Apple Final Cut Express 4 - Manual (Page 213)

Chapter 15 Importing Media Files into Your Project 213
IV
Converting Audio Clips to Match Sequence Settings
If you are working with preexisting audio material, such as music from audio CDs, you
need to convert the audio files so they match your sequence settings. For example, if
you plan to use a lot of sound effects or music from audio CDs (which have a sample
rate of 44.1 kHz) in a DV sequence with a sample rate of 48 kHz, it’s a good idea to
convert your audio files to a sample rate of 48 kHz.
Most professional video formats, including DV, have a sample rate of 48 kHz and a bit
depth of 16 (this is often abbreviated as 48 kHz/16-bit). Since these settings are so
common for video post-production, they are used for most sequences in
Final Cut Express.
Audio files can be converted using the Export Using QuickTime Conversion command.
To convert a CD audio file so it matches your sequence settings:
1 Select a sequence, then choose Sequence > Settings.
2 Check the sample rate of the sequence in the Audio Settings area of the General tab,
then click OK.
For DV sequences, the sample rate is usually 48 kHz.
3 Select an audio clip in the Browser that you want to convert to a new sample rate.
4 Choose File > Export > Using QuickTime Conversion.
5 Choose AIFF from the Format pop-up menu.
6 Click Options.
7 In the Sound section of the Movie Settings dialog, click Settings.
8 In the Rate pop-up menu, choose the sample rate of your sequence, then click OK.
Make sure the bit depth is kept at 16-bit.
9 Click OK.
10 Choose a name and location for the new file, then click Save.
Once the conversion is complete, you need to import the new media file into
Final Cut Express.
11 In the Finder, navigate to the location of your newly converted audio media file, then
select the file and drag it into your project in the Final Cut Express Browser.
You may want to delete the old clip in your project so you aren’t confused by two clips
with the same name.