Apple Final Cut Pro X (10.0.9) - Manual (Page 162)

Chapter 9 Edit audio 162
Detach audio from video
By default, Final Cut Pro imports audio and video from the same source into one clip. You
can easily detach the audio from a video clip so that you can edit the audio clip separately in
the Timeline.
m Select the clip in the Timeline, and choose Clip > Detach Audio.
A new audio clip appears as a connected clip beneath the video clip.
Detached audio
To reattach an audio clip to its original video clip, you need to create a compound clip.
Show or hide reference waveforms
A reference waveform shows the maximum visual resolution possible for the actual audio
waveform. By factoring out loudness changes, reference waveforms let you see the details of the
sound more clearly.
1 Choose Final Cut Pro > Preferences, and click Editing.
2 Select the “Show reference waveforms” checkbox.
Reference waveform
When the actual waveform changes shape (for example, when it is diminished because a clip’s
volume level is low), its full reference waveform is still visible for easy reference when editing.
Tip: You can place any clip with audio either above or below the primary storyline in the
Timeline. If your clip contains video and is placed below the primary storyline, the video may
be obscured by the video in the primary storyline, but the audio will play. If you put the clip
above the primary storyline, the audio plays and the video also plays (instead of the video in the
primary storyline).