The Music Chopping Block (page 2)

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Don't forget there are other tools in your editing software. EQ and other filters can make your edit punchy and loud or thin and grungy - it's your choice. If the project needs a 30-second edit and your cut is 31 seconds, just apply some time compression to squeeze it to the exact length. Export the finished product as a 16-bit 48kHz .wav file, and import to the video project. Music editing is a powerful tool that allows you to re-purpose your music library, creating new arrangements and extending the life of your investment. Oh yeah, it's fun too!

Contributing Editor Hal Robertson has been editing music since the Stone Age, aka 1978.

Side Bar: Do It on the Web

When you're collaborating on a project or working for a fussy client, it can be difficult and time-consuming to get approval for audio edits. Rather than burn and deliver a CD of every cut, why not leverage the Internet? It's easy to encode MP3s, and short cuts can be emailed to clients for approval. With a media player, they can use the time counter to reference any changes. If you have a Web site, consider building an exclusive media page for clients, where you can upload their materials and send them a link. They can preview from anywhere, and you'll look every bit the profess…