5 FREE Effects For AMAZING Audio in Final Cut Pro

[@matthewTobrien]

So if you're an audio expert... What can I do to make my audio even better? And if you're looking to add even MORE music options to your content creation or filmmaking arsenal, then definitely check out this FOUR MONTH Free Trial from Track Club 👉geni.us/TrackClubFOUR

[@gabrielobrien21]

Pro audio engineer here. Typically you want EQ>Compressor>Limiter. Limiting is last. For EQ there's no one size fits all. The frequency sweeping is valuable if there's something sticking out, but when you're doing +24db you're causing ringing unnecessarily. Your low mids are the ones that matter and you don't need to cut 24db from them. This is also where dynamic IQs like Fabfilter can be if use because you don't enact massive cuts and instead just cut when necessary. Compression should be after subtractive EQ and light compression - 1-3db off the top - is best. Let is limiting. I set my limiter threshold for -6.5db and my ceiling as -3db. KZbin wants -14 LUFS so where you hit on the meter matters less than the overall average levels. Correctly setting your input gain when you record is one of the most important things you can do overall, along with where your microphone is placed.

[@mycoGeeky]

I’m using a Shure SM7B going into a UA Apollo Twin X running SSL5000 unison plug in. Getting a fairly obvious noise floor for to bright untreated room . How do analyze my podcast for average loudness?

[@gabrielobrien21]

@@mycoGeeky I would use a Cloudlifter before the the audio interface. The noise is likely from having to crank your gain for the dynamic mic. Set your input gain so it's hitting between -18 and -12db, then mix from there. I typically will use some subtractive EQ, then compression. That feeds into my mix bus. I don't usually limit individual vocals (limiting is just high ration compression) and instead use limiting on the master.

[@mycoGeeky]

@@gabrielobrien21 I ran it with and without a cloudlifter with no discernable change in noise floor or clarity. The Apollo Twin X has a nice set of mic pres. I'll shoot for -18 to -12. I had bee setting it to -12 to -6.

[@gabrielobrien21]

@@mycoGeeky the Cloudlifter gives you 20db of super clean gain. The press in the interface are fine but those mics need a ton of gain.

[@mycoGeeky]

@@gabrielobrien21 Alright, put it back in, will continue to play around!

[@starta]

This is almost the exact stack I use when post-processing my audio as well. Only thing is I do it in the reverse order: EQ, Compression, Noise Gate, and Limiter. I oscillate between using the Denoiser plugin or (now in FCP) the voice isolation for removing background noise. My only other feedback is using a lighter touch on the EQ and Noise Gate reduction - the audio can sound quite choppy when cutting -100db out of the signal. I usually set a -50 threshold with -7 reduction just to drop it in a way that’s effective but also not distracting. You got all the pieces of the puzzle!! Solid video!!

[@matthewTobrien]

Yup, my ordering is wrong. Glad to have learned that from all of you!

[@starta]

@@matthewTobrien Definitely not wrong per se, but just achieves a different effect on the signal. We’re all learning things all the time man. Loved the video!

[@allanw.gackstetter7969]

Greetings Matt, WOW…. Just what I was looking for and I have to say the way you explain it and articulate to show it is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much now I can kind of get back to work. Thanks for your help again thank you, Matt. Regards, Allan G😊

[@360TacticalSolutions]

This is one of the most useful FCP videos that could have been made. Audio is EVERYTHING. Noise reduction can only go so far in terms of helping your audio. I drop mine down to like 15% because I feel like any higher and it makes the audio feel fake. Like there is a point that it's too much noise being reduced. I really appreciate this video though, im going to play with some of the tips you gave and see what I can do with my videos.

[@matthewTobrien]

Appreciate that!

[@SimonHollandfilms]

great stuff... films are 80% great sound...remember to pan your dialogue to central.

[@matthewTobrien]

Thanks, Simon! I've never heard of panning it to central - is that something you do in FCP or is that something you've done in Avid on your edits for broadcast?

