How do you create a SAP alternate audio track in FCP?

[Paul Dickin]

Hi
Presumable a broadcaster who transmits a SAP (second audio program) will just require a normal 4 channel master tape, with the SAP audio on channels 3 and 4.

With DV or DVCAM this will be a compromise, as 4 channel audio is only supported at 12-bits, rather than the usual 16-bits of a stereo channel.

Also I guess a Sony DSR-45 or better DVCAM deck is needed to record all 4 channel at the same time.

So mostly this issue will be side-stepped by mastering to Beta SP (on a BVW deck) or DigiBeta, where 4 channel audio is commonplace.

[Charles Angelis]

Thanks! So DVCAM mastering only handles 12-bit at 4 channels? What formats in SD accept 16-bit at 4 channels?

Just so I get this right.. a Sony DSR-45A deck will record 4 channels of audio at 12 bits, but not 16 bits, correct?

Thanks!

[Paul Dickin]

Hi
Correct. mini-DV or DVCAM are always 12-bit for 4 channel recording. For broadcasting DigiBeta is the normal tape format for digital 4 channel recording, and before that Beta SP was used for analogue (analog) recording.
(British spelling…)

[Charles Angelis]

Does DigiBeta handle 4 channels of audio in 16bits or 24 bits?

[Paul Dickin]

Hi
Neither, 20-bit depth@48kHz.