Apple’s Latest Update To Final Cut Pro X Brings Multichannel Audio, RED Support, And Much More

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The new dual viewer in Final Cut Pro X means you can compare shots quickly.
The new dual viewer in Final Cut Pro X means you can compare shots quickly.

At the 2012 National Association of Broadcasters show back in April, Apple promised a huge update to Final Cut Pro X before the end of the year. While Apple unveiled the iPad mini and a host of new products in San Jose yesterday, employees in Cupertino pushed out that update for Final Cut Pro X users in the Mac App Store.

Yesterday’s update is the biggest update to Final Cut Pro X ever, and it proves that Apple still cares about professionals.

Now editors can tinker with multiple audio sources in their timeline.

One of the biggest complaints about Final Cut Pro X in recent months has been the lack of multichannel audio editing. Not only does Final Cut 10.0.6 fix that issue, but it also adds native compatibility with high-end RED cameras. Users will also be pleased to have a unified import window and more friendly sharing interface. Another huge addition is dual-clip viewing windows.

Apple has posted a rundown of the newly-added features on its website. All of the app’s graphics have been optimized for the MacBook Pro with Retina display.

Many professionals have ditched Final Cut for competitors like Adobe’s Premiere. While Final Cut Pro X still has a long way to go, it’s nice to see that Apple isn’t totally neglecting its power users. Final Cut Pro X is available in the Mac App Store for $300.

Here are all the changes in the newest update:

• Expand multichannel audio files directly in the timeline for precise editing of individual audio channels
• Unified import window for transferring media from both file-based cameras and folders of files
• Redesigned Share interface for exporting projects and range selections to one or more destinations
• RED camera support with native REDCODE RAW editing and optional background transcode to Apple ProRes
• MXF plug-in support that allows you to work natively with MXF files from import through delivery using third-party plug-ins
• Dual viewers, each with a video scope display, let you compare shots to match action and color
• Option to add chapter markers in the timeline for export to video files, DVD, and Blu-ray disc
• Range selection now preserves start and end points in the Event Browser and allows you to create multiple range selections on a single clip
• Paste attributes window lets you choose specific effects to copy between clips
• Flexible Clip Connections allow you to keep Connected Clips in place when slipping, sliding or moving clips in the Primary Storyline
• Add a freeze frame to your timeline with a single keystroke
• Drop shadow effect with intuitive onscreen controls to adjust position, edge falloff, angle, and more
• New controls for combining audio from multiple angles within a Multicam Clip
• Compound Clip creation in the timeline now saves the clip in the Event Browser for re-use in other projects
• XML 1.2 featuring metadata import and export for richer integration with third-party apps

Source: App Store

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