[@jamesdjanzen]

Thank you for helping me to understand so much about the audio effects built into Final Cut Pro. This is an incredible video. Thank you for your clear teaching. Well done.

[@matthewTobrien]

My pleasure! So glad this helped!

[@federicogiller5741]

Thank you. I appreciate how direct and to the point you are. Making the complicated really simple. Great video!

[@matthewTobrien]

Ain't got time for any fluff! Haha - I mean, in some of my videos I'm pretty long-winded haha

[@WilderseeH]

Appreciate the audio guide. IMO I recommend using a gain reduction tool vs limiter due to the artifacts and light compression the limiter adds, especially if it’s the first step in your mixing chain. My chain goes gain -> EQ -> Compressor deeser as needed. I look at it like color correcting. EQ + Compression = Lut/Primary color, second EQ/ Desser = Masks, Limiter = Broadcast Safe Love your videos keep ‘‘em rocking

[@matthewTobrien]

Now that’s the kind of tips I’m looking for. Will definitely update my preset to order the effects in a better sequence. I will take a look at the Gain Reduction tool to try it out. Hadn’t even thought of that one🤘

[@dwoodog]

I also like the audio meter, checking the LUFS seems handy since youtube recommends -16. Although I don't know why in the latest version of FCP the audio meter seems to reset when the video is over. I use to be able to let it run through my entire video to the end then come back to it to see the results.

[@matthewTobrien]

Hmmmm, interesting.

[@WarrenPeaceOG]

Good tip about noise gate! Thanks, I never use that. Are people working with LUFs, ie. loudness units? TV for example, must be -23LUFs. KZbin is -14LUFs. You'll notice if you have a smart TV and switch between them, you have to double the TV volume; switch back to KZbin and it's blasting. I stick a LUFs meter at the end of the audio chain and have found the only way I can control a voice - especially getting it as loud as -14 - is using double compressors. The first does normal vocal compression, then the second compresses the loudest -6db. Point of interest, the human voice seems to be -23LUFs with gentle compression, which is likely why TV settled on that standard. Nonetheless, I find it quite challenging hitting the spec. LUFs matters because KZbin never turns anything up, it only turns loud audio down. So your video may be relatively quiet. And everyone agrees louder sounds better. It also means KZbin content could maintain consistent loudness like TV does, benefitting viewers who won't have to keep adjusting volume. I use Klangfreund LUFs Meter. No idea why a powerful LUFs meter is not built into FCP. Tho at this point, I can imagine an AI audio improver that would take care of this sort of thing for us. But I ramble....

[@matthewTobrien]

That's all above my pay grade! Haha - but definitely something for channels to consider. I find that almost all of my viewers are watching on their phones, then computer, and very few are watching on a TV. I, of course, watch most of my content on my TV through my AppleTV and to be completely honest - I almost never have an issue with the audio levels between all the different videos I watch. I'm rarely riding the volume button between videos. Can't honestly remember the last time I did...

[@asando6432]

This video was so good! Great information!

[@matthewTobrien]

So glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@bobrosberg55]

Thank you so much for your video(s). Extremely helpful and interesting to watch too. 😊

[@matthewTobrien]

So glad to hear it! Thanks for checking it out!

[@wearetrackclub]

This is a great guide! Thanks Matthew 🤝

[@matthewTobrien]

You’re welcome and thanks for sponsoring the vid!🤘🙌

[@StevenAlvarado]

This was really educational. Thank you for the tips!

[@matthewTobrien]

My pleasure, Steven! Thanks for watching!

[@bulcub]

Excellent, saves from purchasing extra plugins! Thanks bro!

[@matthewTobrien]

Gotta love FREE!

[@justdoit_kr]

Just the tips I needed! Thank you Matthew. Bless you!

[@matthewTobrien]

You're welcome! Glad these will be helpful.

