Duplicating edited clips in imovie

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Level 1

45 points

Duplicating edited clips in imovie

I have a long audio file. I am editing it in imovie. There are certain clips that I want to duplicate and use for repetition but I am unable to do this. I tried dragging the edited clip onto the desktop but it wasn't the clip, it was the entire audio file.

Any advice? Does imovie have the capability to duplicate edited audio clips (I know you can do it w/ video). Thanks.

imac, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 14, 2009 8:40 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Bengt Wärleby

Level 6

19,465 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:32 PM in response to elizaday66

Hi Leslie

If You have a video-clip in timeline (or on shelf)
• point at it
• Click-down and hold down alt-key on keyboard
• now Your pointer got a small plus symbol
• move it where You need it (it makes a copy)

This also applies on audio-clips but just in TimeLine, though one can't store audio-clips on the shelf.

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 2

Rich839

Level 8

48,310 points

Jul 15, 2009 9:01 AM in response to elizaday66

As the others have said, Copy/Paste is one good way.

The way I do it is to first click on the audio clip to select it. Then Edit > Copy. Then move the playhead to where I want to place the clip. Then Edit > Paste.

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Answer 3

catspaw

Level 5

4,344 points

Jul 15, 2009 1:28 AM in response to elizaday66

Hi Leslie - dragging a clip (video or audio) to the desktop does indeed create an original-lengthed clip there (all of the source file). Either use Bengt's simple method, or use the standard Copy and Paste method (Command-C, then Command-V). Remember that the clip must be highlighted in order to do this.
User uploaded file

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Answer 4

elizaday66 Author

Level 1

45 points

Jul 15, 2009 3:49 AM in response to catspaw

Thanks for all your response. I have tried copying and pasting and when I do so, it appears the the clip doesn't copy. I always use the timeline since this is audio (not video...I will add that later). I tried Bengt's method and when I highlight the clip, click on alt, I don't see a plus sign, I just see a pop up menu that says: Show info, Zoom to Selection, Select Similar Clips, Cut, Copy, Clear, lock audio clip at playhead. Show clip volume levels, show audio waveform (both of the last are checked).

I suppose I could use Garage Band, it just seems a bit laborious, especially since I know this can be done w/ video clips (using copy and paste). Thanks.

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Answer 5

Jul 15, 2009 5:10 AM in response to elizaday66

Hi

did You use the ctrl-key ? I suggest alt-key (next one)

If this gives what is susspected on ctrl-click then there is some sort of corruption.

I would start with
• Close iMovie - Delete iMovie pref file - restart iMovie and see if it helps
• If not - create a new User-account and log into this and re-try
• Run - Repair Permissions (ev. also Repair hard disk) Apple Disk Util tool.
• Free space on internal boot hard disk more than 25Gb - hopefully

Should help

Yours Bengt W

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Answer 6

Klaus1

Level 9

52,915 points

Jul 15, 2009 8:37 AM in response to elizaday66

Does imovie have the capability to duplicate edited audio clips (I know you can do it w/ video).

You can edit the separate audio tracks in exactly the same way as you can edit video clips.

You can use the simple Command-C/Command-V to copy-paste.

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Answer 7

Glo H

Level 4

1,541 points

Jul 15, 2009 11:34 AM in response to Rich839

As the others have said, Copy/Paste is one good way.

This certainly is the way to proceed if the duplicated file is to be used in the iMovie project.

From Leslie's original post:

I tried dragging the edited clip onto the desktop but it wasn't the clip, it was the entire audio file.

I took this to mean (perhaps incorrectly) that the intent was to use the audio in another application.

Leslie-Where do you intend to use this edited audio clip?

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Answer 8

elizaday66 Author

Level 1

45 points

Jul 15, 2009 9:46 PM in response to Glo H

It is a long recording of my mother speaking (she passed away last year). I am clipping pieces and mixing it with music. There are some clips that I want to repeat throughout the song. When I try to copy it and then paste, I don't get anything.

I ran the repair disc last week but I will do it again and hopefully it will make a difference.

Thanks for all the feedback.

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Answer 9

Glo H

Level 4

1,541 points

Jul 14, 2009 8:56 PM in response to elizaday66

You can use GarageBand to do this type of editing. You can send the iMovie project to GarageBand, and delete the video. From there proceed with the editing of your audio.

I hope this helps.

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Answer 10

Klaus1

Level 9

52,915 points

Jul 16, 2009 1:50 AM in response to elizaday66

You have to do this in the timeline. not the clips pane.

You may find that the clips appear at the very end of the timeline when you paste.

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