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FCPX or Premiere Pro?

U

unWoke_inLA

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 24, 2023
55
39
Former video editor here, I started out on FCP 7 before they made the move backwards to X. I could never get used to the X timeline and even the original FCP was very limited compared to Avid MC. The filmstrip file browsing is beyond annoying.

I'm playing around with FCPX now and the UI is very unintuitive, features seem to be lacking, I'm blading a few clips here and there and the entire audio clip below the clip I delete seems to just disappear and it not even attached.

I'm really looking for an app that has a traditional file browser and good effects. Capcut has great effects but I dont want a subscription based app. I hope with premiere I can add a ton of effects with FX factory.

I don't even see a simple fade in or fade out transition in FCPX. Seems like everything is hidden.
 
Ah, yes. So, yet another "Because I'm so experienced and know one NLE really well, why should I learn even the most basic things before using another??"-person who is super surprised when their muscle memory doesn't apply to everything else in the world.
The fact is, if you actually know what you're doing, then Final Cut Pro (there hasn't been an "X" for over five years, btw) is by far the fastest, most stable, and most intuitive NLE on the market. Maybe try learning said basics first as with any app?
There are endless top-notch options out there. Even for FREE or, if you really want to know what you're doing, for a SMALL FEE.
But hey, if you're so set on continuing with that sad and archaic track-based paradigm (🤮) for some ludicrous monthly fee, Ponzi scheme, go right ahead. 🤷🏼‍♂️
 
lin2log said:
Ah, yes. So, yet another "Because I'm so experienced and know one NLE really well, why should I learn even the most basic things before using another??"-person who is super surprised when their muscle memory doesn't apply to everything else in the world.
The fact is, if you actually know what you're doing, then Final Cut Pro (there hasn't been an "X" for over five years, btw) is by far the fastest, most stable, and most intuitive NLE on the market. Maybe try learning said basics first as with any app?
There are endless top-notch options out there. Even for FREE or, if you really want to know what you're doing, for a SMALL FEE.
But hey, if you're so set on continuing with that sad and archaic track-based paradigm (🤮) for some ludicrous monthly fee, Ponzi scheme, go right ahead. 🤷🏼‍♂️
Click to expand...
I can get premiere for free
 
lin2log said:
Ah, yes. So, yet another "Because I'm so experienced and know one NLE really well, why should I learn even the most basic things before using another??"-person who is super surprised when their muscle memory doesn't apply to everything else in the world.
The fact is, if you actually know what you're doing, then Final Cut Pro (there hasn't been an "X" for over five years, btw) is by far the fastest, most stable, and most intuitive NLE on the market. Maybe try learning said basics first as with any app?
There are endless top-notch options out there. Even for FREE or, if you really want to know what you're doing, for a SMALL FEE.
But hey, if you're so set on continuing with that sad and archaic track-based paradigm (🤮) for some ludicrous monthly fee, Ponzi scheme, go right ahead. 🤷🏼‍♂️
Click to expand...
also, im willing to invest the time to learn FCPX, but im here to get peoples opinions so I dont go too far down one rabbit hole.
 
FCP is a good video tool if you get used to it. Have a look at the linked vids of @lin2log . And there are many more on YT.

If you don't like it you may try DaVinci Resolve . Basic version is free and very very good. You can also buy the big version for a one time fee. This is a very popular tool, also for professionals.

Or, of course, Avid Media Composer. But it is subscribtion based.
 
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Final Cut Pro, being Apple native, seems to run more smoothly than Premiere Pro. As of the current version, it also has some features Premiere Pro still doesn't have yet, like built-in motion tracking. But Premiere Pro is also good for video projects as well, and I've used both for certain tasks. But if I had to pick only one, I'd definitely go with FCP. (Plus, at least it doesn't have a subscription!)
finalcutproXold.jpg

I've even made all of my YTPs on Final Cut Pro for ten years now, and it just keeps getting better and better for it, like that newer "Magnetic Mask" effect (DaVinci Resolve and Magix's Vegas Pro for Windows has an identical feature, but Premiere Pro does not.)
finalcutpromagneticmaskcailloupinch.jpg

Look how much the interface has changed; it definitely looks more professional now.
 
