Edit faster in Final Cut using proxy media

Hey Friends!
This week I'm going to tell you what is proxy media and show you how to use proxy media in final cut pro to speed up your workflow and save you poor computer fan.
Using proxy media in final cut is really easy and speeds up your computer so you can focus on editing. Creating proxy media is super simple and i'll show you how to create proxys on import and how to transcode your footage after import. If you are editing 4k footage in fcpx then these are a real life saver!
#proxymedia #finalcutpro #fcpx #editfaster
MY FILMMAKING & PHOTOGRAPHY GEAR:
===== Cameras & Lenses =====
A camera - Sony A7iii - geni.us/8CId
B Camera - Sony a6400 - geni.us/tmdB
Favourite “youtube” studio lens - geni.us/h0BL
Portrait lens - geni.us/DXPA
Beastly Macro lens - geni.us/bAbNH
Best vlogging lens - geni.us/As6u
===== Lighting =====
Key light - geni.us/HgbT
Light dome for key light light - geni.us/ClNfwpG
LED panel - geni.us/ndqb0vx
small/travel light - geni.us/QZZy
Light dome for key light - geni.us/ClNfwpG
===== Audio =====
Shotgun mic - geni.us/kY01
Lav mic - geni.us/wp6IoR9
Vlog mic - geni.us/i0dA
Audio recorder - geni.us/iXC08
===== Grips and misc =====
Drone - geni.us/vX1deUQ
Gimbal - geni.us/6wFA
PLEASE NOTE
Some of the above links are affiliate links. I make a small fee at no cost to you if you purchase an item after visiting these links.
MUSIC!
All the music used on my channel comes from this super cool website. Great for KZbin creators! - www.epidemicsound.com/
TALK TO OR FOLLOW ME:
Instagram: / willchidlow
Twitter: / willchidlow
Facebook: / willchidlowcreative
Website: willchidlow.com

[@WillChidlow]

Hey Friends! 👋 I hope you found this tutorial helpful? hit me up with any questions you have, I read all my comments 💪

[@quinngreysen]

Trying to figure out how to save proxy media after transcoding to hard drive instead of computer? Edit library is already in hard drive. Thanks for the video! Very helpful

[@alicegoldenvalley]

Hi thank you so much for this video! I was just wondering, my computer has 1 TB storage, my media has been imported in the original format without selecting the optimized media and without the proxy files. Now I want to transcode the media in both optimized and proxy, but my computer says it doesn’t have enough storage space even though I still have 746GB of free space available :S So I have a few questions: Optimized: When one imports with optimized, does that mean that the original format is not being imported? I.e. is it a compressed version of your original footage? And if so, will this effect the export quality? Or can one switch to the original format before exporting? Proxy: Can one transcode original files that haven’t been optimized to proxy files, without also transcoding to optimized, with the purpose of reducing the file sizes (when you don’t have loads of storage space like me)? or would it be better to do it the other way around and choose optimized for speed and not proxy because I don’t have the space for it? 😅 I want to use both optimized and proxy, but apparently I don’t have the space for it. Also, I am wondering (I am in the middle of a project now), what if I delete all the libraries and then reimport the footage from my camera and I choose both optimized & proxy straight away, does that mean that the original is not being imported and will this save space? Oh One last question what are the best settings in Final Cut Pro to export my project in the highest quality possible even if it means export time is long? ☺️ When it comes to exporting I’m all about high-quality, not about saving time. I just really need more speed for my multi cam editing 😅 fcp is just getting stuck at every click. My footage is 1080p 50fps and I have already set my project settings to pro res 442, 720p and 23.98fps and I have disabled my effects for the time being just for editing speed. But it’s still too slow because I have multi cam and a lot of colour grading & effects. My iMac is the Retina 4K 21.5 inch 2017 with 8GB memory Again thank you so much for this video and I hope you will have some time to answer my burning questions ☺️

[@hey_itschad]

Awesome video mate! You explained everything beautifully, very easy to understand. I’m a big Final Cut Pro nerd 🤓

[@RafiCakasana]

I'm a bit confused with the original media n the optimized media. whats the difference between them?

[@mentalformation63]

hey, proxy not found and project is all red, what do i do now?

