Background:

Many productions are moving to more flexible, dynamic setups, which often include source acquisition on the field, using unsynced devices such as field recorders, and DSLR cameras. Current workflows often include tedious preparation of separate unsynced sources of both video and audio. 

While there are some good products for auto audio-based sync, these products (e.g. Pluraleyes) create synced avid timelines. Furthermore, there are many situations where a single unit representing more complex sequence is required on the timeline, with the ability to dynamically update the one – and have it reflect in the other. From layered audio effects to syncing on timeline, or remixing video and audio sources. Unfortunately, Avid GroupClips and AutoSync clips are  

Main Problem:

Inadequate flexibility and features to support the handling and clip representation of multiple-sourced media elements. A user cannot create a single standalone object from selected bin or sequence sources, in some situations.

Problem Examples:

1. A user cannot use a synced sequence [1 Cam Video track + 2 Camera Audio tracks] with [2 External Audio tracks], with multiple edit points, as an autonomous edit source, without preforming a mixdown. Any Match Frame operations result in a the original source clips and not the synced source sequence.

2.  A user cannot use synced sequences that include edit points, imported from third party audio-syncing programs, as normal edit sources.

3. A user cannot create a complex sound effect from multiple sources on a sequence and use it as a single item another principle sequence without a mixdown. The user must re-mix and replace the ‘baked’ effect instance in the principle sequence manually, instead of modifying the effect’s sequence instead.

Affected users:

All, from flexibility in editing processes, to arranging media in a neat efficient way both in bins and timelines. Especially affects DSLR shooters and productions with dynamic multiple audio / video sources.

Feature Requested:

Consolidate, simplify and improve all multiple-source-clip operations (such as grouping, autosync and subclip) to a single, “Custom-Clip” object.

Feature details, benefits and solutions:

1. Enable a real, dynamic “Custom Clip” (similar to “Sub-Clip”/”AutoSync”/“Group-Clip”) feature from any requested sequence with any combination of selected tracks or bin clips.

2. Fix the *currently* wrong “Sub-Clip” terminology when the “Make Sub-Clip” method is performed on a sequence.

3. Consolidate and simplify existing Sub-Clip, AutoSync, GroupClip, Mixdown functions into a single “Custom Clip” interface, which logically deals with any type of multiple-sources-to-single-bin-item in a quick, intuitive way

3.1 For example, a Custom-Clip with even one video track and several audio options for sources, could be dynamically configured to enact as multicam “V1 and A2+A3” or “V2 and “A4+A5”, basically allow any re-routing of the sources as a single bin/timeline object.

4. Make the “Custom Clip” object dynamic, meaning timings, additions of material and changes can be made anytime, updates reflecting in any instance of the Custom-Clip in other sequences.

4.1 Even in “Mix-Down” mode with an option to revert a rendered mixdown to a sequence based “Custom-Clip”, or alternatively include an option to “Render and Refer to a Mixdown Proxy” for any Custom-Clip.

4.2 Add warning dialogs when changing Custom-Clips already used in sequences.

Existing features:

1. A user can AutoSync to tie clips or “sub-sequences” (these are just smaller sequences created by using the wrongly named subclip command on a sequence). You can’t however use it on sequences with any effects or edit points.

2. A user can drag a sequence (or ‘sub-sequnce’) to the source monitor, but double clicking it will open it as a timeline.

3. Inserting such a sub-sequence to a timeline, will simply use its content source clips. “MatchFrame” operations will get the user back to those sources, instead of the “sub-sequence” used as source. With audio syncing done in the sub-sequence, this results in sync lost or wrong audio.

Thanks.

A really, really good request, and answers a problem that I've found annoying too.  I'm currently working on a cut that makes frequent use of a music clip that I have separately edited.  I've mixed it down so that I can use it flexibly, but when everything goes to sound post I'll have to manually replace it everywhere I've used it, or come to some arrangement with the sound post team.

That's just one example.  Very definitely +1!!!

One extra thought.  Dynamic clips should be fully traceable.  By that I mean - you've thrown together your master from all your dynamic clips and sequences.  You've trimmed and adjusted, and finally got lock off.  It would be really great to be able to produce a master sequence traced back to the original source media.

This wouldn't be simple to achieve, but it would be very helpful.

+1

Absolutely still (!) a very good request!