On stations #1 through #4 in the Comm 11 computer lab we have updated our intro Final Cut Pro X video tutorials to the “Second Edition” from Ripple Training. This new edition goes further into depth on several topics, and also addresses new features and graphical changes which were introduced in versions 10.0.6 and 10.0.7 of the application.

You can read about the product further here:
http://www.rippletraining.com/categories/apple-pro-apps-tutorials/final-cut-pro-x-tutorials/apvs-fcpx.html

As before, the tutorials can be viewed by opening iTunes on stations #1 through #4.

Stations #8 and #9 now only contain the advanced FCP X tutorials.

To enhance the experience of our students editing in Final Cut Pro X we have installed several plug-ins which add features to the application. You can read more about them here:
Final Cut Pro X Plug-ins

One of the most common questions our IT staff receive is how to properly convert Digital SLR and found footage into an editable format which Final Cut Pro 7, X, and Adobe Premier can understand. To address this issue we now have a comprehensive Compressor workflow detailed here: Transcoding 60D/T3i/5D/H.264

The F&DM Dept. is pleased to announce the launch of a second Voice-Over Room for production students to record high-quality audio. It can be found in Communications, Room 134B, right across from the existing Voice-Over Room, and may be reserved online via Slugfilm’s Room Reservation System.

Like the current Voice-Over Room, this new Voice-Over Room also contains a studio-quality large-diaphragm microphone — ideal for recording voice-over audio — and powered speakers for playing back recordings.

However, this Voice-Room’s configuration is different from its older counterpart, as production students will need to bring their own audio recording device, compatible with balanced XLR connections and capable of providing 48V Phantom Power to the microphone.

For more information about the Voice-Over Room Equipment, the manufacturer’s webpage can be found here:

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=current_microphones&cid=tlm103_description

Students are encouraged to share any feedback on the space with Operations staff.

Enjoy!

The Final Cut Edit Suite (version 7 only) has been moved from Communications, Room 134B to Communications, Room 203.

The BYOL (Bring-Your-Own-Laptop) Edit Suite that was previously located in Communications, Room 203 has been officially shut down for the time being.

Communications, Room 204 and 205 will continue to be BYOL Edit Suites.

UCSC TAPS has recently made available a new 20 minute parking space, located in the small lot directly behind the Communications Building loading dock.

Production student may now make use of the space when loading and unloading equipment from the Equipment Lab.

If a University service vehicle is parked in that space and you have need of it for this purpose, please alert the Equipment Lab Specialist and they will ask the driver to move the vehicle on your behalf.

We hope that this will help to alleviate some of the vehicle congestion around the Communications building loading dock.

Attention FDM Students!

The Equipment Check Out Lab will be closed Monday Jan. 16th for the Martin Luther King Holiday. Equipment checked out on Jan. 13th will be due on Jan. 23rd. There will be no checkout on Jan. 17th.

The Equipment Check Out Lab will be closed on Monday Feb. 20th for the Presidents Day Holiday. Equipment checked out on Feb. 17th will be due Feb. 23rd. There will be no checkout on Feb. 21st.

The last day to check out equipment during the Winter Quarter will be March 16th. Plan accordingly!

The Equipment Lab has recently upgraded the Film 196A Sony XDCAM Video Kits.

The XDCAM Kits released to students enrolled in the 196A course will now contain up to 32 GB of recording capacity — a total of over 100 minutes of recording time.

The Equipment Lab has recently added three new pieces of equipment: the Tascam DR-680, a digital multitrack audio recorder; the CL-LED600, a portable LED lighting kit; and the Manfrotto 776YB Monopod.

The Tascam DR-680 Solid-State Digital Multitrack Audio Recorder can record up to eight separate 24-bit 96 kHz audio tracks, or a stereo-paired high-definition 24-bit 192 kHz audio track.
The DR-680 will be available to all 171A Sound Workshop students on an equal basis, as an alternative to their recorder-groups’ Tascam HD-P2 unit.
More information about the DR-680 is available in our Equipment Catalog entry here.

The CL-LED600 is a portable lighting kit based on LED technology. Instead of using the standard tungsten-filament quartz-halogen or fluorescent lamp, the CL-LED600 uses a bank of light-emitting diodes to provide illumination. As a result, it is much more light-weight and portable than typical professional-grade lighting instruments, and consumes far less power — only 72 Watts! The CL-LED600 is tungsten-balanced for compatibility with conventional lighting equipment, and also features a built-in dimmer function and independently controlled light-bank switches.
The CL-LED600 will be available to 172 Studio, 196A Senior Studio, and 196C Senior Documentary students, as an ancillary lighting kit that may be checked-out in tandem with another lighting kit.
More information about the CL-LED600 is available in our Equipment Catalog entry here.

The Manfrotto 776YB Monopod is a camera support accessory designed to substitute for a conventional tripod. It is lighter-weight and more compact when collapsed, as a trade-off for the absence of a fluid-head. Monopods are good for providing the bare-minimum of camera-stabilization support, allowing camera crews to favor fast set-up over fluid pan and tilt motion.
The Monopod will be available to all production students enrolled in a video production course, and may be reserved as a Support Camera equipment item.
More information about the Manfrotto 776YB Monopod is available in our Equipment Catalog entry .

Yesterday Apple released an update to their pro application suite Final Cut Studio (3).

This update is now on all the computers in the lab as well as Studio A & D.

The update addresses various issues within Final Cut Pro, Color, Motion, Qmaster, and Compressor. It also adds extra camera compatibility to Final Cut Pro.

More information can be found here:

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL949