The only one of those I've ever used is Audacity. It's okay, but I have an audio App called "Goldwave" that I've used for years, and it has more functionality than Audacity. Also, it's a nicer UI.Originally Posted by cgbier
Still, the NLE itself sounds pretty handy. I can get it here for just under AUD $268. That sounds like a pretty good price for an NLE that's as good as all that.
Color - never really used
Me too, neither the horsepower or brainpower for that.
Motion - you got AE (the Motion GUI is more intuitive than AE's though)
Not into compositing, have neither horsepower or interest in apps like this.
Compressor - well, yeah, the MPEG.
Concur. An essential part of my workflow for transcoding at both ends of the project.
DVDSP - I actually like that one
I concur
Cinetools - I shoot video
I concur
Soundtrack Pro - Audacity, baby
No way! Audacity is a gift to the video maker, since it's capable and free. But STP blows it away for integration with FCP, range of tools and degree of control.
I'm right now saving my FCE stuff as m2t, for later transfer to HDV tape.
You do it by exporting to tape without a camera connected, and when FCE asks for the camera, you just rename the m2t file it generated. (If you abort the transfer, or actually let FCE export to tape, it will delete the m2t file, unless it is remnamed...)
Another way is to use iMovieHD (version 6, I prefer that over v. 8 or 9, haven't tried 10 yet) - there, you can choose to save the m2t file for later use. But you have to export the FCE stuff to iMovie first - but there's no loss, and it's fast, no rendering required, since both NLEs use, and edit in the AIC codec. (To edit in camera native format, you need FCP.)
That's great, Janke, thank you very much for that tip. Exactly what I wanted to know.
"AIC", is that the Animation Intermediate Codec then? I've seen mention of that on the Apple Support forums.Another way is to use iMovieHD (version 6, I prefer that over v. 8 or 9, haven't tried 10 yet) - there, you can choose to save the m2t file for later use. But you have to export the FCE stuff to iMovie first - but there's no loss, and it's fast, no rendering required, since both NLEs use, and edit in the AIC codec. (To edit in camera native format, you need FCP.)
Apple Intermediate Codec. It is a proxy codec that lets you edit more fluently on slower machines than with native codecs. I like it better than Apples flagship ProRes as it doesn't take that much disk space.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Ah! Where did I get "animation intermediate codec" from then? Thin air, obviously.
I gotta lotta learnin' to do...
Well, I bought FCE today, and I've been exploring it. But I can't see a menu item for "saving to tape", Janks. Where be it, good sir?
Kiitos.
I think you'll learn to like it - it's amazing software for the price.
- File Menu -> Print to Video
- uncheck "Automatically start recording" box, but choose other options as necessary, click OK
- go to Finder and rename newly created m2t file when FCE asks for camera.
I just yesterday transferred my documentary onto two HDV tapes using the workflow above. Admittedly, I used iMovie6 for the transfer once I had the m2t file...
Yes, I think I will. At first sight it looks "warm and welcoming". Of course, that's probably got a lot to do with the fact that it's on a shiney new Mac with its sleek, smooth graphics... [Homer Simpson Drool]
Ah. I saw that menu item and wondered about it, but when I clicked on it I didn't see a "save to tape", so I passed on. The learning curve facing me, what with After Effects CS5, the new Mac itself, and now FCE, is rather daunting.- File Menu -> Print to Video
- uncheck "Automatically start recording" box, but choose other options as necessary, click OK
- go to Finder and rename newly created m2t file when FCE asks for camera.
My iMovie is '09. Last time I used iMovie it was plain old iMovie 4, bless its heart.I just yesterday transferred my documentary onto two HDV tapes using the workflow above. Admittedly, I used iMovie6 for the transfer once I had the m2t file...So that's another new thing to learn...
A new box and only iMovie09? I don't know about downunder, but in the US you can get the iLife11 suite for 7 bucks within a specific timeframe after buying a new Mac.
A good book to learn comes from Diana Weynand. It's a classic. The Peachpit Pro Training series prepares you to take the Apple Certification test, btw.
