How do I sync video and audio?

I’m filming a play, but the microphone on my camera isn’t sufficient. I therefore want to record sound and video separately.

Do you have any advice?

How to I synchronize video and sound?

I’m using latest version of Final Cut Pro X

Really simple.

Record your audio on a separate device making sure that your camera is also recording audio.
Import both to FCP. Highlight the two clips and right or CTL-Click.
Choose Synchronise Clips.
A new Compound Clip will be created with both clips inside it.
Open it up in the timeline and turn off the camera clip audio and you're done.

Make sure your audio complies with digital video standard of 48kHz and 16-bit.

Along with the really good advice here, take a look at Red Giant's "Plural Eyes" which is designed to sync double-system sound and picture, especially between multiple cameras. Looks super easy and fast. Also you have to check out their plural eyes demo film, about a bomb disposal expert and his daughter, filmed with multiple cameras on one busy day.

www.redgiantsoftware.com/blog/2012/09/27/pluraleyes-3/

and the movie:

vimeo.com/48853502

If you're using a dual system that supports it make sure both devices are running the same time of day timecode. And even though FCP can sync using the waveforms make sure you do slates or claps before each take for safety.

16 bit, not 24 bit? Any reason not to record at 24 bit (other than larger audio files?)

16-bit is digital video standard, and the increase in file size recording 24-bit won't get you any better quality sound than 16-bit. For recording equipment, 24-bit is actually marketing hype.

BenB wrote: 16-bit is digital video standard, and the increase in file size recording 24-bit won't get you any better quality sound than 16-bit. For recording equipment, 24-bit is actually marketing hype.

That's like saying recording in 2k when you're outputting to 1080p is a waste. 24-bit audio isn't marketing hype it's increased dynamic range.

Similarly to video - if you don't plan on doing anything to the audio then recording at your final output can be fine (but isn't best practice). The best way to describe this would be to use effects and compositing as an example; increased color sampling allows for increased ability to color correct, composite and modify you're original clips. If you can record in 4:4:4 or 4:2:2 go for it (granted, you'll increase file size which is a bigger problem for Video than it is with Audio - in fact it isn't a problem for Audio because recording in 24-bit is dependent on your Audio Interface).

Back to Audio... 24bit Audio has 256 times more resolution than 16bit Audio. Why wouldn't you capture your audio at 24bit? I understand that CD audio and Digital Audio on the Web is monitored at 16bit... more times than not that audio is dithered down from a 24bit source.

I am an ex-Audio Engineer, and Music & Video Production / Post college level instructor. I only state that to give some background on my knowledge... but if you're still not sold, take an audio recorder that has the ability to record at 24-bit 16-bit (like a Zoom h4N) and go record something with a large dynamic range (both really loud and soft sounds) and then play them back on decent speakers (not laptop speakers). You will hear a difference...

My rant is complete... g'night all! hahaha

Fordee,
FordeeTV.com

Neguah wrote: I’m filming a play, but the microphone on my camera isn’t sufficient. I therefore want to record sound and video separately.

Hey Neguah,

I did a video on sync'ing sound with Final Cut Pro X - check it out:



When recording using a separate audio interface, make sure you set your levels properly on the mic pre-amp (set them too high and you'll introduce noise on most mic pre's that are not super expensive), and if using a device that allows compression consider enabling it should there be some unexpected loud noises to prevent your audio from clipping. I use a Zoom h4N, it has an onboard stereo mic setup in an XY stereo field (adjustable from 90-120degrees) - it has the ability to record from 2 external sources over XLR (and provide phantom power for condenser mics). The pre-amp on the h4N isn't too impressive, it gets noisy if turned all the way up and doesn't have that much 'umph'... but for $300, it's fantastic.

Fordee,
FordeeTV.com

Human beings can not hear the range of that added dynamic for 24-bit. A recording at 16-bit and one at 24-bit, no one can tell the difference, cause no one can hear in that frequency range. That's why most pro recording studios are still recording in 16-bit and not 24.