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dandeco said:
Final Cut Pro, being Apple native, seems to run more smoothly than Premiere Pro. As of the current version, it also has some features Premiere Pro still doesn't have yet, like built-in motion tracking. But Premiere Pro is also good for video projects as well, and I've used both for certain tasks. But if I had to pick only one, I'd definitely go with FCP. (Plus, at least it doesn't have a subscription!)
View attachment 2502061
I've even made all of my YTPs on Final Cut Pro for ten years now, and it just keeps getting better and better for it, like that newer "Magnetic Mask" effect (DaVinci Resolve and Magix's Vegas Pro for Windows has an identical feature, but Premiere Pro does not.)
View attachment 2502062
Look how much the interface has changed; it definitely looks more professional now.
Click to expand...
I def like the top version better, and there is even a timeline slider on the bottom. Does FCPX even have that feature?
 
dandeco said:
Final Cut Pro, being Apple native, seems to run more smoothly than Premiere Pro. As of the current version, it also has some features Premiere Pro still doesn't have yet, like built-in motion tracking. But Premiere Pro is also good for video projects as well, and I've used both for certain tasks. But if I had to pick only one, I'd definitely go with FCP. (Plus, at least it doesn't have a subscription!)
View attachment 2502061
I've even made all of my YTPs on Final Cut Pro for ten years now, and it just keeps getting better and better for it, like that newer "Magnetic Mask" effect (DaVinci Resolve and Magix's Vegas Pro for Windows has an identical feature, but Premiere Pro does not.)
View attachment 2502062
Look how much the interface has changed; it definitely looks more professional now.
Click to expand...
Do you know how to trim clips after transitions have been applied?
 
unWoke_inLA said:
Do you know how to trim clips after transitions have been applied?
Click to expand...
There's a Precision Editor you can open up from clicking on the transition enough times that enables you to trim the ends of the clips. iMovie has had a similar feature since version '09, but naturally the Final Cut Pro version gives you more control.

Use the precision editor in Final Cut Pro for Mac

In Final Cut Pro for Mac, refine edits using the precision editor, which provides an expanded view of the clips on either side of the edit point.
support.apple.com
 
I use FCP.
For some light effects, I found Capcut to be quite fun.
For serious work, FCP
 
iSuzan said:
FCP is a good video tool if you get used to it. Have a look at the linked vids of @lin2log . And there are many more on YT.

If you don't like it you may try DaVinci Resolve . Basic version is free and very very good. You can also buy the big version for a one time fee. This is a very popular tool, also for professionals.

Or, of course, Avid Media Composer. But it is subscribtion based.
Click to expand...

I love editing in Resolve myself. Works fast and is reliable: Premiere ran less than stable for me at the time (though I believe it has improved somewhat).

The latest version of Resolve introduced a keyframing dopesheet editor panel similar to After Effects' timeline in the Editor room and improved the text editor's features. Love that. Obviously neither Premiere nor FCPX can compete with Fusion in Resolve for visual effects... (Might be overkill for the average video editing job :D )

I purchased the pro version two years ago for its automatic captioning etc. And just a one-time fee.

No silly subscriptions ;)
 
I tried FCP for a few weeks, I just cant get used to it. I hate hate the file organization and the timeline makes no sense to me. If its not broken don't fix it. Go back to the old UI please. Seems like just a complicated version of iMovie. I'm loving Adobe Premier after a few days everything is neat and organized and no I don't pay any monthly fees. Buh bye FCPeeeeeeeeee!!!!!
 
unWoke_inLA said:
dont worry about it :)
Click to expand...
Well, just interested. I have a 'free' Creative Suite sub through work. But I only use it for work related to my job - otherwise I rely on Davinci Resolve (purchased the pro version a while ago after using the free version for years), and other both commercial and open source tools. As long as there is no sub involved.

Another option is to get CC via an educational account (if one is a student, of course).
 
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