Final Cut Pro 7: Visual QuickPro Guide

Modifying Audio

Transitions

Final Cut Pro offers only two audio transi-

tions; both are cross-fades. One is a 0 dB

(decibel) cross-fade. The standard default is

a +3 dB cross-fade. The +3 dB amplitude

increase of the default cross-fade is designed

to compensate for any perceived volume

drop during the transition, but the only way

to decide which cross-fade works best to

finesse your audio edit is to try them both

and trust your ears. You can adjust only the

duration of audio transitions.

To modify the duration of an

audio transition:

◆

With the Selection tool, drag one edge

of the transition to adjust its length

(Figure 13.25).

Or do this:

1.

Control-click the transition; then choose

Duration from the shortcut menu.

2.

In the Duration dialog box, enter a

new duration.

3.

Click OK.

✔ Tip

■

Duration is the only adjustable parameter

for the audio cross-fade transitions in

Final Cut Pro, but you can build your

own cross-fades. Set up the audio clips

you want to transition between on adja-

cent tracks. You can adjust the clips’

overlap and then set Level keyframes to

sculpt your special-purpose cross-fade.

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Chapter 13

Modifying Audio Transitions

Figure 13.25 Adjusting the duration of an audio

transition in the Timeline. Dragging a transition’s

edge affects the length of the transition but does not

alter any underlying edit points.

FCP Protocol: r u YUV?

When you use a transition between two

shots, you’re likely to be looking for a way

to blend the two shots more seamlessly.

Because you’re trying to create that seam-

less illusion, rendered transitions are where

most people notice the effects of RGB

color space versus YUV (aka YCrCb) color

space. Most computers store image data

in RGB color space, but many digital video

formats (including DV) use the YUV color

space. If you render your transition and

then notice color and luminance shifts

during the rendered transition, you prob-

ably haven’t selected the correct color

space to render in. See “RGB or YCrCb:

Choosing a Color Space” in Chapter 17 for

information on how to select the correct

color space for your project format.