TITLE
    Final Cut Pro: Converting Audio CD Files to 48 kHz Before Importing
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		31037
7/8/99
6/5/00
TOPIC

    This article discusses a method of converting audio CD tracks before importing them for use in a Final Cut Pro DV sequence. It also provides detailed instructions on how to carry out this conversion from within QuickTime Pro's MoviePlayer application (renamed QuickTime Player application in revisions of QuickTime 4 after the b16 rev).

DISCUSSION

    Audio CD files are sampled at 44.1 kHz. The Final Cut Pro manual recommends that you "convert audio CD files from 44.1 kHz to 48 or 32 kHz before importing them into your [DV] sequence. If you import CD audio files directly, you will experience audible distortions in the audio." (see page 131)

    Note: The manual does not describe how to carry out this conversion.

    The Final Cut Pro manual recommends you convert the audio track "before" importing it into the DV sequence. There is no option to convert to 48 kHz when selecting Import File from the File menu within Final Cut Pro.

    To perform this sample rate conversion prior to importing an audio CD sound track for use in a DV sequence, open an editing application, such as QuickTime Pro's MoviePlayer, import the audio CD file at 44.1 kHz, then export it, changing the kHz rate to 48 in the process of exporting the file.

    Finally, after the clip's kHz rate has been converted to 48 kHz during the export process, the file can be imported into Final Cut Pro, for use in a DV sequence.

    Note: This import-and-convert-while-exporting process can also be done from within Final Cut Pro, using a process similar to the one this article describes.

    The details of this conversion process using QuickTime Pro's MoviePlayer follows.

    1. Insert the CD from which you wish to import a sound clip

    2. With the CD mounted on the desktop, open the MoviePlayer application

    3. Select Import from the File menu

    4. Navigate to the CD in the dialog box that opens, select the desired track, and click Convert

    5. In the resulting dialog box, give the track an appropriate name (e.g., "audio1-QTimport@44.1kHz").

    6. If you want only a portion of the track, click the Options button, and select a starting and ending time with the slider, or simply by inserting the appropriate time points in the Start and End fields in the Audio Selection portion of the window, then click OK.

    Note: Do not attempt to convert the kHz rate: 48 kHz is not an option from this window

    7. Select the appropriate destination for the file, and click Save.

    Wait for the Import progress bar to finish. When it is finished importing the sound clip, it will open the file in Movie Player.

    8. Select Export from the File menu

    9. In the dialog box that opens click the Options button

    10. In the following dialog box, click Settings in the Sound portion of the window

    11. In the Sound Settings window that opens, select 48 kHz from the Rate drop down menu, confirm the bit size and Stereo or Mono selection, and click OK.

    Note: 48 kHz may already be selected in the Rate field; if so, you can simply click OK

    12. The new Sound Setting rate should be displayed in the Sound Settings window now; if so, click OK.

    13. Back in the original Export dialog box, give the file a new name (e.g., "audio1-QTexport@48kHz"), select the appropriate destination for the file, and click Save.

    Wait for the Export progress bar to finish.

    14. Quit Movie Player and launch Final Cut Pro.

    15. From the File menu, select Import and File from the sub-menu.

    16. Navigate to the folder where the exported 48 kHz file resides, select that file name and click Open

    The file will now show up in your Final Cut Pro Browser window, ready to be moved into a DV sequence.

Document Information
Product Area: Apple Software
Category: Final Cut Pro
Sub Category: General Topics

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