AVID Media Composer Exam 2 (Fundamentals II) Questions and Complete Solutions

Media Composer Fundamentals II Exam Questions and Complete Solutions 1. From which menu can you open the Source Browser? - Ans: Select FILE > INPUT > 'Source Browser'. Select TOOLS > 'Source Browser'. R-Click in an open Bin and select 'Source Browser' from the drop down menu. MC110 p21 ...2. In the Source Browser, how can you mark a folder as a Favorite? - Ans: ...Click the STAR BUTTON at the top of the Source Browser. MC110 p22 3. How can you remove a folder from the Favorites list in the Source Browser? - Ans: 3. To remove a folder from the Favorites list, simply click the STAR next to the folder in the directory tree. MC110 p22 4. Name two settings that affect how files are imported to Media Composer. - Ans: Import settings and Media Creation settings. MC110 p 26 5. Which setting will resize a large photograph during import to avoid distorting it? - Ans: Resize Image to Fit Format Raster. MC110 p 27 6. Describe the process to input an image sequence as a video clip. - Ans: 1. Change project to next larger format. 2. File > Media > Media Creation Settings > Import. 3. Set resolution to DNxHD SQ 4. Open Import > Fit Format Raster > Scale From RGB to Legal > Autodetect Sequentially Numbered Files MC110 p 29 7. Which function will copy a media file, without recompressing it? - Ans: Consolidate. MC110 p30 8. Which function will convert a media file, modifying its codec and / or frame rate? - Ans: Transcode. MC110 p30 9. Name three reasons you might want to consolidate or transcode linked media to Avid Native media. - Ans: 1. Overall system performance is better with Avid native media 2. All your media files will be safe in Avid's managed media directory 3. Consolidating ProRes files re-wraps instead of recompressing (***Use Consolidate to archive a project or make a back up set of the media. Use Transcode for better system performance or convert Frame Rates. ) 10. What is indicated by the bold name on one of your drives listed in Consolidate / transcode? - Ans: The bold name indicates which drive has the most space available. 1. Why might you need to sync audio and video master clips? p62 - Ans: Sound and Picture may be recorded with dual system. With multiple cameras, you may want to use the better audio from one camera. 2. List the steps to sync audio and video master clips. p62 - Ans: - Load a video clip in the Source monitor, find a visual mark (a door slamming on camera, a slate, a coffee cup hitting the table) and place an IN Mark. Then load the corresponding audio into the Source monitor and view it in the Timeline using the Toggle Source/Record in Timeline button. Activate the waveform on that track and place an IN Mark where the waveform spikes with the slate (or other marker). Select these two clips in the Bin and in the 'CLIP' menu, choose 'AutoSync'. Select 'IN-POINTS' in he window and click OK. MC110 p58 2a. What is the result of this process of syncing audio and video master clips? p62 - Ans: The system creates a synced sub clip in the source bin, named after the video master clip. Edit your sequence using these clips. MC110 p58 3. What is a group clip? What is the advantage of working with group clips? p62 - Ans: A group clip is a new clip made from of a set of single master clips. One advantage of working with groups is that one can sync up clips by grouping them by waveform, IN or OUT Marks and various Timecode options. MC110 p59 4. How do you display the start timecode of our clips? p62 - Ans: Use the 'Start' column in your Bins. 5. How do you add a custom column to a bin in Text view? p62 - Ans: Display the BIN in Text view, then R-Click on any of the headings and select 'ADD CUSTOM COLUMN' from the dropdown menu. MC110 p47 6, What is the shortcut to view a pop-up menus containing previously entered values in a custom column? p62 - Ans: Hold down the Option key and click on the cell you want the text to appear. A pop-up menu of items already entered in that column appears. Select the correct text from the menu. MC110 p49 7. What is the difference between duplicating a clip and cloning a clip? p62 - Ans: Any and all changes made to a cloned clip in one bin will appear on it's mate(s) in another bin. A duplicate clip is a separate copy that you can rename, add separate comments to or otherwise modify without having those changes ripple back to the original. MC110 p55 8. You need to track rights releases for each man-on-the-street interview in a documentary. How could you do that in the bin? p62 - Ans: You can create a column in the bin called 'Rights Released' and enter values 'YES' or 'NO' with a date, and other pertinent information. MC110 p51 9. You have audio and video master clips that do not have a common timecode reference. Is it possible to sync these clips? p62 - Ans: Yes Indeed! 