FCPX imported audio huge echo

Question

Level 1

15 points

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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Answer 1

May 12, 2017 12:57 AM in response to Brian Oak

Hi Brian,

I know it's almost been a year since your last post, but I also just ran into this problem. However, I managed to figure out the solution, and decided to share it with everyone so other people can know as well. If you select the audio clip (with the echo problem), go to the top right, and click "Show the Audio Inspector". If there's nothing on the top right corner, then press "command-4" and the Inspector window should come up. There's a section called "Audio Configuration" and under that, you will see the audio track(s) for that clip. If the top clip says "Two Stereo", then uncheck one of the boxes in either audio clip below that. When I imported my friend's movie file, it did not have any problems, but when I imported my videos (shot at 4K), that's when the echo started. Hope this can be of help to you and anyone else with this problem.

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,867 points

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?

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Answer 3

Brian Oak Author

Level 1

15 points

Jun 22, 2016 7:27 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

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.

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Answer 4

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,867 points

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.

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Answer 5

Brian Oak Author

Level 1

15 points

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

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Answer 6

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?

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