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Export LOG from Final Cut Pro X

Hi, Is it posiible to export Log files from final Cut? I have Arri Alexa Mini ProRess 4444 files, but with no sound. I would like to Sync external sound that is recorded to these files and export them as they are, just add synced audio, Final export in LOG color profile Arri log C? Without any lut applied, Is this maybe possible with Compressor?

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 14.3

Posted on Nov 7, 2024 11:49 PM

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9 replies

Nov 11, 2024 11:14 AM in response to Richpeinn

I examined the file. You can edit that in an FCP SDR library using a Rec.709 project (which is what the Arri metadata shows), then export it as ProRes 4444. However, there are other metadata issues. These are not unique to Arri.


Cameras like Arri and even my team's Sony FX6s record lots of acquisition metadata which can be important in post production. This includes clip timecode and also many camera items. See below for an example from Arri.


The problem is exporting this from FCP (and I think other NLEs) does not carry over the original proprietary camera metadata to the exported file, even if the codec and container format is the same. Arri has a special metadata tool called ARRI Reference Tool which can extract this metadata from the camera files, but it cannot be inserted or merged into the NLE-exported file. The extracted metadata is apparently intended for use in specific post-production tools.


Another issues is clip (aka source) timecode. Even if adding an audio lane to otherwise non-edited camera files, FCP (and I think other NLEs) view that as a multiple timecode sources. E.g, the audio could have its own timecode so there would be conflicting timecode sources for the output file. The file is exported using 00:00-based timecode, not the original clip timecode. There is a third-party timecode tool called QTChange which lets you edit the timecode, and I think a batch operation is possible to read timecode from the original camera files and rewrite that to the newly-exported files. However, that would be an additional complex post production step that would require investigation and testing.


For these reasons (not because of color profile) I don't think it's feasible to add audio to the Arri clips without losing important metadata. If you don't need the metadata (now or in the future) you could go ahead and do it, but I would discuss that in advance with the assistant editor, post-production supervisor, or whoever has that responsibility.


Arri ProRes metadata sample:

Media/UUID : BB3B0738-7A72-11EF-85D9-000E8E6ED4DB

com.arri.camera.CameraId : A20D

com.arri.camera.CameraIndex : A

com.arri.camera.CameraModel : ARRI ALEXA Mini

com.arri.camera.CameraSerialNumber : 22605

com.arri.camera.ColorGammaSxS : LOG-C

com.arri.camera.ExposureIndexAsa : 800

com.arri.camera.LookFileBurnedIn : No

com.arri.camera.NdFilterDensity : 1200

com.arri.camera.NdFilterType : 3

com.arri.camera.ProjectFps : 24000

com.arri.camera.ReelName : A001A20D

com.arri.camera.SensorFps : 24000

com.arri.camera.ShutterAngle : 1728

com.arri.camera.SupVersion : 6.01.02

com.arri.camera.SxsSerialNumber : 224003201294

com.arri.camera.UserDate : 20240924

com.arri.camera.UserTime : 12h44m25

com.arri.camera.WhiteBalanceKelvin : 5600

com.arri.camera.WhiteBalanceTintCc : 0

com.arri.camera.CameraClipName : A001C025_240924_A20D.mov

Color primaries : BT.709

Transfer characteristics : BT.709

Matrix coefficients : BT.709

Time code of first frame : 03:47:08:15

Time code of last frame : 03:47:22:22

Nov 8, 2024 6:26 AM in response to joema

Thank you for your reply Joema. But footage export comes a little bit diferent than original, with little more saturatuion. Because color profile is changed from ARRI Log C (3D LUT) (1-1-1) to whatewer Rec 2020, or rec 709 depends what i choose as starting point of project.. my question is, how to stay in original color profile and just add audio to clips.. thats is why I ask is this possible to do in comperssor maybe. Because FCP will always change color profile..

Nov 8, 2024 4:50 AM in response to joema

Import all Arri clips to FCP, select all clips in the Event Browser, in Inspector's "Info" tab at the bottom, set view to "General", set Camera LUT to "None." That turns off the auto-applied LUT on all selected clips in the Browser.


They can then be added to the timeline and edited with sound, then exported as ProRes 4444 using the original log profile. You don't need Compressor.

Nov 8, 2024 10:21 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom, if you Google 'arri camera sample footage' (no quotes), there's Arri ProRes material to download. The one I used is under ARRI LF ProRes, filename: B001C004_180327_R1ZA.mov.


Richpeinn: I downloaded Some ProRes 4444 ARRI Log C material, and the original file metadata said Rec.709. Therefore I used a standard gamut library and a Rec.709 project. I then imported to FCP, added an additional audio layer, ensured the Arri LUT was turned off, exported and it looked identical to the camera file. Examination of both files with MediaInfo showed the NCLC tags (color primaries, transfer characteristics, matrix coefficients) were identical.


However there was an issue: if adding an additional audio lane, when exported the clip timecode starts at zero. That might be because an added lane of audio could have its own clip (aka source) timecode, so there would be no way to designate which to use.


If you use the third-party MediaInfo tool and post the complete metadata of your Arri camera clip that would help.

Nov 14, 2024 2:14 PM in response to joema

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for your help in checking the data I provided. Your insights were incredibly helpful and saved me a lot of time and effort. I really appreciate your willingness to assist and share your expertise – it made a huge difference!

Thanks again for being so generous with your knowledge. People like you make forums like this a great place for learning and support. But tell me if you know, how to: synced material cuted in final cut pro x send via XML file to colorist, is that work flow will be able to work? And yes, synced materijal is down sized in proxy proress 422 at 50%, and all synced material is synced in 3200x1800 px 24 fps in rec. 2020 PQ..

Export LOG from Final Cut Pro X

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