9. You have audio and video master clips that do not have a common timecode reference. Is it possible to sync these clips? If so, how? p62 - Ans: You can sync without Timecode by using (1.) A slate, or if someone claps their hands where both camera and microphone can record it. 2. ...look for an impact action with a distinct sound, i.e.: a cup hitting a table, a door closing, etc.... 3. Sync using the beginning of a sentence or the first word after a pause. 4. Use of waveforms. 5. Auxiliary time code. MC110 p p59 1. If editing a group of clips to the sequence from the bin in Text view, what controls the order the clips will appear in the sequence? p94 - Ans: 3. The order of clips in the bin determines the order in which the clips are displayed when grouped together and displayed in the Source monitor. MC110 P60 2. If editing a group of clips to the sequence from the bin in Frame view, what controls the order the clips will appear in the sequence? P94 - Ans: Arrangement from Left to Right, and from Top to Bottom. 3. Which function is related to Top or Tail? - Ans: Extract MC110 p80 4. How is 'Extend' similar to 'Trim'? Most specifically, what type of trim? p94 - Ans: Extend functions like a 'Dual-Roller' Trim MC110 p81 5. Name three uses of markers. p94 - Ans: Mark location of good bites in an interview, provide correct spelling for titles, to mark location for music cues or sound effects, or to make notes. MC110 p83 6. Which two windows must be open to change the keyboard settings? p94 - Ans: The Command Palette (⌘+3) and the Keyboard Settings. 1. How many edit points are required to define an edit when adding a shot to the sequence? p136 - Ans: Three 2. True or False: Media Composer will not allow you to make an edit with no marks. p136 - Ans: False. You can drag an unmarked clip from the Source Monitor into an unmarked Timeline. MC110 p118 3. How can Filler help maintain sync? p136 - Ans: It acts as a placeholder. For example, if you add an MOS clip into the Timeline, selecting the audio tracks also will add an equal amount of 'Filler' to those tracks - keeping the Timeline in sync. MC101 p118 4. True or False: To load a sequence into the Source monitor, you should double-click the icon in the bin. p136 - Ans: False. One must drag a Sequence into the Source monitor. MC110 p124 5. What is a sub-sequence? What can it be used for? p136 - Ans: A Sub-Sequence is a portion of a sequence. You can use a sub-sequence to isolate the program opener for use on multiple episodes or separate out a problematic portion of a scene to experiment on without messing up the "real" sequence. MC110 p125 6. Which function loads the source clip for a segment in the sequence into the Source monitor? p136 - Ans: Match Frame. MC110 p127 7. What does Find Bin do? - Ans: 'Find Bin' under the Source monitor will find the bin for the source clip. 'Find Bin' under the Record monitor will find the bin for the entire sequence. MC110 p127-128 8. What is the difference between Find, Find Bin and Match Frame? - Ans: 'Find' allows one to search globally across Avid for clip titles, names, dialog, notes, etc. 'Find Bin' will locate the bin containing the clip in the Source monitor or sequence in the Record monitor. What about where the Position Indicator sits in the Timeline tho????? 9. What is the difference between using Find and the Search Field in the bin? - Ans: 'Find' searches globally across Avid.... The 'Search Field' in a bin only looks across that open Bin. 10. What value would you type to advance the position indicator 2 seconds? p136 - Ans: "+ 2 . " MC110 p.134 / p135 10. What value would you type to advance the position indicator 2 seconds? p136 - Ans: "+ 2 . " or "+200" MC110 p.134 / p135 12. What is the difference between Fast Forward/Rewind and J-K-L? p136 - Ans: FF is next event RWND is previous event. J-K-L is variable speed, shuttle control. 