Final Cut Pro X Ripple 8 - Synchronizing Audio & Video - SOUND Flashcards
Compound Clip vs. Synchronized Clip
A synced clip is basically just a compound clip in which FCP X synced your various video and audio clips for you automatically. It works really well.
You may not be able to tell by simply looking at the clips in this project we’ve been working on, but all of these clips are what Final Cut Pro calls Synchronized Clips. _____ _____ on any clip and choose Open In Timeline from the contextual menu. The clip opens up and displays a video and audio clip in the Primary Storyline with a PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN connected audio clip below it. IT ALSO SHOWS YOU THE REST OF THE FULL CLIP IN GRAY.When this movie was shot, the sound was recorded on a separate digital recorder with a professional microphone to achieve the best possible on-location sound. A separate mic was connected to the RED camera to record what is often referred to as reference audio. The reference audio’s only purpose is to help the editor achieve and maintain sync throughout the post production pipeline.
Right click
Final Cut Pro gives you several ways to synchronize and achieve frame accurate sync. If you skim over the clip, timecode appears in the Dashboard. On higher budget productions, all recording devices are synchronized to a single clock called a timecode _________. Timecode is by far the the most accurate way to sync compared to other methods because sync is achieved on a frame-by-frame basis over the course of the entire shot.
generator
If you skim over the video clip and then the connected audio clip, you’ll see in the dashboard, that the time codes do not match. So obviously, timecode was ___ used to synchronize these clips.
not
Sync can still be achieved, but unless the devices we’re all running at the same _____ throughout the take, sync could slip over the course of the clip. This is why Final Cut Pro employs several “cross checks” for achieving sync using a combination of markers, metadata and audio.
speed
Auto-Syncing
In the Browser, locate the keyword collection labeled for syncing. Inside are two clips - a video clip with __________ audio and a good audio clip of the same take from the digital recorder. Skim over the video clip and you’ll see a marker has been placed at the first frame of the closed clapper. A marker has also been placed in the sound file at the corresponding audio frame of the closed clapper. Select both clips and press _______ _______ _ to bring up the Clip Synchronization window. By clicking OK, Final Cut Pro will attempt to automatically sync using whatever syncing options are available at the time of syncing. If timecode exists, then Final Cut will sync using timecode. If there is no timecode, Final Cut will sync using markers.
If markers are not available, sync will be attempted using the content creation metadata written into the clip. Then finally, barring any other available method, Final Cut will attempt to sync using the starting points of each clip. Since we’ve already placed markers at the sync points, all that’s necessary is to click OK and Final Cut will create a clip that’s in sync from the marker forward.
reference, OPTION COMMAND G,
Using Audio for Synchronization
On longer takes, using the automatic setting is the fastest way to sync clips. However, if you’re more concerned with accuracy than speed, place a check next to “Use audio for synchronization” and Final Cut Pro will augment the syncing process by comparing the audio waveforms of each clip and attempt to sync by the audio content recorded into each clip.
Of course this assumes that your camera actually recorded a reference audio track for Final Cut Pro to sync to. In my reasoning, I see no reason to leave this feature off as it will provide another level of accuracy. Also, I must admit, there have been several times I did not use a clapboard and I’ve had to rely upon audio synchronization alone to do the job.
And while I have no complaints with the final product, I would be remiss if I didn’t nag you to use a clapboard if for no other reason then you are helping Final Cut Pro get more accurate results. Then there’s the _____ itself. Unless you are the editor, very few editors like to get footage with no ____ slates explaining what shot and take they are looking at.
head
Using Custom Settings
If however, you don’t want Final Cut Pro to do all this processing, you can click the Use Custom Settings button, then choose a synchronization method from this pop-up. You can even give Final Cut Pro a starting timecode number if you have access to the script supervisor’s logs.
In most cases, I’ve found very few reasons for using the custom settings to achieve sync. Let’s click OK to sync the clip. Select the Synced _____ __________ to reveal the synced clip. Synchronized clips always appear with the words Synchronized Clips in the name.
Skim over the clip beginning with the clapboard to check sync, then skim over the sections of dialogue in the middle and end of the clip to make sure sync is maintained throughout the clip.
SMART COLLECTION
Sample Nudging to Improve Sync
If after checking sync and you feel it’s still off, you can fix it using sample-accurate clip nudging. Right-click on the clip and choose > Open in Timeline. Park your playhead over the marker and press Command-plus to zoom in. With your ______ key held down, tap the period key to nudge the audio clip forward in 1/80th of a frame increments.