BenB wrote: Human beings can not hear the range of that added dynamic for 24-bit. A recording at 16-bit and one at 24-bit, no one can tell the difference, cause no one can hear in that frequency range. That's why most pro recording studios are still recording in 16-bit and not 24.

Ben,

Respectfully, you're confusing Frequency with Dynamic Range. Human's cannot hear certain end's of the Frequency spectrum... in fact as they get older their hearing deteriorates (everyone's does), and they hear less and less of the 20Hz-20kHz frequency range.

24-bit refers to Bit Depth... same as in Graphics for example. And because computer recorded audio is digital, giving your recordings more possible levels will yield a more accurate recording. Bit Depth (16bit/24bit) isn't about hearing... its about greater accuracy for digital recordings. Just as JPEGS, show jagged edges due to heavier compression than RAW files. Envision a 0-100 scale... 100 being high... 0 being low. If you use 16bit recording... you're allowing for 65,536 possible steps between the two values... whereas 24bit has 16,777,216 possible steps between the two values. If you're looking to reproduce more accurate sound... the higher the bit depth the better... same as video. This isn't a myth my friend. Will you be able to hear the difference in an MP3? Probably not... because an MP3 is extremely compressed and it's Dynamic Range is squashed... but if you start with higher quality (larger bit depth), you end with a better quality product (same as video).

Fordee,
FordeeTV.com

Additional Note: Let me add one more thing, I'm not sure what professional studios you're speaking of. As I am friends with many studio owners from LA to Miami and everyone records in 24bit and as high a sample rate as their interfaces can handle... usually 96k or 192k. Sample rates may vary from one Recording Studio to another... but not Bit Depth.

ianstubbs wrote: Really simple.

Record your audio on a separate device making sure that your camera is also recording audio.
Import both to FCP. Highlight the two clips and right or CTL-Click.
Choose Synchronise Clips.
A new Compound Clip will be created with both clips inside it.
Open it up in the timeline and turn off the camera clip audio and you're done.

I´m recording with 3 cameras and one mic. Can I use same procedure with 4 clips?

Will reply to some of the other clips later.

Great advices, very satisfied with this forum! Very happy with all the great advices I get!
Thank you!!

Yes, you can.

Not exactly that technically accurate, Fordee. I grew up in recording studios since the 60s. Yes, I know what I'm talking about. But you're entitled to your personal opinion on what bit rates do for audio.

That extra "headroom" 24-bit gives you actually is extra room into frequencies we can't hear, period. Not just more info on the frequencies we can hear. Higher sample rates and bit rates begin drawing data on frequencies we can't hear. It's not the same as video in any manner. Audio and video work very differently. Audio bit depth does draw on frequencies. "Headroom" means more detail about more frequencies, period.

24-bit is used for mixing through filters, but that's all. And yes, most pro studios are recording 16-bit, still. I work in them across the country, yes.

Again, no one can physically hear the difference between 16-bit and 24-bit.

I too have worked in several studios including 'The Hit Factory' in Miami. Which as produced more Platinum albums than I can count. They do not record in 16-bit, nor does any other studio i've been too (which is many).

I suppose we'll leave it at that then.

With some research on Neguah's part, i'm pretty sure he'll come to the conclusion he needs in regards to this matter. Which is all my posts were intended to help. I wouldn't have disagreed with you unless i was sure Ben.

Have a good day,
Fordee
FordeeTV.com

fordeetv wrote:

Neguah wrote: I’m filming a play, but the microphone on my camera isn’t sufficient. I therefore want to record sound and video separately.

