Audio Video Sync in Final Cut Pro (FCP) from separate systems

Shot with Canon Rebel T2i (550D), and audio from Zoom H4n. This tutorial describes how to sync audio and video in Final Cut. This assumes that you have used a clapper slate, or similar sync-pop technique.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• BZD Films
• Final Cut Pro
• FCP
• Audio Video
• Zoom h4n
• h4n
• 550d
• t2i
• canon t2i
• canon
• Danin
• Brian Danin

[BZDfilms]

ideal situation: You have a boom operator. They control the H4N, and plug in the boom mic with an XLR cable to the H4N.

Normal situations in film you would have a mixer (who would operate the H4N) and another person to hold the boom. They would both have ear-phones plugged into the mixer (H4N in this case with a 1/8" audio jack splitter). The boom op makes sure the mic is in the optimal placement, while the mixer monitors levels, makes sure levels don't spike, and controls the mixing device.

[kravshin]

Did you use the H4n as a video recorder and have other mics plugged into it via the XLR input? Or were you using it as the mic too? Thanks...Great help on the syncing. Thank you.

[BZDfilms]

@kravshin I'm using other mics (sometimes lavs, and preferred is a shotgun on a boom with operator) plugged into the XLR jack on the H4n, about 95% of the time. You could also just use the built-in stereo condensors, but they are usually not directional enough.

[wiseguyproductions]

Brian.... what if you DIDN'T use a clapper board? Im trying to sync basically by comparing the audio waveforms between the audio track from the camera and the audio track from the recorder yu know? In this case, even if we used the clapper board, the camera was so far from the recorder, either we could clap close to the recorder but not be able to see it very well, or b) we clap close to the camera and not be able to hear the clap on the recorder yu know? then theres the light vs sound speed too

[BZDfilms]

@wiseguyproductions what I find works best is when you have a temp-track that was recorded with the on-board, internal mic. Then you can turn on the waveforms in FCP, using the little triangle button on the sequence timeline (this is on the bottom left, and kind of hidden). Drop the high-quality audio beneath this, and use the audio waveforms to sync the tracks. You can select any track in FCP, and push option+L or R arrow to move track one frame at a time.

[JDRszostak]

I was hard for the better part of this video. Subbed.

[JessRudolph174]

Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. :)

[cowboypicturestv]

boring!



[danakamide]

Thanks for the very useful, straight forward, detailed tutorial! It was a BIG help! :)

[megamatt53]

where do you put the h4n durring the scene ? like do you have it over the actors on a pool ? or do you put it under the actors so its out of the way ?

[badirfire]

Tnx, you really help me!

[naveregnide]

I'm having massive problems with syncing because my one camera is my mac webcam (with good usb mic) but 23 FPS while my HD cam shoots at 30 FPS with poor audio. I'm gonna attempt to batch export the 23 FPS into 30 FPS to try to get the audio to line up, but at the moment my mouth eventually gets ahead of my voice.

[revillsimon]

really really helpful, just what i needed to know. thank you SO much!