1. Name two ways to enter Trim mode without using the Smart Tool. p. 173 - Ans: Press the 'U' key. Lasso a cut point. Press the 'Trim Mode' button on the interface. Press the 'A' and/or 'S' keys 2. Name the keys on the keyboard associated with choosing the A side, B side, or dual-roller trim. p173 - Ans: A-Side Trim = 'P'-key Dual Roller Trim = '['-key B-Side Trim = ']'-key MC110 p158 3. Which keys trim left or right, either 8 or 10 frames at a time? p173 - Ans: The 'M' key trims 8 to 10 frames to the left. The 'Forward Slash' key trims 8 to 10 frames to the right. MC110 p158 4. What can be done in Trim mode when using J-K-L? - Ans: "...these controls allow you to actually perform the trim while you watch the footage." "... J-K-L allows you to trim in slow motion." MC110 p161 5. What function is associated with the Play button when in Trim mode? - Ans: With the exception of J-K-L, all play buttons will play a loop around the edit point. MC110 p161 6. If you hear a pop in the audio at an edit point, but can't tell which side contains the problem, what can you do to find out? p173 - Ans: The solution is to analyze the audio by playing just the incoming or outgoing side. MC110 p160 7. What is a split edit? p173 - Ans: "...when the audio and video change at different moments." MC110 p163 7a. What is the benefit of creating split edits in the sequence? p173 - Ans: If the video and audio always change at the same time, the edits may become obvious to the viewer. Split edits can make the cuts "invisible". MC110 p163 8. What is the process of creating a split edit? - Ans: -Disable 'Link Selection Toggle'. -Enter Trim Mode. 3. Drag the TRANSITION POINT left to move the transition point earlier. 4. Drag the TRANSITION POINT right to move it later. MC110 p163 9. What is the radio-edit technique? - Ans: Turn off the video monitor and edit only the dialog for pacing. 10. How can you ensure that you maintain sync while using Ripple Trim? - Ans: To maintain sync between picture and sound, you must edit tracks of synced audio and video equally MC110 p118 11. Describe the process to restore broken sync. - Ans: 2. Enter TRIM mode at the first transition that displays a Broken Sync number. 3. Select one of the TRACKS that is out of sync. 4. Click the 'A SIDE MONITOR' 5. Using single-roller trim, add or subtract the appropriate number of FRAMES. MC110 p168-169 12. How can you use filler to maintain sync when trimming with multiple tracks of audio or video? p173 - Ans: 1. Move the POSITION INDICATOR close to the edit point you want to trim Enter TRIM MODE Press OPTION key, and click the ADD EDIT button to create Edit points to all the filler tracks at the location indicator The Edit points on all tracks allows you to edit tracks of synced audio and video equally MC110 p167... 1. From where do you open the Audio EQ window? (How do you map the Audio EQ window to the interface?) p204 - Ans: Select TOOLS > AUDIO EQ MC110 p194 2. The Audio EQ tool is which of the following? p204 - Ans: A three-band EQ. MC110 p194 3. How can you change the clip gain for all segments in a track? - Ans: Open the 'Audio Mixer' and from it's 'Fast Menu' select 'Global Level'. 4. What is the Audio Tool used for? - Ans: When mixing, you need an objective reference point. MC110 p187 5. Why is it important that you use the Audio Tool while mixing? - Ans: When mixing, you need an objective reference point. MC110 p187 6. What is the decibel range that is recommended for most projects? - Ans: between -26dB and -8dB on the digital scale. 7. Which EQ control would be most effective in addressing the rumble of a truck in the background? - Ans: 8. In what range of frequencies will an EQ adjustment have the greatest impact on the sound of a person's voice? - Ans: Hz the human voce has a frequency range of approximately 100 to 5,000 Hz, but is most noticeably affected by adjustments in the 1 to 3kHz range. MC101 p194 9. What Audio Mixer Mode enables manual audio keyframing? p192 - Ans: "Auto" MC110 p197 10. Which type of adjustment is most similar to Audio Ducking? p192 - Ans: Volume Keyframing MC110 p198 Fig. 7.12 MC110 p203 1. What is the name of the function used to create pan-and-zoom