[@Livingtheglobe]

This is great but when your filming out in the field with many variables does this work? Sounds great when in a controlled environment

[@matthewTobrien]

Later on in the video I cover how these effects combined with Voice Isolation can make vlogs filmed out in the world sound better 🤘

[@EricWen]

Didn’t know about noise gate! Huge!! Thank you! Curious - are you wearing headphones when filming? Curious how the sounds from your computer aren’t getting picked up by your video mic if you’re playing the computer sounds from speaker.

[@matthewTobrien]

They are! But I also record the audio from Final Cut Pro using Audio Hijack and I sync that audio inside my multicam so I can add the FCP audio and overpower the mic picking up the audio playing over the speakers. In some instances I’ll just mute my mic audio but others where I’m speaking while it’s playing back I just mix in the good audio I recorded from Final Cut Pro 👌

[@EricWen]

@@matthewTobrien interesting! Thank you!

[@TimeBreakPictures]

Fantastic video - thank you!!

[@matthewTobrien]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@WineWorldTV]

Excellent content. My one observation is why not just use the Limiter that's built into the Compressor instead of using the Limiter and Compressor. Especially since you're just doing a basic -6 dB. While grouping them as a preset doesn't really change this, it's one less effect to use in creating your "polish." It's what I do as my final effect. I'm finally playing with voice isolation. It works really well. I did an interview where I and my subject were literally sitting next to a hotel AC unit. I wasn't able to turn it off (never had that happen) and at 50% it is all but eliminated it. I bumped it up to closer to 70% for each audio track. One was higher than the other. I'm still going to use an external audio program (RX9) to get my final mix. Mostly so I can eliminate as mic-bleed as possible from the lavalieres. Plus some other sweetening. FCP has really come a long way over the years, so I may ditch RX9 for all but my most challenging videos when it comes to audio. But for now, I'll still use it. For my studio work it's a matter of running a batch on all my tracks so it's not a big deal to do that.

[@jpcpamies]

Noise gate awesome!! Thanks

[@matthewTobrien]

So clutch.

[@david243121]

Great video Matt! Thanks for putting these tips out there. I had messed with and use the rest of the effects, but never touched the noise gate, which i think will be SUPER helpful after the compressor lifts your noise floor. Here’s an idea for a follow up video: address adjusting each effect independently and why you would do so, after applying the custom group effect on your next talking head project. Doing EQ again for a new person / compressor & limiter settings. Also addressing order of operations - what order the layers should go in, since it does affect the outcome of the audio. And one more thought- what about creating a secondary EQ for JUST tuning to preferred sound taste? Separate from the sweeping EQ. This could include the boost in high frequencies.

[@matthewTobrien]

Great input, David! I'll definitely think about that one. Would love to know from some audio experts what ordering is best. Already getting some great comments for how to improve what I've already been doing.

[@david243121]

@@matthewTobrien No problem! I've spent COUNTLESS hours, days, weeks, tons of youtube tutorials, and it's still difficult for me to find a solid workflow. But, it all comes down to what works for you, as there are 134,324 ways to get the same result. I'll skim the comments and see some of the other tips! It would great to get some clear and concise expert input on this process for us.

[@locaalicia_jp]

I didn't realize there was a refrigerator near Mr. Matthew! I have a refrigerator near me, but I turn it off and cover my head with a blanket to record the narration. It's hot and I feel like I'm going to die, but I'm doing my best to keep the white noise below -50dB🎤😡

[@matthewTobrien]

I hear that! I'm just too lazy to go over and unplug it, and I need my computer on usually when I film so those RAID drives have to be spinning. Probably worth turning that stuff if you're a voice over artist getting hired for VO for sure!

[@CraytonTv]

Awesome tips and great video keep up the good work, very helpful definitely will mess around with that in FCPX and see how I can get mine to sound good, keep up good work God Bless

[@matthewTobrien]

Will do and thanks for watching!

[@RogerAVHansen]

Really helpful!🙂Thank you! 🙂

[@stuartseible3982]

This was a great video full of useful Information that I will definitely return to for assistance . I use a Rode Video Mic Pro and Stereo Mic Pro andCanon Vixia cameras and do mostly community Info about local politics and make no money, just thank you's from my community. Is there any way to limit background noise from florescent light fixtures common where I shoot?

