Advice for recording spoken word directly into FCP?

I want to teach some kids to record spoken word directly into FCP with most likely a USB mic. I know that this is not the best way to do this, and a mixer would help greatly. With that said, can anyone provide any suggestions for getting the best quality out of a basic mic and a Mac with FCP?
Thanks.

I'm with David on this. My sweet spot for peaks is in the -6 to -3 range as well. I'm talking about ideal for "recording" your VO, not necessarily for delivering a final mix to the client as already mentioned.
When you record anything through a microphone, there will be a noise floor to contend with. Even the quietest recording studios with the best isolation and the quietest mic preamps have noise and hum at some level. So it's critical for us without ideal recording environments to keep our recording levels as hot as possible without clipping in order to achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio. If you record something too low, and bring it up in post, you will be bringing up the noise floor along with the signal.
Eddie

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Ideal levels for recording spoken word

I want to record some screen recorded videos with iShowU, import them into FCP and record narration over them. I will be using a Countryman headset mic plugged into a mixer that will be plugged into my Macpro.
1.) Is there any reason to record my narration in any program other than FCP using the Voice Over tool?
2.) From what I have read, the ideal average levels for spoken word is around -12db. Should I be concerned if I am hitting below this while recording and only sometimes reaching -12db? Or is this something I can just adjust in FCP? OR should I try to average -12db when recording my narration?
Thanks!!!

I'm with David on this. My sweet spot for peaks is in the -6 to -3 range as well. I'm talking about ideal for "recording" your VO, not necessarily for delivering a final mix to the client as already mentioned.
When you record anything through a microphone, there will be a noise floor to contend with. Even the quietest recording studios with the best isolation and the quietest mic preamps have noise and hum at some level. So it's critical for us without ideal recording environments to keep our recording levels as hot as possible without clipping in order to achieve the best signal-to-noise ratio. If you record something too low, and bring it up in post, you will be bringing up the noise floor along with the signal.
Eddie

Recording Streaming Audio Directly into Logic 8?

Is it possible to record streaming audio directly into Logic 8. I would like to grab some sound bites from web sites and various other places and lay them down as Audio tracks in Logic 8.
I know WireTap Pro will do it for $30 but I wonder if I could just do it in Logic.
Again, thank you for your time.

Bee Jay wrote:
Or you could also use the loopback trick and just plug your interface's outputs >into it's inputs - be careful of your routing to avoid feedback though...
Hi Bee Jay .. I wonder if you would mind advising on this setup:
Normally I hear everything that comes out of the computer via the following route:
Out of computer via Firewire and into Motu828
Then out of Motu 828 and into Mixer channels 1 & 2 which are set to Monitor only. ie I hear all audio ( including streaming audio from computer) through my monitor speakers and the signal does not go back into Logic.
All the other mixer channels (3 - 16) I use for recording. Mics and line inputs routing these back into the MOTU (and then the computer) by buttons on the individual channel of the mixer. ie If the button is up on a particular mixer channel it comes out the speakers and does not record in Logic. If the button is down then that channel records into Logic (via a loom into the MOTU).
I was warned on no account to press the buttons down on channels 1 & 2 ( because those were the main outs to monitor Logic's signal ) ...
But that if I *switched off the channel output in Logic channel strip* - then I could press down those buttons on Channel 1 and 2 and route whatever audio was coming out of the computer ( iTunes, You Tube etc) back into Logic to record.
I did this some time ago and it worked ... but for some reason, now even though I have the Logic Channel outputs switched off, I still get the most horrendous howling feedback if I try to record Streaming Audio or iTunes.
If you or anyone else has advice on what would be causing this, I would be most grateful
ms

Recording Scratch Narration Directly to FCP

I am about to record some scratch narration and what to know the best way to do it directly into FCP. Is it better to use the capture tool or the Voice Over tool. Also should I invest in a cheap mic and sound card (any suggestions on what to buy?) in order to do this?
Thanks

This is an area that FCP is VERY weak in...IMHO. The VO tool requires that you have a timeline and record to that timeline, as if you are doing the master VO after you lay down picture. Who does that? So you have to create a large timeline with some small peice of media way at the end. Pain in the patoot!
And I haven't had much success with the capture tool. It wants a video signal or it won't work. I messed with that for an hour with no success and gave up. Couldn't get my mike routed thru my DSR-11 to read in FCP. I use QT Pro and my Tascam Mixer with firewire in. Or most recently I have been using Sound Studio 3. That gives me a nice clean sound.
I heard that Soundtrack does this too...I should look into that...
Shane

I downloaded the trial version of Adobe XL for converting a Word doc into PDF - can't find it.

