Differnet Final Cut system's outputting audio at different levels.

I recently got a new Mac Pro to update my Final Cut rig.
I have 2 BetaSP machines that are set so -20db tone coming out of FCP hits their VU meters at 0db.
Today I swap out the machines, and the new machine is putting out -20 at a much lower level. So I figure, adjust the machines, go about your business.
Problem is, I have 1000 or so video files that have been mixed with the old system, and while the Tone output from the new FCP is lower, the audio from these files is not.
I've gone through all the settings I can find, and nothing seems to hint that the audio output is adjustable.
Any help is greatly appreciated.

Tony Bullard wrote:
I recently got a new Mac Pro to update my Final Cut rig.
congratulations
I have 2 BetaSP machines that are set so -20db tone coming out of FCP hits their VU meters at 0db.
Today I swap out the machines, and the new machine is putting out -20 at a much lower level. So I figure, adjust the machines, go about your business.
In the previous line you mean 'The new machine' is the new MacPro?
And with 'adjust the machines' you mean the BetaSP's?
please be more specific.
Problem is, I have 1000 or so video files that have been mixed with the old system, and while the Tone output from the new FCP is lower, the audio from these files is not.
So you are saying that when you send out a -20db tone out of FCP (on the new MacPro) is coming out lower level than the old mac? And that video files come out on the same audio level on both Macs?
It's digital, so should be the same all the way. Somewhere a setting is wrong.
I've gone through all the settings I can find, and nothing seems to hint that the audio output is adjustable.
It is. Depends what you are looking at.
And what your hardware setup is. How are you going from FCP to the BetaSP deck?
So what's your system setup.
How are you comparing?
Are you aware of the Master slider in the audiomixer? (Option 6). I always keep that on 0. It only applies to sequences or clips that you have opened at that very moment in the Viewer or the Canvas. Is it changed in level somewhere?
Depending on the hardware setup:
Did you check the audio output from the Mac under System Preferences?
Or if you use a Decklink card for output did you check the Audio Processing settings in the Apple > System Preferences > Decklink settings?
Or what other setup do you have?
Rienk

Similar Messages

FCP suites outputting audio at different levels

We've got three FCP Studio 2 suites with AJA Kona LHes, connected by SDI to a DigiBeta (M2000) in a bay. I've got a tape from an audio suite with tone at 4ppm and 5.5ppm, i.e. -18dB and -12dB on the FCP meters. All of the suites will capture this tone and play it back in FCP at the correct levels. If I try to lay this tone to tape however, one of the suites plays it back correctly, whereas the other two play back at much lower levels, -16dB and -22dB for one, and -18dB and -24dB for the other. I've been through the FCP and AJA Kona settings, and can find nothing that may affect output gain like this. Again, the meters in FCP are correct for all the suites.
Can anyone suggest anything?
Cheers
Steve

When you "Lay this tone to tape" do you use the Analog outputs?
If so, check your AJA Control Panel > Setup > Audio Setup options.
If you don't use analog, then try Steve's suggestion and then contact AJA support.

Synchronizing playback on multiple Final Cut Systems...

Everyone,
I'm setting up a room which will have 4 large LED screens on the walls. I have 4 Final Cut Systems (all with AJA boxes).
What I want to do is SYNCHRONIZE playback of all the systems for a presentation.
Basically, I'd like to have some sort of script (or something) that allows me to click in one place and it triggers ALL 4 of the Final Cuts to start playing their videos in sync. Audio will only be monitored through 1 master Final Cut and play via a surround sound system.
I did see "Virtual VTR Pro". WAY too expensive. It was about $10,000. I'm sure there's an easier way to do this...other than 4 people doing a countdown and simultaneously hitting play.
I'm sure someone will mention "Automate", but keep in mind...4 machines simultaneously.

