importing from itunes

[Shane Ross]

FCP doesn’t like MP3s. At all. You MUST convert this to an .aiff file, 48khz, 16-bit stereo in order for it to work properly:

Shane’s Stock Answer #5:

To get music into FCP, it needs to be an AIFF file at 48khz, 16 bit stereo. So if you want a song from a CD, you go into the iTunes Preferences and set this up under the IMPORTING tab:

File > preferences > importing > import using – AIFF encoder > Setting – Custom
Sample Rate – 48.000 kHz
Sample size – 16 bit
Channels – Stereo

If you have an mp3 that you want to use, then you can convert it thru iTunes as well.

If the piece of music you want to use is something you purchased thru iTunes, I’m afraid I can’t help you there. There are copywrite issues that prevent files from being converted into the format that FCP can recognize.

For this, and other exciting stock answers, click on this link:
https://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?50@941.OTrRaOS9SEl.0@.68a3b883

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

In general
(we have to say things like “in general” because some folks might be trying to use copyrighted music when they have not gotten legal clearance for it and that is not allowed, so…)

In general, you can use iTunes to convert mp3 and CD (44.1 kHz) audio up to 48 kHz audio to import and use in a 48 kHz FCP timeline.

iTunes conversion is a simple process after the initial set-up presets:
iTunes > Preferences > Importing > AIFF> Custom > 48.000 kHz, 16 bit, Stereo >OK

Once these are set, you won’t have to set them again.

Put a CD in the Mac (or use a imported audio file that’s already on the HD), open it up in iTunes, click once on the track you need, and choose:
Advanced > Convert Selection to AIFF.

Works VERY fast and stores new 48 kHz file in on your hard drive. You can just “drag and drop” this new file (.aif) into your open FCP Browser.

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

That Shane…

He’s quicker-on-the-draw whit his stock answers than I am.

(But I’m gainin’ on him!)

[Shane Ross]

Yeah, well….cutting and pasting is awfully quick…

[Walter Biscardi]

[davidtoo] “The clip is unplayable. Peaking way over the limits. sound popping and clipped. What have I done wrong? The audio in my project is 48mhz. (Using a G5 2.5 with fcp 4.5)”

As noted very very many times on this forum, using copyrighted music in any project without a sync license from the composer, record label and performer is completely illegal no matter how you use it. Any music downloaded from iTunes is copyrighted and that 99 cents you paid only gives you the right to listen to it, period.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Now editing “Good Eats” in HD for the Food Network

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Tom Wolsky]

I don’t think he said anything about iTunes purchased music Walter. He just said he downloaded it. It could have come from freeplaymusic.com

[Tom Matthies]

Man, am I the only person that still used QuickTime Pro to convert an mp3 to an aiff?
Jeez…am I getting old or what? Now, pardon me whilst I cue up my quad tapes.
Tom

[David Herman]

Hey guys, thanks for the fast, all bases covered, responses. By the by this is a piece of music composed by a colleague which I downloaded from his site. Should I have asked him to upload it in a different format? Anyway, toddling off back to my studio to try out your advice. Thanks again for the speedy help.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[davidtoo] “Should I have asked him to upload it in a different format?”

Yes. As it has been mentioned before in this thread, you ideally want a 48k (48000 kHz) 16 bit Stereo (or mono if it’s voice only) aiff file. The file size will be significantly larger, but if he has an ftp or website you are downloading form it shouldn’t be too bad. Depending on where this thing is showing, it will also sound better. mp3’s, although convenient, really sound like poo poo when played on nice audio systems and is really noticeable in “big room” sound. They lose the brilliance and a little bit of the rounded out mid range to low frequencies. This is just an observation that i have noticed through trial and error. If your colleague has composed an original piece of music, you should encourage their hard work and edit & show it in an uncompressed audio format. It will be music to his or her ears.

Jeremy

———–
G5 Dual 2Ghz <> 4GB RAM <> FCP 5.02 <> Kona 2

ATTO 42XS <> Huge Systems 1.25 TB 4105 Fibre

[Tom Wolsky]

Not at all. I don’t use iTunes because I have it set for AAC, and it’s a hassle switching it back and forth. For single files I usually use QTPro. For a batch I’ll use a Compressor Droplet.