Setting Up Synchronization


While it is still entirely appropriate to work with an external video deck synchronized to audio using SMPTE time code (converted to MIDI Time Code), the norm for today's media composers is to work with digital video clips in a Logic song.

Using digital video clips simplifies video-to-music synchronization. You no longer have to add significant pre-roll time at the beginning of a song to provide time for the hardware deck to lock into sync, and you can instantly locate to any point within the song and the video. What's more, the digital video (along with all the synchronization settings) can be saved in the song's project file for easy archiving and retrieval.

Logic leverages the Apple QuickTime engine for video playback and, therefore, can open a digital video clip (commonly referred to by the single term movies) in any format supported by the QuickTime standard.

In this exercise you will open a digital video clip in a new Logic project, adjusting the synchronization settings to allow for time-locked playback and reference of audio and video.

Let's start by creating a project file around a useful stock song template created for working with video.

1.

Choose File > New.

The New song window opens.

2.

Check the "Use song template" box if it is not already checked.

3.

In the Template pop-up menu, choose Shared > Powerbook 15" > Music for Video (NTSC).

4.

Check the "Create project folder" box, if it is not already checked.

5.

Type Scoring to Picture in the Name field.

6.

Click the Set button, and set the following path in the file selector window: ~/Music/Advanced Logic 7_Song Files/Lesson 13 Project Files.

7.

Click Set in the file selector window.

8.

Check the boxes for "Copy external audio files to project folder" and "Convert audio file sample rate when importing."

9.

Click OK.

A new project folder is created in the chosen directory, and the song template Music for Video (NTSC) is opened.

Opening the Movie

You can see that Screenset 1 has been created to display the Marker and Video Global tracks, as these tracks are commonly used when working with video. The Video track provides many useful functions for importing and working with video.

1.

In the Video track, click the Open Movie button.

The Open window appears.

2.

Open ~ > Music > Advanced Logic 7_Song Files > Lesson 13 Project Files > Movie Files > Monterey.mp4.

The Monterey.mp4 video opens in a floating window, and a video thumbnail of the movie is created in the Video track.

NOTE

You can also open a movie by selecting Options > Movies > Open Movie as Float.

3.

Position the floating video window in the bottom right corner of the Arrange window to see the Video track and Audio tracks.

NOTE

When working with digital video clips in Logic, it is best to utilize proxy movies. A proxy movie is a low-resolution, highly compressed version of the full-resolution movie that places less processing strain on your computer. Usually the video editor will provide the compressed clips, but they can also be created in applications like QuickTime Pro. If you are preparing the clips yourself, it is advisable to use high-compression formats such as MPEG-4 or Sorenson 3.

4.

Play the song to view the video content with which you will be working.

The movie is controlled by Logic's Transport and plays in sync with the song.

NOTE

You won't hear audio when playing the video clip because there is no audio recorded in the file.

5.

While playing, click anywhere in the Bar Ruler to locate to another position.

The movie relocates in sync with the song.

6.

Drag the playback head in the QuickTime timeline to the right.

The song relocates in sync with the movie.

7.

Stop the song.

NOTE

Logic enables you to output video via FireWire to an NTSC monitor (which requires a DV-to-video converter box) as well as to an Apple Cinema Display via the Digital Cinema Desktop. You can make these settings in the Video Output menu under File > Song Settings > Video. When using FireWire video streaming, it is necessary to compensate for the latency in the FireWire setup. This will be a constant amount that you can adjust in Logic Pro > Preferences > Video by dragging the External Video to Song slider until the image and sound synchronize.


Working with SMPTE Time Code

You can establish synchronization between the video and Logic just by opening a QuickTime movie in a song, but a few settings should be set specifically for the time code to display properly. These settings are found in the Synchronization pane of the Song Settings window.

1.

Choose File > Song Settings > Synchronization.

The Song Settings window opens, displaying the Synchronization pane.

To ensure tight sync, the song should reflect the movie's frame rate. This is set in the Frame Rate pop-up menu.

2.

Click the Frame Rate menu and choose 24. (This is the frame rate of the digital video clip.)

NOTE

The original footage was shot at 24 fps to high-definition video.

The SMPTE start time can be set individually so that each song will synchronize with the video. You will be using a start time of 1:0:0:0.0 for this project, so it is necessary to change the song template's default setting of 0:50:3:0.0.

3.

Highlight the number in the "plays at SMPTE" field and enter 1:0:0:0.0. Press Return.

4.

Close the Song Settings window.

The next thing you need to do is set the Movie Start time. Usually you would set this to match the SMPTE burn-in window time code in the video, ensuring that Logic's time code display will match the time code on the video. However, the clip you are using has no burn-in. The video editor did supply the SMPTE offset information to synchronize the audio with the video, indicating an offset of 1 second and nine frames. Once set, the movie will start just shortly after the song starts. This information should be entered in the Movie Start row in the movie window.

5.

In the Movie Start row of the floating movie window, double-click the number and enter 01:00:01:09.00. Press Return.

To aid in the scoring process, you'll want to display time units in the Arrange window's Bar Ruler as SMPTE time. This setting also affects the dragging of Region and event information, because Logic displays SMPTE time in the help tags when this view is active.

6.

In the Arrange window's local menu, select View > SMPTE Time Ruler.

The Bar Ruler now displays SMPTE time.

It often helps to compare bars and beats timing with SMPTE time when you're working. You can display both in the Bar Ruler by enlarging the ruler vertically.

7.

Locate the place where the Bar Ruler meets the Track List, and drag that corner down until you can see bars and beats as well as SMPTE time.

The Transport can be configured as a dedicated SMPTE time display, which provides easy readability at long distances (especially useful when you're working across the room from your display).

8.

Choose Windows > Transport.

Another floating Transport window opens.

9.

Click the triangle in the bottom right corner of the new Transport window, and choose Giant SMPTE Display.

The giant SMPTE display can be resized and positioned anywhere you choose on the screen, and locked to a screenset.

10.

Reduce the size of the giant SMPTE display slightly by dragging its bottom right corner up and to the left.

11.

Position the giant SMPTE display above the floating movie window.

12.

Lock the screenset by choosing Windows > Screensets > Lock Screenset.



Apple Pro Training Series Advanced Logic Pro 7
Apple Pro Training Series: Advanced Logic Pro 7
ISBN: 0321256077
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 166
Authors: David Dvorin

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