I downloaded the trial version of Adobe XL for converting a Word doc into PDS - can't find it now. Need asap!

You want the forum for Acrobat then: Acrobat

Capturing Only Audio directly into FCP via a line in connection?

Basically I'm wondering if you can source directly into FCP 4.5 from a Walkman pro? So I can capture directly into FCP. Is this possible. Any help would be appreciated.
Ken

Basically I'm wondering if you can source directly
into FCP 4.5 from a Walkman pro? So I can capture
directly into FCP. Is this possible. Any help would
be appreciated.
Ken
Depends. You've got to find a way to bring in analogue audio through a digital system. You can hook the walkman up to a digital camera and then into FCP. Does a walkman even have an output connection?

Microsoft Word Doc into FCP

Anyone have a suggestion on how to get a word .doc into fcp. Client has a list of 100 names they want to input into my timeline. What should I convert the file to and how?

Use the Boris Title 3D or Title Crawl plugins that came bundled with FCP. You should be able to perfectly align the names the way you want.
Or use Photoshop.
Or, if you have a Windows system handy, open the Word document in word, then go to File->Print. Choose Microsoft Document Image Writer as the printer to create a TIF file of the document. Import the resulting TIF file into your FCP project.
-DH

Putting spoken word cd into audiobooks in itunes

Right i have a spoken word cd and i have put it on to itunes but it goes into the music file rather than the audiobooks file where i want it. and i dont know how to move it, i dont really want to buy the audiobook again over the itunes store as i already have it on cd bought and paid for. and i cant find to find something to help me in itunes help. HELP someone please? how do i move the files!!!!!??
Windows XP

Take a look here:
Converting CDs to iTunes Audiobooks
Many similar sets of instructions can be found by doing a web search for "iTunes audiobook".
Regards.
Message was edited by: Dave Sawyer

Draging VOB files directly into FCP

I was always told that FCP could not read VOB files directly. And to get stuff from a dvd into FCP I had to either rip it or capture through an analogue converter. But someone I know tested draging VOB files (or the files where the video is stored on a DVD) into FCP and it worked. I have also tested this, and it worked. These were of course inhouse non copy protected DVDs.
But my question is, even if this works, is there something that could come back and bite me in the behind, if I do it this way?

It skips frames, but that's OK for a rough cut.
Says who? Dropped frames during the edit are unacceptable. There is no reason to edit with H.264...it is a DELIVERY codec. It isn't intended for editing (notice there are no EASY SETUPS for this?)
Edit in a format that is meant for editing, then compress h.264 for web or HD DVD.
Shane

How can I capture video directly into FCP without recording to tape first?

I hooked my Sony VX2000 to the computer via firewire and opened the Log and Capture dialog box. The video from my camera shows correctly in the preview window.
I click the Capture Now button and the capture window opens but no video displayed. The message below the window says "Waiting for Timecode".
I guess the camera doesn't send timecode when it's not recording so I press the record button. Now video shows up in the capture window. After 16 frames it freezes and an error box pops up that says "Capture Now has reached the end of the tape. All existing footage between the point where you started the capture and the end of the tape was captured successfully."
Foiled again! This has been a problem from time to time when I want to capture video from a source that does not supply timecode.
Is there any settings I can change to capture video directly from a camera using FCP without having to record it to tape in one step and then capture it in a second step?
Thanks,
Rob:-]
FCP 5.1.2 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Dual 1.8GHz Power PC G5, 3GB ram

I thought I had tried that. Thanks, that was the answer.
I am aware of the danger of not having tape backup. Having worked with the new Panasonic AG-HVX200 it is a chore to free up the P2 cards fast enough to keep from starving the camera crew. Copying the P2 contents to a single hard drive is the practice but leaves the whole shoot at the mercy of a single point of failure.
As far as my capturing directly to HD, it isn't a problem for short podcasts that could be recreated quickly if lost. Also, I can still record to tape in the camera but avoid the second step of capture when I'm in my edit bay anyway.
Peace,
Rob:-]

QuickTime X - Screen recording - can't import into FCP 7.0

Well, the title pretty much says it all.
I upgraded to Snow Leopard on my MacBookPro 2.4GHzCore2Duo4GB RAM. No problems.
I ran the new QuickTime X and made a short screen recording. Saved to desktop; I get a .mov file.
Ran Final Cut Pro 7.0 after recently upgrading to FCS 3, tried to import the screen recording, get error message "File error: unknown file."
What's up?
The file can be read by iMovie '09, by the way - not that I would ever use that software.