Nice creative solution Travis
To do this the OP might check out the teleport software below
http://download.cnet.com/more-groupware/3000-2065_4-22339.html?tag=vtredir
And there is an ehow posting to get two to work below.
http://www.ehow.com/how2135941one-mouse-keyboard-using-teleport.html
I've never tried to do this myself but this idea might be the trick.
Message was edited because I decided to call Travis by his given name instead of Mr. Thrillcat

Hello, Please Help! When I bring the mastered audio from Soundtrack pro back to final cut pro 7, the audio plays well at the beginning 3 mins later it doesn't sync. Please Help!!!

Hello, Please Help!
When I bring the mastered audio from Soundtrack pro back to final cut pro 7, the audio plays well at the beginning 3 mins later it doesn't sync.
Please Help!!!
Edgil

Make sure your easy setup has the correct frame rate for your sequence. Seems crazy but somehow or other fcp assigns a frame rate to audio files. I've found this can sometimes be tricky to get right. Here's what I've done to force the issue. Make sure the easy setup frame rate reflects that of the target sequence in fcp. Create a new project. import the audio in the new project. And then copy the clip from the new project to your main project.
Good luck

Final Cut Express...Audio monitoring while capturing video.

Does anyone know how to monitor audio while capturing?

You might try posting in the FCE forum, very few Express users here in the Final Cut Pro forum.
In FCP, the function—and limitations—is clearly explained in the manual. I hope Apple's FCE manual and online help system are as thorough.
bogiesan

Final Cut Pro Timeline- finicky audio playback

I'm not sure what is going on here. After I've had final cut pro open for a while, sometimes a few hours, sometimes a few minutes, it starts having audio play back issues. It's really strange but sometimes it will only play back the audio of every other clip in the timeline. Sometimes it will play back all the clips but just the V/O or just the music track. And then if it happens to be choosing to play the V/O only and I pause and then un-pause, it will reverse and play the music but not the V/O and I can hit space bar as many times as I want and it will consistently alternate back and forth. I thought maybe I was pushing the system and after it rendered, this would go away. But exported all my timelines and burned a DVD, and the problem persisted. I've found that avoiding having more than one timeline open at a time helps (meaning I might be able to edit for several hours before the problem arises) but does not solve the problem.
I have an iMac 24" 2.8ghz with 4gb of ram and 30/500GB available.
I have yet to re-install final cut studio but it may come to that.
I don't even know what to search for in terms of troubleshooting or help online but if any one has seen this before or has suggestions, I would love to hear about it.
Thanks!

That sounds really weird.
The only time I've seen my system do anything near as crazy was due to a keyboard language change. For some reason my iMac, every so often, decides to slip into my secondary French Cdn layout. When it does, many of the key functions change, so when I think I'm doing one thing, I'm actually doing something completely different.
Any chance that something similar is happening to you and you are unknowingly toggling audio tracks on and off etc.?
If not, I'd definitely try trashing FCP preferences as a starter.
rh

Final Cut Express occasionally renders audio "out of order"

