Dean Neal
Forum Replies Created
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David is bang on…
However…
Can you explain to me though why you aren’t editing in the native XDCAM Codec (eg. XDCAM HD422) your vision is recorded in?
In fact – what sort of XDCAM media ARE you using – and why aren’t you editing in that?
What do you print to – just a Quicktime file? No disc media?
FCP allows you to set the sequence settings nicely – drop the first XDCAM Clip onto your new timeline and it should prompt you if you would like to match the clip codec in your sequence.
That should be even nicer for you than editing in Apple ProRes – unless there is a specific and valid reason for you.
Dean Neal…
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Interested to see some discount STP as a decent Audio tool in Post.
I would say, being involved in a XDCAM/ProRes 422 HD Working Environment delivering Motorsport nationally on an Australian Commercial Network – that it is suitable on the proviso:
– The base material you are working with is of a fundamental high standard
– As mentioned earlier, the Editor understands Audio.That last point, in particular, is always a challenge. Small production houses always target good vision editors in the conventional sense – yet the Audio Edit is often “near enough is good enough”.
I also agree the basic Audio features in FCP suck…
Dean Neal…
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If you are looking to deal with HD Vision, I would even go more aggressive and go FW800 at the least, ideally eSATA.
Even with a MacBook Pro solution, you can get some pretty good options, and I use a ExpressCard/34 Interface for it on my 17inch MBP.
Dean Neal…
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Ah you are using the cards for acquisition, not the disc XDCAM media.
You need to get your hands on the original media to have any chance.
Dean Neal…
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Other than the obvious comments about still images, one thing we have learnt with these issues is when you are close to finalizing your edit to print is to delete excess junk in your FCP Project – bins, sequences etc.
We edit in full ProRes HD for 90min shows and by doing this have seen our FCP Project file sizing drop from 60-70MB down to less than 10MB!
Dean Neal…
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Have you tried running the U1 Drive Utility (if that’s what you use) to check the disc.
Failing that, have you tried using a different drive?
Dean Neal…
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Excluding the high frame-rate imagery, lighting requirements and the extreme close ups used in the sequence…
You need a good EFP Camera Operator as well as probably someone who understands MOTION to use some of those ‘moves’ you talk about.
If the editor understands matchmoving and tracking, you can make this happen!
The key will be having a clear production brief and good consultation between the camera operator and the editor to make this work.
Dean Neal…
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Thanks again Andy for getting back to us with some great ideas…
The other guy who does VO with me is softer so it would be a real pain to have to adjust levels like mad in POST (Software).
I ended buying a simple 10-track Xenyx 1002 mixer, using a mono XLR Send to the Apogee. Sounds great and clean thankfully and I can ride levels fine.
A bit of overkill agreed and I hope Apple get the FCP VO Tool to support multiple inputs in future. Just silly the way it is now.
Dean Neal…
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Thanks for all the replies guys…
Andy – I like your lateral thinking, but I just can’t justify in my mind using a $700 (AUD) Device that has beautiful Mic Pre-Amps… Core Apple Audio Support and then using the headphone outs…
I guess I either trust Garageband for VO creation or SoundTrack Pro (even though I have hardly used it before)…
The best option for me I think is buying a simple Microphone Mixer that I can XLR Mono Output to the Duet… Any suggestions on which one to get?
Dean…
Dean Neal…
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Thanks for the reply Jerry.
I can’t see how a combiner cable would work as it’s a Firewire interface to the MBP.
That’s the bottom line with my frustrations – it should be able to combine via Software!
The Apogee software in OSX is great… it’s crazy for this to not be able to handle two-inputs into the VO Tool. Ugh.
The Apogee is such a beautiful bit of hardware, I get annoyed thinking I have to find something external to combine audio.
I guess I have to look at a Mixer as you say… or can anyone give me sage but simple advice on how to commentate over vision using Soundtrack Pro for VO purposes?
Also – any recommendations on a nice, simple (cheap) mixer that would work well into one of Apogee’s XLR Mic Inputs?
Dean…
Dean Neal…