Man, I'm wishing it were THAT easy.
I'm needing to do this exact workflow, and still can't find a way to make FCP happy.
ATTEMPT #1:
First, I used QT X to make a two-minute Screen Recording. It creates a file called "Screen Recording.mov" in the Movies folder, with the file's dimensions being the same as my 23" Cinema Display (1920x1200). As we already know -- even though "Get Info" describes this file as simply a "QuickTime movie" using Apple's H.264 codec, something YOU'D THINK would be perfectly compatible with APPLE's flagship professional editing program -- it's not.
"File Error: 1 file(s) recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown. OK"
ATTEMPT #2:
So I quit the new QuickTime, and open the "Screen Recording.mov" file in QT7. I select "Export...", and I go with the default "Movie to QuickTime movie" option (which seems redundant, but the other choices in the pull down list don't look all that appropriate). I give the about-to-be-created new file a revised name, and then QuickTime7 chugs away for several minutes, converting the QuickTime movie QuickTime X created into a QuickTime7 QuickTime movie which hopefully the QuickTime-based FinalCutPro editing program will be gracious enough to import.
I really hope someone at Apple is taking note of how absurd this all sounds. And that would be okay, if when I then tried to Import this new QuickTime file into FinalCutPro 7, I didn't get the EXACT SAME (and typically unhelpful and uninformative) error message:
"File Error: 1 file(s) recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown. OK"
ATTEMPT #3:
Okay -- an "editable codec". So I once again open the "Screen Recording.mov" file in QT7. I select "Export...", but this time I click on "Options...", then "Settings...", and then for "Compression Type", I select Apple ProRes 422. Hey, that's gotta work, right? It's ProRes -- by Apple. The new codec in which everything's supposed to play together nicely. Why the Timeline I've currently got open is even ProRes422.
So imagine my delight when I try to Import this latest version of the file (now inflated from 140MB to 1.2GB -- but hey, at least it's gonna work)...
"File Error: 1 file(s) recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown. OK"
Well no, it's not OK. And when FCP finally gets the top-to-bottom, under-the-hood AND interface overhaul this one-foot-still-stuck-in-OS9 app so desperately needs, maybe it will at least provide HELPFUL error messages, something like: "Sorry -- this file can't be imported because xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. You can use xxxxxxxxxxxxxx to convert its xxxxxxxxx setting to the required xxxxxxx, or you can try xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx in a new Timeline."
(And yes, I am a regular contributor to "Apple Feedback".)
Alright, venting finished. Would now be hugely grateful if someone could translate Apple's cryptic "-- 1 file(s) recognized --" error message into a real-world way to make what should be a straightforward process actually work: just save a simple screen recording, and then use that screen recording in a Final Cut project?
Thank you!
John Bertram
Toronto

Recording spoken word- best effects?

I'm completely new to audio recording and need some advice. We're going to record some audio in our office with Soundtrack Pro 2 or GarageBand to be made available as a Podcast-type audio file. I skimmed through the Soundtrack Effects help guide on Compressors, limiters, noise gates, etc, but it's all still very much over my head.
Tomorrow we're recording a male reading a few paragraphs and we're using a "shock-mounted dynamic omnidirectional" mic made by EV, model # RE50B. It'll go to our 8-channel mixer via XLR and into our PowerMac Quad G5 via RCA-out (we'll use our AJA Kona card to capture probably).
What type of audio filters should we use to record high quality, "normalize" audio? This will be helpful for us in the future as we record audio often but don't really know what we're doing. Also, if you're going to say "use this setting with that setting" could you maybe guide me towards specific Apple presets or how to set it up? I'm a complete newbie with this.
I also posted this question in the Soundtrack forum since I also have Soundtrack Pro 2 at my disposal. Thanks for reading!

First off, if you're using garageband, you should just record dry. the effects do not affect the recording at all, they are only applied during playback. the beauty of this is that if you recorded an effect, you're stuck with it. With GarageBand, you can play with and tweak, or even change your mind and completely remove the effects at any time.
That said, there really isn't any "this is best" answer. You use the effects that are appropriate, or needed. It would all depend, in your case, on how the voice sounds. If it's quiet, you might add some compression, if it's weak, you might add some bass, tinny, you might trim some high end. every voice, every room, and often times, every situation is different.

