Automatic Duck in FCP 6.0

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Rich Riedel] ” Someone told me that the latest version of FCP comes with Automatic Duck. Is this so?”

No. It is not. Automatic duck is 3rd party app that is not licensed by Apple. You can export OMFs from FCP6, though. Not sure if it will contain the data that you need.

Jeremy

[Rich Riedel]

Thanks very much, Jeremy.
Rich R

[Rich Riedel]

Okay, I’m told that FCP 6.0.2 does NOT come with Automatic Duck, which is a 3rd party plug-in, but that FCP 6.0.2 DOES come with an ability to export OMFS that keep the audio level adjustments made in the timeline. Is this correct?

Currently, I’m working in FCP 5.1.4, and my sound mixer told me that my OMFs were exported without any of my audio level work preserved.

I’m asking because I’m deciding whether to purchase Automatic Duck as a plug-in for FCP 5.1.4, or whether to upgrade to FCP 6.0.2. The cost is basically the same.

Apparently, Automatic Duck doesn’t export any of the audio filters, but does maintain all the keyframing/level work, but if an upgrade to FCP 6.0.2 would also accomplish this, it seems to me to make sense to upgrade.

Unless, of course, I am going to run into problems with my project by upgrading in the middle of it. I am working in a 720p24 HDV project, with OS 10.4.9. Would there be any problems/buggy issues that occur by upgrading at this point? I’m basically done with the cut, just turning over to sound.

Thanks so much for any help, and for bearing with the rambling nature of this post.
Rich R

[John Pale]

FCP 6.x retains audio levels keyframing in the OMF export.

It does not retain any audio filters. (Avid OMF exports also do not retain filters…if they can’t make it work with their own format, Apple sure as hell ain’t gonna make it work)

For what its worth…most audio guys do not want your audio keyframing…they prefer to do it themselves..but its nice to have it if necessary.

[Michael Gissing]

OMFs do not transfer dynamic levels and filters. Automatic Duck does convert FCP projects to Protools with dynamic levels but filters just don’t translate. FCP has been making good OMFs since version 3.

My only question is why you want to translate levels. We do sound post here and never want editors rough mix levels anyway. After splitting tracks & setting up stem mixes, applying compressor/limiters, those levels won’t be right anyway.

[Shane Ross]

[John Pale] “For what its worth…most audio guys do not want your audio keyframing…they prefer to do it themselves..”

Occasionally I run into a mixer who is short on time (deadline short) and who I work with regularly and who knows I do a decent mix in the edit, so they want my levels and rubber-banding. But, that is the exception to the rule. Mostly they want things clean…like JOhn says.

Shane

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[Rich Riedel]

Thanks to you all (Shane, John, and Michael). Short on time, short on money. Yes, when I turn over OMFs for one of the studio films I’m working on, I export without any of the temp mix level tweaks, etc, but this particular project is a low budget indie, and I did a lot of audio work in FCP timeline (a lot of people assumed it was a final mix when they heard it in a screening room). My mixer’s doing this as a “favor” type deal so I want to make it as easy as possible for him.

Thanks again to all of you.

Rich R

[Jason Porthouse]

Rich,

I’ve just done an export of OMFs to a ProTools system from FCP6. Other than a few snags (it didn’t transfer a few ‘non standard’ files over – mixed sample rates) it was painless.

You may decide to upgrade FCP than pay all that money for Automatic Duck, excellent though it is.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Rich Riedel]

Thanks Jason. It definitely seems to make more sense to upgrade my FCP rather than just spend the same amount on Auto Duck, but I’m a little worried about upgrading from FCP 5.1.4 to 6.0.2 in the middle of a project. Actually, I’m a lot worried. Do you know of anyone who’s done this? Have they had any problems?

Thanks,
Rich R

[Jason Porthouse]

Rich,

Jumping horses in mid edit is never a great idea, but heres what I would do –

Buy 6.02

Buy a 250 gig drive (FW preferrably) – maybe $100?

Download Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper

Clone your system drive

Install 6.02 safe in the knowledge that you’ll be back to 5 in a matter of minutes should you get problems – and know that the hundred bucks you’ve spent extra on the drive and CCC or SuperDuper will be one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

HTH,

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*