Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1509)

158 Part II Project Interchange
Exporting OMF Audio Files
OMF—or Open Media Framework—is a cross-platform file format for exchanging video
and audio sequence information between different editing systems. Avid originally
developed the OMF file format and many editing applications have incorporated some
level of OMF import and export compatibility. Today, OMF is most often used for
exchanging audio sequence, track, and clip information from video editing systems to
audio postproduction applications. OMF can store far more information than traditional
EDLs, especially when it comes to audio interchange.
When you export your sequence audio as an OMF file, the resulting OMF file contains a
description of your audio edits (the clip In and Out points in the Timeline) along with
the audio media files. You should use the OMF Export command if you plan to deliver
your audio to an editor using an OMF-compatible digital audio workstation (DAW).
Most audio facilities are able to use OMF files.
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.
Using OMF files, editors can send edited and synchronized audio tracks to an audio
postproduction facility, maintaining the original tracks, clip In and Out points, and cross
fades. Audio handles can be added so that the audio editor can still trim and crossfade
the audio as necessary.