Tap the comma key to nudge the clip in the opposite direction. It’s worth pointing out that this level of control is critical because in professional film and television sound is synced to an accuracy of half or quarter frame. It’s good to know Final Cut Pro gives you an even higher level of accuracy when you need it.
Option
Naming the Clip
Naming the clip is especially critical when working on feature films and documentaries where there is a lot of media to organize and keep track of. If this was a feature, I would create meaningful names based on the ______. Let’s rename this clip Nicole MCU Take 1.
script
Syncing by Phonemes
Finally, I want to make an audio improvement to the opening scene. Click the _______ button to return to the main project. On location we didn’t get a good clean read of Nicole’s opening line and I would like to replace it with a better read from the clip we just synced…
To reduce the distraction of the music, select it and press V to disable it. Also, let’s collapse all the audio clips to make more room in the timeline. Skim over the clip listening for her line, back up a few frames, then press I to mark an in point. Skim to where she finished speaking, then press O to mark an out point.
Drag the volume bar between the range all the way to the bottom to remove her line entirely. Locate the Nicole MCU Take 1clip and create a range around the same line. Press the forward slash key to make sure you’ve enclosed the entire line. In the timeline, move the playhead to the end of the silent gap created by the keyframes.
Press Shift-3 to enable an audio-only edit, then press Shift-Q to perform a back-timed Connect edit. Play back. The clip sync looks a few frames off which is to be expected given that we are using audio from a completely different take. But because the viewers eyes are not on Nicole but on the larger moving subject in the foreground, we can get away with this slight of hand.
Even so, we can improve the effect even further with a few simple steps. Skim to where she says “plane” then set a marker. P’s and B’s make excellent sync points because they are phonemes - in other words, they make distinct sounds in our language.
Now skim over the video looking for the frame where she is closing her lips to make the P sound and park your playhead there. Now select the audio take and use your comma or period keys to nudge the clip until the marker aligns with the playhead.
Let’s re-enable the music, drop it down a few decibels so it doesn’t compete with the dialogue and play back. In the next lesson we’re going to begin digging deeper into our audio using Final Cut Pro’s Component editing tools.
history
Syncing by Phonemes 2
Finally, I want to make an audio improvement to the opening scene. Click the history button to return to the main project. On location we didn’t get a good clean read of Nicole’s opening line and I would like to replace it with a better read from the clip we just synced…
To reduce the distraction of the music, select it and press V to disable it. Also, let’s collapse all the audio clips to make more room in the timeline. Skim over the clip listening for her line, back up a few frames, then press I to mark an in point. Skim to where she finished speaking, then press O to mark an out point.
Drag the volume bar between the range all the way to the bottom to remove her line entirely. Locate the Nicole MCU Take 1 clip IN THE EVENT BROWSER and create a range around the same line. Press the _______ _____ key to make sure you’ve enclosed the entire line. In the timeline, move the playhead to the end of the silent gap created by the keyframes.
Press Shift-3 to enable an audio-only edit, then press Shift-Q to perform a back-timed Connect edit. Play back. The clip sync looks a few frames off which is to be expected given that we are using audio from a completely different take. But because the viewers eyes are not on Nicole but on the larger moving subject in the foreground, we can get away with this slight of hand.
Even so, we can improve the effect even further with a few simple steps. Skim to where she says “plane” then set a marker. P’s and B’s make excellent sync points because they are phonemes - in other words, they make distinct sounds in our language.
Now skim over the video looking for the frame where she is closing her lips to make the P sound and park your playhead there. Now select the audio take and use your comma or period keys to nudge the clip until the marker aligns with the playhead.
Let’s re-enable the music, drop it down a few decibels so it doesn’t compete with the dialogue and play back. In the next lesson we’re going to begin digging deeper into our audio using Final Cut Pro’s Component editing tools.
forward slash
Syncing by Phonemes 3
Finally, I want to make an audio improvement to the opening scene. Click the history button to return to the main project. On location we didn’t get a good clean read of Nicole’s opening line and I would like to replace it with a better read from the clip we just synced…
To reduce the distraction of the music, select it and press V to disable it. Also, let’s collapse all the audio clips to make more room in the timeline. Skim over the clip listening for her line, back up a few frames, then press I to mark an in point. Skim to where she finished speaking, then press O to mark an out point.
