Final Cut Pro X Information & Resources 5

I wasn't expecting to do a second update today, but there's been a lot of new stuff posted...


Bugs & Problems
Macworld has posted its own list of Final Cut Pro X issues: Bugs & Fixes: Troubleshooting Final Cut Pro X



Refunds [UPDATE 4:00PM]
People who requested refunds over the weekend, and told it could take 5 to 7 business days to process, are reporting that they are already getting their refunds.



Tutorials

Adding Audio
A tutorial at Premiumbeat explains how to work with audio in Final Cut Pro X.

Among the “updates” in this latest incarnation of Final Cut Pro, there have been some changes about the way the application imports and handles audio in project timelines. Like in previous versions, you can still bring audio into your project by using FCP X’s import function or dragging in audio from the Finder / Desktop. However, FCPX also includes a built-in “Music and Sound” browser to, perhaps more quickly, find audio elements for project use. Let’s take a look at each of these import methods.

Premiumbeat: FCP X Audio Tutorial Part 1: Adding Sound and Music to Your Final Cut Pro X Projects and Using Snapping to Control Placement on the Timeline



Syncing Audio
Kurt Lancaster offers a quick guide on how to sync audio:

Most DSLR shooters are already aware of PluralEyes and DualEyes. But the new version of Final Cut X will also sync external audio recorders with DSLR audio files. This lesson shows you how.

MasteringFilm: Final Cut Pro X Tutorial: Syncing Audio



Recording a Voice Over
Amani Channel explains how to record a voice-over in Final Cut Pro X:

In the past, I normally would record my voice overs in Sound Track Pro, or even Garage Band, and would then audio edit inside the respective software before exporting the narration file to either FCP 7, or Premier Pro.

[...] Final Cut Pro X makes recording narration extremely simple. I’m still learning the software, but hope that this helps.

WebVideoChefs: How to record a voice over in Final Cut Pro X



Primary Color Correction Tools
A step-by-step guide to the new color workflow in Final Cut Pro X

The first thing to note is that unlike previous versions of Final Cut Pro where all corrections were filter based, in FCP X Color Correction has become part of the main task-flow of the user interface.

MacProVideo: FCP X Tutorial: New Primary Color Correction tools in FCP X Part 1 - Exposure



Video tutorials
Dan Allen has been updating his series of tutorials;

• Basics Tutorial Pt. 11 - Blade Tool / Splitting Clips
• Basics Tutorial Pt. 10 - Transitions + Video Keyframes
• Basics Tutorial Pt. 9 - Blend Modes

YouTube: Final Cut Pro X Tutorials



Free One Hour Tutorial
Michael Wohl at MacVideoPro has put together a training video on Final Cut Pro X, and you can view the first chapter for free.
via fcp.co: Free one hour FCPX introduction tutorial from Michael Wohl, one of the original designers of Final Cut Pro



Support

Final Cut Pro 7 Updates Back at Apple Support
Apple reportedly removed Final Cut Pro 7 updates from their support site, but now they are back (whether they were removed accidentally is unknown.)
Apple: Final Cut Studio Downloads



Red Giant to Support Final Cut Pro X
Red Giant has released a statement about Final Cut Pro X support:

In terms of development, you’ll be seeing Magic Bullet products available on Final Cut Pro X very soon. In fact, with the SDK in hand, we’ve already begun the engineering effort for what will be free Final Cut Pro X updates for current users.”

TVTechnology: Red Giant to Support Apple FCPX



RED Comment
A post on the RED forum:

We would love to support FCP-X. And if someone sends us an API.. or SDK.. or whatever else we need... we will get right on it.

Contrary to what others are "officially" saying... There has been ZERO integration work started on it to this day ( at least on our side )..

REDUser: Why everyone is so painfully wrong about FCPX



3rd Party Plug-ins
The Toolfarm is maintaining a list of third party developers that have made statements/announcements about Final Cut Pro X support.
Toolfarm: Final Cut Pro X- Plug-in/ 3rd Party Company Updates



More Opinions

What They Should Have Done
Mitch at Planet 5D offers his thoughts on Final Cut Pro X, offering a slightly different perspective:

Ok, right off the bat – Apple screwed up big time on this one – not because they left out feature xyz, but because they didn’t properly set expectations and they didn’t have proper documentation and training available on day 1. When Aperture 3 was released, there were a bunch of tutorials available on Apple’s site on day 1! Their ‘do everything in secret’ policy is OK, as long as they are able to adequately set expectations once the product is released. FAIL.

