For video editing jobs, experts recommend that you keep the material separate, that is, the video and audio apart, to later be unified in a professional program, and this is where Final Cut Pro comes in. Find out how you can sync audio and video en Final Cut Pro in an easy and simple way and that the project is professional.
Steps to sync audio and video in Final Cut Pro
If you already have your project finished in terms of filming and the audio was recorded separately by someone who is dedicated to this, what remains is to do the final work that consists of synchronizing the audio and video. Since the video and audio have been created separately, it is necessary for the files to be synchronized so that everything is aligned and in order.
Many years ago, this process was difficult to do, and it was necessary to use third-party editing programs that also came with errors or it simply had to be done manually. Today everything is possible thanks to Final Cut Pro, with which you can freeze frame, edit videos and audios and best of all, you can sync audio and video. You can do this even with the help of a key combination (keyboard shortcuts).
There is something very important to keep in mind, and that is that for this whole synchronization process to be successful, the software must match the waveform patterns, therefore, you must make sure that the audio is recorded on a track "Scratch" no matter how inferior it may be and do it directly through the audio channel that is incorporated into the camera.
Without the help of this camera, the audio when you place it in the captured placeholder in Final Cut Pro may not be able to sync with the rest of the files. Next, we are going to present each of the steps that you must carry out so that you can synchronize audio and video en Final Cut Pro.
First step: Import the files
The first thing you have to do is import the audio and video files to Final Cut Pro, through the library in a new project.
Second step: Synchronize the clips
The second thing you have to do is identify the 2 media files you will be working with. you select each > then you do right mouse click to open the dropdown menu > Now you have to click on āSync Clipsā or failing that you can use the keyboard shortcut Option + Command + G.
Third step: Give a name to the synchronized clip
After Final Cut Pro software has analyzed each clip to determine where the exact sync point is, it will begin creating a new file and prompt you to give it a new name. Depending on the size of the job, multiple clips may be created, so consider organizing your folder.
Step Four: Add a new clip to the timeline
Once the new video has been created, you just have to drag it to the Final Cut Pro timeline, to proceed to do the synchronization.
Step Five: Verify Successful Synchronization
At this step, it's time to open the file inspector. āaudio windowā > then you have to identify which audio track is the main source of sound > click on it so that you can isolate the channel > By the time it is isolated, it is time to play your audio so that you can verify that it is synchronized properly and in an orderly manner.
How can I make sure there is perfect synchronization?
You are probably wondering if it is important to have a very well recorded audio file to be synchronized in the software. The truth is that yes, it is extremely important that you take into account some tips when recording the audio. The tips are as follows:
Make sure you record the audio with the best possible quality
The essential thing is that when you record the audio of your video, it has to be with the highest quality possible that you have. It is not that you need it to be a professional sound, but that the volumes are as high as possible so that Final Cut Pro can work properly.
Use a clap or clapperboard
Have you noticed that, during the recording process of a movie in the cinema, a black clapperboard is used that has the take number for which they go? Well that is what is called clapperboard, thanks to this implement, it is that audio and video professionals can synchronize them. When they say: Scene 5, take 3, at the moment of the audio and video synchronization they already know where to start.
Of course, you do not necessarily have to use a clapperboard, but you can use a clap or any other instrument, the important thing is that you have something to help guide you that is clear and concise. At the time of synchronization you will realize that this is very helpful.
In case the audio file is incorrect, what to do?
We can assure you that at some point an error may occur when synchronizing the audio in the clip. Among the problems that you may encounter are the following:
the common hiccup
This problem is that a video is synced to the wrong audio file, and you will only know it when you see the work. In order for you to fix this, what you should do is replace the wrong audio with the correct one from the clip.
Audio drift is another common problem
This type of problem is the one that consists in the fact that the files are synchronized from the beginning, and that later they begin to drift slowly. The causes are usually many, for example:
- dropped video frames
- Unsynchronized sample rates
- Buffer issues, among others.
The only solution to this problem is to manually cut the audio and align it so that you can keep it in sync throughout your project. You can prevent this problem by making use of synchronized timecode on video and audio.
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