For audio visual learners there is just released training from Rippletraining. A short review of the training is at Kenstone. Also worth a read: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...ld_martin.html
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Hmm, interesting. Maybe that explains the price drop for the comp. Might go to Apple and see how much an upgrade would be.
Thanks for that, CGA good book to learn comes from Diana Weynand. It's a classic. The Peachpit Pro Training series prepares you to take the Apple Certification test, btw.
For audio visual learners there is just released training from Rippletraining. A short review of the training is at Kenstone. Also worth a read: http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...ld_martin.html. Just what I need!
I agree. STP is far more advanced. Besides, it comes with all the music loops that Audacity simply doesn't have (or even an easy way of integrating).
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced.
Loops? There's a gazillion of loops available for free on the net. I still use the Vegas loops.... For complete songs, check DJ Backtraxx or Stacktraxx. Both are discontinued, but to find on ebay.
If you are keen on Soundtrack (without the pro), check ebay for FCE3.5. Soundtrack, with most of the media, was included in the package of that version. You can install it side by side on your machine. Only the back and forth won't work. You'll have to export and import manually.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
... and for scoring, there's always Garageband.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Except Sound track Pro is no longer included in FCE. Apparently the thinking is that people will buy Logic Express, which costs US$199.
From what I've read here, STP would have been nice to have. My favourite audio editor, Goldwave, isn't available for Macs.
Soundtrack pro? There you go
Logic is a completely different animal. More for musicians than for video/filmmaker.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Now all I have to do is move to the US...
Guy doesn't ship O/S, it seems.
But thanks for the help anyway, CG.
So, you bought FCE... and he won't ship it? Where does that leave you? And what are you after ultimately?
No, doc, that guy on ebay selling FCE 3.5.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
STP was never included with FCE. Soundtrack (no Pro), however, was.
No trees were harmed in the sending of this message; however, a significant number of electrons were slightly inconvenienced.
No, Doc, it's as CG said.
What I'd like to have is a copy of any version of Soundtrack, not necessarily Soundtrack Pro. Although I'd take it if I could get it. But to get it now, you have to buy the full Final Cut Pro production suite, or get it on eBay if you can find someone who ships O/S. I've already got FCE, and I sure don't need any more NLEs. Got to draw the line somewhere.
To tell the truth, the reason I got so keen on Soundtrack is that I can no longer have my all-time favourite audio editor, Goldwave, because there's no Mac version of it.
Still, I could add an extra step into the workflow and export my movie's audio tracks to my PC, where Goldwave awaits, and do what I want there, then bring it back.
Just that it's a sight less convenient. Having to learn a Mac all over again, plus After Effects CS5!!, plus FCE, seems to me to be enough to be going on with.
But ya cain't have everthin', I guess.
Yes, that's right, Ergo. As I said to the Doc, I'd have been happy with any version of it.
CG, trying to decide on some good video/book training for Final Cut and appreciate these links. Especially liked the info on Ken Stone's site and am leaning toward Ripple Training, but a bit out of price range at the moment. What are your thoughts on Tom Wolskey's book/DVD? I hear his name all the time on the Apple Forums.
Thanks, Deborah
HV30, HV40, Rode VideoMic, Juiced Link, FCPX- http://www.MakingASceneProductions.com
That guy is absolute knowledgeable. I only have an introduction to OS X from him. That thing is informative but very dry. Don't watch Wolskey when you are tired.
"It is dark the other side. Very dark!" - "Oh, shut up and eat your toast!"
Janke, I've been trying to get that process right, but I must be doing something wrong because there's no way I get an m2t file at the end of it.
Unfortunately, while I kept trying different methods I neglected to jot down the workflows, so now I don't remember each and every step I've tried so far.
I wonder if I could prevail upon your good nature, (famed in song and verse throughout the land), to expand a little on the process you describe above. And if you would phrase it in terms that a 4 year-old could understand....
When you get the time, of course. Thank you very much, good sir.
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