Avid Media Composer – 110 Exam Questions and Complete Solutions

MC110 AVID CERT Exam with Correct Rationales Fro which menu can you open the Source Browser? - Ans: file - input - source browser OR right clip in an open bin - input - source browser In the Source Browser, how can you mark a folder as Favorites? - Ans: favorite a folder: select folder and click star in top left of source browser window How can you remove a folder from the favorites list in the source browser? - Ans: remove a favorite folder: click the star and it goes away Name two settings that affect how files are imported to Media Composer. - Ans: import settings: control how avid does or does not modify the image AND media creation settings: control size, resolution, and format of media file Which setting will resize a large photograph during import to avoid distorting it? - Ans: resize image to fit format raster Describe the process to input an image sequence as a video clip. - Ans: import image sequence as video clip: enable Autodetect Sequentially Numbered Files for batch import Which function will copy a media file, without recompressing it? - Ans: consolidate just copies files Which function will convert a media file, modifying its codec and/or frame rate? - Ans: transcode converts media files Name three reasons you might want to consolidate or transcode linked media to Avid Native Media. - Ans: linked media to avid native media: a. transcode converts linked media to native avid mxf for better performance b. transcode can convert any linked file c. consolidate is faster, but only works on avid-native codec What is indicated by the bold name on one of your drives listed in Consolidate/Transcode? - Ans: bold name listed as drives in consolidate/transcode: it is the name of the drive with the most space available Why might you need to sync audio and video master clips? - Ans: need to sync audio and video master clips to efficiently edit with separate audio and video sources List the steps to sync audio and video master clips. What is the result of this process? - Ans: process of syncing: autosync- pick timecode, or in and out points, choose clip auto sync, and it makes a new clip with the audio and video What is a group clip? What is the advantage of working with group clips? - Ans: group clip: a separate group clip out of a single set of master clips. Advantage, you can access simultaneous camera angles and the freedom to switch on the fly between them How do you display the start timecode of your clips? - Ans: start timecode of clips: it is a column that can be added to the bin with your media How do you add a custom column to a bin in Text view? - Ans: right click heading of bin in text view, select add custom column What is the shortcut to view a pop up menu containing previously entered values in a custom column? - Ans: hold ALT key and click cell What is the difference between duplicating and cloning a clip? - Ans: duplicating a clip: duplicate clip into different bins, it is a separate copy of the item cloning a clip: clone clip to different bins, all changes made to clip in one bin will appear on cloned version in other bins You need to track rights releases for each man-on-the-street interview in a documentary. How could you do that in the bin? - Ans: sort multiple columns by clicking both columns, the left most column is primary criterion for dual sort 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? - Ans: sync clips with in and out points by slate, audio in at slate clap, video in at slate clap then auto sync by in points....or by waveform If editing a group of clips to the sequences from the bin in Text view, what controls the order the clips will appear in the sequence? - Ans: you can control order clips appear in sequence by sorting them in the bin, top to bottom 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? - Ans: you can control order clips appear in sequence by sorting them in the bin, first to last Which function is related to top or tail? - Ans: extract: top- extracts footage from start of clip up to position indicator tail- extracts footage from the position indicator to end of clip How is extend similar to Trim? Most specifically, what type of trim? - Ans: extend- allows you to roll edit points w/o going into trim mode; result is identical to using a dual-roller trim; allows you to quickly create split-edits Name three uses of markers. - Ans: markers: a. mark locations to cut (good sound byte) b. provide correct spelling for titles c. identify shots that will be added later d. mark location of music cues/ sfx e. include notes for other ppl on project f. identify remaining tasks Which two windows must be open to change the keyboard settings? - Ans: command palette and keyboard must be open to change keyboard settings How many edit points are required to define an edit when adding a shot to the sequence? - Ans: three edit points required to define an edit when adding a shot to a sequence; (2 for duration, 1 for location) True or false: Media Composer will not allow you to make an edit with no marks. - Ans: False. with no marks in source or timeline, avid will use the portion of source clip from blue position indicator to end of clip, splicing or overwriting at location of position indicator in timeline How can filler help maintain sync? - Ans: filler maintains sync: if you splice into timeline and enable all tracks affected, filler is added to fill empty spaces in track to maintain sync True or False: To load a sequence