Final Cut Pro for iPad review: still rendering

The long-awaited iPad version of Final Cut Pro is here and, with it, a touch-friendly design and accessible pricing. But if you’re coming from Final Cut on the Mac, you might be a little disappointed. #technology #editing #ipad
0:00 Intro
0:24 System requirements (A12, A12X, M1, M2)
1:06 File management (supported files, importing, 360 video)
1:47 FCP Workspaces and layout
2:38 Animation (keyframing)
3:24 New features - Live Drawing & Auto Scene Removal mask
4:54 Audio, volume & music editing
5:45 Color adjustments & LUTs. DaVinci Resolve
7:34 Handheld editing (Jog Wheel)
8:11 Editing with Magic Keyboard - shortcuts
8:54 Performance & battery life
9:17 Conclusion
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[@TheVerge]

Am I the last one to switch to DaVinci Resolve?

[@hakeypokey]

Once you switch to Davinci, you will never go back, trust me. I leave Premiere and Final Cut 5 years ago, and only choose DR for my media publications.

[@GameBoisTV]

We’re on FCP. Waiting until next keynote. If apple doesn’t announce any new features for FCP, then making the switch

[@Rocksteady72a]

You're at least the last one to switch to 16:9 exports.. What's with the black borders in this video?

[@SyedKashani]

I haven't switched to DaVinci yet. I'll keep going with premier pro

[@Vacciano]

If you touch Resolve you will even forget that you have final cut on you devices 😂

[@JacobVossFilms]

Lack of external drive support kills this, no one even slightly serious will use this

[@TheVerge]

Agree. I don't want a hard drive dangling off to the side, but I also don't want to pay too much for internal storage (while also paying for iCloud Drive too). - Vjeran

[@hl236]

This is the biggest shocker for me. It’s not only about the cost of storage but the ability to take a hard drive with videos from anyone and start editing.

[@WestGeorgiaAirCooled]

I’d like this explained. I’m using an external drive literally right now, and it’s working fine….???

[@sonalsystem]

100% agree

[@vincestenning7711]

@@WestGeorgiaAirCooled you had to import all your media from your storage to either your cloud or ipad before your edit, taking up space, you dont have to do that with resolve

[@samozeal9466]

That live drawing is TIGHT. They need to make projects compatible across machines so people can: start on a Mac, jump to the iPad for some squiggle squiggle action, then finish on a big boy machine.

[@obvinpro]

NOO is NOT

[@JoeNaflish]

now i wish they able to mirror the live drawing from ipad to the mac so i can edit on mac but scribble some text animation on ipad for on the fly. that’ll be awesome

[@AtPlume]

It sure is _odd_ that Apple would limit something which _coincidentally_ forces people to purchase iPads with higher storage which just so happen to be upgrades that are notoriously ridiculously expensive. What an oddly specific omission by Apple, indeed.

[@joshboss623]

$2,877 for a full iPad setup is crazy Better off getting a Mac

[@kotlin8798]

iPad pros are such strange value propositions

[@DatMilu2K]

Or just a much better, cheaper, real Computer. Macs are gimmicks

[@m-stat9]

you are a gimmick

[@naavidmorshed5516]

@@DatMilu2K Macs are not gimmicks. I don't like Macs myself and there are genuine arguments against using Macs. They are indeed overpriced (unless base mb air) and having loads of proprietary softwares. I have to use a Mac as I work with flutter. I need xcode with iOS simulators and the workarounds are too painful (tried hackintosh, couldn't fix audio issues). Everything else I do on my Mac, I can do just as well on my 2016 desktop (or any old setup) with mint on it. Unless of course, you want to use Microsoft office or Adobe's softwares but I don't use those. Gimmicks don't suit Macs, overpriced semi-luxury hardware? Most likely.

[@garretthamlow]

Truly such a head scratcher. An M2 MacBook Air for 1000 less would let you use the full version of FCP

[@Mark_LaCroix]

Interesting how many total dealbreakers there are in this for just normal video editing workflows. It feels like Apple might be targeting an audience of either newer content creators who will adapt to its limitations, or Apple-diehards who for some reason would see value in starting a project on an M1 iPad and then moving it to their M1 MacBook to finish. That's perfectly fine, I guess, but I hope they aren't expecting to attract anyone else.

