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Final Cut Pro X Review 2023

8.4 good ratings
Final Cut Pro X
Updated On 27 March, 2023

In the current digital age, video content has taken the world by storm, and video editing has become an indispensable skill for content creators, businesses, and individuals alike. With the proliferation of video editing software, finding the right one that fits your needs can be daunting. However, one software that has garnered a massive following in recent years is Final Cut Pro X. It has become the go-to choice for professionals and enthusiasts, offering many powerful editing tools, features, and functionalities to help create stunning visual content.

Check out our other post on Kinemaster video editing software review to find out about the Kinemaster pros, cons, features & ease of use.

Pros

  • Intuitive User Interface
  • Magnetic Timeline
  • Advanced Color Grading
  • Support for 360-Degree Video
  • Efficient Rendering and Exporting
  • Built-in Effects and Transitions
  • Seamless Integration with Other Apple Products

Cons

  • High Learning Curve
  • Limited Compatibility
  • Limited Customization Options
  • No Trial Version
  • Limited Audio Editing
  • No Automatic Backup

An Introduction To Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro X is a professional video editing software developed by Apple for macOS users. It was first released in 2011 and has become popular among professional video editors, filmmakers, and content creators.

The software offers a wide range of features, including advanced color grading, 360-degree video editing, and support for the latest video formats. Its intuitive user interface and powerful editing tools also make it a favorite among beginners.

Moreover, Final Cut Pro X provides seamless integration with other Apple products, including Motion and Compressor, allowing you to efficiently create and deliver video content. This integration also means that the software is optimized for macOS, providing faster rendering and exporting of your video projects.

Final Cut Pro X also offers a range of built-in effects and transitions, making it easy to add a professional touch to your videos. Additionally, its support for third-party plugins and templates means you can further enhance your videos with specialized effects and tools.

With Final Cut Pro X, you can take your video editing skills to the next level and produce high-quality videos that captivate your audience. Whether you’re a professional videographer or a hobbyist, Final Cut Pro X has everything you need to create stunning visual content.

Performance at Glance

Are you considering using Final Cut Pro X for your next video editing project? As with any software, it’s important to understand its performance and ratings to ensure that it’s the right fit for your needs. Luckily, we’ve compiled a table that shows the performance of Final Cut Pro X based on various ratings and reviews. This table provides a quick and easy overview of the software to help you make an informed decision before investing your time and money. So, let’s dive!

Specifications

Final Cut Pro X Ratings

Our Verdict

Ease of Use

Moderately difficult to learn, but user-friendly and efficient.

Support

Strong support with an active community and extensive online resources.

Features

Advanced features for professional-level video editing.

Ease of Setup

Easy and straightforward setup process.

G2 Rating

Highly rated by users, praised for advanced features and efficiency.

Features Of  Final Cut Pro X

When it comes to the best video editing software for beginners, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. That’s why it’s essential to understand the key features of any software you’re considering. Final Cut Pro X is no exception, as it offers a wide range of advanced features designed to help you create professional-level videos. 

Let us discuss some of the essential features of Final Cut Pro X:

Features

Final Cut Pro X

Magnetic Timeline

Yes

Storyline and the Trackless Editing

Yes

Roles as "tracks"

Yes

Powerful built-in color grading

Yes

Working collaboratively

Yes

Multicam is one of the Best

Yes

Metadata

Yes

The Audio Features

Yes

Edit on your iPad (sort of)

Yes

The Power of Motion

Yes

Compressor 

Yes

Magnetic Timeline

The Magnetic Timeline is one of the standout features of Final Cut Pro X, as it allows you to easily arrange and edit clips without worrying about collisions or sync issues. The timeline automatically adjusts as you move or trim clips, making it a much more intuitive and streamlined editing experience.

Storyline and Trackless Editing

Final Cut Pro X offers a unique approach to video editing with its Storyline and Trackless Editing features. Instead of traditional tracks, the software uses a timeline of connected clips that allows you to easily move, trim, and adjust clips without worrying about the order or layering of tracks.

Roles as “Tracks” 

The software allows you to assign Roles to your clips, which can then be treated as “tracks” in the timeline. This provides a powerful organizational tool that makes it easy to keep track of different elements of your project, such as dialogue, music, and sound effects.

Powerful Built-in Color Grading

Final Cut Pro X has advanced color grading tools built-in, allowing you to fine-tune the colors of your footage for a more cinematic look. The software offers a wide range of color grading tools, including color wheels, curves, and scopes, as well as support for HDR and a wide color gamut.