into the Source monitor you should double click the icon in the bin. - Ans: False. load sequence in source monitor: drag sequence icon from bin to source monitor What function loads the source clip for a segment in the sequence into the source monitor? - Ans: match frame button what is a sub-sequence? What can it be used for? - Ans: sub-sequence: breaks up sequence into shorter sections and turns each section into a discrete sequence; useful when you want to store parts of sequence in bin for future use What does find bin do? - Ans: find bin- finds you alternative shots in the original bin your clip or sequence is stored What is the difference between find, find bin, and match frame? - Ans: find- searches across all metadata in project to easily find any clip, sequence, script text, marker find bin- with clip/sequence loaded into monitor, finds the original bin it's stored, opens, highlights the clip/sequence within the bin to find alternative shots in that bin match frame- locates the frame currently displayed in record monitor by loading its source clip into source monitor, locating frame with blue position indicator, and selecting the track What is the difference between using find and search field in the bin? - Ans: find tool searches across all metadata in the project regardless of which bin, clip, or sequence contains the info. Search feature looks through the bin and timeline you are currently in. What value would you type to advance the position indicator 2 seconds. - Ans: +48 (because it's less than 100 and it's counting frames) OR +200 (it's over 100 so it counts in seconds) How do you type to jump the position indicator to a specific location? - Ans: activate monitor you want, use numeric keypad to type hours, minutes, seconds, frames What is the difference between FF/RW and JKL? - Ans: Fast forward/ Rewind- buttons jump position indicator through the edit points JKL- plays at high speed Name two ways to enter trim mode without using the Smart Tool. - Ans: Enter trim mode: pressing the U key on keyboard, click the trim mode button in timeline palette or between source and record monitors Name the keys on the keyboard associated with choosing the A side, dual roller, or B side trim. - Ans: A side: P B side: left bracket dual-roller trim: right bracket Which keys trim left or right, either 8 for 10 frames at a time? - Ans: M - trims 8/10 frames left , - trim 1 frame left . - trim 1 frame right / - trim 8/10 frames right What can be done in Trim mode when Using JKL? - Ans: JKL in trim mode: allows you to perform the trim while watching the footage; allows you to scrub audio as you trim. What function is associated with the Play button when in trim mode? - Ans: Play button in trim mode is playback loop 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? - Ans: pop in audio: digital audio scrub, press cpas lock key to toggle on AND analyze audio on one side of edit, play loop and press Q (go to in) to play outgoing side of transition only, press W (go to out) to play incoming side only What is a split edit? What is the benefit of creating split edits in the sequence? - Ans: split-edit: the audio and video change at different moments; benefit: effectively interweave audio and video, used to solve problem of visual mismatch What is the process of creating a split edit? - Ans: split edit creation: use dual-roller trim AND disable link selection toggle; dual roller trim on either video or audio track but not both creates a split edit What is the radio edit technique? - Ans: radio-edit technique: when you focus on pacing of audio by turning off video, then turn attention to video edits; enter trim mode, enable ripple trim (yellow), ripple trim to perfect pacing of dialogue How can you ensure that you maintain sync while using ripple trim? - Ans: maintain sync with ripple trim: single track trimming- always use dual-roller or overwrite trim; when adding/subtracting frames from audio or video track also add/subtract from all the others; add/subtract frames from one track, use lift/overwrite (red tool); work with sync locks on Describe the process to restore broken sync - Ans: restoring broken sync: in trim mode, trim exact number of sync-break frames displayed in timeline. easier to choose A side monitor, using single-roller trim, add/subtract number of frames needed How can you use filler to maintain sync when trimming with multiple tracks of audio or video? - Ans: filler to maintain sync: add edit points to cut the filler in line w/ edit point you need to trim, add/remove same number of frames from all tracks. With position indicator at edit point, enter trim mode, press ALT, click add edit button OR shift-click rollers to add/remove From where do you open the Audio EQ window? - Ans: Tools>Audio EQ The AudioEQ tool is which of the following? - Ans: Audio EQ is: a three-band EQ: bass, midrange, treble How can you change the clip gain for all segments in a track? - Ans: change clip gain for all segments in track: tools - audio mixer - set in and out marks - adjust gain of one segment in marked region, click the global level to apply the current level settings to all clips on entire track What is the Audio Tool used for? - Ans: Audio Tool: displays audio levels of combined mix, makes reading the precise levels of mix easy Why is it important that you use the AudioTool while mixing? - Ans: in order to keep levels bouncing between -26dB and -8dB; keep levels even What is the decibel range that is recommended for most projects? - Ans: