Apple Releases Final Cut Pro X 10.1

Today, Apple updated Final Cut Pro X to version 10.1 — probably the most significant update since Final Cut’s initial release. (In case you are wondering, my vote for second most significant update is version 10.0.3.) This new version sports hundreds of new features, both large and small, and some very exciting improvements.

The update is free and available on the Mac App store. However, it requires OS X Mavericks to run. Plus, it requires updating all existing FCP X Events and Projects.

If you are in the middle of a big project – DON’T UPGRADE!! Finish the project, then upgrade.

When you do, there is a lot to look forward to:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I like this new version for its speed, media management, and the improvements to the editing process. As with all updates to any editing software, never update in the middle of a project. But, when you update, you’ll be glad you did.

Updating events and projects needs to be approached with caution, but, once you understand how it works, updating is straight-forward.

Here’s a detailed look at what to expect in the new version.

RUNS EVEN FASTER


(Click image to view larger version.)

While I haven’t done any formal performance testing, I was surprised by how smooth and quick the application felt as I was creating my latest Final Cut Pro X training — and I was running it on a 2010 iMac!

NOTE: More RAM helps. There is a big difference in Final Cut’s performance between running on 4 GB of RAM and 16 GB of RAM. FCP X will use as much RAM as you can give it; though, if you are on a limited budget, 16 GB is RAM is fine. Also, always store media to a second drive; don’t use the boot drive.

And, before you ask, no, I haven’t run this on a Mac Pro – new or old. Like I said, even on an older iMac, the software feels very smooth.

MEDIA MANAGEMENT

Better performance is always good, especially as we step up into larger frame sizes, but the biggest change is media management. Judging from my email and the most popular articles on my website, media management drives most people nuts. And not just Final Cut, media management for any video editing software is confusing to many people.

Apple thought they fixed it with their initial concept of Events and Projects. But there was still confusion, and quitting Final Cut just to move events in and out of the app was a mess.

In this version, Apple replaced Events and Projects with Libraries. The old Event Library is gone, replaced by the Libraries pane. Libraries contain Media, Events and Projects. Events are now more like folders, or bins, which store stuff. Projects are now stored in Events. With a single keystroke, we can now create instant “Snapshots” of a project to serve as a reference for a particular point in the edit.

You can open, close, and backup Libraries without ever quitting Final Cut. And, the old limit of about 2,000 clips per event has been significantly expanded. A Library is a “bundle,” similar to Keynote. A Bundle acts like a single file, but stores all your media and other elements inside itself. This means it is very easy to backup, move, or copy entire libraries.

The only downside – and it’s a big one – is that all current Events and Libraries need to be updated before they can be used in Final Cut 10.1. However, media files are fine and don’t require updating.

NOTE: I’ve written a separate blog that details media management in the new version. Read it here.

– – –

Before you upgrade your editing system, watch this short eight-minute video that explains what you need to know about upgrading Events and Projects.

– – –

NOTE: The excellent utility from Intelligent Assistant, “Event Manager X” can be a help in upgrading Events and Projects. Even better, the folks at Intelligent Assistance are now offering this utility for free. To learn more, visit: www.intelligentassistance.com.

I really like the new media management. It is faster, safer, easier and better… once you get through the update process. However, updating is a one-time-only procedure which is straight-forward – just watch my video first.

NOTE: Apple also has a white paper that describes this process as well. To learn more, visit: www.apple.com/finalcutpro/

OTHER COOL NEW FEATURES

There are lots of new features, some big and some small, that make using the program a lot more fun.


(Click image to view larger version.)

The list goes on:

There’s a lot in the new version – and we’ll be talking about it for a long while to come.

SUMMARY

The latest version of Apple’s Final Cut Pro X does not deliver world peace. Nor does it fulfill every editor’s wish list. But Apple has done a solid job of adding features that we can use in our projects every day to make our edits go faster, easier and with a bit more fun.

And, as soon as you are between projects, I recommend you upgrade. The faster performance and new media management, alone, make the upgrade worthwhile.

LEARN MORE

I just completed all-new training on this version of Final Cut Pro X. To see the first 15 movies – which will give you a Quick Start into the application – visit my YouTube channel.

To download your own copy of my Final Cut Pro X training, please visit our store.


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79 Responses to Apple Releases Final Cut Pro X 10.1

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  1. Ken Waldron says:

    My project won’t stop sputtering now that I’ve upgraded? Any clue why that is?