[@TheVerge]

Oh man. During the testing process I kept asking myself if "I'm the old-school editor at this point!? Is this what the kids want?!" Went through a whole existential crisis on this one! 😆

[@tylerherbs]

It’s like the launch of FCPX all over again

[@schpoingle]

That’s everything apple dude

[@bradavon]

It's MVP. Minimum viable product. Basically enough so it works. More will come I expect

[@Carla-ec6xn]

I think this is just the first batch of implementations, they'll probably keep on adding more features in later updates until both desktop and iPad are similar, and quality of life updates that make more sense for a touch interface, kind of like what's been happening with photoshop

[@domramsey]

Didn't expect it to be quite that bad! And no external storage? That alone is a complete deal breaker.

[@Marngel]

I expected the iPad version of FCP to not come with certain features that are in the Mac. But the features missing and how many they are missing is actually quite a deal breaker. Like, how could you not be able to add markers or compound clips; or even import entire folders? That last one is quite a deal breaker for me tbh. Guess I’m sticking with the Mac for my editing for now.

[@TheElectroclassic]

we'll have to wait until FCP on iPad is more mature. Kinda like what happened with FCP X, back in the day.

[@mashirokobato5509]

Full feature on ipad who gonna buy mac version of FCPX? So they decide to stripped down the FCPX on ipad

[@TheLillianYoung]

Same.

[@pieceofshitzu2]

Apple is gonna add all of these features in a software update in 2 years but then will say you need the latest iPad 🥲

[@bellacatears]

Yeah... I was stubborn and tried it anyway and it doesn't let me separate sound from clip (essential to my workflow) nor exporting in vertical mode... I wanted an easy solution to edit TikToks on the go but seems like no can do

[@SEAN518848]

This guy knows his stuff. Cool, calm, collected. Good job.

[@dawgcanjumphigh]

The iPad one looks clunky and the fact it doesn’t let you edit off external is a killer. Unless you use the iPhone for your videos to use on the iPad, those files are huge. Forget it on the Panasonic GH6 and using the iPad running Final Cut Pro on it. I’ll just keep using Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro on Mac.

[@DjMartiniMidwest]

Thank you this was a great tutorial and walkthrough of Final Cut Pro for a beginner…..very helpful.

[@ShaggyMummy]

great review, really pointing out the flaws and limitations, Thank you

[@NatVoisey]

Great review. Surprising lack of simple shortcuts like marker and disable clip.

[@peteralmirvolante9434]

Great review! Very informative and comprehensive as well

[@AtillatheFun]

Love this review. A pro who is profiling pro software on a pro device.

[@FlyingPigChannel]

As someone who isn't even a serious video editor (I use Final Cut Pro just for my KZbin channel and some personal projects), there are so many turnoffs in this version of Final Cut that I can't imagine myself or anyone who's actually serious about video editing using this. So many basic features like external drive support, folder importing, markers, compound clips and disabling clips just aren't here. Not to mention the cost, nearly $3000 for a fully loaded iPad with storage, a keyboard, and a pencil, as well as the subscription fee for final cut. Professionals would be better off buying a Mac with a one time fee for Final Cut Pro as it would likely be cheaper and much more powerful. This feels like an iMovie Pro at this point, not a true version of Final Cut Pro. There might still be hope though, it will be interesting to see where Apple takes this in the future.

[@Bauzi]

Yes. So much right. Are you supposed to only use your footage you filmed and downloaded on the iPad? Or do the seriously want you to copy all your media on this before you can start your edits. It's so ridicolous.

[@mashirokobato5509]

Nah.. if FCPX full version on ipad Mac will be irrelevant.. unless Apple decided to ditch MacOS and turn it into IpadOS of MacBook

[@ghost-user559]

They just donated hundreds of thousands of downloads to lumafusion and Resolve. Maybe they consider it charity work?

[@ChoaYeon]

Basically I’ll stick to final cut on my MBP, Luma fusion and davinci on my iPad cause This FCP is like iMovie but with the name Final Cut

[@ThomasJarvis117]

Started my next video with it today. Really enjoying it, feels like I can get more done far easier than with Lumafusion

[@jasonjames524]

Best review I’ve seen so far, you’re not out here selling dreams with this new app. I think i set my expectations too high for this. I am not a DaVinci user but I think DaVinci for the iPad is better in many ways. anyone else agree?

[@ghost-user559]

Everyone agrees. The other Apple tech KZbin channels all sold out and took some back room deal to pretend this is acceptable. Resolve or lumafusion is the clear victor here.

