New to FCPX - beginners audio editing question

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New to FCPX - beginners audio editing question

Hi everyone.

So far with audio, I've learned how to set up an external mic and import my audio and vidoe files into FCPX and synchronize them before importing them into my Project. Two questions I'd really value some help with...

After I've synchorpnzed my raw video and audio files into the synchronized clip, is t OK to delete the original separate imported files?

So far as modifying my audio, so far I've managed to cut either side of an unwanted sniff, and turn down the sniff! But my sniffs are sort of standalone, so it was simple. They're not superimposed over my yoga cues.

Today infuriatingly, the neighbour in the flat above me started using a power tool in the middle of my class, which came in intermittent bursts over the top of my voice. Aaaargh!

I'm curious to know if there is any audio filter I might be able to apply to y audio, to try and minimize the sound of the blummin' drill or sander or whatever it is. Because the rest of my video class was quite good!

Thanks so much for any tips.

Kind regards

Frances

iMac, OS X 10.11

Posted on Oct 29, 2020 8:15 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FrancesKeeley Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 30, 2020 8:21 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hello Luis

That sounds like the voice of experience :-)

And it makes perfect sense.

You remind me of an interesting comment a photographer made about lighting... he said 'don't fight the light'. So I guess work acceptingly and make the most of the nature of things.

V. helpful, thanks

Frances

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Answer 2

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Oct 29, 2020 10:27 AM in response to FrancesKeeley

Regarding your power tool noise:

Not knowing the exact state of the audio recording, I can only think of some approaches to the problem. That would require skills and tools out of reach to the casual user. Even then the result may not be good enough.

The easiest and quickest approach is to shoot the scenes again.

WD

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Answer 3

Oct 30, 2020 7:26 AM in response to Wilddrums

Thanks WD

Hmmm... you've touched on one of the most challenging aspects of learning how to work with video, for me as a beginner, there.

I realise how helpful it will be if I can edit discreet sections of each yoga video - with for replacing weak spots or for producing short forms of the classes for people who have less time.

I'm finding this a real challenge! My set is crisp simple and fixed, so the inanimate objects are pretty sorted. It's just me!

My plan is to open and close each section of a practice, positioning myself and using expressions that can standalone. Before and after an edit. It's really hard to do it, when I'm thinking about teaching the class and demoing correctly and so on at the same time. I can't seem to organise myself to come to a position and begin and end my sentences in a way where they don't lead into one another... making jars in any cut or edit.

Kind regards

Frances

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Answer 4

Oct 30, 2020 8:17 AM in response to FrancesKeeley

My suggestion is this: don't try to pretend that there are no cuts.

If you try to do another take and make it look like nothing happened, you will be disappointed.

Instead, embrace it. Use a little fade to color transition to convey that some time has passed, or that you are using a different take.

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Answer 5

Wilddrums

Level 5

4,274 points

Oct 30, 2020 8:41 AM in response to FrancesKeeley

As Luis suggested, bite the bullet and be creative. You will learn a lot.

A beginner? Maybe. Personally I think it is more the ubiquity of recording devices that just reveal the misunderstanding of how difficult the production of creative work can be.

I'm biased. I learned the hard way decades ago with linear editing on films and tapes. The cost of shooting, of the equipment, of studio time ... all that make you planning in advance in order to get to the point when you say "it's a wrap!".

WD

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Answer 6

Oct 30, 2020 9:06 AM in response to Wilddrums

Hi WD,

Wonderful answer, thanks.

I hear you. I used to work as a graphic designer in the graphics period that fell historically after paste up but before the internet. My first leaflet designs were entirely hand rendered.

I still find it difficult to let go and see my design work as a process rather than an end product. So I always set myself unrealistic tasks and workloads, and then wonder why I'm totally frazzled.

I've done it again with the shift to video. I just can't do all I thought I would be able to in the course of an ordinary working week. And my videos are so full of flaws it's just painful.

Still I do find the sense of slow progression very satisfying. I may be producing embarrassingly amateur yoga videos compared to the ones I envisage in my Big Picture. Still - I think they're getting a bit better as I learn through my mistakes.

The help you get here is amazing. I just love it!

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Answer 7

Oct 29, 2020 8:53 AM in response to FrancesKeeley

No, don’t delete your audio and video files. A synchronized clip does not contain a copy of the media, it merely references it, so if the media disappears it will no longer work.

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Answer 8

Oct 29, 2020 9:36 AM in response to FrancesKeeley

The part about your neighbor's noise is much harder. I doubt that you can completely get rid of it.

I hope that someone more knowledgeable about audio may chime in.

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Answer 9

Oct 30, 2020 7:20 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Many thanks for your helpful advice Luis.

Noted!

All the best

Frances

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New to FCPX - beginners audio editing question

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