Apple Final Cut Pro X 10.1.2 User Guide

 Chapter 8    Edit audio 161
Detach audio from video
By default, Final Cut Pro imports audio and video from the same source into one clip. You 
can easily detach the audio from a video clip so that you can edit the audio clip separately in 
the Timeline.
 mSelect the clip in the Timeline, and choose Clip > Detach Audio.
 A new audio clip appears as a connected clip beneath the video clip.
Detached audio
To reattach an audio clip to its original video clip, you need to create a compound clip. 
Show or...

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View audio waveforms at the audio sample level
For even more precise editing, you can zoom in to audio clips at the audio sample level. Audio 
samples show the audio waveform at a fraction of a second (for example, 1/48,000 for audio 
recorded at a sample rate of 48 kHz). Sample-accurate editing resolution is available only for 
connected audio clips (that is, audio clips not in the primary storyline) or compound clips that 
contain only audio.
Tip:  For reference when...

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View and correct audio levels
The Audio meters let you see and track the audio levels of clips in Final Cut Pro and warn you if a 
particular clip or section of a clip reaches peak levels, which may result in audible distortion.
The number of audio meters you see depends on how many channels are configured for the 
clip you’re playing. For example, when you play back a surround clip in the Browser, six surround 
audio meters are displayed, but if you drag that same clip into...

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Reset and correct peak levels
 mSelect the clip in the Timeline, readjust the level, and play back the clip again to test for peaks.
In the Timeline and Browser, the waveform section or sections of a clip turn yellow when a level 
is approaching peak levels and red when a level exceeds 0 dB. 
Solo and mute audio clips
The solo feature temporarily disables audio playback of all clips in the Timeline except for 
selected ones. It is especially useful in audio editing if you...

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Add audio
Add music and sound
You can add music and sound files directly to your project from your iTunes library or 
other sources.
Final Cut Pro also includes a number of built-in Foley and other sound effects that you can insert 
as connected audio clips.
If you have a clip that contains both audio and video, you can change the edit mode to audio 
only to insert only the audio portion of the clip.
Add music and sound to a project in the Timeline
 1 Click the Music and...

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Record voiceovers and other audio
It’s easy to record voiceover narration or other live audio directly in Final Cut Pro from input 
sources such as built-in and external microphones.
By default, Final Cut Pro includes an automatic countdown when you record, and also 
automatically groups multiple takes into auditions so that you can quickly preview recordings 
and choose the best one. The recorded audio files appear both in the Browser and as connected 
clips in the...

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 5 To specify other voiceover settings, click the Advanced disclosure triangle and do any of the 
following:
 •To change the input device or the number of input channels (mono or stereo):  Choose an option 
from the Input pop-up menu. The default choice of System Setting uses the first channel of 
the input device currently selected in OS X Sound preferences.
Tip:  If you always want to record with a particular device or a particular channel on a 
multichannel audio device,...

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Record multiple voiceover takes
You can record multiple versions, or “takes,” of voiceover recordings for the same section of your 
project. By default, Final Cut Pro creates an audition from all the takes you record. After you’ve finished 
recording, you can review the different takes in the audition and choose the one you want to use.
 1 To record your first voiceover take, follow the instructions above.
 2 Without moving the playhead, click the Record button (or press...

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 3 When you decide on the take you want to use, make sure it’s selected under the spotlight, and 
click Done.
 4 If you’re sure of your decision and want to finalize the audition, choose Clip > A udition > F inalize 
Audition (or press Option-Shift-Y ).
The audition is dissolved, leaving the voiceover clip in the Timeline.
To learn more about previewing auditions, see Use auditions to try out clips in your project
 on 
page 297.
Combine audio from multiple takes
By default,...

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Edit audio clips or audio components
Audio editing overview
Final Cut Pro includes tools for editing audio clips or multiple audio channels. You edit audio in 
two ways, detailed below.
Volume control
Clip-level audio editing
You can make audio adjustments and edits to whole clips. At this level, audio adjustments and 
effects are applied to the entire clip, including any audio channels within the clip. Final Cut Pro 
preserves any adjustments you make to individual audio...