    • Ray Singer says:

      What format is your media in? I had a similar experience on upgrade with XDCamEX footage. There’s an update available on the Sony website that allows FCPX, Mavericks and the footage to play together. Version 1.2.

  2. Robbie says:

    Nightmare experience so far. Where are SOUNDS? Discovered someone had a workaround by starting Garageband first, (never use it), but every time I start up FCP, no Sounds library, just iTunes. Advice anyone?

    • Larry Jordan says:

      Robbie:

      Here’s the current workaround.

      Missing Audio Files

      Here’s the fix – from the Apple support forums:
      * Close FCP 10.1

      * Open Garage Band then close it
      
* Open FCP and voila, they are back.

      Weird, but true.

  3. luke harvey says:

    just upgrade to final cut x 10.1 and really pleased but for what ever reason it won’t export in master file and gives error 1136 have you any ideas how i may cure this problem, i’ve already tried opening the Final Cut application and selecting prevent app nap but its still playing up have you any ideas please

  4. FurryToes says:

    You don’t seem to say why you go to all the trouble to update libraries one by one manually.
    So, why not let FCPX do it and then organize them after?
    Is it not possible to move videos from one library to another – or is it difficult?
    It just seemed odd to me that this fairly obvious way of doing it was never explored.

    • Larry Jordan says:

      FurryToes:

      You can absolutely update everything. But, perhaps, you don’t want to. Maybe there are old projects that you never expect to use again. No sense taking the time and space to update them.

      My emphasis on manual updating is that it gives you more control over what gets updated. But, you can certainly update everything, then sort it out later.

      Both work.

      Larry

  5. paul says:

    Hi Larry. I am going to get the new Mac Pro tower. However, I have been going back and forth on what to put into it. I work fairly heavily with FCPX (single camera now, but most likely multi cam later), and Photoshop (very large panorama files 1-4gb average). I am thining of the following configuration as the best given my financial circumstances:

    6 core CPU
    16 GB RAM (upgrade later)
    256 gb SSD (plan on investing in Thunderbolt Raid drive for file storage: G-Tech?)
    D700 GPUs

    My question is could I get away with the 4 core CPU, keeping performance of FCPX in mind? I appreciate any feedback you can provide.

    • Larry Jordan says:

      Paul:

      Sure. ANY current computer can edit any flavor of single camera video. The gating factor is the bandwidth on your storage. I would think that as long as you convert your multicam projects to ProRes, and don’t plan on editing more than 15-20 cameras at a time, the 4 core will be fine.

      Larry

  6. paul says:

    Hi again. I forgot to mention the resolution of the video I work with: 1080p. Take care.

  7. paul says:

    Thanks for getting back to me so quickly Larry. I really appreciate your input on this big decision I have to make. Take care, and Happy New Year!

  8. Brianbobcat says:

    Out of curiosity, why wouldn’t you update all your Events? If you’re able to go to 10.1 on all your machines, what would be the point of keeping an Event, even if it’s archived, in 10.0.9 and not bringing everything up-to-date? Thanks!

    • Larry Jordan says:

      BrianBobcat:

      IF you know that everything will update perfectly, you can do everything at once.

      However, so many people have had problems with updates that it makes sense to take this in smaller chunks until you are completely comfortable with the update process.

      I would rather fix one problem than dozens of problems.

      Larry

  9. Trevor says:

    I use FCP 7 on a Mac Pro bought in 2009 and am considering the new Mac Pro – I will use this almost exclusively for FCP and Aperture
    I have a Canon 5d mark 3 and a tape high def video camera
    My question is two fold what spec of Mac Pro should I go for and is it worth me changing to the new FCP pro x – I enjoy using multiple tracks to stack images and use motion for titles
    I am just an not a professional but enjoy making films for my family – in the past I used premiere but this kept crashing – FCP has been very good but is sometimes slow
    One last question I want some software to produce animated routes on maps – any ideas ?

    Many thanks

    • Larry Jordan says:

      Trevor:

      Frankly, there is no advantage to you to run FCP 7 on a new Mac Pro, aside from owning the device. You won’t see any significant improvement in performance. FCP 7 only uses one processor, except for a few functions, and is limited to 4 GB of RAM, no matter how much you have installed, and doesn’t use the GPU at all.

      Until you decide to upgrade to more modern software, save your money. When you do decide to update, FCP X is a good choice, but you’ll need to spend some time learning the new software, it is radically different from FCP 7.

      Larry

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