effects, described in this lesson? p235 - Ans: 'FrameFlex' MC110 p232 2. How do you access the Source Settings dialog box? p235 - Ans: R-click on clip in a Bin and select 'Source Settings', or choose the 'Clip' menu and find 'Source Settings' selection at the top. Also Right click on the 'Source monitor'. MC110 p228 3. Name two Source Settings. - Ans: FrameFlex, Color Encoding, Playback Rates, Audio. MC110 p227 4. How can you tell that a Source Setting is acting on a segment in the Timeline? - Ans: You will see a gray 'Timeline Adapter Icons'. MC110 p228/229 5. What is the difference between modifying FrameFlex as a Source Setting rather than in the Timeline using the Effect Editor? - Ans: 6. If you reframe a shot using FrameFlex on a clip in a bin, after placing it in the sequence, how can you update the segment in the Timeline to show the change? - Ans: choose Clip > Refresh > Sequence > Aspect Ratio and Reformatting Options ??? MC110 p230 7. True or False: Using FrameFlex is a one-time option. Once you apply the reframing, a file is created, and you can no longer reframe the native high-resolution clip. - Ans: False The FrameFlex tab is used to reformat high-resolution clips to fit within a smaller project raster (frame size). This is all done interactively and in a non-destructive process that can be updated at any time. MC110 p228 8. What is the name of the animation mode (keyframe interpolation) that creates an ease-in / ease-out behavior around the keyframes? p235 - Ans: "Spline: Creates a path with a natural ease-in and ease-out at every keyframe. (See Figure 9.16) MC110 p258 1. What are the three types of motion effects? p260 - Ans: Freeze frames: These are created using a master clip or subclip in the Source monitor and create a new clip containing only the desired frame. Motion effects: These are also created using a master clip or subclip in the Source monitor. Timewarp effects: These are applied to a segment in the Timeline in the same way you have applied other segment effects, like Mask or Resize. MC101 p202 MC110 p246 2. How are freeze frames created? p260 - Ans: These are created using a master clip or subclip in the Source monitor and create a new clip containing only the desired frame. MC101 p202 MC110 p246 3. How are motion effects created? p260 - Ans: These are also created using a master clip or subclip in the Source monitor. MC101 p202 MC110 p246 4. How does creating a motion effect via the Fit to Fill command differ from creating one via the Motion Effect command? p260 - Ans: Fit to Fill MC110 p248. Motion Effect command MC110 p247 ??????? 5. How are Timewarp effects created? p260 - Ans: They are applied to a clip in the sequence. MC101 p202 MC110 p246 6. What are the four different types of keyframe interpolations? p260 - Ans: Linear, Bézier, Shelf and Spline. MC110 p257-259. 1. True or False: When the Blur effect is applied to a segment, the blur is immediately visible. p290 - Ans: False When you first apply the Blur effect, visually it does nothing to the image by default. MC110 p285 2. When applying a Blur effect, how do you control where the blur affects the image? p290 - Ans: Create a shape MC110 p285 3. Refer to the toolbar displayed to the right. Which button can be used to create a rectangle? p290 - Ans: The Rectangle button, 6th from the top 3. Refer to the toolbar displayed to the right. which is used to select and move shapes? p290 - Ans: The 'Arrow" button, at the top. 3. Refer to the toolbar displayed to the right. Which button is used to reshape an existing shape? p290 - Ans: The button that looks like a wristwatch, 3rd from the top 3. Refer to the toolbar displayed to the right. Which button opens the Tracking tool? p290 - Ans: The penultimate 'Tracking Window' button, 2nd up from the bottom. 