The new Final Cut Pro X update, 10.0.6

As if the new iMac, Mac mini and 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display, plus the 4th generation iPad and the iPad mini weren’t enough, us FCP X pros got a ‘one more thing’ surprise when Philip Hodgetts tweeted that Apple has finally released the biggest update to Final Cut Pro X since January 31, 2012! Sure, we had some updates before NAB and in June when the 15-inch MBP with Retina display came out, but this is a big one! So what’s new?

Final Cut Pro X multichannel audio editing

 

  • Multichannel audio editing: Apple discussed this prior to NAB with Philip and Larry Jordan, and now it’s here! This is incredible: quickly expand or hide the audio control options right in the timeline, to help edit and mix your sound.
  • Dual viewers: We’ve been asking for it, and it’s here, the ability to pull up a second monitor whenever you wish, so you can see your raw footage, and still view your edits. Just like in FCP 1-7, the Viewer and Canvas, though I don’t believe they’re called that.
  • Unified import: This is awesome, because in today’s world, we’re shooting on different formats, like RED, Sony, Panasonic, DSLR, GoPro and more, plus from other drives and the network, all in one window.
  • Tons of RED support: Apple doesn’t just give us more RED support, they give us direct import and edit of native .r3d, convert it up to ProRes 4444 or down to ProRes Proxy, the ability to work with the new RED Meizler Module and ProRes, REDCODE RAW, RED ROCKET for faster renders, trancodes and encodes and more.
  • Extremely awesome (and streamlined) share options: This is just incredible, because while I do like the share options, this makes it easy and still powerful and customizable, to share your video projects just about anywhere!
  • MXF support: Works with third-party apps to allow you to edit native MXF.
  • The return of copy and paste attributes (!!): One of my favorite features in the previous versions of FCP, I loved to copy and paste specific attributes, like filters, settings, etc., then paste to specific clips.
  • And more!

The new share window in Final Cut Pro X really is streamlined

I highly recommend checking out Apple’s page on the major new updates, and also the full specs. FCP X 10.0.6, Motion 5.0.5 (open multiple projects and switch, copy and paste easily, better anti-aliasing, faster load times) and Compressor 4.0.4 (enhanced share for MBP with Retina display, stability improvements) are free updates for existing users. You can still try FCP X for free for 30 days by clicking here. Be sure to read Philip’s review here.