FCP Multiclip Question

[Ryan Patch]

Hey all-

I'm editing a low-budget music video, and trying to get the multiclip functionality to work. As we didn't have lots of $$, the timecodes aren't in sync and are TOD timecodes.

I've manually synced the clips on the timeline to each other (and music), but can't figure out a way to create something (in point, out point, aux timecode) to the original clip (in the browser window) so I can multiclip it.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Ryan

 

[Kaku Ito]

When the multiple clips weren't sync then what you can do is find the point that matches, then insert markers, then match them on a timeline so they are in sync, then adjust the in point of longer clip to match with the shorter one. Finally make a multiclip with the in points.

This is how with P2 and other format, but I hear things about using multiclips with RED clips.

 

[jimhare]

Really easy and works every time.

1. Set all the in points the same in the browser (not just the timeline.) It doesn't have to be the start as you can backtrack. Just set it to the first kick drum or something obvious.

2. Then dump them all into a timeline, just to confirm you have the in-points set correctly. If they playback without echo (and hopefully without phasing) then you've nailed it.

3. In the browser, command-click all the clips you want to use, right click to bring up the pop-up, and select MAKE MULTI-CLIP.

When the box comes up, select SYNCRONIZE USING IN POINTS

4. It will create a new multi clip in italics, drag it to the timeline.

5. When FCP asks, conform to the CODEC etc.

6. Double click the multiclip in the timeline to open in the PREVIEW WINDOW.

In the "X" dropdown menu (playhead sync) at the top of the window, change it to OPEN. This makes it playback as multiclip in the preview window in sync with the playhead in the timeline.

7. Click back in the timeline and hit the spacebar to play. You should see the multiclip playing in the preview window. You can just click on each frame as if you were cutting live. When you stop, you will see that FCP has created an edit based on your choices. You can go back, choose different clips, undo etc. You can move really fast. I can do an amazingly perfect edit of a 1 hour show in about 3 hours. This used to take about 4 days!

ONE MORE THING --- Don't even TRY to do this with proxies! You need to transcode to ProRes to run multiple files at once. Also, Color loses the plot if you send it MultiClip edits. Always has. Still, this is the way I do it. I first create ProRes from RedCine and lock in most of my grading decisions. Then I create a flattened QT at the end of the edit, break it back into clips and send that to Color for tweaking, FX etc. Works great.

Mess around with it and it will lock in. This should get you going.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Ryan Patch]

The problem is that they're synced on the timeline, but not in the browser window. How do I get the in-points in the timeline to reflect the ones in the browser?

 

[jimhare]

You should always sync in the browser first, as now you are moving backwards.

Doing it in the timeline will work, but you now need to double click each track, make a note of the in-point, then apply that to the clip in the browser. Do this by going to the same frame and typing "I" or inputting the start frame numerically.

Then follow the instructions above and you'll be fine.

 

[James Press]

Thorough advice Jim--cheers.

ONE MORE THING --- Don't even TRY to do this with proxies!

I should say we multiclip regularly, with 2 cameras, using the _M QT proxies, and don't have any problems...

Look forward to hearing more from you about this on Feb 25...