Avid Xpress Pro Power!

Review

Trimming is one of the most powerful tools Avid Xpress Pro offers, but it can also be one of the most intimidating features. Practice trimming both sides of an edit, a single side of an edit, an audio track, or multiple tracks with both audio and video components . Remember to always duplicate your sequence before you begin trimming it.

The next chapter covers two additional trimming methods , slipping and sliding. I'm sure I'll convince you that these are some of the most creative tools an editor can use. Let's review the concept of trimming before moving on:

• Before making any changes to a sequence, it is handy and safer to work on a duplicated version.

• Sequences and clips can be locked. You can still make changes to these items but they cannot be deleted.

• There are several methods for activating Trim mode. Click on the Trim Mode icon or drag a lasso around the edit you'd like to trim.

• There are many ways to exit Trim mode. Click on the Trim Mode icon, click in the timecode bar in the Timeline, press the 1, 2, 3, or 4 key on the keyboard, or press the Esc key.

• In Trim mode, the Play buttons become Play Loop buttons . This loop can be adjusted in your trim settings.

• Whenever you enter Trim mode, by default you'll start as a dual-side trim. To switch to single-side trimming, click in one of the monitors in the Composer window.

• To perform a dual-side or single-side trim, click and drag the edit, use the trim keys, or type in a +/ value from the number portion of your keyboard.

• Single-side trims change the duration of a track.

• When trimming the incoming, or right side, of an edit, a positive value shortens the clip and a negative value lengthens the clip.

• Split edits are your friend. They add rhythm and tempo to your sequence.