For the project I'm working on, I'm using a Canon 60D and a Zoom H5 for external audio. Does anyone have a recommended workflow for merging the video and external audio files for later editing? In my mind I would simplify my workflow by syncing the external audio and video files before the editing process.
I understand how to sync the two, I would like to know if anyone else is doing this and if so, how they accomplish it.
What I think would work is to decide on an intermediate codec, sync the audio and video and render the clip as the same intermediate codec.
Or am I thinking about this all wrong?
If my thinking is wrong, what is a good workflow?

Thanks!

Ed

Honestly spoken: I have never worked with external audio sources. But if I did I would have synced a+v in an audio and video track, mute the video track and create a group of the two tracks, so that my edits hit both tracks.

capslock wrote:Honestly spoken: I have never worked with external audio sources. But if I did I would have synced a+v in an audio and video track, mute the video track and create a group of the two tracks, so that my edits hit both tracks.

Yes.
The question I have, is: to what codec do I render the sync'd clip if I want.to use the sync'd clip in a project later?

In my scenario I would not render at all. Use the combined tracks on e.g. video1 and audio1 and use the other tracks around for that what you call "a project later". Finally render all the stuff to a output format you need.

To avoid rendering the intermediate project (with the synced clips) you can also use the project file (<somename>.kdenlive) as a clip in another project. It behaves as any other clip in the timeline.

If you want - for some reason - to render your intermediate project to something lossless, the flac codec would be your lossless audio friend. But the intermediate lossless huge video clip is not really needed, from my point of view.

capslock wrote:In my scenario I would not render at all. Use the combined tracks on e.g. video1 and audio1 and use the other tracks around for that what you call "a project later". Finally render all the stuff to a output format you need.

To avoid rendering the intermediate project (with the synced clips) you can also use the project file (<somename>.kdenlive) as a clip in another project. It behaves as any other clip in the timeline.

If you want - for some reason - to render your intermediate project to something lossless, the flac codec would be your lossless audio friend. But the intermediate lossless huge video clip is not really needed, from my point of view.

Understood -the project file is a good way to combine/sync the tracks prior to editing. This would help me accomplish part of my goal which is to organize clips prior to editing.
Occasionally I shoot interviews which someone else will edit on other software; I want to send the combined/sync'd file. What is the best practice in such a case?

Thanks!
ed

Ah, now I got the point why you want to render...

The best way would be to use kdenlive throughout the workflow (smaller files to transfer, no intermediate rendering).

The second best way is then to render your intermediate file to a lossless profile that can be read by the other software:
https://userbase.kde.org/Kdenlive/Manua ... Categories

I have no idea if aac can render audio losslessly, flac is losslessly, so FFV1+flac could be your first choice.

Note that files will be huge with about 30 MB per second.

capslock wrote:Ah, now I got the point why you want to render...

The best way would be to use kdenlive throughout the workflow (smaller files to transfer, no intermediate rendering).

The second best way is then to render your intermediate file to a lossless profile that can be read by the other software:
https://userbase.kde.org/Kdenlive/Manua ... Categories

I have no idea if aac can render audio losslessly, flac is losslessly, so FFV1+flac could be your first choice.

Note that files will be huge with about 30 MB per second.

Right, the files are HUGE! I don't understand why that is the case -why isn't it possible to merge a video clip with an audio clip and render or export to the same file type. If anyone reading this understands, please explain.

I've found a useful way to sync audio and video for use in other (Kdenlive) projects.
Its not a solution for sending clips to someone else to edit but it is definitely useful.
My situation is that I often use external audio when shooting. I would like to be able to sync the video clips with the corresponding externally recorded audio as I import from the SD card or at some point prior to editing.
Since I will be the only one editing the project and all editing will be done in Kdenlive, there is no need for an intermediate file format.

The Library is the key. Import video and externally recorded audio into Kdenlive. Sync video and audio on the timeline. Select the video and sync'd audio clips on the timeline. From the Library pane (make sure "Library" is selected in the View menu) choose the bookmark icon, name the clip and hit "OK".
This creates an MLT playlist in the Kdenlive library that can be used just like a regular clip in any kdenlive project.
When placing the MLT playlist clip on the timeline, it will appear as if the external audio has been merged with the internal audio of the video clip.
However, selecting "Current Clip>> Expand Clip" from the Timeline menu, will expand (split) the audio tracks from the video track.

So while not useful if footage needs to be roundtripped its very useful and saves time when the sync'd clips will be handled only by kdenlive.