4. When using tracking with a Blur effect, how do you attach a tracker to the shape you created? p290 - Ans: Supposedly by selecting a 'Tracker' from the left side selections under the arrow for 'Tracking'.... MC110 p288 5. What characteristics should you look for when picking a tracking target? p290 - Ans: "Ideally, you initially position the reference pattern over a well-defined, high-contrast region of the image that remains onscreen and unobstructed for the duration of the shot...." MC110 p287 6. What is the inner box in a tracker called? p290 - Ans: "Reference pattern: The inner rectangle, defines the pixels that will be followed and tracked from frame to frame". MC110 p286 6a. How is the inner box in a tracker used? p290 - Ans: The inner rectangle, defines the pixels that will be followed and tracked from frame to frame". MC110 p286 7. What is the outer box in a tracker called? p290 - Ans: Search region MC110 p286 7a. How is the outer box in a tracker used? p290 - Ans: The 'Search Region' searches a single frame for the reference pattern. When it finds it, it re-centers the tracking point on the target, records the location and then repeats the process. MC110 p287 8. How does Feathering affect the appearance of your shape? p290 - Ans: 11(b) Feathering HORZ and VERT to soften the edges of the shape, and BIAS controls whether the feathering is applied to the inside or outside (of the) shape. MC110 p288 1. How is a 3D PIP effect different from other effects you've worked with so far, such as the Resize effect? p316 - Ans: It includes a 'Layer Effect'. MC110 p302 2. What key(s) must you old down on the keyboard to make sure that when moving clip vertically, it does not shift its position in time? p316 - Ans: Command⌘+Shift 3. If you add a keyframe to the Keyframe position bar underneath the Effect Preview Monitor, what parameters are keyframed? p316 - Ans: All MC110 p308 4. What happens to the animation if you change the Keyframe interpolation from linear to spline? p316 - Ans: You get an organic, "ease in - ease out" feel to the move.. MC110 p257-258 1. How do you add an effect to a clip in the Timeline on top of an existing effect? p345 - Ans: Option+Click, and Drag. Hold down the ALT key or OPTION key and apply a SEGMENT EFFECT. Instead of the original segment effect icon, you now see the newly applied effect icon. The second effect was placed on top of the original effect. MC101 p190 2. What is the procedure in #1 called? p345 - Ans: Auto-nesting (Nesting) Autonesting ...... allows you to add a new effect on top of an existing effect, such as a Resize on top of a Color Correction. MC101 p190 (C.R. note: 'Timewarp' cannot be Auto-nested, or added to other effects!!*). 3. What are the two different methods you can use to view the effects inside of a nest? p345 - Ans: (Way 1). MC101 p191 To see and manipulate nested effects in the Effect Editor: (Way 2). MC101 192 The second way you can view effects within a nest is to display the nest in the Timeline. Two methods in the Timeline are available: simple nesting and expanded nesting. 4. What is an advantage of simple nesting? p345 - Ans: In this method, you travel down inside a nest, and the video Track monitor travels with you, allowing you to view the lower effects in isolation from the effects above them. MC101 p 192 5. What is an advantage of expanded nesting? p345 - Ans: "...Compared to simple nesting, expanded nesting lets you see the sequence and the nest contents simultaneously." "...with expanded nesting, you can edit the contents of a nest but still see the composite of all effects within the nest." MC101 p193 6. How do you change the order of effects within a nest? p345 - Ans: "2. Drag an EFFECT ICON in the Effect Editor to change its position in the nest. (See Figure 8.7)." MC101 p194 7. What do the red, yellow and blue bars in the Timeline mean? p345 - Ans: Red bars indicate the system dropped frames in order to play through the effect composite. Effects in these areas must be rendered to prevent dropped frames. Blue bars indicate areas that stressed the hard drives the media is stored on, but did not drop frames. Yellow bars indicate areas that stressed the system CPU and GPU but did not drop frames. MC110 p335 8. What does 'Clear Renders' do? p345 - Ans: the 'Clear Renders' command...breaks the link between an effect and its rendered file, leaving the effect again unrendered. MC110 p343 1. The transparent channel in a clip is called which of the following? p371 - Ans: A matte. MC110 p362 2. True or False: The SpectraMatte effect provides a better key than the RGB keyed effect, and it also makes it easier to fine-tune your keys. p371 - Ans: True: "SpectraMatte not only provides a better quality key compared to the RGB keyed effect, it also makes it easy to fine-tune your keys and to solve problems such as shadows and color spill...". MC110 p363 3. If you have a background clip on track V2, what track should your green screen clip be edited onto? p371 - Ans: V3: 7. "Start by creating a new video track". 