FCP totally over modulates QT exports. Why oh why?

[Kip Hewitt]

This problem has made me crazy for a very long time...

Here's the workflow: I Transcode R3D to ProRez 422. Import to FCP. Edit. All is fine so far. Now, I need to bring some footage into After Effects, so I export a clip from the timeline using File > Export > Quicktime Movie. The video quality is fine, however the audio is screeching loud.

Any idea why? And how do I fix this grating problem?

Thank you so much.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

This may sound obvious, but did you check your output settings?

There are some timeline/project settings that affect audio output.

Also, what level are you mixing to?

I generally recommend mixing to -12dB, with peaks to never exceed 0dB.

The first mistake I made in FCP was to mix to 0dB, and anything louder than the median was a disaster on output.

The good news is that you can just drop the master faders down if that's the case.

I realize those are both obvious. but they are the first place I'd check.

 

[Kip Hewitt]

No mixing at all, Alexander. It is as simple as it sounds:

Transcode R3d to Prorez. Play the file, it sounds fine.

Drop that file into an FCP timeline and export. The file is now blasting crazy loud, over-modulated audio. And, this only happens with Red footage.

This is not an isolated/machine specific problem. I'm working with three other editors and we all experience the same thing.

 

[Nick Burridge]

Does it only happen after exporting a QT out of Final Cut? What are your audio meters reading when you play the transcoded file in the FCP timeline?

 

[Kip Hewitt]

Does it only happen after exporting a QT out of Final Cut? What are your audio meters reading when you play the transcoded file in the FCP timeline?

Yes. It only happens after exporting a QT out of FCP. The meters read just fine with the original transcoded ftg (-12ish), however once i export and re-import the waveform now looks & sounds like a thick wall of noise. I'd post a picture if I new how.

Also, if I export the audio separately, as an AIFF, it is fine.

 

[Charles Angus]

Try different ways of exporting from Final Cut. Using Compressor, using Quicktime Conversion, using Media Manager, using Batch Export...

These can all give different results.

Or, try making an XML of your FCP project, opening it in Premiere, and then sending that over to AE. That way, you skip the export step, save time and drive space, and skip the problem.