[@matthewTobrien]

That's a great question... First thought I had is to use sound blankets around your subject, but that's tough when the source of the sound is overhead. Also difficult if you're shooting really wide. I know a lot of folks swear by IzotopeRX and its ability to grab specific noises and sounds in the background and eliminate them. It's very expensive though.

[@kevincobb7828]

Thanks for the helpful video. I had known of a few, but not of the Noisegate which is truly something my videos were missing! I used all your proposed techniques on the unedited raw video so I don‘t have to add the presets to every clip, but it really messed up my editing on my brand new M1 Max MBP. When I have cuts in the timeline and I playback my video, sometimes there is simply no audio when the next clip starts or there is a loud crack to be heared, especially when I add the „flow“ transition between clips. Super annoying, any idea how to combat this? I tried restarting Final cut, it didn‘t help. I‘m using the build in speakers. Thanks!

[@matthewTobrien]

Voice Isolation has caused some odd audio sounds between cuts, and I've found that taking all the dialogue audio and putting it in a Compound Clip and then adding Voice Isolation is a workaround for this. I'll then export my video and if I need to see the edit to make adjustments I'll break apart the Compound Clip. Kind of annoying TBH, but whatever gets the audio sounding good. I've also learned that my ordering of the audio effects is off - I believe it needs to be Channel EQ > Compressor > Noise Gate > Limiter. Maybe the correct order will help with other sound anomalies you're having.

[@kevincobb7828]

@@matthewTobrien thanks for replying! After having to restart the project I only used voice isolation and it worked fine. I‘ll give your proposed arrangement a try tomorrow with a new project! 😊

[@mdturnerinoz]

Great stuff and really serendipitous! I am currently editing some videos for a couple of musicians! Thanks!

[@matthewTobrien]

Good to hear, Martin!

[@yemaneehaile]

Thank You for this tutorial!

[@matthewTobrien]

You're welcome! Get that audio sounding goooooooood!

[@DokoGaTV]

Greetings again and thanks for another great video! Any suggestions for FCPX plugins/settings to reduce mic bleed in a multi-person interview setting? I have the unfortunate issue of usually having a louder voice vs. interview subjects, in noisy environments and factoring out the noise and bleed is a challenge. 🙇🏽‍♂

[@matthewTobrien]

That is a great question and a little beyond my expertise. I'm gonna have to look into that one... Mostly curious how this can be mitigated when recording...

[@DokoGaTV]

Yeah, was hoping I didn't have to start learning Logic or Auditoin for more robust noise gate/limiter combinations (was hoping there was a way to do this in FCPX). But, I still learned a lot from this video! Many thanks as always Matthew! 👍🏻

[@matthewTobrien]

My pleasure!

[@FabianEuresti]

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!

[@matthewTobrien]

You're welcome!

[@bwilesuk]

My question about EQ sweeping is I can hear that odd frequency across the whole band, so I’ve always struggled where to leave the toggle.

[@matthewTobrien]

I always do it where the odd sound is the most intense. Sometimes it's a close call but I just go with my gut 🤷‍♂️

[@bwilesuk]

@@matthewTobrien ah good to know, thanks 🙂

[@elcano091]

Great Video! Unrelated question: I've been experiencing some weird bugs with audio wave previews on the timeline and on the browser as well. You can see and select the audio file normally but some part (could be at the beginning or in the middle, could be for a small or big chunk) appears blank, but you can still hear It when played. Is it just a bug? or maybe the files have compatibility issues with FCPX? Is anyone else experiencing this?

[@matthewTobrien]

Hmmmm, I haven't had that issue. I'll keep my ears peeled in case anyone else reports this.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

Matthew, I don't understand what you are listening for when you are frequency sweeping. Would you mind elaborating?

