Stereo Audio Track to two Mono Tracks

Question

Level 6

13,814 points

Stereo Audio Track to two Mono Tracks

Hey,

I've come late to the party just now geting started with FCPX. The first thing that has me hung up is a workflow that worked great before that I can't seem to jump around here. Typically we record audio in two seperate channels into our camera. One is from the sound board and one is general off the camera. Since the camera is usually so far away from the action that there is a delay from the sound off the board we need to resync it. Sometimes just a frame, sometimes more. Easier to do with that other program I've been using and seems to be my only hold up from using THIS software.

Did I miss a setting on ingest? Is there a way to get it to work correctly now?

I was hoping to be able to just duplicate the clip and make dual mono tracks, turn off opposite tracks and use the re-sync feature, but I couldn't find a place to duplicate the clip.

Sorry if this is asked. Searched but came up with a lot of itunes, logic, garage band and imove links, but no FCPX.

Thanks for the help,

MajM

OH -- AVCHD off a panasonic camera (actually archived on a HD)

Posted on Sep 29, 2011 11:25 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 30, 2011 2:59 AM in response to Captain Mench

Maybe this can help.

I only tried the following on an audio only clip, so probably the first thing to do is to detach the audio from video (Clip->Detach Audio) so as to have a separate audio clip to work on.

1. Select the audio clip in the timeline and make it into a storyline: Clip->Create Storyline.

2. Select the audio clip and copy (Cmd-C).

3. Place the playhead at the very start of the audio and do Edit->Paste as Connected Clip.

Now you have two copies of your audio, one connected to the other in a storyline.

The next step is to have each one to play only one of the channels.

Select each in turn, and in the Inspector, under Audio, go to Channel Configuration and choose "dual mono".

Select the top channel for one clip and the bottom channel for the other.

Now you have the two audio channels separated and can synchronize them - either manually or using the synchronize clip feature - but I guess that you know better than me how to do.

Reply

Answer 2

Captain Mench Author

Level 6

13,814 points

Sep 30, 2011 4:03 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Actually, started fresh today and although you sparked a good answer I found a better and much simpler one. After making the clip dual mono in the event/browser window, loading it into the timeline and THEN breaking apart the clip did indeed let me see the video with the TWO seperate audio tracks.

That's what I needed to do. Was there all the time. Just couldn't quite wrap my head around it.

Thanks,

MajM

Reply

Answer 3

Captain Mench Author

Level 6

13,814 points

Sep 30, 2011 9:13 AM in response to Captain Mench

Actually not quite where I want to be yet. Remember, I'm still working with the mindset that I need to be doing this in a way that makes sense to me because I know how I WANT to do it...

1) Made stereo audio of clip in EB dual mono

2) Dropped it on my timeline

3) Selected BREAK APART CLIP ITEMS - which gave me two 'un-linked' audio tracks

4) manually slid top track +4 (ish) frames

Perfect! Worked great. Audio is fine.

But here's what I'm missing now...

1) Slip tool to ensure that the audio moves EXACTLY 4 frames each time

2) Ability now to add audio transitions between that clip and the one prior to it.

3) DON'T even get me started on what happens to my audio when the SNAP feature isn't enabled!!

Thoughts?

Thanks,

MajM

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 30, 2011 9:59 AM in response to Captain Mench

I believe that the tool for moving a clip exactly 4 frames is there: Edit->Nudge right (or simply enter a point in the keyboard, '.') So, select the clip, and hit the key four times should do it. [Also there is Nude left, press ',' for that).

Regarding transitions, I suppose what you can do is, after adjusting the audio, put it all inside a compound clip; then you can transition to that;

but I fell that I am not getting what your problem with transitions is exactly.

Reply

Answer 5

Captain Mench Author

Level 6

13,814 points

Sep 30, 2011 12:34 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

You are getting me REALLY close!

Workflow:

Make Dual Mono

Drop in Timeline

Apple-Shift-G

Select off audio track

....

Drag back the outside and inside edge to snap to video length (odd that when I slide the audio back it shows 3.76 as the amount moved... consistantly)

Make the AUDIO its own Compound Clip (If I didn't do this first, I'd have this track split audio into THREE tracks (with the middle one empty when I Apple-Shift-G'd the next clip.

Repeat for next clip

Once I've compound clip'd both audios I still can't put transition there. Seems when I make a Compound Clip there are no longer any handles in the material. I kinda figured that, but was hoping.

Also - I'm currently using the TRIAL version until the new FY comes around and I'll buy the full on version, but the Trial doesn't seem to have HELP populated with anything... just kinda an outline of topics without any way of drilling in. BUT - I did just see Download Additional content under the FCP menu.

SO - YES!!! You are helping me a great deal!! Thanks,

MajM

Reply