Hi, I am new to media composer so I apologize if this is a silly question. I recently downloaded the trial version of media composer 8 onto my mac 10.11.3. I'm trying to add a music audio clip to my timeline. I created a new audio track for this purpose. when I try to either drag and drop from the bin, or doule click it and press V or B to either Insert or overwriteto my timeline, all my video clips move over even though they are on different tracks. I don't know how to keep everything else where it is and just add the audio clip to the track under them with out effecting them by having them move out of the way. What am I doing wrong? 

 

thank you :)

Ensure the video tracks are not enabled in the timeline as it sounds like it is trying to do an insert and moving them along.

You need to do an overwrite (red arrow)

Easier than drag and drop is to mark an in point on the timeline and the source clip and then use the red overwrite button.

Hi, Thank you for your comment. I did use the B key which is to my understanding  the red arrow or overwrite edit but I didn't have the video tracks disabled so this did work. thank you!!

I have another question which involves transitions. I am following the editing guide - fading and dipping audio instructions and as simples as it sounds I can't get past step 2...

To apply a fade or crossfade: 1.Move the position indicator to a transition. 2.Click the Quick Transition button (which appears by default in the second row of buttons below the Record monitor or in the Timeline top toolbar). 3.Click the Add menu, and Select Dissolve. Only dissolves work with audio tracks. 4.Click the Position menu, and select the location for the dissolve.5.Select a duration for the dissolve by doing one of the following:  ... I am on my audio track which is enabled and my indicator is between 2 audio clips to where I would like to add a transisiton. I try to click the transition button like it says but nothing happens.  Then if I assume it did do something which I cannot see and I were to move onto the #3, Where is the Add menu? Seems simple but for some reason I am lost. Thanks again!

When you click the quick transition icon a new option box should open up. Its in that box that you make the rest of the choices.

The Quick Transition icon should also appear in the timeline icons as the 5 icon along the top from the left. It has a gradient on it going from light to dark.

I see the icon that you are discribing. Unfortuately nothing happens when I click the transition icon? Is there something I should be doing to enable this feature? I tried in edit mode and tried having my clip(s)selected and tried having my indicator in between 2 clips but I still can't select this feature?

 

I have alsoo been trying to add effects but am unable to select the effect mode once I apply an effect to a clip. I can't access any of these features on the menu bar? Could it have something to do with having the "link selection toggle" icon on?

Thank you. I am unable to click the quick transition icon or any other icon. Nothing happens. I can't even turn off the link selection toggle. Why? What would cause this? Is it because it's a trial version?

Do you have the Command Palette open? That can only be open when assigning functions to buttons and the keyboard. When you leave it open, it disables most MC functions.

And let's say you have 8 dialog tracks (A1-8), 4 sfx tracks (A9-12) and 4 music tracks(A13-16). How can I add another dialog track AFTER A8 ? I don't seem to find the way and I'm pretty sure it was possible

Thank you

 

fss_:

How can I add another dialog track AFTER A8 ?

With PC hold the Alt key with Ctrl +U (new Mono track) or hold Alt Key and Mouse to Timeline Add New Audio Track.  When the Dialog box opens Choose A9. Then when dialog box says the track already exists  Choose Insert.   

Warning with this method all existing tracks A9 and above will be renumbered by +1(in your example SFX tracks become  A10-A13 and Music A14 to A17.