Why does an important piece of news always happen on a Friday afternoon? Yes you read the title right, Automatic Duck have posted all their XML and FCPXML translation tools for free download.
Another shock in the unravelling story about Automatic Duck. If you missed the news first time, then this article gives some background, the headline though is that the main man behind the company, Wes Plate, moved to Adobe.
On the day of that announcement, the company website was replaced with a holding page. That has now been replaced with a page listing products that lead to product pages with direct download links.
Wes Plate announced-
"We are unable to provide support at the same level as we have over the years, but we didn't want these plug-ins to go away while they remain useful. So if you can make use of these plug-ins in your projects, enjoy!"
Just let us jog your memory that a piece of software that was $495 is now free. Pro Export Tools 5.0 allows you to get your audio out of FCPX by exporting AFF or OMF, and into an audio program like Pro Tools. Levels are clip based and audio keyframes are converted into gain automation. One added benefit is you will also be able to get sequences out of FCP7 and into Avid, Quantel or Pro Tools.
There have been a few articles about workarounds for exporting audio out of Final Cut Pro X, but using the now free Automatic Duck tool seems the smartest, and the cheapest!
The exclusive AAF and OMF export for Final Cut Pro X.
- All audio "tracks" exported at once
- Audio media embedding option
- Audio resampling to 32000 KHz, 44100 KHz, 48000 KHz or 96000 KHz for maximum export flexibility
- Bit rate options of 16-bit or 24-bit
- User definable handles for export
- Audio crossfades
- Audio keyframes become gain automation
- Clip-based audio levels
- Manual fades (At this time fades are not maintained when clip also has a volume adjustment applied.
- Retiming is not supported
We would waste no time and head on over to Automatic Duck and download their products right now. Thank you to everybody who sent us the tip, we all need to thank Wes for his generosity next time we see him.
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!
