FCP Audio Playback Settings

[Rob Forsythe]

WHICH external speakers? (Connected to the Mac or to the deck?)

You should monitor FCP via the FW device (deck, box or card) on external Video monitor and audio speakers.

a. External Monitor VIDEO and AUDIO via FireWire & DV deck or camcorder.
b. Viewing in the Canvas window on the computer screen.
c. Being able to record on the external FW DV deck or camcorder.
d. Being able to capture from a FW device.

If working this list doesn’t cure the problem… you may have a serious PROBLEM!

Try things in this order until you find the “cure”:

1. Make sure you have only ONE (1) FireWire deck, camcorder, DV capture “card”, or D-to-A converter or video device attached to the computer at a time. Any more than one DV device can cause loss of signal and control.
2. Make sure you have View (Menu) > External Video> All Frames set.
(If the ALL FRAMES option is grayed-out… jump to step 6 below and continue.)
3. Make SURE your Canvas window (right window) in FCP is set to “Fit to Window”… AND that it has not been “pushed off” the edge of the computer screen or “pushed into” other windows.
4. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu (Box Icon with broken sides) is checked on Image or Image+Wireframe… NOT just Wireframe.
5. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu is checked on RGB… NOT just Alpha.
6. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Easy Setup… is set for DV-NTSC (or DV-PAL, if that’s where you are).
7. Some camcorders/decks work better under “FW (NTSC/PAL)” -or- “FW (NTSC/PAL) Basic” control (in the capture settings). Try either setting to see which works best for your device.
8. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings > A/V Devices (tab) > Mirror on Desktop > must be CHECKED. (If not, playing video will not appear in the Canvas.)
9. Make sure the “Log and Capture” Window is CLOSED and not just “hidden” behind other windows.
10. Make sure you have chosen FW output for A/V:
Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings… >
Video Playback: Apple FireWire NTSC (720 x480)
Audio Playback: FireWire DV
11. Turn off the power to the Camera/Deck/Converter Box, then turn it back ON.
12. Make sure the camera is in VTR mode… or the deck is in DV (DV, iLink, or FW) input.
13. On a Sony camcorder or deck, make sure the menu setting “A/V > DV Out” is set to OFF.
14. Re-check that your FW cable is well-connected at both ends (or try a new cable).
15. Important: Quit FCP, then Restart FCP.
16. Now again, make sure you have View > External Video > ALL FRAMES set…

If it still does not work. “Trash” the FCP Preferences on the Mac
“FCP Rescue” is a free Apple Script that will Trash the Preferences.
It will also restore your user settings afterwards.
Download:
https://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/14729

If you have “lost” your entire FW connection between the Mac and the device, go HERE:
https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852

>Then, start again at my “step 1” above.

[Archer1125]

Thanks for the reply Rob.

I will try the steps you listed.

[Howie Chin]

Hey..

Rob really gave u a deep indepth list to fix it…but i’d just like to share my part of opinion

My suspect about this is that your Audio Video Settings are set wrongly. it’s under Final Cut Pro – Audio / Video Settings.

Make sure that the Audio Playback is on Built In Audio or Default…and it should play just fine from your g5’s internal speakers…juz plug your speakers to the earphone jack.

If you’re connecting your g5 to an external deck, just apply the setting accordingly to match the deck…if you use Firewire to connect your g5 to the deck, the audio shall be Firewire DV…it only appears when the deck is connected and powered On.

good luck

howie – howiechin@gmail.com

[Kevin Monahan]

Howie,
Yes, you can hear playback with speakers connected to the Mac, but in a pro scenario, it is so much better to monitor out of the deck (or capture card if you have one). Because most pros monitor both video and audio externally, you should have your speakers connected to the deck (if DV) or video capture card. Likewise, you should be cutting with a pro video monitor connected at all times. If your speakers are connected to the Mac, you would not be using a pro video monitor and that’s NOT good. Makes sense?

The only time I’m not cutting with external monitoring is when I’m on the plane or in the cafe. And how often is that in reality? Not often, I’d wager.

Kevin Monahan
Take My FCP Master’s Workshop!
fcpworld.com
Pres. SF Cutters

[Howie Chin]

Kevin,

Yep…you’re right..the settings you mention would be optimum setting to edit with.

i must agree but in my scenario…it’s a little different 😉 we work around it somehow.

if I could set up with all exteral monitoring…i would when the budget arrives for better equipments

cheers,

howie

[howie]

[Kevin Monahan]

[howiechin] “if I could set up with all exteral monitoring…i would when the budget arrives for better equipments”
Don’t wait. Do it now.
If you don’t have a pro video monitor, use a TV set instead.
If youi don’t have good studio audio monitors, use whatever speakers you have
If you don’t have a DV Deck, just use your camcorder
If you don’t have a mixer (to feed both Mac and DV Deck audio), use a Y-Split cable from Radio Shack – only a few bucks.

There is no reason to avoid external monitoring when you can do it with gear lying around your studio or home.
Try it, you’ll like it! 😉

Kevin Monahan
Take My FCP Master’s Workshop!
fcpworld.com
Pres. SF Cutters