Apple Final Cut Express HD - Manual (Page 659)

Chapter 47 Tips for Better Audio 659
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Checkerboard the audio segments you’re using to create better cross fading.
Instead of using cross fades to transition between two edited clips from the same
music track, edit them together across multiple tracks in your sequence:
Now, you can use the volume level overlay to create cross fades that are as long as
you need, using whichever shape will make the transition from one clip to the next
least noticeable.
When you cut from a picture to music, don’t always cut on the beat.
Sometimes, lining up a video edit on a significant beat in the music can have fantastic
results. Sometimes, however, it’s overused. Especially in music videos, remember to
make some cuts that don’t match the beat of the music. Otherwise, your edits will be
predictable, and ultimately tedious, to the viewer.
Instead of placing audio
tracks like this...
... do this.