Reversing Clips in Final Cut

July 22, 2009 in Tutorials, Video by David John

This quick tutorial covers how easy it is to change both the direction and speed of a clip in Final Cut Express. The tutorial is aimed at anyone making the leap from iMovie to Final Cut Express.

To reverse and change the speed of a clip in Final Cut Express. Click on the clip you want to alter and then click on the ‘Modify’ Menu. Select Speed (or use the ?J shortcut). A window will appear giving you the option to reverse and set the speed of the clip.

Reducing the 100 makes the clip slower, increasing it makes the clip faster. Therefore if you want the clip to play at double speed set the number to 200(%).

Note this will alter both the video and audio tracks. If you want to remove the audio, click the video and click ? L. This will unlink the audio and video thus allowing the audio track to be removed.
Very easy when you know how.