Hey Neguah,

I did a video on sync'ing sound with Final Cut Pro X - check it out:

When recording using a separate audio interface, make sure you set your levels properly on the mic pre-amp (set them too high and you'll introduce noise on most mic pre's that are not super expensive), and if using a device that allows compression consider enabling it should there be some unexpected loud noises to prevent your audio from clipping. I use a Zoom h4N, it has an onboard stereo mic setup in an XY stereo field (adjustable from 90-120degrees) - it has the ability to record from 2 external sources over XLR (and provide phantom power for condenser mics). The pre-amp on the h4N isn't too impressive, it gets noisy if turned all the way up and doesn't have that much 'umph'... but for $300, it's fantastic.

Fordee,
FordeeTV.com

Thanks a lot!

My equipment isn´t high tech at all! The mic I´m using is a Sony IC recorder.
Have just started with video editing, so I´m still learning.

Don´t know the bit of the recorder, but does it really matter if the recorder and the video has different recording sound(e.g 16 and 24-bit)?

I´m setting up 1 camera stationary, one camera moving(the one I´m behind), and a third camera shooting the audience.
It´s going to be a lot of editing.
Do I still click all of the recordings, synch them, and then start cutting them and place in where I want in the timeline?

Neguah wrote: Don´t know the bit of the recorder, but does it really matter if the recorder and the video has different recording sound(e.g 16 and 24-bit)?

Nope, doesn't matter if you mix and match audio files, as Final Cut is going to render your imported Audio files to your project settings anyway.

Neguah wrote: I´m setting up 1 camera stationary, one camera moving(the one I´m behind), and a third camera shooting the audience.
It´s going to be a lot of editing.
Do I still click all of the recordings, synch them, and then start cutting them and place in where I want in the timeline?

Do a search for Final Cut Pro X Multicam Editing on youtube - I'd go that route. Once sync'd you can use one Primary audio track (although you can use secondary audio too mixed in if you want) and cut your video much easier. One of these days I'll do a video on Multicam Editing in FCPX.

Fordee,
FordeeTV.com

fordeetv wrote:

Neguah wrote: Don´t know the bit of the recorder, but does it really matter if the recorder and the video has different recording sound(e.g 16 and 24-bit)?

Nope, doesn't matter if you mix and match audio files, as Final Cut is going to render your imported Audio files to your project settings anyway.

Neguah wrote: I´m setting up 1 camera stationary, one camera moving(the one I´m behind), and a third camera shooting the audience.
It´s going to be a lot of editing.
Do I still click all of the recordings, synch them, and then start cutting them and place in where I want in the timeline?

Do a search for Final Cut Pro X Multicam Editing on youtube - I'd go that route. Once sync'd you can use one Primary audio track (although you can use secondary audio too mixed in if you want) and cut your video much easier. One of these days I'll do a video on Multicam Editing in FCPX.

Fordee,
FordeeTV.com

Thank you very much!

I´m filming the play 14th of december, so I have some practice to do. I only got one shot, so I have to make it right.

Will follow your suggestions, and also watch your muliticam editing!

Really thankful for this forum and all the help I get!

Hi, I found the audio discussion really interesting. I have a record company and I have my own take on this question. So for what it is worth...
if you have the option to record in 24bit-do it
it will deal with the noise floor and offer more headroom in you recording and any mastering facility will love you more for it.
It is best suited to recording the highly dynamic sources ie voice, orchestra and acoustic instruments (assuming you have good mic-well placed, good pre-amp and decent capture hardware)
It allows for quieter sources not to be as influenced by the noise floor and you can record without compression, transient peaks are handled far better.
Caveat, the audio system is only as good as its dirtiest part and great sound can be got in the right hands from the simplest of gear. A bit like video understanding the craft will be of greater benefit than all the gear in the world.
My favorite bit of audio gear (and I have a LOT of gear) is my £70 Zoom H1
My setup for video would be 48/24
My setup for Audio would be 44.1/24

fordeetv wrote:

How do you film what you are doing in FCPX, like on the vid above?

I think some of the answers is to advanced for me. But I´m adding this discussion to my favorite, because some day I will understand everything!