Blog Archives

Configuring a 2020 27″ iMac for video editing, with recommendations for system components, along with a discussion of this system vs. new Apple silicon gear.

Here’s a hidden keyboard shortcut for Apple Final Cut Pro X that allows moving Primary Storyline clips without moving any clips connected to them. (Contributed by Don Smith.)

Video walls for performances are very popular. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create them, using Final Cut Pro X and the Griddy plugin from FXFactory.

Adobe announced a flock of new updates. Here’s a summary of what’s new for audio and video folks, plus links for more information.

An illustrated tutorial to two new Premiere features: Effect filtering and keyboard shortcuts for marker colors.

An explanation of how Apple Final Cut Pro X handles ProRes RAW images, along with a link to an Apple white paper to learn more.

An illustrated tutorial on how to create a highly-compressed HEVC movie with transparency (alpha channels) using either the macOS or Apple Compressor.

This morning, Adobe updated Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audition, Character Animator and Premiere Rush. Available today, the updates offer support for Apple ProRes RAW, new creative tools in After Effects, workflow refinements in Character Animator, and performance improvements, such as …

Productions were introduced by Adobe as a collaboration feature. But, even if you are a solo editor, there’s a lot to like in Productions. Here are Larry Jordan’s thoughts on Productions.

There are three ways to move clips between projects in Premiere. Here’s a quick step-by-step tutorial on what they are.

An in-depth look at the latest release of ArGest Backup 4.0 from TOLIS Group. This is specifically designed for archiving assets to LTO tape. This review uses the LTO-8 tape format.

In this short video demo, watch as Larry Jordan shows how use a Morph cut with green-screen footage to fix jump cuts in Adobe Premiere Pro.

An illustrated tutorial on how to import, adjust and export captions in Apple Final Cut Pro X.

Simon Says On-Prem is a secure, fast, and easy-to-use transcription system that supports all major NLEs. It’s designed for editors needing a high volume of accurate transcripts with absolute security. Here are the details.

Apple is discontinuing KEXTS in a future version of the macOS. Here’s what you need to know now.

An intriguing new feature in macOS Catalina (10.15) is Sidecar. This allows you to either extend or mirror your Mac desktop on a recent-model iPad. Here’s what you need to know to make it work.

Adobe announces Productions for Adobe Premiere Pro CC at Sundance 2020. Here are the details of this new, team-oriented addition to Premiere.

An introduction to Drylab, which makes tools to help scripted production teams make better film and TV, while reducing costs and overhead. Plus an interview with founder, John Christian Rosenlund.

An illustrated explanation of the display options in the Viewer’s View menu in Apple Final Cut Pro X, including a new feature added in FCP X v.10.4.7.

An illustrated tutorial on how to use “pinning” to control the placement of text in Adobe Premiere when using Auto-Reframe.

Emojis can now be added just about anywhere you used to add text. Here’s how to access and use them.

A very cool way to animate text bullets in a single clip – with added bonus of adding emojis to any text element – in Apple Final Cut Pro X.

A detailed look at video compression speeds in both Mojave and Catalina for both Apple Compressor and Adobe Media Encoder. Cool charts are included.

A video compression speed and file size comparison using Apple Compressor between macOS Mojave and Catalina. This will be of interest to video editors and media creators.

Apple updated Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor on Dec. 10, 2019. Here’s a list of what’s new and where to find release notes for past versions.

A first-look at the new features and current status of Simon Says, automated speech-to-text transcription for media creators.

An illustrated tutorial on how to use the new Auto-Reframe feature for both clips and sequences in Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2020.

Axle.ai debuts ascribe.ai, fast speech-to-text transcription through an Extension panel in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Adobe released new apps and updates to all their applications at Adobe Max 2019 this morning. Here are the details on their audio and video apps.

A detailed look at the speed differences between a Mac i5 vs i7 system for video compression into H.264 or HEVC codecs. The results are surprising!

Apple updated its Pro Video codecs. These are of value to all editors, but you can’t upgrade to them using the Mac App Store. Here’s how.

Software Update often displays extra update options – if you wait for it.

Lesspain Software update Kyno to version 1.7.1, which now supports Windows, as well as finding and converting older media that is not compatible with macOS Catalina. Here are more details.

Apple released the latest version of Compressor (4.4.5) last Monday. One of the key features in the update was improved performance. Since all of us rely on compression to deliver our final projects, I wanted to see how much improvement …

A new GPU selection feature in Final Cut Pro X positions it to take full advantage of the horsepower in the new, 2019 Mac Pro. Plus, if you are running a MacBook Pro with an eGPU, you need to read this.

The brave new world of 8K media requires a beefy computer, like the new 2019 Mac Pro. But, the hidden cost – and major surprise – is what 8K media requires in your storage. Here’s an overview of what to expect.

Apple updates Final Cut Pro X, Motion and Compressor to support the 2019 Mac Pro. Here are the details.

Within just a few weeks, most likely this month, Apple will release the latest version of the MacOS – Catalina. First introduced at WWDC last June, this is the latest incarnation of OS X. There are three critical things you …

An illustrated guide to exporting events and media for archiving, media asset management or transferring to different software using Apple Final Cut Pro X.

Adobe announces “Auto Reframe” at IBC 2019. Here’s more.

A detailed “first look” at FilmoraPro, from Wondershare. This software is a midlevel video editor for Windows or Mac, with an emphasis on ease of use and a wide variety of customizable effects.

An explanation of when and why media is copied during import, plus a discussion of Premiere’s new Ingest option.

An illustrated tutorial on what HDR Tools is and how it converts HDR media for a variety of different color spaces. This effect is available in Apple Final Cut Pro X only.

With all the different high-end HDR video formats, it’s easy to get confused. In this short video excerpt, watch as Larry Jordan illustrates how to use Range Checking to control highlights in both SDR and HDR media using Final Cut Pro X.

With all the different high-end HDR video formats, it’s easy to get confused. In this short video excerpt, watch as Larry Jordan illustrates how to use the HDR Tools effect on HDR media in Apple Final Cut Pro X.

Every day 3 billion images are uploaded & shared in the internet – 80% are stolen. CopyTrack provides a way for photographers to recover lost royalties. This interview with CEO Marcus Schmitt explains how this free service works.

Before I start, let me clearly state that I have no inside information. I have not been “briefed.” These are NOT rumors. And I don’t know anything that you don’t know. Still, I was just thinking….

An illustrated guide to using the new Punch and Roll feature to record audio ranges in Adobe Audition CC (2019).

A detailed, illustrated explanation of how to use Auto-ducking for both Ambience and Music in Adobe Premiere Pro CC. (New with the Spring 2019 update)

An illustrated look at new audio repair plugins from Accusonus for Apple Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Audition CC, ProTools and many others called: ERA Bundle.