Importing a .wav into Final Cut at DVinfo.net

Tim Altonen · January 28th, 2011, 12:12 PM

Hello, sorry if this has been addressed elsewhere. I'm trying to import a .wav file into Final Cut, but I keep getting the error message: "File Error: 1 File recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown". It seems to be just his particular file, as I imported a different .wav file into the same project no problem - any advice? Thanks.

Jeff Troiano · January 28th, 2011, 01:07 PM

Ok, so I am very new to FC, and am definitely not qualified to be giving help. But I've been reading, and watching a lot of tutorials lately. I saw one, on lynda.com, that said FCP prefered AIFF files, for audio, and it showed how to use compressor to convert wav, mp3, and cd music, to AIFF files. I did this with some cd music I was going to need for a project I'm working on.

Andy Wilkinson · January 28th, 2011, 03:45 PM

What he said. Obviously, make sure you convert it to 48kHz AIFF for video (CD audio is typically 44.1kHz) and you'll be all set. You can easily use iTunes to do it too, not just Compressor. Takes seconds to do.

Liam Hall · January 28th, 2011, 04:48 PM

It sounds to me like your WAV file has been compressed with a codec that FCP doesn't recognize. Typically, you can import WAVs directly into FCP and render them on the timeline, but in this instance you'll have to try another piece of software to transcode the file or get an uncompressed version.

Bill Davis · January 28th, 2011, 08:56 PM

One of the most common issues in file formats is mistaking an actual FILE FORMAT for it's CONTAINER FORMAT.

WAV files, (like Quicktime and AIFF and many others) is NOT an actual specific codec. Rather, it's a set of container (sometimes called the "wrapper) specifications that can contain many specific data streams.

That's why it's PERFECTLY possible to have a system play one WAV file but fail to play another.

Under the wrapper one is encoded in a standard that the computer can parse and play - and the other is not.

Hope this helps.

Tim Altonen · January 29th, 2011, 08:59 PM

Thank you all for your replys -points well taken. I converted the file to .aiff in iTunes and it dropped in like a charm. Thank you again for the help and advice.

January 28th, 2011, 12:12 PM	#1
Tim Altonen Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 29	Importing a .wav into Final Cut Hello, sorry if this has been addressed elsewhere. I'm trying to import a .wav file into Final Cut, but I keep getting the error message: "File Error: 1 File recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown". It seems to be just his particular file, as I imported a different .wav file into the same project no problem - any advice? Thanks.

January 28th, 2011, 03:45 PM	#3
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	What he said. Obviously, make sure you convert it to 48kHz AIFF for video (CD audio is typically 44.1kHz) and you'll be all set. You can easily use iTunes to do it too, not just Compressor. Takes seconds to do. __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

January 28th, 2011, 04:48 PM	#4
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	It sounds to me like your WAV file has been compressed with a codec that FCP doesn't recognize. Typically, you can import WAVs directly into FCP and render them on the timeline, but in this instance you'll have to try another piece of software to transcode the file or get an uncompressed version. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

January 28th, 2011, 08:56 PM	#5
Bill Davis Trustee Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260 Posts: 1,538	One of the most common issues in file formats is mistaking an actual FILE FORMAT for it's CONTAINER FORMAT. WAV files, (like Quicktime and AIFF and many others) is NOT an actual specific codec. Rather, it's a set of container (sometimes called the "wrapper) specifications that can contain many specific data streams. That's why it's PERFECTLY possible to have a system play one WAV file but fail to play another. Under the wrapper one is encoded in a standard that the computer can parse and play - and the other is not. Hope this helps. __________________ Classroom editing instructor? Check out www.starteditingnow.com Turnkey editor training content including licensed training footage for classroom use.

January 28th, 2011, 01:07 PM	#2
Jeff Troiano Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 480	Ok, so I am very new to FC, and am definitely not qualified to be giving help. But I've been reading, and watching a lot of tutorials lately. I saw one, on lynda.com, that said FCP prefered AIFF files, for audio, and it showed how to use compressor to convert wav, mp3, and cd music, to AIFF files. I did this with some cd music I was going to need for a project I'm working on.

January 29th, 2011, 08:59 PM	#6
Tim Altonen Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 29	Thank you all for your replys -points well taken. I converted the file to .aiff in iTunes and it dropped in like a charm. Thank you again for the help and advice.