Narrative Film Audio Workflow? FCP, SB, PT at DVinfo.net

Scott Lovejoy · September 29th, 2011, 09:56 AM

Hi all,

I tend to do dual system sound for my narrative films. My workflow to this point as been something that's perhaps a little convoluted (sync in FCP, cut the film, export tracks that need noise reduction, import into Soundbooth, fix them, then send them back to FCP). I know that there's a better way to do this, I'm just curious as to what it is.

Ideally I would like to cut the film together in FCP. Send all the video to AE, and all the audio to a second program (pro tools? Does PT have NR?) and then combine the two for the final.

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Rick Reineke · September 29th, 2011, 12:54 PM

Most Noise Reduction (and many other) plug-ins can be purchased separately, and will work within your preferred DAW. (Nuendu, SloTools, Sonar, Vegas, other ) However, NR software should not be expected to work miracles and 'fix' something that was poorly recorded in the first place. The term: 'polishing a turd' comes to mind.

Scott Lovejoy · September 29th, 2011, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

However, NR software should not be expected to work miracles and 'fix' something that was poorly recorded in the first place. The term: 'polishing a turd' comes to mind.

Right. I guess I want a workflow that's similar to my video workflow (cut it together, then finish it in AE). I want to do the same with my sound. Levels, Brightening, NR, etc. etc. I used NR as an example because I like SB's version, but found the workflow tedious.

Rick Reineke · September 29th, 2011, 04:50 PM

Without having to go though exporting/importing via OMF, AAF ect,. to your DAW , Out of all the NLEs, Sony's Vegas Pro has by far the most comprehensive set of audio tools. It comes with 35 audio plug-ins including a restoration process. Though I don't think its 'Noise Reduction-2.0' that comes bungled with Sound Forge Pro.
FWIW, Vegas Pro 11 is due to be released any day now.

Robert Turchick · September 30th, 2011, 09:37 AM

Here's a cool thing to consider with FCP and PT....most plugins work in both apps.
I have waves and t-racks plugins that I use all the time in pro tools. I was doing the round trip workflow because I'm very fast in pro tools so I never bothered to look at FCP's audio tools. A few years ago, I took my license dongle to a studio and accidentally left it there. Realized what happened when FCP wouldn't open since the plugins weren't authorized! Got the key back and woilla! FCP opened right up and there's all my plugins. only time I send to pro tools is if there's edits that require more resolution than 30fps. All the leveling, eq and other effects I do right in fcp!

September 29th, 2011, 09:56 AM	#1
Scott Lovejoy Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 73	Narrative Film Audio Workflow? FCP, SB, PT Hi all, I tend to do dual system sound for my narrative films. My workflow to this point as been something that's perhaps a little convoluted (sync in FCP, cut the film, export tracks that need noise reduction, import into Soundbooth, fix them, then send them back to FCP). I know that there's a better way to do this, I'm just curious as to what it is. Ideally I would like to cut the film together in FCP. Send all the video to AE, and all the audio to a second program (pro tools? Does PT have NR?) and then combine the two for the final. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

September 29th, 2011, 12:54 PM	#2
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Narrative Film Audio Workflow? FCP, SB, PT Most Noise Reduction (and many other) plug-ins can be purchased separately, and will work within your preferred DAW. (Nuendu, SloTools, Sonar, Vegas, other ) However, NR software should not be expected to work miracles and 'fix' something that was poorly recorded in the first place. The term: 'polishing a turd' comes to mind.

September 29th, 2011, 04:50 PM	#4
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Narrative Film Audio Workflow? FCP, SB, PT Without having to go though exporting/importing via OMF, AAF ect,. to your DAW , Out of all the NLEs, Sony's Vegas Pro has by far the most comprehensive set of audio tools. It comes with 35 audio plug-ins including a restoration process. Though I don't think its 'Noise Reduction-2.0' that comes bungled with Sound Forge Pro. FWIW, Vegas Pro 11 is due to be released any day now.

September 30th, 2011, 09:37 AM	#5
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Re: Narrative Film Audio Workflow? FCP, SB, PT Here's a cool thing to consider with FCP and PT....most plugins work in both apps. I have waves and t-racks plugins that I use all the time in pro tools. I was doing the round trip workflow because I'm very fast in pro tools so I never bothered to look at FCP's audio tools. A few years ago, I took my license dongle to a studio and accidentally left it there. Realized what happened when FCP wouldn't open since the plugins weren't authorized! Got the key back and woilla! FCP opened right up and there's all my plugins. only time I send to pro tools is if there's edits that require more resolution than 30fps. All the leveling, eq and other effects I do right in fcp! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!