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Faster Ways to Pan Audio

Panning balances audio playback between the left and right speaker to position the audio in space. In this quick technique, learn three ways you can pan multiple clips in Final Cut Pro.

Moving Between PAL, NTSC, and HD

Over the last four months I’ve had a long email chat about video formats and the best ways to convert between them. If you are moving files from NTSC to PAL or back, and trying to integrate HD material, this article covers what you need to know.

Creating a PAL Image Sequence

Here’s a quick tip on how to create still images so they can display in a PAL 16:9 sequence.

Creating a PAL DVD

A reader asks how to create a PAL DVD. In this article, I provide a reference for file conversion, then talk about the Compressor setting you can use to compress your files. (I also include a link to lots more training on DVD creation.)

What Do All These Different Video Connectors Mean?

Confused by all the different video outputs on your deck? This article explains what they mean, what they do, and when to use them.

Organizing for a Massive Project

Getting organized is always easier to say than to do. In this article, we discuss basic organization techniques and provide references to other sources you can use to organize even huge projects.

Issues with On-lining HD Sequences

Converting a low-resolution edit into a high-res master is the process of on-lining. Here are a series of tips to keep in mind as you on-line High-Def material.

FCP 7: Tips for Successful On-lining (From Offline to Online)

Understanding the Media Manager is critical to successfully recapturing media, whether for creating the highest quality final master, or for resurrecting an old project. But the Media Manager is not that intuitive. This article walks you through what you need to know for successfully recapturing your project.

FCP 7: Create the Right Offline Format

The debatable “nightmare” of offline editing is discussed, with Larry strongly recommending the creation of DVCPROHD 23.98 fps masters to keep the frame rate and image size constant and greatly simplify the final on-line edit.

What Does the NS Light on DVCAM Decks Mean?

All DV audio is not created the same. A client had a problem with the NS light lighting; finding the solution took a few days of phone calls. Here’s the scoop.

FCP 7: Normalizing Audio in Final Cut Pro

Normalizing is one way to raise the gain of an entire clip without creating any over-modulation. Prior to FCP 6, only Soundtrack Pro could normalize. Now, FCP can, too. Here’s how.

The Benefits of Creating a New User Account

An important trouble-shooting technique is to create a new user account to eliminate corrupted preference files. This short article explains why you should consider doing this, and what the potential problems are.

Something New in Final Cut 6

Here’s a quick little shortcut that just appeared in the latest version of Final Cut Pro that is almost impossible to find.

Nesting in Final Cut Pro

Nesting is the process of placing one sequence inside another sequence. There are many reasons why this technique is useful. This article highlights several of them, including ways to fix problems when your nested audio does not appear.

In Need of a Universal Output Format

Wendy is searching for a universal HD output format to simplify distribution of her projects. In this article, she discovers that’s easier to say than to do.

Gear Report: Covering the NAB 2010 Show for the Digital Production Buzz

In this post-NAB 2010 report, I show how we covered this huge trade show for the Digital Production Buzz. 16 reporters, crew of 22, live hourly audio brodcasts, and daily one-hour show specials. This goes into the gear, the process, the file naming conventions…everything.

NAB 2007 Report

Apple just finished its event for NAB 2007 — where they announced Final Cut Server, Final Cut Studio 2 and Color! And I thought you might be interested in some more immediate observations.

Commentary: MacWorld 2006

This is a commentary by Larry Jordan on the announcements and background conversation at MacWorld 2006 in San Francisco, CA.

Creating Multiple Output Files

The only problem with creating multiple versions of the same file is the time it takes. In this article, I explain how you can do this faster and easier by automating Compressor, than just doing one file at a time from Final Cut Pro.

Capturing Multiple Cameras to One Mac

In this article, learn how you can capture two simultaneous, real-time video feeds into one computer and get them ready for editing.