Weird Audio Problems in FCP - A Helpful Tip!

[DArcyFD]

this is a very unique post - i will pose a problem, then, hey presto, solve it myself!

Problem:
you ever been working with a massive sequence in FCP with lots and lots of audio tracks? ie. about 6+ tracks mixed together at some points? have you ever had FCP, for no apparent reason, suddenly play back one of the tracks incorrectly - it plays a completely different part of the file that that particular audio clip comes from (without you doing anything to it)?

i know it sounds confusing, so here's an example:
in your mix, one of the tracks is a 3min song. you've carefully trimmed it down to a clip that is just the first chorus. it plays back fine as you continue to build up the sequence, but then out of the blue, that exact same clip starts playing the second verse, or the bridge, or the outro.... whatever, it's just a completely different part of the track, despite the fact it hasn't changed at all, even in appearance (ie. the waveforms are exactly as they should be).

now, i've had this happen to me on more than one occasion, always when working with large mixes. the f***ed up thing is that it has happened to me when i've exported something and, burnt out by the mammoth project, have failed to notice this glitch (which is typically only a second or two) until it has been presented to an audience.

Solution:
[you may already know this, or the answer appears 'obvious' to you - great, but there's no need for you to point it out in a 'no sh*t dumba**' way. really, there are better ways to boost your self-esteem. ok i know i'm getting defensive for no reason.]
1. control-click the offending clip, and select 'Reconnect Media...' from the menu.
2. the 'Reconnect Files' box will show you the correct file, but the 'Connect' button will be disabled.
3. click 'Locate' and select the exact same file; click 'OK'.
4. now click 'Connect,' which will be enabled.

the clip should now play back exactly as it did before.


so why am i writing this since i solved my own problem? because i only discovered the solution after nearly flying into a fit of rage, slaving over a hot FCP sequence to meet a swift deadline, and juggling a complicated audio mix. in emoticon terms, i was kinda like :crybaby: :crybaby: :angry: :angry: rogar-BlackEye(DBG:angry: :crybaby: :badputer:

maybe no one else has ever had this problem. maybe it's the hidden price one pays for using software that's not strictly 'legitimate' .............:undecided maybe i'm really edward norton and brad pitt's a figment of my imagination and bruce willis was dead the whole time.......

anyways i just thought i'd post this here because if i help ONE poor lost soul who came as close to the brink of despair as i did, then it's all worth it.



ps. oh, i just realised my pretentious herzog signature quote just became relevant in a poetic kinda way!

 

[jcskeeter]

I will admit that has happen to me before. And I have done the same thing to fix it as well. I feel your pain.

As long as we are talking audio problems, I have had another weird thing happen before. Has anyone had the levels get all messed up, not follow fades or anything?

 

[Batutta]

this is a very unique post - i will pose a problem, then, hey presto, solve it myself!

Problem:
you ever been working with a massive sequence in FCP with lots and lots of audio tracks? ie. about 6+ tracks mixed together at some points? have you ever had FCP, for no apparent reason, suddenly play back one of the tracks incorrectly - it plays a completely different part of the file that that particular audio clip comes from (without you doing anything to it)?

i know it sounds confusing, so here's an example:
in your mix, one of the tracks is a 3min song. you've carefully trimmed it down to a clip that is just the first chorus. it plays back fine as you continue to build up the sequence, but then out of the blue, that exact same clip starts playing the second verse, or the bridge, or the outro.... whatever, it's just a completely different part of the track, despite the fact it hasn't changed at all, even in appearance (ie. the waveforms are exactly as they should be).

now, i've had this happen to me on more than one occasion, always when working with large mixes. the f***ed up thing is that it has happened to me when i've exported something and, burnt out by the mammoth project, have failed to notice this glitch (which is typically only a second or two) until it has been presented to an audience.

Solution:
[you may already know this, or the answer appears 'obvious' to you - great, but there's no need for you to point it out in a 'no sh*t dumba**' way. really, there are better ways to boost your self-esteem. ok i know i'm getting defensive for no reason.]
1. control-click the offending clip, and select 'Reconnect Media...' from the menu.
2. the 'Reconnect Files' box will show you the correct file, but the 'Connect' button will be disabled.
3. click 'Locate' and select the exact same file; click 'OK'.
4. now click 'Connect,' which will be enabled.

the clip should now play back exactly as it did before.


so why am i writing this since i solved my own problem? because i only discovered the solution after nearly flying into a fit of rage, slaving over a hot FCP sequence to meet a swift deadline, and juggling a complicated audio mix. in emoticon terms, i was kinda like :crybaby: :crybaby: :angry: :angry: rogar-BlackEye(DBG:angry: :crybaby: :badputer:

maybe no one else has ever had this problem. maybe it's the hidden price one pays for using software that's not strictly 'legitimate' .............:undecided maybe i'm really edward norton and brad pitt's a figment of my imagination and bruce willis was dead the whole time.......

anyways i just thought i'd post this here because if i help ONE poor lost soul who came as close to the brink of despair as i did, then it's all worth it.



ps. oh, i just realised my pretentious herzog signature quote just became relevant in a poetic kinda way!

Are you using mp3 files? I've only had a similar problem when using them in FCP. Best to transcode them to AIFF before importing.

 

[DArcyFD]

Are you using mp3 files? I've only had a similar problem when using them in FCP. Best to transcode them to AIFF before importing.

i always transcode to AIFF if it isn't already. in the case that prompted me to write the above manifesto, the offending file was transcoded from iTunes aac..... but i've had it happen other times with all native AIFF or WAV sources (maybe it don't like WAV?). personally i reckon it's caused by having lots (ie. 6+) of audio tracks. i guess the audio render gets confused or something. i don't know why though. i don't really get similar problems with video, which you'd expect to be more of a strain on resources than audio.

Has anyone had the levels get all messed up, not follow fades or anything?

can't think of a particular instance, but i'm sure this has also happened at some time or another. again it's the kind of thing that always happens when you're staring down a big deadline.

 

[Batutta]

In User Preferences, do you have audio playback quality set to highest? If so, put it to lower. You shouldn't have to render audio unless you have an ungodly amount of tracks or tons of audio filters...Also, I've found many Final Cut problems of this sort, especially with respect to media managing, can be fixed by giving everything a reel. When you import something directly as a digital file instead of capturing it, it doesn't get a reel name which can result in all sorts of weirdness with reconnecting.

 

[DArcyFD]

In User Preferences, do you have audio playback quality set to highest? If so, put it to lower.

nope, it's already set to low.

You shouldn't have to render audio unless you have an ungodly amount of tracks or tons of audio filters...

sorry, I was misleading in my previous post. When I said 'render', what I actually meant was the automatic rendering that's constantly going on behind the scenes, as opposed to the manual rendering that you have to perform when lots of tracks and clips get piled up.....i hope that makes sense. yes, you're right, you shouldn't have to manually render audio unless you have an ungodly amount of tracks/filters.

I've found many Final Cut problems of this sort, especially with respect to media managing, can be fixed by giving everything a reel. When you import something directly as a digital file instead of capturing it, it doesn't get a reel name which can result in all sorts of weirdness with reconnecting.

hmmm. never tried this. good idea.

to be honest it really surprises me every time i have a little problem or glitch in FCP because i've become so accustomed to zero technical problems since i got a mac. i've gotten used to the good life. i remember the dark old days when it was a miracle to use a PC for more than an hour and have no problems.....