[@peterdeaves146]

You just saved my video project, my computer from being thrown out the window and possibly the life of someone nearby...well done Will

[@WillChidlow]

Happy to help Peter! Thanks for watching and happy editing! 👍🙏😎

[@LoveAlwaysJeane]

🤣😂 ditto

[@BoostAndRedline]

I can relate with you

[@lauriewebb1171]

Bahahahhaa

[@tylerkeene4403]

Dude, when you covered how to change to proxy AFTER the clips were already imported, you got an instant thumb up from me! great job!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Tyler 👍🙏😎

[@chrisdemetriou8959]

also so grateful for finding Will. I could hug him right now. editing a mutiple split screen orchestra of musicians. currently transcoding media. keeping fingers crossed, as have project running off a SSD and was going mad! THANK YOU WILL :-)

[@davidthegood]

Same thing I needed answered - thank you!

[@markbrown6755]

Same as, I have already imported half a project, so this part was a saviour, as was the reminder to export optimised media, good work.

[@ArmyBarbie]

OH MY GODDDDD I WAS ABOUT TO CRY IM LIKE DAMN WHY IS IT IMPORTING SO SLOW I JUST BOUGHT THIS COMPUTER!!!! the proxy setting worked! Finally oh my gosh it’s going faster Thank you SO MUCH

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome! Glad I could help! Happy editing 👍🙏😎

[@seairpierre6838]

I'm a novice and for the first time your explanation on this subject has been awesomely helpful. 👍

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome, thank you! 🙏

[@LifiaTubeHD]

Thank you, very useful tuts 💕

[@WillChidlow]

You’re welcome 😊

[@CfTesla]

Spot on right to the point. Exaclty what I needed...now back to work...without yelling at the screen

[@miragemedia__]

omg i commented that this was helpful before I finished playback and now i'm here to comment again - THANK YOU for covering every morsel of information needed regarding this topic!!!

[@WillChidlow]

Happy to help! 👍🙏😎

[@awongfilms1]

this was exactlyyyyyy what i needed. all the info and simply explained! thx will!!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! Thanks dude! 👍🙏😎💪

[@aghinkomachi7439]

yep he's really good and simple

[@AprilLeon]

Thanks so much for this I just thought today of this option after so many years and so glad your video was the first to come up. Very informative easy to understand and follow along 👍🏽

[@WillChidlow]

Glad I could help! Thanks for watching 👍🙏

[@chandlerelder]

Of all the videos talking about proxy, this is by far the most complete explanation and straight to the point! Thanks a ton!

[@WillChidlow]

Cheers Chandler! Lovely to hear that, thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@markfivestudios4491]

Still helping folks in 2023! Thank you!

[@JarrettHolmes]

Great video, very thorough including deleting the rendered files at the end. This alone will free up 2/3 of your Hard Drive alone. An easily forgotten gold nugget.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@andrewyoung834]

100% - Didn't realise that option existed in FCPX and I was deleting them manually from the folders. Haha.

[@CELLYYBO]

Thanks! Computer was glitching out with trying to have four angles up got a music video I was working on. Proxy definitely fixed that problem and made editing way smoother.

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome, glad it has speeded things up for you! 👍🙏😎

[@robertowittmannj.2212]

Very professional and so much helpful advice -most kind of you, Will!

[@ArielASMR]

Just upgraded my mbp with an ssd. It's reborn. It's super fast now. Fcpx is a processor killer for sure. So proxy is the best to edit I now find. Thank you

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome. Happy editing 👍🙏😎

[@mikaelrenwall]

Amazing! Thank you so much for this! My 4k project kept getting on my nerves so this helped A LOT.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it helped! happy editing!

[@MrDGuillaume]

This was so freak"n DOPE!!!! THANKS BRO!!!!! All these years of using FC I did not know this. I just happened to get fed up with lag and did a search and found this video. Thank you for making my workload lighter. #Dope!!!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Dickson! Glad I could help 👍🙏😎

[@Luke-qv3co]

Just starting to get into video editing and this was SUPER useful. The way you described what proxy media is and how it works (plus how to select it) is the most easy and informative way I've seen. So thanks!

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the kind words, happy editing 👍🙏😎

[@BenBarnettYT]

Just what I needed. Noticed FCPX on my mac was freezing and slowing down so this video helped improve that situation! Thanks!

