Simple VoiceOver  - two ways that donÕt work well, one that works fine

 

Here is what I did, with a Mac Pro using FCP Studio 6 and an Azden directional  (analog) microphone.

 

1)  The Voiceover tool Ð worked briefly, for me

          

         Connect the mic to the Audio Line Input jack on the back of the Mac Pro.  ItÕs the one on the left, bottom row, with the symbol Ò)O(Ò

 

         In FCP, click on Tools, then select Voiceover.  You want it set to

                  Built-in Line Input

                  Line In

                  48000 Hz

                                                      Gain 150%

                  Volume Ð60dB               (unchecked) Sound Cues

 

         (To monitor, set Volume to zero and check Sound Cues box)

 

         When youÕre ready, click on the red button, wait until you see ÒRecordingÓ and then speak.   A little after youÕve finished,  click that same button to stop recording.  The result may sound faint but you can boost it in the Viewer by raising the dB slider up to 12.

 

         This worked for about five minutes and then never again, for me.  I have no idea why it did or did not work, or why it changed.

 

2)    Voiceover through USB port Ð works but badly, for me

 

If you want to use Voiceover but your machine has no Audio Line Input jack, you can try using a Griffin iMic connector to hook up your mic.  This will probably give you some background noise.  There is a setting in Voiceover for iMic.  I had to give up on this idea entirely because of the background noise.

 

3)    External recording by camcorder Ð it ALWAYS works, for me

 

Connect the mic to your camcorder, cover the lens, and push the Record button as usual, record, and a little after youÕve finished, push the Record button to stop recording.

 

Capture to FCP as you would with any shot, but Audio only.  If your studio is quiet and free of echoes you should get perfect audio.