… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1427: What Are “Reference Waveforms”?

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Reference waveforms make it easier to edit low-volume audio clips.

A composite showing Preferences > Editing and a clip with Reference Waveforms enabled.

Topic $TipTopic

There’s an option in Final Cut Pro’s Editing preferences called “Reference Waveforms.” What are these things?

According to the Final Cut Pro Help files: “A reference waveform shows the maximum visual resolution possible for the actual audio waveform. By factoring out loudness, reference waveforms let you see the shape of the sound more clearly. When the actual waveform changes shape (for example, it’s diminished when a clip’s volume level is low), you can continue to see its reference waveform in full for easy reference when editing.”

In other words, a reference waveform shows the audio as if it were at full volume. This allows you to easily see areas containing audio vs. those with none. (The red arrow in the screen shot is pointing to a grayed-back reference.)

Turning these on or off has no impact on your audio, the mix or final output.

EXTRA CREDIT

These can be enabled or disabled using Final Cut Pro > Preferences > Editing.


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… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1428: Built-in Clip & Batch Renaming

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

All too often, clips are named with incomprehensible file names. This can fix things.

The Apply Custom Name menu in the Info Inspector.

Topic $TipTopic

Buried at the bottom of the Info Inspector in Final Cut Pro is a clip and batch renaming utility that can save you a lot of time.

Select a clip, or group of clips, that you want to rename in the Browser, then go to the Info Inspector.

At the bottom is Apply Custom Name. In this menu, are four presets:

  • Clip Date/Time
  • Custom Name with Counter
  • Original Name from Camera
  • Scene/Shot/Take/Angle
  • Edit allows changing the existing presets. Editing an existing preset is generally the best way to create a new one.
  • New creates a new naming preset from scratch.

While it is beyond the scope of this tip to explain all the features of this batch naming function, when you need to rename and organize your clips, this is a great way to get started.


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… for Apple Final Cut Pro X

Tip #1394: Track Your Changes – Faster

Larry Jordan – LarryJordan.com

Projects change constantly. Final Cut tracks and displays change dates.

Custom metadata menu, part of the Browser column headers.

Topic $TipTopic

There’s a new feature in Final Cut that can help you track project changes faster – but it is hidden by default.

Switch to List view in the Browser, then Control-click any column header at the top of the Browser.

This displays a popup menu of all the metadata columns that Final Cut tracks for every project and clip.

New with a recent release of Final Cut is the last modification date of any clip or project.

If you’ve lost control over project file names, this is a fast way to see which project you were working on most recently.

EXTRA CREDIT

Can’t see all your file names? Control-click the Name column header and choose Auto Size Column.

Poof! The column width expands so you can see all your file names again.


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