dB range: -26dB and -8dB Which EQ control would be most effective in addressing the rumble of a truck in the background? - Ans: Low Shelf, sit below 500Hz In what range of frequencies will an EQ adjustment have the greatest impact on the sound of a person's voice? - Ans: person's voice: Hz (1 kHz - 3 kHz) What Audio Mixer Moder enables manual audio keyframing? - Ans: audio mixer mode: Volume Automation mode for key framing (abbreviated volume in timeline control panel) Which type of adjustment is most similar to Audio Ducking? - Ans: Audio ducking like volume key framing What is the name of the function used to create pan and zoom effect? - Ans: for pan and zoom effects - motion control with FrameFlex How do you access the Source Settings dialog box? - Ans: source settings dialogue box through: selecting one clip, right click on clip and choose source settings Name three Source Settings. - Ans: Source settings: FrameFlex tab, Color Encoding tab, Playback rate How can you tell that a Source Setting is acting on a segment in timeline? - Ans: the segment appears in the timeline with a small green square on video segment What is the difference between modifying FrameFlex as a Source Setting rather than in the Timeline using the Effect Editor? - Ans: FrameFlex vs Effect editor: FrameFlex detects properties of source media based on metadata, allows you to quickly see properties and make necessary changes 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 changes? - Ans: select sequence, choose clip, refresh sequence, aspect ratio and reformatting options 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, it is a non-destructive process, you can change it at any time What is the name of the animation mode (keyframe interpolation) that creates an ease-in / ease-out behavior around a keyframe? - Ans: Spline and Bezier create ease-in and ease-out keyframes What are the three types of motion effects? - Ans: Motion Effects: a. freeze frame b. motion effect c. time warp effect How are freeze frames created? - Ans: freeze frames generated from source clip How are motion effects created? - Ans: motion effects generated from source clip How does creating a motion effect via the Fit to Fill command differ from creating one via the Motion Effect editor? - Ans: Fit to Fill vs Motion Effect: fit to fill is about the duration of motion vs the speed of it like motion effect creates How are timewarp effects created? - Ans: Time warp effects applied to clip in sequence What are the four different types of keyframe interpolations? - Ans: keyframe interpolations: a. Linear: direct path btwn 2 keyframes, rate of change continuous b. Spline: path with natural ease-in and ease-out at every keyframe automatically c. Bezier: path w/ natural ease-in and ease-out at every keyframe, but shape of animation curve can be adjusted d. Shelf: holds keyframes value until next keyframe, jumps True or false: When the Blur Effect is applied to a segment, the blur is immediately visible. - Ans: False, have to draw shape of blur When applying a Blur effect, how do you control where the blur affects the image? - Ans: control where blur affects image with tracking area you want affected, open Tracking Window which button can be used to create a rectangle? - Ans: rect tool which is used to select and move shapes? - Ans: selection tool which button is used to reshape an existing shape? - Ans: reshape tool which button opens the tracking tool? - Ans: tracking window button When using tracking with a Blur effect, how do you attach a tracker to the shape you created? - Ans: attach tracker to blur shape created: select and enable one of the trackers in effect editor's tracking group What characteristics should you look for when picking a tracking target? - Ans: tracking target characteristics: over a well-defined, high-contrast region of image that remains onscreen and unobstructed for duration of shot What is the inner box in a tracker called? How is it used? - Ans: inner box in tracker: reference pattern: defines the pixels that will be followed and tracked from frame to frame What is the outer box in a tracker called? How is it used? - Ans: outer box in tracker: search region: broad region tracked How does the Feathering affect the appearance of your shape? - Ans: Feathering: affects the blur border intensity, softens How is a 3D PIP effect different from other effects you've worked with so far? - Ans: 3D PIP effect: requires layering video clips on multiple tracks; to build split screen effects What key(s) must you hold down on keyboard to make sure that when moving clip vertically, it does not shift position in time? - Ans: moving clips vertically: hold down Ctrl + Shift while in lift/overwrite tool If you add a keyframe to the Keyframe position bar underneath the Effect Preview Monitor, what parameters are keyframed? - Ans: will see keyframe on selected track and on the track of the parent group, (every keyframe is reflected up to its parent track(s)) What happens to the animation if you change the Keyframe interpolation from linear to spline? - Ans: keyframe interpolation spline: creates a path with natural ease in and ease out at every keyframe. amount of ease automatically calculated, cannot be adjusted How do you add an effect to a clip in the Timeline on top of an existing effect? - Ans: Autonest the clip, Alt + drag onto clip you want to affect What is the procedure called when you put an effect on top of a clip with an existing effect? - Ans: AutoNesting What