I'm running into a very occasional problem, which is just rare and random enough to not be recreatable on demand, and so is proving difficult to troubleshoot.
In a nutshell, sometimes - not very often - when I render an audio stream it will report an estimate of 6 hours or more for something even as small as a 1-second transition. This is not a composite or layered video or audio by any means, just a standard cross-disolve/cross-fade (+3) between two adjacent clips. When this type of extreme estimate occurs, I may find afterward that rendered audio in the sequence has been moved around, sort of like a shell game. Usually this anomaly only happens over a minute or less of the project. Trying to describe this, a portion of the rendered audio from one part of the timeline will replace a portion of rendered audio elsewhere -- as if some audio render segments have gotten linked out-of-order. If memory serves, the displaced audio so far has always appeared earlier in the timeline than it should. The replaced audio just doesn't seem to appear anywhere. So far, if I remove the associated audio render files and re-render, it fixes the problem, but I'm trying to sort out what is causing the behaviour in the first place so that I can take steps to keep it from happening at all. It raises havoc with trying to meet deadlines when I'm stuck re-rendering sometimes entire segments....
For some details about the environment:
     System is a Mac Book Pro, 2.4GHz Intel core duo, 4GB RAM, OSX 10.5.8.
     I'm using FCE4, importing SD clips for TV production from Sony cameras (sorry, I'm not part of the camera crew, and I can't recall the exact model number of their cameras - they are all the same model though, configured the same, so no known variables from that end).
     The cameras record standard-def MPG (Mpeg layer 2, so yes I convert them before importing into FCE), I convert them using the ffmpeg library. I tried FFMPEGX, but I find I have far more control over video/audio parameters and combinations with the command-line version. The parameters I use result in a Quicktime (.mov) file with these parameters: 16-bit integer (little-endian), stereo, 48kHz, DV 720x480 (640x480), Millions (of colors). FCE is generally quite happy with these parameters, and does not require immediate rendering of the audio or video - unless plugins are applied of course. As far as plugs, I generally only use the built-in FCE plugs for comp/lim and parametric EQ. If I have to get much more detailed than that, I'll go to Digital Performer (read on).
     In some cases the audio of the original clips is in quite a bad state, and requires far more detailed restoration than FCE can provide. As I am primarily an audio engineer, I rely on Digital Performer and friends for audio restoration, exporting from there a new clip, usually duplicating the original video (self-contained), though sometimes I do let DP export a reference movie. Final Cut doesn't seem to have any trouble with the .mov files exported from DP either way, and this anomaly doesn't seem to care whether the clips involved were processed by DP or not.
     Disk space, memory, and CPU load are all well within acceptable ranges; and with my previous years of experience as a systems admin, I am well aware of the system impact and ramifications of using internal vs external disks, memory allocation, disk filesystem operating overhead, etc.
As I've mentioned, this is not a show-stopper, I have a work-around to correct it when it happens. It's just a bit of a bugger *when* it happens, and I really wish I could work out the root cause of it, so that I can take steps to avoid the problem in the first place. Any suggestions/insight/help would be greatly appreciated, thank you! :-)

Thank you for your response.
Grr. I had a nice response ready to post, and apparently the system logged me out and wouldn't let me log in while keeping the text. I'll condense it a bit, since I've stumbled across some additional points to ponder while typing.
The clip:
And the sequence:
Yes, I see that the clip is 16-bit integer and the sequence supports 32-bit float, but this should not pose a problem since modern digital audio processing up-converts smaller sample formats to larger ones on the fly for processing, and exports whatever format is desired at the end. If this *was* the problem, I should always be off by a ratio of 2:1 on all audio data, but I'm not.
Additional notes: the system generally has Firewire, USB, and network mounts (all required for my work), and the internal drive (which *is* 7200RPM) is partitioned into a system and a user area to keep audio and video projects out of the system's disk space. Most main clips for a project are placed on the internal user space for speed, externals hold auxilliary files (stills, adverts, livetype, etc).
It was at this point in my previous typing that I began to realise that the anomaly seems to begin in sync with some random livetype object. It then extends a bit past the livetype object, so it's not locked to that object; and multiple instances of the same livetype object DO NOT result in multiple instances of the audio anomaly; it only hits a single instance; and again it usually cleans up when the audio render files are removed and re-processed.
This leads me to wonder about a possible odd combination of events/processes on the system, and whether or not FCE handles livetype natively or requires a livetype helper (i.e., another process stuffed into the system table). This sort of external influence would be a transient sort of event, and therefore could easily be out of the way by the time second render attempt is begun - resulting in the "fix" by removing and re-generating audio render files.
It makes sense to me, but it's still hypothesis and supposition at this point.

