Final Cut Pro – Creating a Split Edit

This is the easiest way to move the audio and video edits to different times.

Split Edit

While it is easy to have both the audio and video edit at the same time, it often is not desirable. When the audio and video edit at different times, it’s called a “split edit.”

There are two types of split edits: a “J” edit, where the audio edits before the video, and an “L” edit, where the audio edits after the video.

Here’s how to very quickly do both:

1. Type R to select the Roll tool.

2. Hold the Option key while selecting the video or audio edit you want to move. (The Option key allows you to select just audio or just video.)

3. Roll the edit point to a new location.

This trick has saved me hours!

Courtesy of Larry Jordan

Courtesy: Larry Jordan & Norman Hollyn

This sounds so easy… but the choices are virtually endless.

In this episode of the 2 Reel Guys, hosts Norman Hollyn and Larry Jordan examine how the process of editing can enhance your story. Along the way, Norman deconstructs a scene and shows how changing the placement of shots, the addition of close-ups, and altering the timing can completely change the emotional focus of a scene.