[@venator7889]

​@@ghost-user559They want the $$$

[@vehicleshowTV]

Thanks for perfect video! How to pixelate or blur a face. How to find the Censor effect on the iPad?

[@bab1671]

Nicely done, thank you!

[@user-mv6tf9og9q]

I don't think there's any other companies can receive so much user experience response so quickly after launching a new App

[@bixwor]

Hi Thanks for a great review ! Is there a way to add or import other music files from music? Thank you

[@pipo9970]

More videos with you please 😍

[@TheStrategyWargamer]

(After Watching) Feels like Final Cut Pro 1.0 for iPad. It’s a good start, I think once we hit 3.0 or 4.0 itll be on parity.

[@TheLillianYoung]

Interesting start. This seems viable as an alternative to editing phone apps but not for projects I work on.

[@FireLineStudios]

So here’s something else I just realized. Once you import your video into your photos app, I found that when you import those videos into the Final Cut project, they are duplicated and placed elsewhere on the iPad as well effectively, needing even more space.

[@swissheartydogs]

M2 MBAir, 24G/2T, full FCP. Lighter than your 12.9 iPad Pro + keyboard and much more versatile on the go. With external SSD for backups :-)

[@JeffPom]

Can’t edit off external drive… but can you import, edit, export, then import it again and continue editing and export it back out again?

[@TheStrategyWargamer]

(Before video) Final Cut Pro on iPad is a dream come true. Although I have a 2nd Gen iPad Pro 11inch I cant run it, have to wait until I get a new one. Honestly this is exciting, being able to record and then edit right on the device. Professionally editing by touch. Very exciting.

[@ghost-user559]

Can’t you use Resolve on your current model?

[@bokbokeh]

I assign shortcuts on my mouse so this would be a tough switch.. may give it a try tho

[@TheSteveSteele]

Not being able to open FCPX projects on the iPad that were created on the Mac is a deal killer for now. Keynote, which I use a lot allows this and the workflow is perfect. Hopefully Apple will change this at some point.

[@brivnii]

I have the 12 2018 model of the iPad and was hopping this will get me to upgrade. I’m gonna wait until next year iPad to upgrade. Hopefully it is a bigger 15 inch one lol

[@TheVerge]

For real. A massive iPad with good video & photo editing apps is all I ever wanted (and support for external drives too)!

[@philtespo]

Two videos in one day?! Y’all are grinding over there! ❤❤

[@BeccaFarsace]

you aint seen nothing yet.. 👀

[@TheVerge]

We're not done yet! Might be a third one very very soon... 👀

[@adamburke4738]

@@BeccaFarsace that a hint for Beats Studio Buds Plus review featuring the iconic mic test? 😂

[@BeccaFarsace]

@@adamburke4738 ahhhh that’s a good idea, where were you last week??

[@adamburke4738]

@@BeccaFarsace I seen the short but I’m a sucker for a full review.

[@BadKarma714]

Can you get media from your external drive and then edit it and put it back on or western phone wireless drives

[@ExploringWithJason]

I film all of my videos on my iphone 14 pro max and edit all of my videos with capcut on a M2 ipad pro, best video editor to get 4K HDR videos rendered easily, my videos actually show up as 4K HDR on youtube (main reason why I didn't went with a macbook air, for some reason macos, android and windows make it super difficult to edit, render and upload HDR, but not iOS).

[@Sebbir]

I’m a bit sad Dieter doesn’t get to make this video

[@Stealther]

Apple missed the mark in the workflow choices. Not being able to work from external storage = dealbreaker.

[@janosadelsberger]

Reminds me of the beginning of FCP X on the Mac. Might be a deal breaker for pro customers right now but I feel like Apple will eventually end up with a pretty good product.

[@jubayarahmed342]

I have Luma fusion on my iPad Pro 12.9 with A12z bionic, and it's more than enough for almost all the editing I do. Plenty fast. But I've been getting terrible battery life in general. I guess it's time to upgrade.

[@TransplantHelper]

I love Lumafusion

[@markhardycreative]

So if you move the project to the desktop after how do the files comes across ? Do you have to re import the files, does the project airdrop or do you connect via usb and nominate a destination for it come move across to?

