anyone use FCP voice over tool ??

[must-c-tv]

Just curious if anyone (SoCal shooter maybe ??) uses the Voice Over tool in Final Cut Pro for laying down the reporter track?

I haven't yet, cause I'm sceptical of XLR to mini-jack adapters.

I just record the reporters voice on tape, and capture.

There are heaps of good Final Cut Pro forums, but it's hard to find news cameramen on them.

Curious what other working practices are...

[ September 25, 2005, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: must-c-tv ]

[bassetf5]

I find it's easier to record voice-over in Soundtrack, which gives you an .aiff file, and then drop that into FCP. I think you can do it in Garage Band as well, never used that myself though.

XLR to mini adapters work OK if you have to do it that way, but there are a bunch of really low-cost mixers out there which let you come in through the USB port and also provide effects, EQ, and power for a condenser mic.

I use a Phonic Helix 12... eight channels in, 16 flavors of reverb & effects, 3 bands of EQ on each channel, filters, phantom power, all kinds of in/out ports including USB out and it was under $200. Phonic makes a real simple four-channel that sells for about $80 but I'm not sure if it'll power a condenser mic.

so with the Helix, a Rode condenser mic and a couple pieces of sound foam you can have a pretty decent home studio for under $500. if you don't want to take it that far, a cheap mixer and that 635 that's been rattling around the back of your news car will put you in business for under $100... or you can just get a $20 XLR adapter and be real careful with it.

[dinosaur]

http://www.sounddevices.com/products/usbpremaster.htm

[NYC Street]

FCP is currently driving me crazy, as I try to learn it. I'd appreciate any tips as to user forums.

I see my audio in the system, it indicates levels in the capture tool, but I can't hear it, even though the G5 I'm working on plays back audio in other programs.

[Nino]

Post your FCP questions on
http://www.kenstone.net/cgi/discussions/general.cgi

They have a bunch of really sharp guys including Ken Stone

[NYC Street]

Thanks...I just found that one, as well as http://www.uemedia.net/CPC/2-pop/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=FCPAudioSoundtrack&PHPSESSID=e86e6f32c9bd33ba8db02a6abc2929e1

[dinosaur]

http://www.lafcpug.org/phorum/list.php?f=1

[Alaska cameradude]

I'm a FCP user and former new photog.....I can try to answer any questions about FCP. First, I do use the VO tool and have used it to lay down a reporter track. I ran a stick mic into a mixer and ran out of the mixer into a USB device that plugged into the Mac. I've also done it using Griffin's Imic it does require a XLR to RCA adaptor....but it worked just great! If you have any other questions on this, let me know and I'll try and answer.

Also, usually when you are capturing you are not going to hear the audio on your computer. Usually you are going to hear it on your external speakers (you do have external speakers, just like you should have an NTSC monitor don't you??)

If for some reason you don't have external speakers, maybe doing field editing on a powerbook try this. Go to the view drop down menu. Go to the audio playback. Change it to built in audio instead of firewire DV (if it's set to that, the audio will play out the firewire cable to your deck which should be connected to external speakers. I think that's what you do but I don't remember for sure. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll disconnect my speakers and figure out exactly how to do it......it's been awhile since I did in field powerbook editing and I don't remember for sure if that's the only thing you need to do

[must-c-tv]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the response.

The Sound Devices USB looks sweet - but $550 for something I will use just for voice tracks. Hmmmm... have to think about that one.

The Phonic 12 is the right price, but too big for my field stuff.

Alaska Cameradude - Interesting that the $35 I-mic gets good results - it's been trashed in the reviews on the Apple site.

(and yes, I have Fostex's and a monitor or two lying around. They just happen to be PAL where I live.....) ;)

But hey - $35 ain't much - worth a try.

Thanks again.

[ September 26, 2005, 02:24 AM: Message edited by: must-c-tv ]

[Mel Stone]

I use voice over (VO) all the time (in FCE, tho)... I run a mic into my dv camera and set the voice over in FCE for external device and use earphones on that camera to listen to the voice.... the VO drops into my time line and I cut it, move it, etc just like any other clip.

Mel Stone

[NYC Street]

Alaska -

Many thanks - you and one other person, who sent me a PM, hit on the problem: audio had to be switched to internal from DV/Firewire.

That's the kind of thing that can drive one batty...especially if it's a reporter type hacking his way through.

[Alaska cameradude]

must-c-tv-

Well, I've had pretty good sucess using the Imic, as long as you are using a good mic and everything, it works just fine for voice overs....maybe I just have a bad ear for sound, I dunno, but it sounded good to me. And of course it's small, and the price is right.... :)

NYC Street-

No problem, glad to help. FCP can be a bit difficult at first, but once you figure it out it's pretty neat. I use it all the time and I love it! Unfortunutely there's not much of a market for video stuff here......NOO NOOO I DON'T WANNA GET A REAL JOB!!! HELP! :)