can you import audio OMF files into FCP?

[Todd Beabout]

[Zeliha] “Does this mean final cut doesn’t import OMF files”

That is correct, FCP will not import OMFs.

-Todd Beabout
Vazda Studios

[Zeliha Bozkurt]

Hi Todd

Thanks for the quick response

I must mention that I managed to import the same OMF file into the FCP by using Automatick Duck Pro Export.

So does this mean in order to import OMF files into Final Cut I need a plug in such as Automatic Duck.

I have also been told that OMF files exported by FCP’s built-in OMF export cannot be imported into an Avid editing system. Is this true?

Thanks

Zee

[Todd Beabout]

Hmmm… not really sure about importing them into an Avid. We usually send OMFs to our audio post-house, and they use Pro Tools. They do not have any problems using the OMFs from FCP, but that is all I can verify. We haven’t tried to bring OMFs into our Avids here. And I don’t have any first-hand experience with the Automatic Duck plug in, so it’s good to know that they can import an OMF into FCP. That could come in handy at some point!

-Todd Beabout
Vazda Studios

[David Roth weiss]

[Zeliha] “So does this mean in order to import OMF files into Final Cut I need a plug in such as Automatic Duck.”

To export OMFs from FCP you need Automatic Duck Pro Export, and to import OMFs into FCP you need Automatic Duck Pro Import. I just went through all the research on this. The Duck sells a bundle with both plugins for a $200 discount.

DRW

[Todd Beabout]

[David Roth Weiss] “To export OMFs from FCP you need Automatic Duck Pro Export”

Hey David, are you sure about that? The reason I ask is that I export OMFs nearly every day without using the Duck. I just go to File>Export>Audio to OMF and then I get prompted for the audio settings, handle lengths, and where I want the file to go. Or are you saying that in order to import the OMF back into FCP, it needs to be exported using Automatic Duck?

-Todd Beabout
Vazda Studios

[David Roth weiss]

Todd,

That does confuse me too now. Since my research started from the perspective of importing OMFs, which is only possible using the Duck, I assumed that, since they sell it, one required it to output as well. Perhaps Wes Plate will give us “the skinny,” or “the lowdown.” I’ll ask about this on the Duck Forum and will get back to ya…

DRW

[Tom Matthies]

Hmmm. I export OMFs thru FCP for use in ProTools all of the time. It works…mostly anyhow.
Tom

[David Roth weiss]

According to Wes Plate at Automatic Duck, “Pro Export FCP includes volume information in the OMF (FCP’s OMF export contains no volume information).” (Duck has i/o for all keyframes)

and…

“Pro Export FCP also allows you to export OMF compositions to send to Avid editing systems (FCP’s OMF export is audio-only for Pro Tools).”

DRW

[Sebas]

the OMF exported from final cut’s native exporter will not contain levels-volumes information, while the OMF exported from AVID does. so if you edit in FCP you’ll have to restart the mix (levels) from scratch in protools, digital performer or whatever soft they have at the sound facility …unless you buy the automatic duck plugin.