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Activity Forums Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy Audio Sync Issues with FCP 7

  • Audio Sync Issues with FCP 7

    Posted by Peter Ambrosio on October 24, 2011 at 9:50 pm

    I’m editing a movie that was shot on Super 16mm. It was transferred to HDCAM SR tapes which were then digitized to Apple ProRes 422 files. The audio is all WAV files. I am manually syncing them in FCP. At first I was concerned about a sync issue but no one else I showed it to really noticed it. However, upon syncing a 6 minute take, I noticed an obvious drift.
    Both the FCP audio settings and the WAV files are at 48.0 khz. All the things I have read indicate that usually the reason for sync issues is that the sample rates are off. That is not the case here as I have checked it multiple times just to make sure I’m not being stupid.
    The video frame rate is at 23.98, which from what I know is the correct rate.
    If anyone can help, please let me know!
    Thanks!

    Michael Gissing replied 14 years, 10 months ago 3 Members · 6 Replies
  • 6 Replies
  • Jerry Hofmann

    October 24, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    Wav files… try taking that long take’s audio and exporting it as an aiff… change nothing else. Then see if that file slips out.

    Jerry

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  • Peter Ambrosio

    October 24, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    Jerry,
    Thank you so much for the quick reply. Unfortunately, I tried your suggestion and it didn’t work. If there’s anything else you happen to think of please let me know.
    Thanks again!
    Peter

  • Michael Gissing

    October 25, 2011 at 1:25 am

    Usually a film camera shoots at 24 fps, not 23.98, so the picture will be .1% slower. To test this on the longer file change the audio speed to 99.9% and see if it syncs. If that is the issue then the audio files can be speed changed in compressor. Pitch correction is not necessary for such a small speed change.

    Shame the telecine didn’t go to ProRes files directly and at true 24 fps.

  • Peter Ambrosio

    October 25, 2011 at 1:42 am

    Worked! Thanks a bunch! All I did was change the audio playback speed in FCP and it now stays in sync. I’m not too concerned about the telecine as I would like to go back to film if I can afford it. Thanks again Michael!

  • Jerry Hofmann

    October 25, 2011 at 2:24 am

    OH yeah… should have thought of that.

    Jerry

  • Michael Gissing

    October 25, 2011 at 2:33 am

    Just remember if you do go back to film that your final mix will need to be sped up .1%.

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