Working Collaboratively

The software is efficiently designed to work seamlessly with other Apple software and hardware, making it easy to collaborate with other editors and artists. The software offers built-in sharing tools that allow you to share your project with others, as well as support for cloud-based workflows and remote collaboration.

Multicam Is One Of The Best

Final Cut Pro X’s multicam editing feature is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry. It allows you to easily sync and switch between multiple camera angles in real time, making it ideal for live events or multi-camera productions.

Metadata

The powerful metadata management system allows you to easily organize and search your clips based on a wide range of criteria, including keywords, ratings, and tags. This makes it much easier to find and work with specific clips within your project.

The Audio Features

The software offers advanced audio editing features, including a powerful built-in mixer, support for surround sound, and advanced noise reduction tools. The software also offers a range of audio effects and plugins, as well as support for third-party audio tools.

Edit On Your iPad

Final Cut Pro X allows you to edit your projects on your iPad using the iMovie app. While this isn’t a full-featured editing experience, it does allow you to make quick edits and adjustments on the go.

The Power Of Motion

Final Cut Pro X includes Motion, a powerful motion graphics and animation software that allows you to create stunning visual effects and animations for your video projects. The integration with Final Cut Pro X makes it easy to import and use Motion graphics within your project.

Compressor

Final Cut Pro X includes Compressor, a powerful compression and export tool that allows you to export your projects in a wide range of formats and codecs. The Compressor also includes advanced features like batch exporting and support for multi-pass encoding, making it an essential tool for professional-level video production.

Final Cut Pro Interface

The Final Cut Pro X interface is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly while providing access to all of the software’s powerful features. The interface is divided into several key areas that allow you to manage your media, edit your footage, and apply effects and transitions. The interface is broken down into the following sections:

The Browser: 

This is where you can import and organize your media files. You can view your media as icons, a list, or in a filmstrip view. The browser also allows you to preview your footage and mark in and out points.

The Viewer: 

This is where you can preview your selected clip and apply effects, color correction, and other adjustments. You can also view multiple angles if you are working with a multicam clip.

The Timeline: 

This is where you arrange your clips and create your final edit. You can trim and split clips, add transitions, and adjust audio levels. The magnetic timeline feature allows you to easily move clips around without affecting the rest of your timeline.

The Inspector: 

This is where you can make detailed adjustments to your clips and effects. You can adjust color correction and audio levels and add text and titles.

The Toolbar: 

This is where you can access various tools for editing, such as the blade tool, range selection tool, and slip tool.

The Menu Bar: 

This is where you can access various settings and preferences for Final Cut Pro X.

The Final Cut Pro X interface is well-designed and easy to navigate. The magnetic timeline feature allows for quick and easy editing, and the inspector provides detailed control over effects and adjustments. The interface is customizable, so you can adjust it to fit your editing style and preferences.

What Can You Do With Final Cut Pro? 

Final Cut Pro X is a comprehensive video editing software that offers a range of features to create professional-level videos. With this software, users can edit footage, add audio, and color grade, add effects, and export their final product. Let’s dive into what you can do with Final Cut Pro X.

Edit Footage:

Final Cut Pro X allows users to import footage from various sources, including cameras, memory cards, and external hard drives. Users can then organize their footage by creating folders and keywords, making it easy to locate specific clips. Once the footage is organized, users can begin editing by dragging and dropping clips into the timeline. The timeline is an essential part of the Final Cut Pro X interface and is where users will spend most of their time editing. The magnetic timeline feature ensures that clips snap into place, making editing seamless and efficient.

Add Audio:

Audio is a crucial component of any video, and Final Cut Pro X offers a range of tools to edit and enhance audio. Users can import audio files and add them to their timeline, sync audio and video tracks, and adjust volume levels. Additionally, Final Cut Pro X includes a range of audio filters and effects to help users create a professional-sounding mix.

Color Grade:

Color grading is a crucial step in creating a professional-looking video, and Final Cut Pro X offers a range of tools to achieve the desired look. The built-in color grading tools allow users to adjust color, saturation, and exposure, as well as apply filters and effects. Final Cut Pro X also supports third-party color grading tools, giving users even more options to achieve their desired look.

Add Effects:

Final Cut Pro X includes a range of built-in effects, including transitions, titles, and generators. Users can also add third-party effects, such as plugins and templates, to enhance their videos further. Effects can be added by dragging and dropping them into the timeline or by using the effects browser.

Export:

Once the video is complete, users can export their final product in various formats, including high-quality ProRes and H.264. Final Cut Pro X also includes built-in sharing options, allowing users to share their videos directly to YouTube, Vimeo, and other social media platforms.