[@matthewTobrien]

When you frequency sweep you'll hear these odd sounds that stand out and as I sweep I listen for the loudest strange sound and then isolate it. It's hard to describe what the sound is because it's so...different. I'm hoping to make a follow up video on this specifically where I better use the computer's system audio so that viewers can clearly hear what I'm talking about. Dive in, though, and follow what I'm doing, and I'm sure you'll hear them... I had no idea when I first started doing this and it was apparent to me once I started doing it.

[@HoustonBrownPhotography]

@@matthewTobrien Thank you sir. Much appreciated.

[@JoshRazauskas]

Good stuff man! I’m lucky I don’t actually have to use any of this unless I’m doing client work because for my own KZbin videos, I use the EL Gato Wave 3 so all of the VST’s are built right into the microphone Wave Link software when I record all of my raw a roll. But I did see them there when I got the software so I knew immediately how to use them because I already had experience but this kind of tutorial is always good for people that are completely new to audio work. I will sign up for Track Club though! I had just posted in the Discord the other day about trying to figure out a way to budget music and what the best one to use was!

[@matthewTobrien]

Love that you’re able to apply all those effects at the top. I’m hoping to do something similar with my livestreaming now that I’ve overhauled my entire setup. Track Club is legit. A little pricier than other services but I’m really enjoying their platform, especially MixLab🤘

[@JoshRazauskas]

@@matthewTobrien Thanks man and awesome good luck! Good to hear! I’ll definitely use your trial and go from there for sure!

[@Gentlemans_sport]

what is the right way, first compressor and then limiter or limiter first and then compressor? or is it matter?

[@romodrummer]

You forgot 1 crucial setting, and thats something called a DeEsser. What a DeEsser does is it softens the sibilance, the harsh Ess, high pitch airy annoying noise that comes out every time you make an Ess sound with your mouth. Every time I listen to videos and I hear the harsh sibilance when people speak it annoys me and my ears. I believe this NEEDS to be a must when editing any audio.

[@matthewTobrien]

Yes! I wonder how my sibilance is in my videos - I never actually thought about it. Definitely going to figure that one!

[@PawFromTheBroons]

@@matthewTobrien You can do your EQ sweep and notch somewhere between 5K 7K-ish. Is there's no free DEesser in Final Cut. I use the free version of the plugin T-De-Esser which works amazingly.

[@jpcpamies]

Did you notice that the effect of the plugins varies depending in the position. I’d normally channel eq first, amplifier with the compresor, even the whole thing with the limiter, and so on…

[@matthewTobrien]

I didn’t! But a few have commented about this so I re-sequenced the effects for my effects preset. Love that my videos bring on helpful tips in the comments🤘

[@jpcpamies]

@@matthewTobrien it is a really interesting topic which I think many of us struggle with. Thanks for doing this awesome video.

[@matthewTobrien]

My pleasure! Thanks for bringing your expertise into the comments.

[@kevincobb7828]

Any idea why the Limiter doesn't limit but instead just lowers the overall volume by the set amount? I deleted all settings in FCP and that didn't help.

[@ignorantboxing]

I switched to davinci resolve because everytime I tried to add a audio plug-in in final cut it would just freeze so I just gave up on it.

[@matthewTobrien]

Super frustrating. Have you tried contacting Apple Support? They have a dedicated team for the Pro Apps.

[@mdturnerinoz]

Thanks! Great link to Track Club, but when I used it and signed up they only offered me a one-month free trial. Disappointed!

[@matthewTobrien]

Thanks for the SuperThanks, Martin! I checked in with my contact at Track Club to see if there's something up with only getting 1 month instead of 4. Standby...

[@matthewTobrien]

@@Tannerrr Thanks for that info. I'll keep you all updated as soon as I hear back about this 👍

[@wearetrackclub]

​@@Tannerrr Thanks for checking out Track Club! If you want to claim your 4-months as a trial, sign up for a monthly billing plan. If you choose annual instead, you'll receive the equivalent of 4-months off the total. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[@macguysgarage]

Loved the explanation on all of this! Great video...thanks for the tips and explanation! (I am trying out track club--thanks as well!)

[@matthewTobrien]

Nice! I hope you like it!