Imported AIFF audio sounds bad when placed in sequence (HD Editing)

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Imported AIFF audio sounds bad when placed in sequence (HD Editing)

I've recently switched from DV-NTSC editing to HD (set-up for HDV 1080i60 in FCP). At first I had problems getting Final Cut to capture the video, but read a thread that suggested to trash my Final Cut preferences folder. I did, and it corrected my capture problem, but now I have a new problem. When I import .aif (or AIFF however you want to call it) it sounds fine when I play it in the FCP viewer, but when I drag it into the timeline it sounds choppy, a bit slow, distorted, and it's peaking bad. I made sure my QT conversion to AIFF is 44.1 kHz 16 bit Sterio, but doesn't make any difference. I've messed with levels, the audio playback settings, and a few other things that haven't helped. I've spent hours on discussion threads, and finally gave up to ask you experts out there. I would appreciate any advice!

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Final Cut Pro 5.0.4, QT 7.1.3

PowerBook G4, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Feb 22, 2007 5:26 PM

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Answer 1

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Feb 22, 2007 5:29 PM in response to eight18

It is supposed to be 48Khz, 16 bit Stereo.

Not 44.1...

Shane

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Answer 2

eight18 Author

Level 1

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Feb 22, 2007 7:07 PM in response to Shane Ross

Even at 48kHz, 16 bit Stereo...same issue. To me, Final Cut shouldn't really be that finicky with whether the AIFF is mono, sterio, or even the bit rate for that matter. The big question to me is, why didn't Final Cut care when my default setting was NTSC DVPRO, but now it cares when my default setting is HDV 1080i60? I see that my 1080i video (audio) is at 48 kHz, 16 bit sterio (which plays fine in the sequence) but the imported audio (same format) does not. I'm stumped.

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Answer 3

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Feb 22, 2007 7:09 PM in response to eight18

And this is after you have done an audio mixdown?

How many video streams?

How many audio streams?

Where is the audio material located (what drive)?

x

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Answer 4

eight18 Author

Level 1

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Feb 22, 2007 7:23 PM in response to Studio X

Here's what I did...converted an mp3 into a 48 kHz 16 bit sterio AIFF file, then imported it into Final Cut. The video already had channel 1 & 2, so this imported AIFF went to channels 3 & 4 in the timeline. In this projects case, I only have one layer of video. I've moved the AIFF file along the timeline so that it wouldn't be doubled up with the audio for the video, but still to no avail. I hope this answers your questions.

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Answer 5

eight18 Author

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Feb 22, 2007 7:26 PM in response to Studio X

Oh, and the AIFF file is located on the same drive as the video (and the rest of the project files). I say that holding my hand over my face...yes, I shouldn't do it that way. This was just supposed to be a quick project I could knock out on my laptop and be done with it. Even still...I've done this in the past without these issues (when defaulted to NTSC DVPRO).

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Answer 6

Feb 22, 2007 9:27 PM in response to eight18

Is it possible you accidentally imported the MP3 instead of the AIFF version?

rh

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Answer 7

eight18 Author

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Feb 23, 2007 6:48 AM in response to Randy Holder

I wish that were the case, but it's the AIFF acting up.

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