Usage Of Final Cut Pro:

Learning Final Cut Pro X can seem daunting, but with the right resources and approach, anyone can master the software. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to learn Final Cut Pro X:

Get Familiar With The Interface: 

The first step is to get comfortable with the interface of the software. Final Cut Pro X has a unique interface, so it’s essential to take some time to learn the various windows, menus, and tools. You can start by watching beginner tutorials on YouTube or taking an online course.

Practice With Sample Footage: 

The best way to learn how to use Final Cut Pro X is by practicing with sample footage. Apple provides some sample footage that you can use to practice different editing techniques. You can also shoot your own footage to edit and practice.

Take An Online Course: 

Online courses are a great way to learn Final Cut Pro X. Platforms like Udemy, Lynda.com, and Skillshare offer comprehensive courses that cover everything from the basics to advanced techniques. These courses usually come with project files, quizzes, and assignments to help you apply what you’ve learned.

Watch Tutorials: 

There are numerous tutorials available on YouTube, Vimeo, and other online platforms. You can find tutorials on specific topics or techniques that you want to learn. Watching tutorials can help you learn new techniques, tips, and tricks from experienced editors.

Attend Workshops And Seminars: 

Attending workshops and seminars can provide hands-on training and allow you to network with other professionals in the industry. Many universities and film schools offer workshops and seminars on Final Cut Pro X.

Join Online Communities: 

Joining online communities like forums, Facebook groups, and Reddit can be a great way to learn from other editors, ask for advice, and get feedback on your work. These communities can also provide a sense of support and motivation to keep learning.

Practice, Practice, Practice: 

The key to mastering Final Cut Pro X is practice. The more you practice, the better you’ll get. Try new techniques, experiment with different editing styles, and challenge yourself with more complex projects.

Final Cut Pro History

Final Cut Pro is a revolutionary video editing software that has taken the media industry by storm. With its intuitive interface, advanced features, and affordable pricing, it has become a popular choice for video editors and content creators around the world. But have you ever wondered about the history of Final Cut Pro? Let’s take a journey through time and innovation to learn about the evolution of this powerful software.

1998-2001: The Birth of Final Cut Pro

Final Cut Pro was originally developed by Macromedia Inc. as a Mac-only application. The first version of Final Cut Pro was released in 1999, but it was not until the release of Final Cut Pro 2 in 2001 that the software started to gain widespread recognition. This version of Final Cut Pro introduced real-time effects, the ability to export to multiple formats, and support for non-linear editing.

2002-2007: Apple Takes Over

In 2002, Apple acquired Final Cut Pro from Macromedia Inc. and began to integrate it into their product line. Apple released Final Cut Pro 3 in 2002, which introduced the ability to capture and edit HD footage, and Final Cut Pro 4 in 2003, which introduced multi-cam editing and support for real-time effects. Final Cut Pro 5 was released in 2005 and included new features such as the ability to work with uncompressed HD footage and support for XML interchange.

2007-2011: Final Cut Pro X and Beyond

In 2011, Apple released Final Cut Pro X, which marked a significant departure from the previous versions of the software. Final Cut Pro X was a complete rewrite of the software and included a redesigned interface, a new magnetic timeline, and support for 64-bit architecture. The release of Final Cut Pro X was met with mixed reviews from professionals, but Apple continued to improve the software with updates and new features.

2011-Present: Final Cut Pro X Today

Today, Final Cut Pro X is a powerful and feature-rich video editing software used by professionals and amateurs alike. With its intuitive interface, advanced features such as 360-degree video editing, and integration with other Apple products, Final Cut Pro X has become a popular choice for video editors and content creators. Apple continues to release updates and new features for Final Cut Pro X, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of video editing software.

The history of Final Cut Pro is a testament to the innovation and dedication of its developers. From its humble beginnings as a Mac-only application to its current status as a leading video editing software, Final Cut Pro has come a long way. 

Top Final Cut Pro X Alternatives 

Final Cut Pro X is undoubtedly a powerful and widely-used video editing software, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. Luckily, there are many great alternatives available in the market that offer comparable features and functionalities. In this section, we will take a closer look at two of the most popular Final Cut Pro X alternatives: Adobe Creative Cloud and Vyond.