Final Cut to Soundtrack Pro Audio Drift

I have Final Cut Pro 7 and Soundtrack Pro 3 (the latest ones) and I can't figure out why when I send my audio to Soundtrack Pro the edits are off. I'm using multitrack multitrack project and exporting from Final Cut, but my in point on my audio clips changes to a little earlier and ends a little earlier. It's like it's drifting. I'm using aif files. Everything seems normal. I thought this version of Final Cut Studio would enable me to easily do this.
Any ideas?
BTW I am running Snow Leopard, but that should be a good thing right?

You are pushing the envelope working in fcp6 in Mavericks. Did you do a clean install of Mavericks and FCP? That's usually the way to get a stable system. Here's a user tip on Installing OS and FCP
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2861
As a workaround, can you just save an aiff in soundtrack pro and bring that in to fcp?

Export to quicktime from final cut producing bad quality audio

Hello
In exporting out quicktimes form the timeline in final cut I'm experiencing bad quality audio. Its almost like a fussing or noise in the background. I have tried to export the same quicktimes from a new sequence and only after a couple of attempts managed to get a quicktime with clear audio. I found the only way around this is to export out the audio as a separate aiff file which produces a clear audio file. This is not ideal as it creates more work when in a rush.
Anyone have any ideas how to rectify this?
Is anyone else experiencing this problem?
thanks in adavence

The sound is perfect in fcp.
I originally export from fcp using export quicktime movie, thats what causes the problem, which is why I had to resort to exporting the audio file as a separate file to the quicktime as an aiff which solves the problem. But it seem sa shame to have to export the picture and audio separately then use quicktime to marry the 2 together , then to re-export just so you cant have the files as one movie.
I just dont get what its doing.
Thanks for taking a look. I apprechiate it.

Final Cut Express file format - audio problem

I have some .mov files created from a screen capture session that I need to edit in Final Cut Express.
They were saved in .H264 format and I need to convert them to one of FCE's native formate. I THOUGHT I could do this by exporting in the DV/DVCPRO - NTSC formal in Quicktime Pro (7). However, I do not have an AIFF option in the audio. So, when importing into FCE, I can see the video in my timeline, but the audio needs to rendered. Is there a way I can get the video with the native audio format?
Thanks,
DR

Well, that took care of the sound problem. However, the video is not right. It is displaying at a very slow frame rate, and does not keep up with the audio.
My workaround so far is to convert it to dv musing MPEG Streamclip. Switching to "re-sample at 48000 hz" is not working, but once I import it into FCE, I can render the audio and cut using that.
Not the most elegant solution, but it works.

In desperate need of help! Final Cut Pro suddenly distorts audio!??

Hi
I have filmed much with my 7d using a juicedlink mixer and imported it into final cut pro.
Suddenly when I am editing the sound gets distorted and really high even though the sound waves look fine. It happens mostly in transitions on all my timelines. Here is a video clip of the phenomenon: http://enelesfilm.se/ovrigt/audiofail-desktop.m4v
Look at the audio meters Why is it like this and how do I fix it?!
Thank you so much for any help!

If you open these files with Quicktime and hit command+I QT inspector will show the info you need, however, glitches like the one you are having can often be caused either by unusual/unsuitable clip settings or corrupted preferences.
If audio is indeed AIFF 48kHz 16 bit and a re-start of the programme does not fix the issue you may want to try [trashing the preferences|http://www.digitalrebellion.com/pref_man.htm].

Final Cut System Settings

In System settings the Audio Capture is grayed out. Is it supposed to be grayed out and why?
Thank you

If you're capturing via Firewire, the audio is non-selectable because it transfers with the video as a single data stream. If you're using a capture card, please let us know which one ... there may be settings on the card's drivers that needs adjusting.
-DH

IMovie, Final Cut, Quicktime, online... a different colour in each!

