Final Cut Express 2.0: Late-Breaking News

This document contains late-breaking information about Final Cut Express 2.0.
For the latest information about product updates, tips and techniques, and qualified third-party devices, visit the Final Cut Express website at: http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress.

Ability to Record From Print to Video Window

You can now record directly for the Print to Video window when the Automatically Start Recording checkbox is selected. When this checkbox is selected, you do not have to press the Record button on your camcorder or deck after you click OK in the Print to Video window.

Before you click OK in the Print to Video window:
Batch Capture Renamed to Capture Project

The Batch Capture dialog is now call the Capture Project dialog.

Set Logging Bin Renamed to Set Capture Bin

The menu command called Set Logging Bin is now called Set Capture Bin.

To set a capture bin from the Browser:
  1. In the Browser, select the bin you want to use as your capture bin.
  2. Control-click the bin, and choose Set Capture Bin from the shortcut menu.


Scoring Music With Soundtrack for Final Cut Express 2

Soundtrack is a music scoring application that lets you create original scores for Final Cut Express 2 video programs, as well as create standalone musical arrangements. You can import markers from Final Cut Express 2 QuickTime movie files into Soundtrack. This allow you to compose the music to match the action in the video.

To export a QuickTime movie for use in Soundtrack:
  1. In Final Cut Express 2, choose Export from the File menu. Now select, For Soundtrack.
  2. In the Export dialog, make sure Audio Scoring Markers is chosen in the Markers pop-up menu, then click Save. Final Cut Express 2 creates a QuickTime movie file that includes the audio track of your program and any scoring markers you add to the program.
  3. In Soundtrack, use the Media Manager to locate the QuickTime movie file with the markers.
  4. Drag the QuickTime movie file to the Video pane of the Viewer. The QuickTime movie appears in the Viewer and also as a clip in the video track of the Timeline. Any markers in the video are displayed in the Timeline. If the QuickTime movie has an audio track, it appears as its own audio track in the Timeline.


To import a Soundtrack project into Final Cut Express 2:
  1. When your composition is complete, in Soundtrack, choose Export Mix from the File menu.
  2. In the Export dialog, make sure Mute Audio Track From Video is selected to exclude the audio from Final Cut Express 2.
  3. Soundtrack exports your project mix to a stereo AIFF file.
  4. In Final Cut Express 2, choose Import from the File menu. Now select, Files.
  5. In the dialog that appears, locate and select the AIFF file that corresponds to your Soundtrack project, then click Open.
  6. Your Soundtrack project opens in the Browser as an AIFF audio file. This file consists of two audio tracks representing the stereo pair.


To make subsequent roundtrips:
  1. In Final Cut Express 2, choose Export from the File menu. Now select, For Soundtrack. Final Cut Express recognizes any audio tracks imported from Soundtrack, and displays a dialog letting you select which Soundtrack audio files you want to export as part of the video. In most cases, you'll leave these unselected, so the audio from Soundtrack is not added to the video.
  2. In the Export dialog, select Export Using Previous Settings. The updated video will be exported with exactly the same name.
  3. In Soundtrack, use the Media Manager to locate the updated QuickTime movie file with the new markers.
  4. Drag the QuickTime movie file to the Video pane of the Viewer. The updated video appears in the Viewer, the updated video clip appears in the video track in the Timeline, and any added scoring markers appear in the Timeline.
  5. In Soundtrack, when you are ready to export the updated score, hold down the Option key as you choose Export Mix from the File menu. The project is re-exported with the same name, bypassing the Export dialog. As long as your Soundtrack project file has the same name, your AIFF stereo mix automatically updates in the Final Cut Express Timeline.


Note: See the Sountrack User's Manual for complete instructions about using this application.
Published Date: Feb 20, 2012