found the video here on KZbin, and many more!), and found your channel! Great to see you! I actually met you once, on your honeymoon, I think! My husband and I were on our honeymoon too at Bears Trail, and I was the dorky lady who freaked out and yelled "Patty!" and then hid behind a pillar! I think I blubbered something about you being the "Inquiring Minds guy", and slinked away, completely embarrassed. Anyway, belated apologies 18 years later for bothering you two on your special day, and making you pose for a photo - who does that?! (I still have it, and keep it in our wedding album). Sorry again, and best wishes to you both! :)

[@MacVideoMagic]

Hilarious! No bother at all. All the best to you and your family.

[@VideoTutors]

Hello Michael, I am currently preparing an iMovie tutorial to cover audio normalizing and syncing external Audio with the video. I was intending to discuss the lack of Audiometers and came across your video on adding meters. Rather than reinventing the wheel, do you mind if I refer to your tutorial and give the link in my descriptions?

[@MacVideoMagic]

Not at all, go right ahead!

[@VideoTutors]

@@MacVideoMagic Great - Thanks

[@dbrowninusa]

After adding the VU meters, if I mirror to my AppleTV, I get video but not any audio on the computer or TV. What can I do to have audio feed to my TV as it did before I installed the meters?

[@MacVideoMagic]

What audio output are you mirroring to the TV?

[@DevKriti]

imovie is not connecting with audacity. Please help

[@GabrielDorcino]

what's the difference between BlackHole and soundflower ? same functions?

[@MacVideoMagic]

Pretty much same functions as far as I know. BlackHole a modern version of SoundFlower.

[@GabrielDorcino]

@@MacVideoMagic thanks! ✌🏼 Great vídeo. 💚 📚

[@TrogART]

Question currently on Sonoma 14.5 and iMovie 10.4 is this all still compatible and relevant?

[@MacVideoMagic]

As far as I know. Haven't checked on the sound meter app on the Mac App Store, lately.

[@TrogART]

@@MacVideoMagic Thanks, I just became very nervous when I looked the app up in the store and the comments left were far from complimentary. Shame as I was looking for something to help out as I was struggling on a project with multiple sound layers, voice, music and folio sounds as well as atmospheric audio.

[@lauramalone5810]

I'm using Big Sur and I don't see an option for built in output when I set up pro level. Only black hole and it's greyed out - can't change it

[@lauramalone5810]

I figured it out.

[@SamanthaHenry]

@@lauramalone5810 Hi, Can you tell me how you figured it out? I'm having the same issue. Thank you!

[@johnnamkung3507]

Everything worked except that Built in Output doesn't appear anywhere in the left and right panels of the Audio Midi, so I can't select it and I can't connect to iMovie. Any suggestions appreciated!

[@charliemcelveen2418]

I had the exact issue...so I can’t use the meters

[@Carlos.Explains]

@@charliemcelveen2418 Same here... can't figure out a workaround. Unable to use the meters!

[@cristobalehmann5980]

@@Carlos.Explains Follow these instructions from BlackHole

[@cristobalehmann5980]

@@charliemcelveen2418 Follow these instructions from BlackHole

[@victoriaberger8083]

Hi, what email can I send you a business proposal to?

[@_samzaher]

I'm learning how to use Imovie with Dr. Dre?? =)

[@_samzaher]

Loving your stuff bro!!! Thank you so much!!!