The same video - Photo Jpeg format from a Panasonic LX3 digital camera - looks different in Final Cut, QuickTime and iMovie.
The "gamma shift" problems with FCP are well documented and I don't think I can be bothered to put anymore effort into finding a solution.
My editing projects are simple so maybe iMovie, I thought, would be enough...
But then I open the same video in QuickTime and iMovie and see that in the latter it is considerably darker and more contrasty.
Obviously, if I don't know which version is correct, I can't even begin to adjust the colours and contrast of the video.
Does anyone know where this difference might come from and exactly how I should set my system up so I can get on with editing rather than spending days trying to find information on the internet?
I'm using a calibrated Apple Cinema Display (2.2 gamma, 6500°k) and want to export edited video that can be viewed online via blip.tv.
Someone must have a solution... But I'm getting close to giving up on all this and using Avid or Adobe Premiere.
And one other problem in iMovie: if I try to adjust the exposure of my LX3 video it becomes rapidly desaturated, even black and white.
Message was edited by: Fato

Yes Kirk, I did see your post, thankyou.
I haven't tried it yet but I will although I'm still unclear as to what it is supposed to achieve: is it to match my monitor's gamma to FCP output? (I assume this is the case). If so, how does this solve the problem of needing to export a file that will display correctly on other people's machines - Mac and PC -that are either calibrated to, or default to, 2.2 gamma and 6500°K? Sorry if my question is basic but I'm trying to understand this.
I've read the Apple information about FCP using 1.8 gamma and that being the gamma of a broadcast monitor. My problem is that my stuff will never see a broadcast monitor, being entirely destined for the web and I was hoping to be able to set up some sort of simple workflow that took that into account.

Two audio tracks/different levels on different televisions

I am contemplating purchasing the FCPDVDSP bundle, but before I do, a question...
When I played back my DVD at a retailer, on different televisions, on different DVD players, the picture looked great. The sound was also perfect on televisions with built in speakers. However, on televisions with external speakers, the voice-over was fine, but the music track was too soft.
It's been recommended I go pro at this point, but I'm trying to understand the principles. Why would a DVD's balance sound fine played back on a TV with built-in speakers and not on a TV with external, amplified speakers? And how would DVDSP help solve this issue?
I realize I'm living in the imovie/idvd universe at the moment, so thank you for your help!

Nah you are not wearing out anything
In iDVD the audio is PCM (uncompressed) while in DVD SP you can use compressed audio (AC3) which helps in general playback situations due to less bandwidth (less skipping with lower rates) and some DVD Players behave better with AC3
(There was some issues with some players and PCM audio awhile back, my friend had a funky player, but I would not set this aspect as a rule.)
Techincally there are more things available to use in DVD SP in general and in general should be able to do things better, yet there was something that iDVD did better from a tech side in building a DVD (do not know if it still is the case with the recent versions of DVD SP and iDVD) where iDVD placed certain files. That being said, I also have friends who have players that play iDVD authored discs no problem, but for some reason DVD SP authored discs cause the players fits (even on discs I go and tweak with some other tools to remove anything that causes problems). Note these are when discs are burned from computers and not actual replicated discs.. go figure
Not sure if this helps at all
In general if you think you will be doing movies and DVD authoring often, and probably more so for other people, you may want to look at the Final Cut Studio, some great programs. I am not sure if your only concern is audio on DVDs you burn from your computer playing properly on various players will justify your cost of the entire thing.
On the other hand, the iApps are very powerful also and you can do alot with them.

REAL final cut system slowness problem/issue

I should wait for the post-house engineer....but, I don't want to:
I am having slow-ness issues on this FCP system I'm working on. Before I give you all the schematics of this system, I'll let you know that my temporary fix is copying the 'stuff' on the timeline and pasting into a new sequence.
I smell corrupt media/fx but that's just my AVID bkgd chiming in.
Any help would be appreciated,
Tom

Yeah...I'll try that again but I had to move to another bay on Saturday because the slowness was just rediculous. They have XSAN/AJA systems here and i'm guessing this bay needs a fresh OS and FCS install...but, I can't wait for that.

Differnet Final Cut system's outputting audio at different levels.

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for