Equipment for recording guitar/vocal/bass into Garageband

Hi Everyone!
I really want to get into recording in Garageband and need some opinions on some gear to get.
I would like to record an acoustic guitar, some vocals and possible an electric bass guitar.
What do i need inbetween the instruments & my mac?
I am guessing I will need a USB device that takes Balanced XLR in (for the mic), standard guitar jack (whats the proper name for one of these???).
At least I would just like to record the acoustic guitar, a crappy microphone (unbalanced over mini jack) and the bass guitar
Thanks!
Adam

Hi Adam,
I was in the same situation 2 months ago and I finally bought the M-Audio Firewire 410 recording interface. Wow. You have four inputs (2 XLR, 2 jacks) and 10 outputs. It's perfect for home recording. Electric and accoustic guitars, vocals, basses, or any instruments you like, this machine will do the job. The quality is impressive for the price (between 300 and 400 canadian $). I would say to you to purchase a firewire interface instead of a USB one, because with firewire you wont have latency problems and the overall quality will mainly be better than USB (larger amount of information passing throught the wire).
Hope it will help you

Help reqd for printing the word text into two lines(AMOUNT in Rupees)

Hi all,
Im working for cheque printing and in the Amount in words column....im getting the text in a single line...as i've made it as in my script.
(im moving the rate in to amount thru FM "HR_IN_CHG_INR_WRDS"....
and it displaying into a single line....)
But in every bank cheque...we have only a limit space for the first line and balance words should come in to the next line....How to achieve this in my form print.(when im giving the cheque(laser print) inside the printer for print)...
*******FYI..
now im getting it as
RUPEES Ninety Seven Thousand Thirty seven and four paise only.(its going out in my cheque as it's coming in a single line,going beyond the words column)
the above one...i want to print it as two lines as like in normal cheque...
what condition i've to give and how to split the text or make it to continue in the second line....
Pls do the needful with any examples or any coding.....
help needed
thanks & regards
sankar

hi Nehal,
the below one is my coding part........FYI
DATA AMT LIKE REGUD-WAERS.
data: words(120) type c,AMOUNT(120).
data: ant like PC207-betrg,t like reguh-vblnr,t1 type int4.
FORM WORDS TABLES intab
STRUCTURE itcsy outtab
STRUCTURE itcsy.
READ TABLE intab INDEX 1.
   t   = intab-value.
select single RWBTR from reguh into ant where vblnr eq t.
ant = ant * ( -1 ).
CALL FUNCTION 'HR_IN_CHG_INR_WRDS'
EXPORTING
AMT_IN_NUM               = ant
IMPORTING
AMT_IN_WORDS             = words.
amount = words.
READ TABLE outtab INDEX 1.
MOVE WORDS TO outtab-value.
MODIFY outtab INDEX 1.
ENDFORM.                    "diff
with the above code,im getting the amount field in a single line and it goes out beyond the line specified.
How to split it as a length basis as u said....pls explain in detail...
thanks & regards
sankar

Advice for the day: Never directly create a JFrame again

In TUS , my open source project, you can find a class
tjacobs.ui.util.WindowUtilities
Using WindowUtilities, you can take any component, image, etc and call
WindowUtilities.visualize(...)
And voila! It's done. Windows will tile, and the program will exit when all windows are closed (can be turned off in WindowTiler)

Thanks for the replies. I reviewed them shortly after they were submitted but I'm also working on other projects at the same time (hence the delayed reply).
Building a time table and doing a cross join to my original resultset gave me the desired resultset of the months assigned between dates. What I can't figure out now is how to filter months I don't want.
Doing a cross join between my original resultset that had two dates:
08/27/2010
10/24/2011
and a calendar table that has 24 rows (each month for a two year period)
my new resultset looks like this:
I need to filter the rows in yellow as the months assigned for stage 3 that started on 8/27/2010 should stop when the patient was assigned to stage 4 on 10/24/2011.
You'll notice that Jan - Sept 2011 isn't listed for Stage 4 assigned on 10/24/2011 as I included a filter in the WHERE clause that states
the Months Assigned value must be greater than or equal to the date assigned value.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Advice for recording spoken word directly into FCP?

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