Software

Final Cut Pro

Adobe Creative Cloud

Vyond

Starting Price

299$ One Time Fee

$52.99/Per-Month

$49/Per-Month

Free Trial

Yes

Yes

Yes

Best For

Video Editing Software

Graphic Designing Software

Video Marketing Software

Best Performer in 2023

Video Making Software

Publishing and Subscription Software

Video Making Software

Overall Ratings

4.7/5.0

4.7/5.0

4.7/5.0

Ease to Use

4.3/5.0

4.2/5.0

4.6/5.0

Support

Email/Help Desk
FAQs/Forum
Knowledge

Email/Help Desk
FAQs/Forum
Knowledge Base
Phone Support

Email/Help Desk
FAQs/Forum
Knowledge Base
Phone Support
24/7 (Live Rep)
Chat

Adobe Creative Cloud:

Adobe Creative Cloud is an all-in-one suite of creative tools that includes video editing software like Premiere Pro, as well as graphic design software like Photoshop and Illustrator. Premiere Pro is a popular choice for video editing professionals, and it offers a wide range of advanced features such as color grading, audio editing, and multi-camera editing. Additionally, Premiere Pro has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate and learn.

One of the standout features of Adobe Creative Cloud is its integration with other Adobe software. Users can easily import, and export files between programs, and the suite also include tools for designing graphics and creating animations. Adobe Creative Cloud is available as a subscription service with different pricing tiers based on your needs.

Vyond:

Vyond (formerly known as GoAnimate) is a cloud-based animation and video editing software that is designed specifically for creating animated videos. While it may not offer the same level of advanced editing features as Final Cut Pro X or Premiere Pro, Vyond excels in creating animated videos with customizable characters and templates.

One of the standout features of Vyond is its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to create engaging and visually appealing videos. The software also offers a wide range of customization options, such as voiceovers, sound effects, and music tracks. Vyond is available as a subscription service with different pricing tiers based on your needs.

Ultimately, Final Cut Pro X is undoubtedly a powerful video editing software, but there are many alternatives available in the market that offer comparable features and functionalities. Adobe Creative Cloud and Vyond are two popular options that are worth considering, depending on your specific needs and preferences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Final Cut Pro X is a game-changing video editing software that stands as a pinnacle of creativity and efficiency. With its intuitive interface, advanced editing tools, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, Final Cut Pro X empowers professionals to bring their visions to life. From precise editing to stunning visual effects, Final Cut Pro X sets the stage for remarkable video productions. Unleash your creativity today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There A Difference Between Final Cut Pro And Final Cut Pro X?

Yes, there is a difference between Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Pro X. Final Cut Pro X is a completely redesigned version of Final Cut Pro that was released in 2011, with significant changes to the interface and features. It was built from the ground up with a new 64-bit architecture and a more streamlined approach to editing.

Is Final Cut Pro Only For Mac?

Yes, Final Cut Pro is only available for Mac computers running macOS. It is not compatible with other operating systems, such as Windows or Linux. Final Cut Pro was developed by Apple and, as such, is designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s hardware and software. However, there are other video editing software options available for non-Mac users, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Davinci Resolve.

Is Final Cut Pro Used In Hollywood?

Yes, Final Cut Pro has been used in Hollywood and by professional filmmakers. Some notable examples include the films “The Social Network” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” both of which were edited using Final Cut Pro. However, it is important to note that Final Cut Pro is not the only editing software used in the film industry, as many productions also use Avid Media Composer and Adobe Premiere Pro. The choice of software often depends on the specific needs and preferences of the editor and production team.

Is Final Cut Pro Free With Macbook Air?

No, Final Cut Pro is not free with a MacBook Air. It must be purchased separately from the Mac App Store for a one-time fee of $299.99 USD. However, the MacBook Air does come with iMovie, which is a basic video editing software that may be suitable for some users.

Is Final Cut Pro Better Than iMovie?

Yes, Final Cut Pro is generally considered to be better than iMovie. While iMovie is a basic video editing software with limited features, Final Cut Pro offers a more advanced set of tools for professional video editing. Final Cut Pro includes features such as advanced color grading, motion graphics, and audio mixing, as well as more advanced editing tools like multicam support and 360-degree video editing. Additionally, Final Cut Pro is capable of handling larger projects and provides more customization options, making it the preferred choice for professional video editors.

Can You Edit the Color In Final Cut Pro?

Yes, Final Cut Pro has powerful built-in color grading tools that allow you to adjust the color and tone of your footage to achieve the desired look. You can use color wheels, color curves, and other tools to adjust the exposure, saturation, contrast, and other aspects of the footage. You can also use color grading presets and LUTs (Look-Up Tables) to achieve specific color grades quickly. 

Final Cut Pro X

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