[@RedLetterDavid]

I was on board with this, limitations and all, until it’s noted as a $5 monthly subscription. Oof no thanks to that, especially with so many missing features, and limitations between platforms. I want something like Lightroom CC where it syncs it all in the cloud, or at least allows back and forth syncing….it’s seems so needlessly missing.

[@markoconnell804]

Since you are home why not also hook it to a big screen TV so you can show us how it works on the bigger screen. Does it let you draw on the iPad and at the same time edit on the tv?

[@Davidisbusy]

I would design this tool as an extension of desktop FCPX, like drawing animation that automatically syncs with my Mac..

[@kendrickcontent]

For drone footage will this be good or just keep using LumaFusion?

[@carlosayusolaslenguas5185]

Hello mate! I have an odd and really specific question you might be able to answer. Can you play with the audio channels at all? In my case I use audio from a rode wireless go and I use channel right for one mic and left for the other one. I’d like to merge them back but being able to crank one or the other if I need to.

[@CryptoCwis]

Couldn’t an update to the app just allow external device support instead of just relying on built in storage? 🤯

[@hhsuk24]

I have the 4th generation iPad Pro but It says it's an incompatible device. How am I supposed to solve this?

[@brunobusy]

Can we have more videos with Vjeran? Great video :)

[@Nooooaction]

How much storage do you recommend that we at least have for video editing on Ipad Pro? Would 512GB be good enough?

[@JordanVegBike]

I am more of a casual creator than professional editor, that said I still work with 4k/6k, 10bit files and thought FCP for iPad might be perfect to bring on some of my multi week/months long bicycle touring trips so that I could edit my videos as I travel while laying in my hammock or at a hostel or coffee shop. Form factor is basically perfect and if the battery life is at least okay for a few hours of editing then that's great. But lack of stabilization (which is already pretty poor on FCP anyways) and no ease in/out for key frames is a pretty big omission.

[@JDRos]

it doesn't make sense to me that this is limited to M1 and M2, but Lumafusion works on just about any iPhone.

[@chicagobob]

Hvala

[@brivnii]

How is green screen effects? Do that exist in this version and how did the final product turn out? I use one for my video. I normally add green screen on the desktop version of Final Cut Pro then edit my video in Lima fusion on the iPad

[@TheVerge]

There is a built-in effect for green screen, but I haven't had a chance to try it out! Let me get back to you on that one ASAP!

[@SamEmilio2]

This is a great review, thanks for testing so many little details of it! I'm even more confused than at the launch event about who this is for. Obviously it's for newer editors. But the price to make this an equivalent setup to a 13" MBP is higher and with a ton of trade offs. Who are these users, who have a specced out iPad Pro but REFUSE to buy a laptop??

[@TheVerge]

much appreciated!! 🙏🙏

[@Muhammed.Yaseen]

This is just the first release. They'll prolly have many more updates coming with more features. Maybe they already do and are not stable yet.

[@SuksesSmart]

I been trying to edit a 8k 30fps on my iPad Pro M2 with FCPX and it doesn’t even playback, but if I open the same Video on the same iPad with Davinci Resolve I have no issues at all, the playback it’s really smooth, If by the end of my trial they don’t fix that I’m gonna cancel it.

[@JosephDawson]

As a DJI user no LUTs is NO go! Plus I have many custom LUTs that I like.

[@TheVerge]

I know! Same here!I do hope it's one of the first updates we see (and stabilization), but in my mind, both should've been available in V1.

[@Stan_sprinkle]

“

[@stephenstetler3324]

Minimum Lovable Product, as we say in the biz. Great starting point, I can live with these tradeoffs.

[@apopheniafilmmedia853]

Thanks for this, clearly better off sticking with my Macbook Pro.

[@drorlevy2916]

Great Review, Thanks! Importing Side Note: Sometime the music level is a bit too high, Competing with your syncs and distracting

[@dhj013]

Not being able to use custom LUT is such a bummer :(

[@samfraulino]

The fact you can't edit from a drive is a killer for me- LumaFusion has no issues with this. Helpful for Drone footage, or larger 4K videos.

[@upandx]

Спасибо. Исчерпывающе, чтоб принять решение о покупке iPad для монтажа

[@lincolnbroke]

Hi brother thank you for review. I have FinalCut on my MacBook and despite that, I should pay for iPad Pro. Its ridiculous. But may I kindly ask if it has green screen Keyer? Thank you.

[@Voodeville]

0:37 - it says that it requires A12 Bionic or higher ...why it won't work on A13 for example?? ONLY M1 and m2 ??