[@jaredadams6118]

If the entirety of the internet was created so I could watch this video and change my life - it will have all been worth it. Thanks Will. Great, helpful video.

[@WillChidlow]

Wow Jared, that is high praise. Thanks so much 👍🙏😎

[@pr-ji1ni]

You life saver! I saw this video last night. Pulled in all the interviews into a new project and left FCP creating proxies overnight. Today I am working with the proxies and the computer is quiet and cool. I'll do the same when it's time to import all the b-roll. Massive thanks, Will!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for watching 👍🙏💪😎

[@CarlRing05]

Always love your FCPX tutorials as you make it all so easy to understand

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks so much Carl! Glad you enjoy my videos, makes my day! 👍🙏🙌💪😎

[@markram4444]

Thank you so much! I'm in the same boat as you, just discovering proxy media 1.5 years into using FCP and this is gonna be a lifesaver.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad i could help! thanks for watching

[@doddleoddle]

SO HELPFUL AND COVERED ALL GROUND I NEEDED thank you :)

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching 🙏😎

[@Dimiche]

thank you! for some reason, even the optimized media was unchecked lol but its all sorted thanks to you!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome! Happy editing and thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@pbl-if21]

Thanks for sharing your valuable experience.

[@miragemedia__]

SUPER helpful! Thank you Will!

[@WillChidlow]

My pleasure!

[@JDMUnicorn]

Thank you so much for saving the lives of my MacBook fans!! 😂 Seriously, you answered so many of the questions that I had while editing my 4K projects. Awesome video! You've got a new sub 🔥😁

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks so much! Welcome! And happy editing 👍🙏😎

[@NyahSkyENT]

Omg this video was so helpful. I wish I would have watched this first. I imported a video and it was lagging (only 8 minutes) and I deleted to import it again so I could select proxy media not knowing I could have still did it without deleting the whole thing 🤦🏽‍♀️. Well now I know.

[@umamikitchenwithfatama8780]

Switching from Premiere Pro to FCPX. Just watched your FCPX library workflow and this video. By far the most useful videos I've found on youtube on FCPX workflow. Thanks!

[@WillChidlow]

Great to hear!

[@benashley3059]

Always enjoy your tutorials. Thank you

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Ben! 👍🙏😎

[@jamescromiemedia2796]

Man, this is the 2nd time you've helped me with the EXACT problem I'm having. The real test will be upgrading to that 4K life when my R5 arrives. Praying I don't need to trade in my MacBook for a new one 🤞🏻🙏🏻

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks James! glad it helped. I am using a 2016 MBP with 16GB of RAM and using proxies it can handle GH5 4k 4.2.2 all intra footage so hopefully you will be ok when you get your R5

[@jamescromiemedia2796]

Will Chidlow did my first short vid all in the 4K fine mode, laptop held up well/didn’t need proxies so promising start 🙌🏻. Check out the vid/lemme know what you think of you get time. All feedback is appreciated 🙏🏻

[@JamesonsTravels]

Great video. Just what I was looking for. To the point and minus useless b-roll or long intro.

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for watching 👍🙏😎👌

[@thegoblinjohnny7268]

This is so helpful! Thank you so much! I am starting to have better understanding on FCPX now.

[@mattliller]

To second some of the other comments, YOU JUST SAVED MY PROJECT! Working on a 5 camera, 3.5 hour multicam edit and even my M2 Max couldn’t handle it. I was banging my head against the door when I remembered this video from years ago. Your explanation was great, and I breezed through the remainder of the edit.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad I could help!

[@nate7715]

Why would anyone dislike this video. This was super helpful! Thanks!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks so much Nathan 🙏👍😎

[@KBDProductionsTV]

Thank you

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@nadams61]

Thank you will! Your video provided me the exact information that I needed at the time of my production. Not only that, you explained things in a very clear and concise manner, OUTSTANDING!! Thank you again and keep up the great work.

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Neil, glad I could help, thanks for your kind words 👍🙏😎

[@tombuck]

Thanks for a super clear/effective explanation 👍

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful Tom!

