Final Cut Pro 10.8

[Doug Metz]

Backed up and updating now!

Honestly, this is far more than I expected from 10.8.

[Ben Balser]

IMHO, compared to what other NLE “major updates” look like, and what FCPX updates used to look like, I was expecting more. Of the 26 bullet points there, only 10 are new features. But, yeah, they have to get it up to speed for the VisionPro. I don’t think we’ll ever see a proper audio mixer or consolidation function.

[Doug Metz]

I certainly wouldn’t mind better mixing tools, but I just don’t need a full DAW attached to my NLE. Others might. I could see maybe a different project type with a ‘mix’ icon, where you get a different interface with faders, channel config, sends, etc. If round-tripping wasn’t such a crapshoot, that alone would be a big improvement.

I still view FCPX in a sort of ‘camera body’ context, where I can build or buy the options I need.

Project consolidation tools are quite another story – Ol’ #7 had pretty good options that I still miss.

Another thing that would help a lot would be comprehensive info in the inspector explaining why that stupid yellow triangle is on my timeline icon in the browser.

[Greg Ball]

Is it safe to update? Or should we wait for 10.8.1?

[Doug Metz]

I zipped a copy of 10.7.x, and tested a few libraries.

Only thing I need to get used to is hitting the icon for Color tab on the inspector – I’m used to double-clicking on an adjustment to open the pane, and now that renames the effect.

Tested a variety of media types, multicam clips, etc. So far, all good! Don’t forget to update Pro Video Codecs. If you need to burn DVDs out of FCP, you’ll want to find a new workflow before updating.

EDIT: I will note that I’m between projects at the moment. Would’ve waited if I were in the middle of something hot.

[Ben Balser]

Roxio Toast is still a viable option for optical disk burning. I know a bunch of folks still use them, and FCP’s disc tools were very limited and flimsy anyway.

[Ben Balser]

Greg Ball, don’t upgrade for a month. Let those of us who think we’re brave, or are just dimwits (such as myself) find the bugs first. LOL!

But if you wanted to try it out, go to your Applications folder, right-click FCP, and choose Compress File. Then backup any Library you want to test with to a separate drive. Finally, upgrade to 10.8 and knock yourself out (figuratively, literally for some of us). If you run into too many problems, trash FCP 10.8 and your updated Libraries, double-click the zip file of FCP 10.7.1, copy your original 10.7.1 Libraries back, and you’re safe.

[Jose Munoz]

I use Compressor almost daily for disc stuff. It’s a real shame it’s gone from compressor now. The authoring of ISO’s was a big deal for me. Toast doesn’t feel like a good replacement. I don’t like their compression tools and it’s just going to add one more step to my workflow. I’m not sure why they would remove it.

Sticking with 10.7 for the foreseeable future.

[Mads Nybo jørgensen]

Hey Ben,

I agree, this latest upgrade to FCPX is just underwhelming.

One long list of fixes, rather than getting in the game.
Maybe they are saving it for version 11, or maybe not.

But then, Adobe PPro/Creative Cloud is currently not that different.
Adobe appears to be busy removing functionality + making claims on our work (which they have now rescinded on – but they did it without consideration to their customers).

Short version is that in these big companies C-Level and Product Development Management have run out of ideas. And, it is likely that they are running scared of the $1BN+ A.I. companies that want to use 5-legged/12 fingered/4 eyed humans to peddle the next generation of Generative A.I.

I suspect that with the price of Avid MC dropping, and that Avid is still putting media management first, that we might be pushed back to that – not that I think that Avid is the perfect solution. They are not, but compared to how the current “industry leaders” are behaving, we might be better off…

Just an opinion.

Atb
Mads

[Ben Balser]

FYI, I use Roxio Toast on the rare occasion I need an optical disc and find it easy to use with great quality results.

Avid is still super expensive, I’d not touch it.

DaVincie Resolve is the way to go now, very affordable.

Yes, FCPX has really fallen behind and isn’t getting as much love. Seems every update introduces things specific to other Apple hardware (iPhones/iPads) only. I doubt we’ll see any of the things other NLEs do that Apple doesn’t. Personally, I’m slowly switching things over to Resolve as my work allows me to. And just to be interesting…

FCPX macOS cost $300 for 10 years of use.

FCPX iPadOS* cost $490 for 10 years of use.

Davinci Resolve Studio macOS costs $300 for 10 years of use.

Davinci Resolve Studio iPad costs $95 for 10 years of use.

Avid Media Composer* costs $2500.99 for 10 years.

Premier Pro* costs $2,638.08 for 10 years of use.

*Based on annual subscription rate for single app.