Short Division
Until recently, I’ve been doing audio crossfades in FCPX by detaching the audio of one track, dragging it under the next clip, and fading each audio track. This works pretty well, but since the audio is detached, it can get out of sync. Turns out there a better way, using L-Cuts and J-Cuts. I’m sure most people already know about these, but if you don’t, I made a graphic explaining how to use them in FCPX.
- Double click on the audio track of one clip
- It drops down – notice it’s still attached to the clip
- Drag the audio clip under the other clip
- Fade the audio on both clips – you now have a nice crossfade
- If you like, you can double clip on the audio track again to collapse it back, keeping the crossfade/L-Cut intact
It’s fun and simple!
One more audio tip – right click on the audio fader to change the type of fade (linear, s-curve, +3db and -3db).
Credit to John August’s post on Final Cut Pro X which had a reference to using J-cuts and L-cuts instead of detaching audio. They were also mentioned in this helpful video about FCPX.
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2 Responses to Audio Crossfades using L-Cuts in Final Cut Pro X
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Vimeo
That’s not a crossfade. The whole transition is under one of the two clips. It’s a crossfade when the center of the transition is on the frame cut.
Anyone know how to do a real crossfade without the dumb “new storyline” thing that messes up all your syncs and negates future audio transitions to clips not already in the “storyline”? This program seems to be designed by someone who never made a move before.
I think If you need it to be centered over the cut, you can drop down both audio tracks, and pull them other each other. Maybe not the best solution though.