Going Mono

[ElementFilm]

So I recorded directlly into the DVX's XLR using a seinheiser boom mic. I chose the audio setting that allows you to record into both the Left and Right Channels, so my in- camera audio monitors were reading on both channels, as was audio playing into both sides of the headphones. Then, when importing the clips into Final Cut Pro I had two audio tracks, a Left and Right apparently. Now I'm set to export OMF files for my sound designer/mixer to import into Pro Tools for the Final Mix, but she's telling me there's a problem. She needs 'Mono' tracks with no stereo panning, etc... I wanted to see if anyone has had experience with this.

 

[tigeba]

Export them as individual tracks, or split stereo tracks, or just tell her to use one of the tracks. You don't really have any stereo information there. You may have to go to your timeline and let it know that what you have is dual mono information. Sorry, don't have FCP in front of me.

It is trivial to import a joint stereo file into PT and use one of the tracks, it should be no problem.


Make sure when you export to OMF to give your editor handles on the audio. It is an export option. Usually 5-10 seconds is good

 

[Alan H. Chang]

How odd.

I think it's her that she doesnt know how to split the track up. The audio file is already in mono and she's asking to not provide stereo. The top half is the left channel and the bottom half is the right channel. Questions me as to why she is using Pro Tools and doesnt know what she's asking. Or maybe it's just me that I'm getting this wrong.

Alan

 

[Noiz2]

"She" isn't too experienced. FCP does not include ANY automation when it creates an OMF so you couldn't send her pans if you wanted to. She may be referring to the fact that Pro Tools always works with what they call "split stereo" files, as opposed to interleaved stereo files. As Far as I know FCP also uses split stereo files or OMF only supports split stereo ?? anyway that has never been a problem going from FCP to PT.

The biggest issue with FCP to PT is that FCP doesn't put any automation in the file so any level adjustments the picture editor made go away. And a BAD "trick" that gets taught in FCP classes of doubling up the audio to make it louder. I've had sessions come in with over four copies of the same sound stacked up on different tracks to "make it louder" Bad, bad, bad...

If she has questions have her drop me an email.