-
smpte sync for external audio
I’m getting ready for a new workflow for shooting instructional DVD content and am stymied with one final issue I’m hoping smarter minds than mine can help me think through…
It is a 2 camera shot, using consumer level AVCHD cams, along with audio recording to my DAW (Performer). I’m syncing the cams by recording common smpte LTC to one channel of each cam, then using a utility to take that smpte and place it in the aux TC track of a QT file. Once in FCP I am using the aux TC from each clip to sync the multi clips etc.
The smpte being fed to the cams is coming from a MOTU Midi Timepiece AV, which can also lock up Performer to the same stream. So, all is good and in my test the cams are recording the smpte as I am simultaneously recording the audio to Performer which is displaying the same smpte in its counter window while recording.
Here’s my brain-fry… After I master and sweeten the audio in Performer, how can I export it to FCP with that smpte code attached so I can sync it in the FCP timeline? The QT files the video is in have that aux TC track embedded as part of the QT container spec, but how can I “stamp” or “print” the timecode on an audio file such that I can see it in FCP to sync with?
My sense is that whatever audio file I export from Performer and import to FCP will just start at time “zero”. Am I missing something super obvious? Thanks in advance…
-
3 Replies
-
Scott,
I don’t know Performer, but probably the records are BWF files.
Most editors (at least video editors) can let you set the starttime of your sequence.
Perhaps that’s possible with Performer as well.
If so, and you output a BWF, you should be able to retain the starttime.And, get the latest version of FCPauxTC reader.
It comes with an XML merge application for BWF, and a helper app. that can read LTC from Wave files, and convert them to BWF.
So if you have a channel to spare in your Performer input / output, just retain the LTC, output a Poly wave, let the helper app. set the BWF timestamp.hth,
Bouke
https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros -
Thanks Bouke …
I was amused when I realized after some more testing and manual reading today that you are the author of the FCPauxTC utility I am demoing to make sure it will work in my situation. Good to get the advice “right from the source.” I was successful in getting the exported audio from DP synced in FCP. Thanks again!
Now I am tackling one final step unique to my situation I am sure… These finished DVDs contain the ability to control digital player pianos such that the keys on the piano move up and down in synchronization with the piano playing you see on the video. It’s really very cool to see… It all happens through encoded alternate audio files we place on the alternate audio tracks of the DVD.
To produce those encoded files we have to feed the creator software midi files that are recorded simultaneously along with the audio in DP. I’m now tackling getting the same SMPTE code to stay “stamped” on a standard midi file when the start of the file may or not be 00:00:00:00.
As soon as I get that nailed down, I’ll be ready to commit to the workflow and will register your utility.
Thank you for your help.
SH -
Sounds a fun job!
Did you take a look at Reaper?
(if not, do so….)Bouke
https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up