are the 2 different methods you can use to view the effects inside of a nest? - Ans: Simple nesting, step in and step out, OR expanded nesting, double-click clip to go to deeper layers What is an advantage of simple nesting view? - Ans: simple nesting: can see only the segments from within the nest displayed in timeline, gives full use of timeline window to view and edit elements inside nest What is an advantage of expanded nesting view? - Ans: expanded nesting: can see sequence and nest contents simultaneously, can listen to audio and access all material in sequence How do you change the order of effects within a nest? - Ans: change order of effects w/in nest: park on clip w/ nested effects, in effect editor drag icons to change position, top to bottom What do the red, yellow, and blue bars in the Timeline mean? - Ans: yellow, blue, and red colors measure performance of playback, system is either being stressed or is dropping frames yellow: stressed system - the CPU and GPU blue: stressed hard drives red: overtaxed system, dropped frames, effects need to be rendered What does Clear Renders do? - Ans: clear renders: breaks the link btwn an effect and its rendered file, leaving effect again unordered (in order to re-render at mastering quality) The transparent channel in a clip is called what? - Ans: a matte True or False: The SpectraMatte effect provides a better key than the RGB keyer effect, and it also makes it easier to fine-tune your keys - Ans: True; SpectraMatte effect provides better key than RGB keyed effect, also makes it easier to fine-tune keys If you have a background clip on track V2, what track should your green screen clip be edited onto? - Ans: V3, green screen on track above background What do the L and R parameters stand for in the Crop Parameter group of the SpectraMatte? - Ans: In crop parameters group of Spectra Matte: L and R parameters stand for: crop Left and crop Right True or False: The purpose of a garbage mask is to remove all of the green or blue screen from the foreground - Ans: False, garbage mask: crop out any visible portions of image to make keying easier What is the Alpha selection in Source Monitor Menu used for? - Ans: can use the enlarge and reduce buttons to zoom into the image for critical analysis of the matte How do you open NewBlue Titler Pro? - Ans: it is in the effect palette In which tab would you modify the font? - Ans: modify font in Attributes tab and Style button In which tab are the controls for adding a drop shadow? - Ans: add drop shadow in Attributes tab and Style button True or False: titles created w/ NewBlue Titler Pro must be rendered before they can be played in AVID - Ans: False What is the alpha channel? - Ans: the transparent layer of of image/clip; mattes incorporated into actual media file Which two Link settings affect the appearance of a Quicktime logo animation with alpha? - Ans: 1. File Pixel to Video Mapping 2. Alpha Channel Options True or False: Pre-multiplied alpha channels are preferred for use in AVID - Ans: straight alpha channels is the only channel AVID supports Name four tools that can be helpful for live review sessions - Ans: Timecode burn-in, water-mark, timecode window, full screen playback What are two things you might look for when critically reviewing a sequence? - Ans: - shot selection/ pace of editing work support story? - do edits seem appropriate/effective to style? How does the timecode window differ from other timecode displays in interface? - Ans: timecode window opens with small font size designed for use with editing; hidden within each display are hidden menus used to access and display settings What might be one reason Full Screen Playback is grayed out in the menu? - Ans: the system is configured to output through hardware True or False: A video mixdown flattens the sequence but does not create new media - Ans: False, does create new video mix-down master clip What is a video mixdown used for? - Ans: Finalize complex sequence before consolidate, export, transfer Create complex sequence you need to use repeatedly Retime entire sequence using motion effect what is an audio mixdown used for? - Ans: when working with multiple audio tracks, might need to mix down final audio to number of tracks supported by your output format what is the difference between using a Send To template and using Export? - Ans: Send To enables you to send sequences or master clips from AVID to other applications, automating workflow what is the difference between a QuickTime movie and a QuickTime reference? - Ans: Quicktime movie is an exported file of media , Quicktime reference is an empty container file that holds no media of its own How do you create color bars and reference tone? - Ans: Generate tone media using Audio Tool and import test pattern file Which function can be used to find the media for a clip? - Ans: Reveal file What can you use to see render files? - Ans: Media Tool Name the media database files - Ans: msmFMID.pmr msmMMOB.mdb Which function can be used to convert the format of a media file? - Ans: transcode Why is it important to open a sequence bin before you identify unreferenced clips? - Ans: Select Unreferenced Clips will select all clips that are unreferenced by any sequences in currently open bins. References to clips from bins that are closed are not taken into account. True or False: if you accidentally delete and important media file, you can use Undo to restore the file - Ans: False; media deletion is permanent. You cannot undo.