Brian Oak

Q: FCPX imported audio huge echo

When I import an A/V clip to FCPX, there is always a huge amount of echo/reverb added to the audio. I say "added", because when I play the source clip in QuickTime, there is no echo. The problem seems to occur during the FCPX import process. I've fiddled with the sparse import settings, but it makes no difference.

 

I used FCPX for years without this happening, it just began a few months ago. I'm pulling out my hair trying to figure this out. I haven't had decent deliverables for a while, now. Help is greatly appreciated.

 

-Brian

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), FCPX 10.2.3

Posted on Jun 22, 2016 6:33 PM

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Q: FCPX imported audio huge echo

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  • by Tom Wolsky,

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky Jun 22, 2016 6:54 PM in response to Brian Oak
    Level 10 (118,096 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 22, 2016 6:54 PM in response to Brian Oak

    AAny files? What are the specs? Can you post one of the problem files somewhere? The original pre-import.

     

    AFter you import a file that has the problem, can you open the imported file in the QT player. Does it have the problem there or only in FCP?

  • by Brian Oak,

    Brian Oak Brian Oak Jun 22, 2016 7:27 PM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Video
    Jun 22, 2016 7:27 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Screen Shot 2016-06-22 at 20.17.56.png

     

    Here are the file specs, pre-import. I don't know how to open the imported file in QuickTime—didn't even realize that could be done. One thing I know is that video shared from FCPX exhibits the same echo, the echo that seems to be introduced at import.

     

    Here's another wrinkle: this problem only began a few months ago. I used FCPX for years without any sign of this issue. Same source files, same FCPX settings.

  • by Tom Wolsky,

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky Jun 22, 2016 7:36 PM in response to Brian Oak
    Level 10 (118,096 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 22, 2016 7:36 PM in response to Brian Oak

    RRight-click on a browser clip and select reveal in Finder. Open the file with the QT player.

  • by Brian Oak,

    Brian Oak Brian Oak Jun 22, 2016 8:13 PM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Video
    Jun 22, 2016 8:13 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Okay, the imported file doesn't exhibit the echo. Evidently it's when FCPX opens and/or exports the file/project that the echo is introduced, since it's present thereafter on every platform and every player I've tried.

     

    Here's a short exported clip that shows the problem:

     

    https://db.tt/UtSn8Ii7

  • by David Bogie Chq-1,

    David Bogie Chq-1 David Bogie Chq-1 Jun 23, 2016 7:10 AM in response to Brian Oak
    Level 7 (25,772 points)
    Video
    Jun 23, 2016 7:10 AM in response to Brian Oak

    We import H.264 stuff often and have never gotten an echo on the audio. Can you determine the offset of the echo? The only way I can think of that FCPX would create an echo is by attempting to merge two separate audio sources into a single track or stereo pair. For instance, is there a camera mic audio track that is encoded into the video by your camera (BTW, what camera are you using?) and a separate audio track hidden in the card's folder structure?