[@vijayart]

0:06 is probably the most relatable thing I've seen all day

[@WillChidlow]

The pain is real 😂

[@Triplesevn33]

Question: I noticed you left “create optimized media” checked while also checking “create proxy media”. Are you not suppose to uncheck COM then? Or you can have both options checked? Thank You

[@WillChidlow]

Hi 👋 yes I leave both ticked, they are for different things. Proxies are for during the edit while optimised media will be used while editing AND for export. You don’t have to use both or either but I find it keeps things smooth and they are easily deleted once a project is ready to be archived 👍🙏😎

[@joshdrean]

BROOO!!!! So so so so helpful! I've been wondering about this for years and you made it super simple to understand. You've saved me hundreds of hours editing!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear Josh! Happy editing! 👍🙏😎

[@houmanrosie]

What an incredible straight to the point video. THANK YOU! So helpful. Every question that popped in my head you answered.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad to help! 👍🙏😎

[@JuanLopezmusica]

hahaha the beginning ! XD

[@cjw9979]

Yeah made me laugh!

[@nicosforza5805]

Your videos are very helpful, thank you for explaining everything clearly.

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Nico 👍🙏😎

[@TantraJames]

Best tutorial on proxy files that I've found (by far!). Thank you!!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@capturingadventures698]

Thanks Will. As a FCPX guy, I find your videos super helpful! Keep up the great work.

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! so glad you get some value from my content! thanks for watching and happy editing 😀💪🙏👍

[@arhon888]

Thanks Will. Great video. Nice and clear.

[@NowtDaftTonyFawcett]

I am new to all this editing malarkey and this was a superb no nonsense video. Thanks so much.

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@proddou]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@sungkyulkim2485]

Thank you for explaining and everything! Keep up the good work!

[@WillChidlow]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful 👍🙏😎

[@pacetvproductions]

Great tutorial. Thanks so much for making my day better!

[@WillChidlow]

You are so welcome!

[@jjwolfcreative]

INCREDIBLY USEFUL INFO!!!!!!!!!

[@dcshutterbug]

This is the best video I've seen on proxy media with FCP, by far! Thank you so much, you've answered all of my questions so much better than others I have seen. Well done mate!😃

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LocustAndWildHoney]

Well done! Extremely helpful! Thank you for your effort!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks for watching, glad it was helpful! 🙏👍😎

[@janasbeautifulmess]

Thank you! I have been fighting this problem for days! So very helpful!

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it helped!

[@mynameisdanman]

so clear and concise thank you so much

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! Thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@dylantaylor7972]

Amazing and perfectly explained video!! Thank you

[@WillChidlow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brand23media]

Great basic intro to proxy files! Thanks for the very helpful info. Just started a 4K project and was trying to figure out how to make this easier to edit.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful! Happy editing 🙏👍😎

[@marcgreen007]

Great presentation! I'll be watching more of your videos.

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear! thanks Marc and happy editing!

[@ragnardimarzo]

Thanks for your excellent tutorial. You answered all my questions about proxy media!

[@WillChidlow]

Thats awesome to hear Ragnar, glad i could help! 👍🙏😎

[@dglatz01]

Super helpful, clear and concise video. Thank you. Best vid I’ve seen on proxy media. And the first one that showed how to use proxies if you’ve already imported.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad to help David! 👍🙏😎

[@valourboy4u]

One of the most useful video that really helped me as it covers all the topic I was looking for

[@WillChidlow]

Great to hear! 👍🙏😎

[@bitchtitsixsixsix]

Thank you so much for this.

[@JakeSitlani]

This is literally the most helpful and to the point video ive ever seen! Cheers man! and THANKYOU so much!

[@WillChidlow]

Oh thanks Jake! How very kind of you to say! So glad I could help! 👍🙏😎

[@egibyanmusic9890]

Big help ! Thank u 🙏🏽

[@kevinallam394]

At last someone who's explained it so I can fix my problems THANK YOU

[@WillChidlow]

Glad i could help Kevin!

[@DavidKarns]

Thank you so much. Extremely helpful.

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear David, thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@seatheparade]

Your videos have helped me so much! Honestly, I would have done so many things wrong and I'm extremely tech oblivious so I wanted to make sure I get video editing right while working on a new project. Thanks so much!

[@WillChidlow]

Happy to help! 👍🙏😎

[@compassnorth]

Finally an explanation I understand ! Had been Googling this topic and got nothing but blah...blah....blah....Your explanation was perfect. Thank you.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad to help! 👍🙏😎

[@jodorowskysthief]

LIFESAVER!!!!!!! Can't thank you enough for this vid!

