Ressources

For your reference, a page with the software tools I use. I am not affiliated with any of these companies. I hope you find it useful! (Updated 2024)

NLEs
My NLE of choice is Apple Final Cut Pro X, not a single day passes without me opening FCPX. I also use Adobe Premiere which is part of my Adobe Creative Cloud Subscriptionand to a lesser degree Avid Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve.

I did cut on legacy Final Cut Pro "legacy" (v.1-7) for the entire life of the software. I rarely use it anymore. It's 
discontinued by Apple and I have to keep a machine with Yosemite on it just to run FCPL and Encore (see below.) I have Intelligent Assistance 7toX to migrate FCP legacy projects to FCPX.

I also used Media100 extensively in my career. It was an expensive piece of equipment back in the days (bundled soft+hardware). The software, compatible with AJA and BMD cards, is now available for free (though frozen at v2.1.8) courtesy of BorisEffects. It runs on macOs from 10.9 to 10.14.

Before editing in the computer, I used Sony tape-to-tape editing systems. Two decks, a player and a recorder, and a remote / mixer / sync / buffer box to control them and provide a few effects and transitions. We also had a chyron machine for (very limited) text, and various prehistoric machines and computers for (ugly) effects & graphics. BetaSP, 3/4inch UMatic and even VHS "Pro" decks were used...

PLUG-INS:
I have a few FxFactory plug-ins, also goodies from Alex GollnerCHVColor Grading CentralCoreMeltNeatVideoSpherico.

ANIMATION, MOTION GRAPHICS:
I use Apple Motion and Adobe After Effects (CC.) I still have to get my hands dirty with BMD Fusion. Not enough time!

PHOTO, GRAPHICS:
I'm using Pixelmator Pro for most quick tasks, and I like it. I only fire Adobe Photoshop when I cannot do something in Pixelmator. I've started fiddling around with Vectornator, but I find that it slows down considerably as projects get more complex.
 Illustrator does slow down also with large projects, but not as much. So I still use it since it is part of the CC sub like 
Photoshop.

COLOR GRADING, COMPOSITING:
BMD DaVinci Resolve rules. I graded with Apple Color (discontinued) for some time, the transition to Resolve was easy. I really like Resolve for color/finishing work, much less for editing. It's a great tool to have for syncing and creating dailies. 

SOUND:
I've started learning Reaper, it's growing on me! I am still using ProTools though, time will tell if I jump ship. Digidesign/Avid ProTools still rules. I want to try Apple Logic X. Maybe one day. For small fixes and quick stuff I occasionally use Audacity and Adobe Audition (CC).  I move audio from FCPX to ProTools with X2Pro
To batch convert audio files I use Monkey Tools' excellent SoundGrinder, very efficient software.

AUDIO PLUG-INS:
Waves Diamond Bundle, Clarity, Vocal Rider
iZotope RX
SPL Audio.

AUDIO LEVELS:
I watch my levels with Youlean Meter, and TC LM2N Loudness Meters. I did try Klangfreund LUFS Meter and liked it. I haven't purchased it yet.

DCP:
DCP-o-matic is awesome! Thank you Carl. I was an early adopter of Final DCP, loved it, but it is too expensive to justify with my limited output.

DVD and BLU-RAY:
Adobe Encore CS6 (frozen but still available from Adobe). Used to love/hate DVD Studio Pro (discontinued by Apple.)

FILE COMPRESSION:
Adobe Media EncoderApple Compressor, Shutter Encoder, HandBrake

MISCELLANEOUS:
Vimeo, Frameio (now included in Creative Cloud subscription), Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, WeTransfer, for moving things around and reviews.
I use Apple Automator quite often, batch renaming stuff, recording temp V.O. from text and more.
Also, fantastic file renaming app A Better Finder Rename from the good guys at publicspace.net.
I can't sleep without Carbon Copy Cloner running in the background.
I'm not getting a lot of footage from Convergent Design's Odyssey anymore, it's been discontinued, but I used to run their CDProRes Transfer software often to bring in the goods.
My stuff would be lost, without NeoFinder.

I do not use FileFinder,
 Mpeg Streamclip, nor QT Sync anymore, but they saved my bacon multiple times in the past.


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