[@gillese9446]

Do i have o buy this again or is my mac version enough?

[@AutumnRain]

can't edit off external drives? uh... that's a bit silly to put it lightly

[@ilkoallexandroff]

They made the best video editing software, very intuitive, easy to use, just fantastic! Then they decided to ruin it by not making external drive support, seriously! Anyway great video!

[@creativegreatsvisuals]

hes using external drive in video so what are you referring to when u say no external drive support ? please explain thanks

[@p5rsona]

ipad pro continues to be the greatest advertisement for a full fledged laptop

[@jankarlsson8341]

Well, I have watched a few reviews, and this is by far the most critical.

[@thatpitter]

So… how’s it compare to DaVinci for iPad then 👀

[@zelinli4287]

Is it just me… or you and Jason Cammisa are really alike! Look alike, talk alike, even humor alike!

[@beautyneytiri]

they just sent you and M2 ipad pro though ? you didn't order it ?

[@okaymotion]

The software has potential. I’m 100% sure it will be improved.

[@seanslife7822]

You can edit from an external drive now

[@TransplantHelper]

I call this version FIRST Cut Pro. It’s great for a rough cut then your better off finishing in FCPX on a Mac or even Lumafusion

[@rogeriogomesosorio4755]

3:38 The live drawing is the only great feature available in the FCPro that I wished was available in the DVResolve

[@john-wiggains]

I heard your file management part and I’m not even considering using it because of that. It’s fine if I shot a video on my phone and wanna send it to my iPad for a SIMPLE edit on 2-3 clips. But not for a monthly subscription.

[@MandoMonge]

Am I the only one who misses the old apple who made iLife for the A4 chip and during the keynote they even mentioned how engineers didn’t like the idea, but were forced to figure it out regardless?

[@joyal8748]

How much time does it take to render?

[@DarriusTaylor]

Says on the app store that it works with 12 bionic though.

[@TheVerge]

Logic works with older chips, but FCP is M1/M2 only.

[@PooleyX]

I just don't see any advantage of this over using a MBP. What is the point?

[@Silvestian]

You can continue you project started on iPad on MAC ???

[@ansonkiek6471]

Can I edit 360 or vr video for iOS version ?

[@JeffPom]

I’d be interested in seeing how this video ages. I remember hearing a lot of complaints about things Apple has done before, and later on people are like “Ohhhh…. I see what they were thinking!” Or it’s things people ended up not missing at all.

[@TRHitz]

it's a start and it's quite good

[@Idahadleyart]

i wanted to know how I can export my video to my you tube channel. I have enjoyed creating my video on my pro but now, I realize that it doesnt give me an option to export to you tube. Am I missing something? Thank you.

[@miilotheminer]

why is this video exported in 18:9 but only 16:9, looks really bad on an ipad

[@creativegreatsvisuals]

why did u edit off the external ssd when you have 2tb of storage internal ssd ?

[@Ty-ye8rd]

I have the pro that came out before m1 and it cost me 2k. Major disappointment I can’t use this. I love the workflow of the pencil and iPad and bought it without knowing I’d have to wait this long for proper video and music apps. I found work arounds with LumaFusion and cubasis. I’ll revisit this option in a couple years when a 16 inch iPad comes out. Editing on screen is the future and the tactile feel my bain needs to be creative.

[@TransplantHelper]

I upgraded a 2020 iPad Pro for an M1 just for this is was very disappointed and down right mad at Apple.

[@jacobpaint]

I expect anyone editing on an iPad is probably using Luma Fusion so a comparison to that would make sense (maybe it was in the hour long version).

[@MtZionMediaPro]

Or DaVinci resolve

[@jaimeduncan6167]

What about lumaforge ?

[@musictheory4u153]

Why not Apple Motion on iPad 😢

[@xcran]

what about exporting?

[@nathansmartmusic]

I was so excited for this, but with all of these limitations there is now way I could ever feasibly use it without constantly battling its constraints.. disappointing.. :\

[@ninjanerdstudent6937]

I'm surprised people are just learning about Apple's limitations now. It's been like this for decades.

[@beautyneytiri]

why does everyone act like Lumafusion doesn't exist ? it's exaclty the same and frankly, overall Lumafusion is actually better.

[@cornelj]

I tried to skip to compound clipping cause that's the money maker feature.