Drag the volume bar between the range all the way to the bottom to remove her line entirely. Locate the Nicole MCU Take 1 clip IN THE EVENT BROWSER and create a range around the same line. Press the forward slash key to make sure you’ve enclosed the entire line. In the timeline, move the playhead to the end of the silent gap created by the keyframes.
Press _____ _ to enable an audio-only edit, then press Shift-Q to perform a back-timed Connect edit. Play back. The clip sync looks a few frames off which is to be expected given that we are using audio from a completely different take. But because the viewers eyes are not on Nicole but on the larger moving subject in the foreground, we can get away with this slight of hand.
Even so, we can improve the effect even further with a few simple steps. Skim to where she says “plane” then set a marker. P’s and B’s make excellent sync points because they are phonemes - in other words, they make distinct sounds in our language.
Now skim over the video looking for the frame where she is closing her lips to make the P sound and park your playhead there. Now select the audio take and use your comma or period keys to nudge the clip until the marker aligns with the playhead.
Let’s re-enable the music, drop it down a few decibels so it doesn’t compete with the dialogue and play back. In the next lesson we’re going to begin digging deeper into our audio using Final Cut Pro’s Component editing tools.
SHIFT 3
Syncing by Phonemes 4
Finally, I want to make an audio improvement to the opening scene. Click the history button to return to the main project. On location we didn’t get a good clean read of Nicole’s opening line and I would like to replace it with a better read from the clip we just synced…
To reduce the distraction of the music, select it and press V to disable it. Also, let’s collapse all the audio clips to make more room in the timeline. Skim over the clip listening for her line, back up a few frames, then press I to mark an in point. Skim to where she finished speaking, then press O to mark an out point.
Drag the volume bar between the range all the way to the bottom to remove her line entirely. Locate the Nicole MCU Take 1 clip IN THE EVENT BROWSER and create a range around the same line. Press the forward slash key to make sure you’ve enclosed the entire line. In the timeline, move the playhead to the end of the silent gap created by the keyframes.
Press Shift-3 to enable an audio-only edit, then press _____ _ to perform a back-timed Connect edit. Play back. The clip sync looks a few frames off which is to be expected given that we are using audio from a completely different take. But because the viewers eyes are not on Nicole but on the larger moving subject in the foreground, we can get away with this slight of hand.
Even so, we can improve the effect even further with a few simple steps. Skim to where she says “plane” then set a marker. P’s and B’s make excellent sync points because they are phonemes - in other words, they make distinct sounds in our language.
Now skim over the video looking for the frame where she is closing her lips to make the P sound and park your playhead there. Now select the audio take and use your comma or period keys to nudge the clip until the marker aligns with the playhead.
Let’s re-enable the music, drop it down a few decibels so it doesn’t compete with the dialogue and play back. In the next lesson we’re going to begin digging deeper into our audio using Final Cut Pro’s Component editing tools.
SHIFT Q
Syncing by Phonemes 5
Finally, I want to make an audio improvement to the opening scene. Click the history button to return to the main project. On location we didn’t get a good clean read of Nicole’s opening line and I would like to replace it with a better read from the clip we just synced…
To reduce the distraction of the music, select it and press V to disable it. Also, let’s collapse all the audio clips to make more room in the timeline. Skim over the clip listening for her line, back up a few frames, then press I to mark an in point. Skim to where she finished speaking, then press O to mark an out point.
Drag the volume bar between the range all the way to the bottom to remove her line entirely. Locate the Nicole MCU Take 1 clip IN THE EVENT BROWSER and create a range around the same line. Press the forward slash key to make sure you’ve enclosed the entire line. In the timeline, move the playhead to the end of the silent gap created by the keyframes.
Press Shift-3 to enable an audio-only edit, then press Shift-Q to perform a ____ _____ _______ ____. Play back. The clip sync looks a few frames off which is to be expected given that we are using audio from a completely different take. But because the viewers eyes are not on Nicole but on the larger moving subject in the foreground, we can get away with this slight of hand.
Even so, we can improve the effect even further with a few simple steps. Skim to where she says “plane” then set a marker. P’s and B’s make excellent sync points because they are phonemes - in other words, they make distinct sounds in our language.
Now skim over the video looking for the frame where she is closing her lips to make the P sound and park your playhead there. Now select the audio take and use your comma or period keys to nudge the clip until the marker aligns with the playhead.
Let’s re-enable the music, drop it down a few decibels so it doesn’t compete with the dialogue and play back. In the next lesson we’re going to begin digging deeper into our audio using Final Cut Pro’s Component editing tools.
BACK TIMED CONNECT EDIT