8. "Move the green screen footage to the V2 track". MC110 p374 4. What do the L and R parameters stand for in the Crop Parameter group of the SpectraMatte? p371 - Ans: Left and Right (???) 5. True or False: The purpose of a garbage mask is to remove all of the green or blue screen from the foreground. p371 - Ans: False: The purpose of the garbage mask is to remove "garbage" in the green screen shot, like fx fans, C-Stands or other items. MC110 p365 6. What is the Alpha in Source Monitor menu selection used for? p371 - Ans: To display the Matte information, as opposed to displaying the Spectragraph. MC110 p364 1. How do you open NewBlue Titler Pro? p390 - Ans: From the Effects Palette 2. In which tab would you modify the font? p390 - Ans: Styles 3. In which tab are the controls for adding a drop shadow? p390 - Ans: 'Attributes', then click the 'Styles button' MC110 p385 Fig. 14.7 4. True or False: Titles created with NewBlue Titler Pro must be rendered before they can be played in the Media Composer Timeline. p390 - Ans: False: "Your title is now in the sequence and ready for real time playback since it's a green dot effect". MC110 p385 5. What is the alpha channel? p390 - Ans: The Alpha Channel shows the transparent and opaque parts of the image. Considered the 4th RGB channel. ???can word that better....??? 6. Which two Link settings affect the appearance of a QuickTime logo animation with alpha? p390 - Ans: - Color levels. - Alpha Channel Options MC110 p387 7. True or False: Pre-multiplied alpha channels are preferred for use in Media Composer. p390 - Ans: False: Media Composer only supports straight Alpha channels. MC110 p389 1. Name two tools that can be helpful for live review sessions. p427 - Ans: - The Timecode Window MC110 p409 - Full Screen Playback MC110 p410 2. What are two things you might look for when critically reviewing sequence? p427 - Ans: - Continuity - Sync MC110 p411 3. How does the Timecode window differ from other timecode displays in the interface? p427 - Ans: It can be enlarged and is free-floating. MC110 p409 4. What might be one reason Full Screen Playback is grayed out in the menu? p427 - Ans: "...a. The system is configured to output through hardware...." b. It is not supported in the current project type. c. Timecode burn-in has been added to the sequence. d. All of the above. 5. True or False: A video mixdown flattens the sequence but does not create new media. p427 - Ans: False: "Mixdown lets you combine several tracks into a NEW MASTER CLIP". MC110 p416 6. What is a video mixdown used for? p427 - Ans: - Create a complex sequence you need to use repeatedly. - To hand off a sequence with all edits "baked in". 7. What is an audio mixdown used for? p427 - Ans: "When you work with multiple audio tracks while editing your material, you might need to mix down the final audio to the number of tracks supported by your output format.... MC110 p417 8. What is the difference between using a Send To template and using Export? p427 - Ans: "'Send to' enables you to send sequences or master clips from your Avid editing system to other application, automating your workflow." MC110 p421 'Export' is a way to get a finished program out of Media Composer. MC110 p419 10. How do you create color bars and reference tone? p427 - Ans: Generate tone media using the Audio Tool and import the test pattern file. 1. Which function can be used to find the media for a clip? p456 - Ans: Reveal File 2. What can you use to see render files? - Ans: Media Tool MC110 p447 3. Name the media database files. - Ans: - msmFMID.pmr - msmMMOB.mdb MC110 p444 4. Which function can be used to convert the format of a media file? - Ans: Transcode MC110 p450 5. Why is it important to open a sequence bin before you identify unreferenced clips? - Ans: The system does not track links to items in closed bins. MC110 p447 6. True or False. If you accidentally delete an important media file, you can use Undo to restore the file. - Ans: False: Can you map the Audio EQ window to the interface? - Ans: Yes. See Table 4.2 'Suggested Menu Items to Map to Your Keyboard MC110 p90