[@WillChidlow]

Nice one Jordon! Happy editing 🙏😎👍

[@sebjltull]

Super useful! covered everything I wanted to know, thanks for this

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Seb, glad to help 👍🙏😎

Thank you, Will! Just what I was looking for. Excellent video!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks for watching Sergio! happy editing 💪🙏👍😎

[@ailagatonye1399]

AMAZING TUTORIAL!! Thank you man!!

[@WillChidlow]

Happy to help! 👍🙏😎

[@TomWhoASMR]

Now I understand FCP generated media and proxy media much better, thanks for the great tutorial.

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks for watching Tom! Glad you found it useful 👍🙏🙌💪😎

[@SiOgie]

Super helpful. Thanks for sharing Will!

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JoelBryant]

Thankyou! Nailed the delivery.

[@WillChidlow]

Cheers Joel! Thanks for watching and happy editing! 👍🙏😎

[@justwithpranav5750]

One of the best Final Cut tutorials I've seen. Thanks a lot

[@WillChidlow]

Wow, thanks!

[@holasoyjuansm]

Really helpful, thanks for making this!

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks Juan

[@GlendaBeauty]

YOU made this so clear! thank you for a GREAT demo! 👌🏻

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Glenda, glad I could help 👍🙏😎

[@3ligijus]

Thank you, exactly what I was looking for

[@SimplyBercy]

you TRULY saved my life with this one! my project sizes tend to be 30gb and my computer hates it

[@WillChidlow]

saving lives... one harddrive at a time 😂 so pleased i could help 🙏👍😎

[@Magis0828]

Thank you sooo much! This video was a lifesaver!!!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome! Thank you 👍🙏😎

[@danyago651]

Great help!!! Thank you Will!

[@WillChidlow]

Awesome to hear Daniela! Thanks for watching! 👍🙏😎

[@stuartbooth1259]

Thanks for the vid! Extremely helpful.

[@WillChidlow]

Great to hear Stuart, thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@jacquesviljoen2790]

Thank You SO much. On my way to apply your methods. I SERIOUSLY appreciate this tutorial. This is going to change my FCPX experience

[@WillChidlow]

Glad it helped!

[@skyshipmusic363]

Thanks - I never needed proxy media until I started this large project. I forgot all about it. Now, maybe I can finish this before I grow another year older.

[@henriklarsson8809]

Thank you, very well explained!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Henrik! 👍🙏😎

[@thedamwoman8739]

Your video is really great, your production and how clearly you speak is ace! I'm new to FCPX and I've been super struggling with editing due to the lagging, so this has been very helpful. Thank You!.

[@WillChidlow]

So glad to hear you enjoyed my video! Thanks for watching!

[@ctomorrownow]

Genius mate, best video on proxy files....I really needed to know if I could use them half way through a project! Thx!

[@WillChidlow]

Glad I could help!

[@Bombichote1]

You are the best!!!. I almost buy an M1 mac mini, you saved me $700+🙌🏽. Now my macbook pro late 2011 edit extremely fast.

[@WillChidlow]

Glad I could help!

[@FrugalGaming]

Great video, you're an absolute life saver! Just used this method and it has now made editing 4K footage so much smoother!

[@WillChidlow]

Great to hear! 👍🙏😎

[@misterpupper7916]

thank you sooo much, just safed my project, my laptop and me☺️☺️

[@WillChidlow]

You're welcome!

[@artienayak8822]

Year old video, never ceases to be useful, god bless you haha!

[@WillChidlow]

Cheers Artie 👍🙏😎

[@aanputcha]

excellent tutorial, thanks for this!!

[@WillChidlow]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@charlotterose7523]

This was so helpful thank you! I really did not understand this until I saw your video

[@WillChidlow]

You're so welcome! 👍🙏😎

[@epicfocusfilms9350]

Awesome, thanks! Keep up the fantastic work and thanks for the help

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks for your kind words and thanks for watching 👍🙏😎

[@robtaylor4810]

Great Video always wondered what proxies were and how to us them gonna be a game changer! Thanks again!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Rob, happy editing! 👍🙏😎

[@marcewing3514]

Brilliant! Great tip! Thanks!

[@WillChidlow]

Thanks Marc 👍🙏😎