imported .mp3s peak horribly

[JasonBerger]

Has anyone had this problem? I've tried two ways to open them in FC: 1) importing from desk and harddrive; 2) open file from desk and harddrive.

I play them back in iTunes and they're fine. But when I bring them into Final Cut they peek from beginning to end and are totally unusable. Anyone else have this problem?

Thanks

 

[BenB]

Final Cut does not support MP3 audio files. What you're hearing are not "peaks", but simply playback glitches due to the lack of support. Assuming you are using them legally, open them in QT Pro and convert to AIFF, then import into FCP.

Bear in mind that MP3 is super compressed, so you lose a touch of sound quality. Always get AIFF originals when you can. Again, transcode to AIFF and Final Cut will use them just fine.

Apple, with iTunes and all, has to do a copyright and licensing dance with the owners of the MP3 codec, and the major recording labels. Thus, they are limited to which of their apps can officially support specific codecs, etc.