A new App & Workflow Extension called Media Sync Tool allows the easy syncing of rushes in Final Cut Pro.
Vitalii Vashchenko has released a new app with a Workflow Extension for Final Cut Pro. Media Sync Tool (Which you can find on the Mac App Store) syncs clips by dropping them into the Workflow Extension, so you don't even need to leave FCP to get everything in sync.
Vitalii started developing the tool back in January for himself as he was tired of having to manually line up the media himself.
"But later, when the app became functional, I showed it to my colleagues and some CEOs of production companies I know. And turned out all of them were willing to get such a tool, no matter how much it could cost.
So, I decided to make the tool public. And it required me a lot of work to make the algorithm as robust as possible, to make it analyze metadata and recognize common errors that can be made on set.
I needed to develop a nice UI and, most importantly, UX to make the process as simple as humanly possible. Also, I had to write a very detailed user guide because there are enormous processes happening under the hood.
It took six long months. And now it's there. I believe this is the best sync tool in the world. And if the audience will like it, I want to make it even cooler. There is still a lot that can be done."
Media Sync Tool has a free trial for seven days, after that it reverts to a subscription based model at £18 per month.
The tool won't sync using audio waveforms so you will need timecode on all the media, which might be a bit tricky when it comes to audio. However, if you are using a recorder that exports iXML, then it will probably be able to be jam-synced to the cameras or external timecode box.
Vitalii also says that it works with transcoded or proxy media - maybe it could help some of the awkward relinking issues FCP has.
A great new tool that should certainly save time, Vitalii is very open to suggestions on improvements and new feature requests, so please let him know your thoughts in the comments below.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
