Apple Final Cut Pro 6 - Manual (Page 981)

196 Part I Audio Mixing
Using OMF for audio export has several important advantages:
 Exported OMF files preserve your audio clips and audio media files (with or without
handles) embedded in a single file. This allows you to open up the audio from your
sequence in another audio editing application and still have access to
individual clips.
 You can export as many tracks of audio as you have in your sequence. EDL export
limits you to a maximum of four tracks of audio at a time.
 Cross fade information is included, allowing applications that import OMF files to
automatically place cross fades in the same location as in the original sequence.
 Level and pan information is included in exported OMF files.
Using OMF files, editors can send edited and synchronized audio tracks to an audio
post-production facility, maintaining the original tracks, clip In and Out points, levels,
pan, and cross fades. Audio handles can be added so that the audio editor can still trim
and add cross fades to the audio as necessary.
Note: When you import OMF files into another application, make sure the sample rate
in the application matches the sample rate of your OMF file. If the sample rates don’t
match, your audio may be out of sync after it’s imported.
Limitations of OMF Exporting in Final Cut Pro
Before you export an OMF file, consider the following limitations:
 If you have cross fades in your edit, they are exported as linear cross fades, regardless
of what kind of cross fades you use in your edited sequence. Your audio editor can
reset these to the correct type within the audio software.
How well your cross fades import into another application depends on the tool your
audio editor uses. Because some OMF importing tools do not handle cross fade
objects correctly, you have the option to leave these out when exporting your
sequence as an OMF file.
 OMF export does not include disabled audio tracks (tracks with the Track Visibility
control turned off ). Any individually disabled audio clips will also be ignored.
 Speed and reverse-speed effects that have been applied to audio clips will be
permanently applied to the exported audio media files.
 Nested sequences will be mixed together and exported as a single audio media file.
 Audio filter information cannot be exported in OMF files.
Make sure to test your audio workflow in advance. Not all applications can import
audio level and pan information stored in an OMF file.