FCP X: Dual-channel Mono Audio

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Larry

Final Cut Pro X defaults to displaying audio as a single waveform. For stereo audio, this isn’t a problem. But for dual-channel mono clips, or single track mono clips, it is.

Here’s the solution.

Normally, when a clip is edited to the Timeline, we see only one waveform, regardless of how many channels it has. In this example, my clip has two audio channels, but only one waveform is displayed.

To see the channels, select the clip, go to the Inspector (press Command+4), and click the Audio tab at the top.

Scroll down to reveal the Channel Configuration option, and click Channels. The default setting in the popup menu is Stereo. Change this to Dual Mono.

If you only want to hear one channel – just the guest, for example, and not the interviewer – uncheck the channel you don’t want to hear. In this example, I unchecked channel 2. Unchecking a channel completely mutes it in the Timeline, without removing it from the clip.

Adjust the audio level – the black horizontal line at the bottom of the clip – so it sounds the way you want.

However, if you need to adjust levels separately for each channel, or if you want to avoid hearing both channels at the same time, then you have a couple more steps.

Set the audio level the way you want for the current audio channel. Then, using the razor blade (or typing Command+B), cut the clip where you want to switch between channels.

Select all the sections of the clip where you want to hear the opposite channel. Go to the Inspector and check the channel you want to hear and uncheck the one you don’t. (In this example, I am muting the first channel so I can hear the second.)

Now, as you play through the clip, each channel will play for a section. Since the levels for one channel were correct before you started cutting the clip, all you need to do is adjust the levels for the new sections, which won’t affect the levels of the other speaker.

Done.

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52 Responses to FCP X: Dual-channel Mono Audio

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Lee Faulkner says:

May 18, 2012 at 7:45 am

Of course, after setting all clips to Dual Mono, you could just right- click on each clip in your project time line that needs balancing and choose “Open In Timeline”. Then you’ll see both audio tracks and can set levels … and things will stay locked in sync back in the project. BUT, you can’t hear any other audio elements in the Project while you balance.

This aspect of FCP X is in dire need of refinement. Sure, we can get a result with a lot of clicking, and opening and closing windows …. but for something as *fundamental* as setting Audio levels the functionality should be right there up front all the time.

Lee
Craig Seeman says:

May 18, 2012 at 7:55 am

The ability to handle dual or multi mono audio sources should be fundamental. For me, it’s FCPX’s biggest failing. We shouldn’t have to break apart/detach audio to handle this (and lose much of the advantage of the precision editor).

It should be as simple as using Expand to see the timeline audio become dual mono (or multi mono – thinking of how XDCAM and other cameras work with audio).

Related to this is that FCPX sometimes guesses wrong about whether the source is stereo or dual mono. I think one should be able to set that in preferences. Rarely I work with stereo sources. I’d rather assume everything is dual mono and combine those rare stereo sources than having to check to see whether FCPX guess correctly on input.
Lee Faulkner says:

May 18, 2012 at 8:16 am

Couldn’t agree more.

Plus the way the magnetic timeline arranges audio clips makes it hard to keep audio tidy in the timeline. Say a dialog from a particular character all on one ‘lane’. Hell it’s hard to keep even something as basic as “Music” all together in a logical way.

Hopefully Apple’s teaser about doing something with Audio in the next update will move us forward.

Lee
Toby says:

August 14, 2012 at 9:30 am

Scenario – I have a presenter with a tie clip mic (Audio input 1). I also have a K6 Gun mic picking up any questions from the audience (audio input 2).
In FCP7 I would separate the mono audio channels & duplicate Audio 1 to make a stereo pair. I would do the same process for Audio 2 (The audience mic) and I could cross fade into it and bring the levels up as and when needed…
Can you suggest a similar solution in FCPX – I cannot find any audio cross fade transitions?
Thanks
Toby
Christian Castagna says:

August 14, 2012 at 9:44 am

Toby,

If you haven’t already, make sure that the clip is set to Dual Mono. Then follow Larry’s suggestion above:
“select Clip > Break apart clips to separate the two channels and adjust levels as necessary. Be CAREFUL here, because you have disconnected sync between the audio and video. It very easy to move one or the other out of sync and there is no sync indicator to warn you.”
You’ll need to cut (razor blade) the audio within Ch. 1 and Ch. 2 to select the portions you want to use, then put the audio clips next to each other, forming one continuous bed of audio. From there you can apply a simple dissolve transition to the audio clips, which will act as a cross fade. Command-T is the short cut. Set the duration of the cross fade as you would with any other transition (Control-D).
ri stewart says:

August 17, 2012 at 1:37 pm

I found all the solutions kludgey. I am finding it easier to just do the editing in FCPX, and use X2Pro (an app) that sends my file to ProTools for clean up, compression, etc.

Then I bring it back into FCPX, and tada!
james says:

September 22, 2012 at 11:21 am

I’m finding everything much easier and intuitive in “x” — including the audio. Yes, I’m an experienced pro… and I find it so embarrassing for my craft that most of the complaints always start out the same: “I’ve been editing in FCP for a million years now and … blah.” I think this is all case of “set in their way” thinking and weak egos (“it looks just like imovie OMG!!!!). Those that are open to change will find x to be a liberating experience. I’ve never felt so in command of my content.
Paul McCarthy says:

October 14, 2012 at 9:04 am

Fillip,

Thanks for the tip, that hit the spot! I imagine a four mic shoot would need to be mixed down on location like the old days of film – or not, I’ll mess around with adding tracks.

Thanks again,

P
ted irving says:

December 2, 2012 at 6:35 pm

I’m a little frustrated with audio editing in FCPX 10.06. I”m bringing in stereo audio from a H4N zoom. The files are .wav and we recorded two channels of audio; a reporter and a subject, and the files once placed on the timeline come in as one layer and not two. On the FCPX timeline I can’t seperate channel one and two so that I can edit them independently. I can seperate them in the inspector window for listening purposes, just to hear one channel and cut another off, but I can’t edit them. I can’t bring up channel one and lower channel two and vice-versa. Anyone have tips on how to do this?
Larry Jordan says:

December 2, 2012 at 7:42 pm

Ted:

This behavior changed with the 10.0.6 update.

Select the clips, then change them in the Audio Inspector to Dual Channel Mono.

Then, select Clip > Expand Audio Components. This creates two separate audio channels in the Timeline which you can adjust or edit, without them losing sync with video.

Here’s an article that goes into this in more detail:

http://www.larryjordan.biz/fcpx-multichannel-audio-editing/

Larry