Syncing DSLR Dailies in Final Cut

 1.    After transcoding the picture clips, import them into your Final Cut project. Make sure all audio files are 48kHz AIFF files and import them into the project.

2.     Make sure "audio scrubbing" is on (toggles on and off with "Shift S.") Put the cursor
on the exact audio frame where the hand clap for the take closes (use the right and left arrows to navigate to the exact frame). Refer to the audio meters on the lower right to make sure you have the correct frame. Single click on the clip in the timeline to highlight it. Use the "m" key to place a marker on that frame.

3.    Drag the first picture clip to be put into sync from the browser to the timeline. Put the cursor on the exact frame where the hand clap closes. Click on the clip in the timeline to highlight it. Use the "m" key to place a marker on that frame.


4.     Line up the markers you have placed on the picture and sound clips. Expand the timeline view (command plus) to make sure that the two markers are actually lined up, then reduce the timeline view (command minus) Using the razor tool (command b), cut the sound clip to the exact length of the picture clip. The "snap to" function (toggles on and off with lower-case n)  will make it easier to line up the cursor (the CTI) with the beginning and end points of the picture clip so you can cut the sound clip in the correct place. Highlight both the picture and sound clips. Link the clips by hitting "Command L," or Modify>Link. The clips are now in sync.
   
5.   When you're syncing double-system material that has a single-system scratch track (for example, when shooting with a DSLR), you don't really need a slate, though it can make syncing faster. Just expand the vertical height of the track to make the waveform more visible and line up the waveform of the double-system track with the waveform of the single-system scratch track. Play the track. If it sounds "reverb-y," it's not quite in sync. Use the open or close bracket on the keyboard to nudge the double-system track right or left one frame until it's in sync. Be sure to remove the scratch track from the timeline before linking the picture and audio clips.