How to sync clips without merging so that you can still match frame & cut in the source in monitor?

[maxa62701748]

Hey all,

I've just begun assistant editing a feature. I typically come from AVID with this so my question basically starts at the beginning:

We are shooting ALEXA with external audio with timecode jam. All I want to do is sync these clips so that you select clips in your project, select your in and out points, and insert them in the timeline, and have both video and synced audio appear.

The problem I'm having is that I know I shouldn't be merging clips, because I don't want to lose metadata or cause a horrible migration into ProTools on down the line. I also want the clips to default to only using the L+R mixdown tracks but still preserve the ability to match back to the original .WAVs in case the editor wants to isolate discrete mics from the external audio. All of this is incredibly easy in AVID with subclipping but I'm at a loss on how to do it in Premiere.

I tried to sync using the multi-cam function and then drag the flattened clips into the project to create new clips but it just merges the clips, which I'm reading is just horrible for workflow. I don't really want my editor to have to edit using a bunch of multicam clips. Seems like the Merge function would be perfect if it just matched to the original audio with Match Frame (obviously it does in 'reveal in finder.')

Any thoughts? Wondering how people typically set up a feature in Adobe now.

[R Neil Haugen · Accepted solution]

Hmmm ... what you're wanting to do is best normally done with the multi-cam, then 'flatten' the "sequence" so it's just essentially a clip. It doesn't do the same merge thing that the Merge Clips does. So head/tail editing & such work better. You can also select an entire bin of clips/audio, select 'multicam', and it will make the entire group into one clip sequences. Fast and for most purposes seriously better than Merge clips.

Neil

[maxa62701748]

The multicam option seems like the best choice and unchecking the nesting button even saves time.

Since, I'm working with multichannel audio, I'd like for my editor to only have to fuss with the first two tracks, the L+R mixdown, while editing, but still have the option to match back to the original .WAV if they want to choose discrete mics/lavs. Is there any way to only have the first two tracks brought into the timeline when you bring in a clip from the project or source monitor into the timeline?

Thanks so much and sorry for my questions!

[R Neil Haugen]

Maybe we can get Jarle Leirpoll​ in here, he's very experienced with that.

Neil

[Jarle Leirpoll]

Hi all, here's a method I think would work. I'm on the road, and don't have multicam material with me, but I tried it with some stereo clips set to mono.

1. Select the clips in the bin and hit Shift+G to get the Modify > Audio dialog.
2. Select Stereo in the preset list.
3. Create your multicam source sequence using the Create Multicam Source Sequence dialog
4. Select the clips again, hit Shift+G and set them to Use File
5. Drag your MC Source Sequence to your editing sequence
6. To do a Match Frame, hit F twice and click the Waveform icon under the video in the Source Monitor

This should give you access to all the audio channels in the source. Let me know if it works. It worked for me with Stereo files set to Mono.

Another tip: Make sure you have the Write XMP ID to Files on Import preference set before you import even the first clip. This writes an ID to each file, which completely wipes away any re-linking problems you may have when moving the project around on different systems, different servers etc.

There are a lot more seemingly innocent settings like this that can cause problems in your project. If you take the time to read The Cool Stuff in Premiere Pro before you start editing, you will save many days of work on a feature film.

The Cool Stuff in Premiere Pro - PremierePro.net

Use the code PREMIERE20 to get a 20% discount.

[EmmaMcMc]

Hi there Maxa...

I was wondering what you ended up doing, please? I come from Avid also and am working in Premiere and need the best workflow for a single camera shoot, but want to ensure metadata holds. Like yourself, I am used to the Avid creating great sync clips from just the mix, that match from to all the ISOs, with all metadata holding. I would love to know what you ended up doing.

Thank you.

[R Neil Haugen]

For best meta ingesting, make sure you do ingest via the Media Browser panel. First and foremost.

Neil