Another way to operate FCPX without having to resort to the keyboard. Huibert van Egmond sent us details on how he operates Final Cut Pro X with a Traktor Kontrol X1.
We have had advanced gestures, advanced Magic Trackpad control, iPad control and even no surface control of FCPX! This one is new to us, controlling FCPX with a MIDI unit that is normally used by DJs.
Huibert explains:
"I am a fine mechanical engineer and the last few years I have dived into the magical world of video. As a volunteer for an organisation, I participate in the video team and we record and edit heaps of lectures. Also other projects and of course our own vacation movies. Sometimes I find myself thinking about starting as a filmmaker for a career, but for that I need to learn a lot more. I also have a big passion for music. From North-Indian Raga's to liquid drum'n bass. A lot of times I wish I had more time for producing music and creating awesome dj-sets.'
Our article on hand gestures with Leap Motion and FCPX got Huibert thinking. Could a Traktok Kontrol X1 be used? He already uses one on his own DJ sets. The unit is a USB connected MIDI control surface that normally provides the controls for 2 track decks and 2 assignable Traktor FX units within the DJ remixing Traktor software. We will post a video of the unit's normal job at the end.
"I searched online but couldn't find any references to the two working together." So Huibert set out to see if it was possible.
Not only was it possible, but as you can see Huibert put together a step by step guide on how to get the unit working. Here is his X1 layout and the rest of the links he mentions. (We are working on fixing a couple of broken ones)
Native Instruments Controller Editor (Link load slowly)
Native Instruments X1 driver
midiMonitor
midiStroke
midiStroke template
Many thanks to Huibert for sharing his findings. How we would love a decent rotary control that would replicate the feel & ballistics of a Sony jog knob! Maybe this is a step in the right direction.
As promised, here is the Kontrol X1 working in its normal mode helping Felix da Housecat build his DJ sets.
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
