Quickie: Soundtrack Pro
If you’re the kind of person that spends any amount of time in Final Cut Studio, and you’re also the kind of person that went out and bought Apple’s 30in Cinema Display, chances are good you’re somebody who is a fan of keyboard shortcuts. So here’s one I think you’ll like.
As you’re working hard on an audio project in Soundtrack Pro, you’re likely to be switching between the timeline editing tools rather frequently. Given the relative size of the toolbar to the rest of the screen (that’s you’re 30in screen that everybody told you was WAY too big), traveling back and forth can become something of a pain.
Enter the world of the grave accent. And yes, it’s every bit as dramatic as it sounds.
At any time, and at any location from within Soundtrack Pro, simply hit the grave accent (`) key and wham-bam-shamina you’ve got yourself a HUD. This little trick gives you easy access to the selection tool, timeslice tool, both blade tools, both lift and stamp tools, and the scrubbing tool. Anywhere. Anytime.
So the next time somebody makes fun of your massive screen because it takes a minute and a half for the mouse to travel from one side to the other, tell them to shove it and show them this sweet little trick. They’ll not only be super impressed with your in-depth knowledge of Final Cut Studio, you’ll also give them one more reason to feel shame over buying the 23in model just because it “seemed more practical” at the time.
No regrets.*
*I’m still paying off that screen. But it looks AMAZING.