Planet5D: Almost a week in – thoughts on Final Cut Pro X (FCPX)



Tej Babra offers his perspective

Before I begin this review I would like to point out 2 things. First this will not be a rant by any means. Secondly, I did not get this review up earlier as I wanted to examine FCPX for at least a week cutting an actual project.

ArtoftheGuilotine: FCPX Part 1



Another Opinion at Macworld
Serenity Caldwell offers a second opinion about Final Cut Pro X at Macworld:

But I think the majority of editors will embrace Final Cut, after Apple spends the time to fix what it needs to. (It always does, even if it takes awhile.) And once that happens, I can’t imagine Final Cut Pro X as anything other than the poster child for the next decade of the editing industry.

Macworld: How Apple re-cut Final Cut Pro for the better



Andrew Read at EOSHD Part II
Andrew has posted the second part of his review of Final Cut Pro X

Yes FCPX is forward facing, it heralds the future first and Apple did the same with the iPhone, the iPad and iTunes whilst the rest put out Nokias, netbooks and CDs. But that was in the consumer market, where Apple excel. Is the pro video industry really ready to shift to this shiny new editing package when so many crucial things are lacking? No.

Is Apple now firmly a consumer-only company, who have pulled out of the pro software market? It certainly looks that way.

EOSHD: Final Cut Pro X and Compressor 4 – Review – Part II



Apple Being Apple
Chris Kenny points out that we shouldn't be surprised that Apple would be willing to undertake such a startling transition.

The way the FCP X rollout has been handled has nothing to do with Apple slighting pro users — it’s just Apple being Apple. It’s annoying as hell sometimes, but while it’s temping to believe Apple could discard these behaviors and deliver equally successful products, I’m not sure that’s actually the case.

NiceDissolve: Breaking: Final Cut Pro X is an Apple product



The Limitations of Creativity
David Intrator at The Creative Organization looks at the Final Cut Pro X debate, and offers an interesting insight:

What I’ve noticed over the last few years, however, is that software tools are increasingly encouraging what I’ll call “pre-formatted” creativity.
Rather than start from the blank page, we are presented with templates, pre-sets, loops and the like which we then assemble and manipulate to produce our creations.

The Creative Organization: Creativity and The Final Cut Pro X Debacle



The Democratization of Accessibility
Zac at TechVessel offers a somewhat similar opinion

Apple doesn’t mind looking like the bad guy. They don’t mind being accused of being wrong, or sometimes actually being wrong. Apple fancies themselves editors, trimming away at features as if they were excess leaves on a tree, accentuating or highlighting certain aspects, while doing away completely with obstructive branches.

TechVessel: FCPX: Risk, & The Democratization of Accessibility



Good App, Bad Launch?
David Schloss thinks the problem Apple had was in how they managed expectations. Come on, it's Apple, expectations are always extreme!
MacCreate: Final Cut Pro X: Apple’s Worst Launch of Their Best App



Transitioning Away From Final Cut

FCP to Premiere Pro Workflow
Walter Biscardi offers a workflow for moving from Final Cut to Adobe Premiere:

The biggest question I’m getting is “how will my Final Cut Pro workflow translate if I go to another NLE?” For many of you, there are many years of workflow development, keystroke memorization, etc… that you just don’t want to have to be forced to give up.

Biscardicreative: Transition 2: FCP Workflow in Adobe Premiere Pro


Adobe Tutorials
Adobe posted several tutorials a while back on how to transition to Adobe Premiere Pro.
Adobe: Switching to Adobe Premiere Pro CS5



How Angry Are You?

A petition to get Apple to fix things, or release the source code to Final Cut Pro 7. (As someone else said "Good luck with that")
PetitionOnline.com: Final Cut Pro X is Not a Professional Application

Jeffery Harrell proves that you don't want to piss-off Video Editors; they'll take your words and old video and use it against you.
Vimeo: I have no title for this

For some reason it was deleted from Vimeo, but now it's up on YouTube:



[UPDATE 4:00PM - Added info about refunds]

See also: Final Cut Pro X Information & Resources 4