4 channel sound

Question

4 channel sound

I've upgraded my editing system two months ago to a MacBook Pro with FCP 5.1.1

I've also ordered a Canon XL-H1 and plan to shoot a documentary using the cameras 4 separate audio channels. I've read on some forums that FCP can only import two audio tracks, is this true or will I be able to import the 4 audio tracks from the camera.

Also, conflicting information is abound all over the place, does FCP 5.1.1 support the XL-H1 and it's 25f capture frame rate or do you still need a third party software download for this?

Thanks for the information, it's really appreciated.

Didi

TiBook G4 800Mhz, Mac OS X (10.4.7), FCP 5.1.1

Posted on Aug 26, 2006 2:22 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 26, 2006 2:38 PM in response to Didi Schoeman

Multichannel Audio
Use Final Cut Pro 5 audio editing tools to capture up to 24 channels of high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio in a single pass. Use the onscreen mixer with an external MCP (Mackie Control Protocol) audio control surface to edit and manipulate audio more efficiently. Or take your audio editing to the next level with Soundtrack Pro.
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http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro/tellyourstory.html

I think this was new in Final Cut Pro 5 🙂

Sorry, but I can not answer your question about XL-H1 and its 25f capture frame rate. I found a thread about it at dvinfo.net though: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=57644

Good luck!

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Answer 2

theshow

Level 3

775 points

Aug 26, 2006 2:46 PM in response to Didi Schoeman

This is the same question I've been meaning to ask myself for some time now but I've been too caught-up w/ color-correction recently...

I have the XL2 and what I have to do w/ 4 channels is capture the first two channels then go back and capture the second two channels. You can also capture all four channels as a mix but they don't come up seperately (4-channels mixed down on 2 tracks in the timeline). Check out the capture settings.

Then again maybe you have to capture then all as a mix then mix down the 4 channels w/ the sudio mixer or open it as a multitrack in STP. I dunno but it kind of looks this way from the link provided.

If it can be done no one is saying how (yet) all I've read so far is it can be done so hopefully someone will say how (fingers crossed)

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Answer 3

Aug 26, 2006 3:00 PM in response to theshow

Have you tried searching in the FCP User Manual? I would suggest reading the part about "Capturing Multiple Audio Channels", in chapter 20.

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Answer 4

Aug 26, 2006 3:07 PM in response to Thomas Berglund

Hej Thomas

Thanks for the info, but I'm afraid thats not it. They refer to having 24 audio tracks in an edit and not digitizing it from camera... I need to digitize the four tracks from camera... it's a pain in the butt trying to get a clear cut answer, but who knows, someone out there might just have the answer!!!

As for the 25f frame rate, your linked helped, seems that FCP had a problem with 24f and that was back in January, so I figure that prolem has been solved by now.

Thanks again for your input!

Hälsningar

Didi

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Answer 5

theshow

Level 3

775 points

Aug 26, 2006 3:21 PM in response to Thomas Berglund

thanks for trying to help, but it didn't sorry.

Like I've wriiten before I know how to capture the audio but all you can get is first 2 channels (right and left) second two channles (right and left) or 4 channels mixed (right and left)

there's no 4 channel capture that gives you 4 channels of audio all you get is 4 channels mixed to two.

If you have the XL2 (or XL-H1) and you are sucessfully capturing 4 channels as 4 seperate channels then please tell us your workflow/settings. If not, thanks anyway.

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Answer 6

Aug 26, 2006 4:30 PM in response to Didi Schoeman

Then why do they write "capture up to 24 channels of high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio in a single pass"? Are you not digitizing when capturing? 🙂

From the manual:
However, Final Cut Pro can only capture two audio channels via the FireWire port of a device at a time.

I guess you have to find an other way.

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Answer 7

Aug 26, 2006 5:02 PM in response to theshow

Looks like you need additional hardware. Check out Andy's last post, in the following thread: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2954297&#2954297

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Answer 8

theshow

Level 3

775 points

Aug 27, 2006 1:15 AM in response to Thomas Berglund

Thanks Thomas that's what I was looking for.

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Answer 9

Aug 27, 2006 9:38 AM in response to theshow

Hej Thomas

I actually followed your advice and read trough the manuals...

For those interested, here's the answer to the question:

Fire wire can only transfer two audio tracks at a time. So if you recorded 4 tracks of audio, you will have to capture two tracks and then go back and recapture the other two tracks marrying them in your edit.

Option two is to have all four tracks mixed into one track which you can do, saves you from having to re-digitizeing, but leaves you with one track with no control options for the separate tracks, thus your mixing needs to be done while shooting the footage.

If you don't like the above two options there is another option availible...

A third party capture card, this will allow you to capture the video immage from the SDI output from your XLH1 camera or DV deck with 4 separate audio channels from the RCA outputs, make sure though that your third party video card, (Kona, Black Magic etc. ) has four audio inputs, one for each channel.

Hope the info helps.

Didi

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Answer 10

Links

Level 4

1,780 points

Aug 27, 2006 10:58 AM in response to Didi Schoeman

make sure though that your third party video card, (Kona, Black Magic etc. ) has four audio inputs, one for each channel.
Actually, the multi channel audio is included (embedded) in the SDI stream from the camera or deck if it has SDI output.
The Kona and BlackMagic capture cards, if the model you choose has analog input, have only two channel input via balanced XLRs.

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Answer 11

Aug 27, 2006 11:40 AM in response to Links

You're right, unfortunately for the Canon XLH1, the SDI port does not include sound, so you will have to use the Analog sound outputs from the camera... Unless you can buy a deck that supports Canon (& JVC's) 24f, 25f and 30f frame codex, which by the looks of it is the only option left for this camera if the cards only come with two balanced XLR's as you've pointed out... BUMMER!!!

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Answer 12

Links

Level 4

1,780 points

Aug 27, 2006 12:06 PM in response to Didi Schoeman

AJA has just released the AJA HD10AVA converter which features:

High-quality SD/HD audio/video A/D converter
SD component, composite or Y/C video input
HD analog component video input
Four channel balanced analog audio input
3 SDI/HD-SDI with embedded audio outputs
12-bit video, 24-bit audio A/Ds

http://www.aja.com/html/productsconvertersHD10AVA.html

So analog audio/video outputs from the camera to AJA HD10AVA inputs,
SDI to your capture card, nice. And all yours for...$999 USD

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Answer 13

awp

Level 1

0 points

Aug 28, 2006 8:11 PM in response to Links

How do you capture the other channels on the second pass? I can only get the onboard channels to capture in FCP. What am I not doing to get the XLR channels?

I too am using an XL-H1.

Thanks.

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Answer 14

Sep 27, 2006 1:03 PM in response to awp

You can't... that's the glory of it all.

The XL-H1 is completely unable to output 4 channels via XLR... you have to get the audio via analog RCA. It completely *** I know. I feel that Canon has really, truly done a disservice to those who have were suckered into the camera thinking they were going to be able to pull 4 channels of discreet audio over Firewire.

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