Multiple audio clips in Moho debut 13

[Consy]

Is it possible to add multiple audio clips consecutively to the same layer in Moho debut 13? We can't seem to do this without putting it on a different layer. Thanks.

[Greenlaw]

No, if you want all your audio to exist in a single track, it's best to render it out that way from your audio or video editing program. Otherwise, you need to place them on multiple tracks. That said, yes, it would be a nice enhancement to have Moho's Sequence behave more like a non-linear editor found in an audio or video editing program.

A common workflow is to first do your sound edit for an animatic in a video editor, and export your individual scene clips with video and audio*, and import that as reference to your animation program (Moho in this case.) This way, the reference footage is taking up only a single track. Then, after you've done your animation, export the animation without audio, and overcut the associated animatic scene in your editor. When you have eventually overcut all your scenes, you can be sure the audio remains in sync. Naturally, you're free to edit and improve anything (sound, animation, titles, fx,) afterwards, but following this procedural system gets the bulk of work the done more efficiently since it demands fewer resources for your animation program.

While it's technically possible to do this all in Moho, the process is a whole lot easier when you use multiple programs that specialize in each step. (There are some good free and inexpensive options you can use for audio and video editing.)

*FYI, I prefer to export a jpeg sequence and uncompressed audio clip for my animatic reference. In my experience, this gives me better frame accuracy. But if you decide to use a movie file format for the reference footage, I suggest using a 'whole frame' codec with uncompressed audio if you need frame-audio accuracy.

[cgrotke]

If a scene is dialogue heavy: Another way to work is to import a dialogue track into Moho with no other background sounds and do your animating/lip sync with that. Then export that and add in background music and sound fx in editing.

If there was no dialogue, I'd do all the mixing first, import it as Greenlaw suggests, then work to that single, complete track.

In a way, it is good that tracks each get their own timeline. It makes it easier to find, replace and assign a section.

[Greenlaw]

Good point! If there's lip sync animation involved, it's better to get the dialog track by itself. I don't always have that option but it is nice when I do.

[chucky]

If I have enough creative freedom, I tend to put the dialogue for each character on separate tracks, then if I decide to make a pause in voice for re-acting chops or dramatic effect, then I can a make that change using the sequencer and duplicate audio tracks.
I'll then export that audio, which can guide the resyncing of the original, uncopied tracks in edit.