-
To Editors thinking of switching to FCPX 10.1
Save your self a whole lot of pain and don’t purchase the failure of a program. I write this to save you time and hardship, because I’ve been in editing hell. The following are facts, I will not debate anything as these are facts.
You can not layer audio with WAVE files. This a huge problem and if relatively unknown.
The limiter filter is broken. You will not get an accurate reading of decibels. You’ll have to render it out and then view.
You can not export AAF or OMF files without a pricey third party program. Who are you suppose to work with sound engineers without this. You can’t. If you’re thinking, but I can export to Logic. This leads to…
XML import to Logic Pro X is broken. And by the way OMF has been removed from Logic Pro X. Logic created over 250 tracks upon import. Even worse, NONE of the channel choices you make for surround projects will carry over. Logic Pro X will treat it as a stereo project, and will not carry over effects, rendering any work you do with Logic filters inside FCPX absolutely useless.
More on sound, (yes, this is my favorite) Surround sound channel adjustments do not stick in FCPX. They will change at random.
Now for video. The color correction is awful, don’t bother. If you use Davinci good luck. FCPX is constantly changing the XML rendering it useless. One way around this is X27 which will currently import 10.1 into Resolve.
The list goes on, these are the big issues. I hope this persuades anyone thinking of purchasing this. This has been a nightmare for me.
-
110 Replies
-
Are you speaking about things that have broken in the 10.1 release from earlier versions of FCPX? Or are you saying that someone who is considering moving from FCP 7 should stay put? Both? Something else?
Sorry to be confused, but I’m not quite clear on where in the process you’re talking about.
-
I don’t think FC7 is dead but it will be shortly. And FCPX should fall off the earth. I’m saying avoid FCPX and FC7 in general, but I am gearing this towards younger editors mostly.
And FCPX can be used for a casual user making one track audio, stereo videos etc, but if anyone thinks this is a good program for editing film and television, they are not an editor. And don’t understand what an editing suite needs to produce the highest quality A/V.
One more note that’s very important to add, the new compressor is just as useless as Logic. No mention or hints of HEVC, 4k output h.264 blocky and dull. Let’s not forget Quicktime X which essentially color corrects your footage for you. Stopping before this turns into a rant. Really trying to stick to facts but it get’s me pissed.
-
Whilst I would agree with many of the points you make about working with audio in FCPX, especially your experience of attempting to carry out audio work in Logic Pro X, I could not agree with your comments about color correction.
[james Lackleter] “Now for video. The color correction is awful, don’t bother. If you use Davinci good luck. FCPX is constantly changing the XML rendering it useless.”
Not my experience at all.
Whilst initially I thought that the color correction in in FCPX was was really sub standard I’ve found it a very powerful part of the application. I know I could learn how to use Resolve but I really like the ability of staying within the application to complete any project. It allow me a greater degree of flexibility.
I film and edit my own material mainly and for the last 2 years have been using a Canon C300, filming in CLog mode. This produces very milky, low contrast unsaturated files to work with. I very rarely ever use the automatic correction function and in combination with the scopes have developed a workflow to manually correct or enhance my clips.
This includes both primary and secondary corrections using the shape or color masks and I find it easier to create multiple corrections rather than try and complete the process in one pass.
What problems are you having with color correction? Possibly you don’t like the rectangular color board? I found this very hard initially but again it just takes a bit of time to get used to using it, sort of counter intuitive.
-
[james Lackleter] ” but if anyone thinks this is a good program for editing film and television, they are not an editor. And don’t understand what an editing suite needs to produce the highest quality A/V.”
You can rant all you like but don’t throw out insults like that to those of use who use FCPX successfully every day.
Steve Connor
There’s nothing we can’t argue about on the FCPX COW Forum
-
FCPX is such a mixed bag right now. Some pretty cool features here and there but mostly I agree that it is not up to snuff for the work that I do – and I have tried believe me.
The latest update says there are improvements for large projects but it’s still so sluggish I sadly find it unusable on my old Mac Pro – though the same exact project in Premiere is not sluggish at all. I just think all the optimizations Apple has done are geared solely toward using the new Mac Pro with dual AMD GPU’s and NOT nVidia products.
Lance Bachelder
Writer, Editor, Director
Downtown Long Beach, California
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1680680/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 -
[james Lackleter] “XML import to Logic Pro X is broken”
Works fine for me since the latest updates to both programmes
[james Lackleter] “The color correction is awful, don’t bother.”
In your opinion, for most people who have spent time with FCPX it works very well
[james Lackleter] ” If you use Davinci good luck. FCPX is constantly changing the XML rendering it useless. One way around this is X27 which will currently import 10.1 into Resolve. “
There is a very simple workaround for this that doesn’t involve X27. XML in FCPX is a work in progress, until it’s finished issues like this will happen. I would expect a Resolve update shortly that fixes this.
Steve Connor
There’s nothing we can’t argue about on the FCPX COW Forum
-
No you can’t export to Protools without an additional programme..
But when FCP X is only £199 and X2Pro is only £99, you can hardly call that pricey – in the professional world I inhabit that’s a drinks bill! Even FCP X and Logic X is less than Media Composer alone!
A new version of Resolve should be out any day now that will fix the XML – and don’t forget that new version of XML means that changes in colour correction made in FCP X should carry over to Resolve. That’s pretty cool.
Like others have said, speak for yourself. There are many other people out there using FCP X on a daily basis, making broadcast ready programmes that go out on major networks.
It might not suite your way of working – but that don’t mean its broke.
Michael Sanders
London Based DP/Editor -
[Steve Connor] “[james Lackleter] ” If you use Davinci good luck. FCPX is constantly changing the XML rendering it useless. One way around this is X27 which will currently import 10.1 into Resolve. ”
There is a very simple workaround for this that doesn’t involve X27. XML in FCPX is a work in progress, until it’s finished issues like this will happen. I would expect a Resolve update shortly that fixes this.
“https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=17712
Told you!
Steve Connor
There’s nothing we can’t argue about on the FCPX COW Forum
-
I will say for the color correction, that editing programs are not made for color correction, so will let it slide on that. Mark give the resolve manual a read and try using it to correct your log footage, you’ll get better results and it’s a quick learn. Not to mention lite is free and supports 4k now.
As for everything else I said, it’s fact. No rants here. On a more comical note here’s a little video my buddies made that sums it up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxKYuF9pENQ
Some contents or functionalities here are not available due to your cookie preferences!This happens because the functionality/content marked as “Google Youtube” uses cookies that you choosed to keep disabled. In order to view this content or use this functionality, please enable cookies: click here to open your cookie preferences.
-
[james Lackleter] “As for everything else I said, it’s fact. No rants here. “
“And FCPX can be used for a casual user making one track audio, stereo videos etc, but if anyone thinks this is a good program for editing film and television, they are not an editor. And don’t understand what an editing suite needs to produce the highest quality A/V.”
So you’re saying that’s a fact?
Steve Connor
There’s nothing we can’t argue about on the FCPX COW Forum
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up