Final Cut Pro vs Premiere Pro vs DaVinci Resolve: WHICH Video Editing Software to Use?

Premiere, Final Cut, or Da Vinci: Which one should you choose?

In this video, the speaker compares three popular video editing software options - Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and Da Vinci. The speaker shares their personal opinion and experience with each software, highlighting their unique characteristics and ways of doing things. The goal is to help viewers decide which software might be the best fit for them.

Final Cut Pro for Mac

• Final Cut Pro is a video editing software designed specifically for Mac users.

• It is optimized for Apple devices and offers good performance on Mac systems.

• Ripple editing in Final Cut Pro allows changes made to a clip to have a ripple effect on all other clips connected to it on the timeline.

• The main storyline in Final Cut Pro is where the primary clips are placed, while additional layers or tracks are used for supporting assets like b-roll footage and transitions.

• Learning how to use Ripple editing can speed up workflow but may require some adjustment if coming from Premiere or Da Vinci.

Connected Clips in Final Cut Pro

• Connected Clips in Final Cut Pro can be both helpful and frustrating. When a clip is placed on top of another clip in the storyline, they become connected.

• Moving the main clip without affecting the connected clip requires holding down a specific key (swiggle key next to number one).

• The lack of an option to easily connect or disconnect clips in Final Cut Pro can be inconvenient compared to Premiere.

Adjustment Layers in Final Cut Pro

• Final Cut Pro lacks adjustment layers, which are commonly used in Premiere for applying effects and adjustments to multiple clips simultaneously.

• Adjustment layers are essentially blank clips that allow editors to apply effects and adjustments universally across multiple clips.

The summary includes the main points from the transcript, focusing on the comparison between Premiere, Final Cut Pro, and Da Vinci.

New Section

This section discusses the organization of adjustment layers in Final Cut and the autosaving feature.

Organization of Adjustment Layers in Final Cut

• In Final Cut, adjustment layers can be separated and organized as individual adjustment layers.

• However, there is no option to rename them, which can make it difficult to identify specific adjustments.

• If there is a way to rename adjustment layers in Final Cut, please share it in the comments.

Autosaving in Final Cut

• Unlike other editors, Final Cut automatically saves changes in real-time.

• This eliminates the need for manual saving and ensures that work is always up-to-date.

• Autosaving provides peace of mind in case of computer crashes or power outages.

New Section

This section highlights the automatic saving feature and similarities between Final Cut and other video editors.

Automatic Saving in Final Cut

• Final Cut automatically saves based on every change made, providing a seamless editing experience.

• This feature eliminates the need for manual saving and ensures that work is always saved.

Similarities with Other Video Editors

• Apart from differences in user interface (UI) and tool placement, most editing features are similar across different video editors.

• Clip effects like scale and position are found under the film strip icon.

• Color grading options are located under the triangle icon.

• Audio controls can be accessed through the speaker icon.

• Clip properties are available under the information or eye icon.

• Fxs (effects) are located here, while transitions can be found here.

New Section

This section discusses pricing details for Final Cut Pro and its suitability for beginners.

Pricing Details

• The price for Final Cut Pro is $299 as a one-time purchase for a license.

Suitability for Beginners

• Final Cut Pro is a good option for beginners starting out in video editing on a Mac.

• It provides stability and helps users become comfortable with video editing workflows.

• Many YouTubers, industry professionals, and even some Hollywood films use Final Cut Pro.

New Section

This section compares the experience of switching to Final Cut from other editors.

Switching from Premiere or Da Vinci Resolve

• If you have prior experience with Premiere or Da Vinci Resolve, switching to Final Cut may feel like a step backwards initially.

• Some constraints in Final Cut may take time to get used to compared to the freedom offered by other editors.

• However, this does not imply that Final Cut is weaker; it is still a professional-grade editor capable of creating amazing content.

New Section

This section provides an overview of Premiere Pro and its features.

Premiere Pro Features

• Premiere Pro offers more freedom and control over editing compared to other editors.

• Ripple editing allows easy movement of clips without affecting connected clips.

• Multiple layers and tracks provide flexibility in arranging audio, sound effects, adjustment layers, etc.

• Adjustment layers are blank clips that can be used for applying specific effects or organizing color grading adjustments.

• Adjustment layers can be renamed for better organization and disabled/enabled to compare clip appearance with/without effects applied.

New Section

This section discusses the benefits of using adjustment layers in Premiere Pro.

Benefits of Adjustment Layers

• Adjustment layers in Premiere Pro allow for precise control over effects and color grading adjustments.

• Renaming adjustment layers helps identify specific effects applied to different clips.

• Disabling/enabling adjustment layer tracks allows comparison between clip appearance with/without effects applied.

• The downside is that adding multiple adjustment layers can make the timeline look busy.

New Section

This section highlights the flexibility of Premiere Pro in accessing different workspaces.

Accessing Different Workspaces

• Premiere Pro offers different workspaces for various tasks like cutting, color grading, effects, audio, captions, and graphics.

• Unlike other editors, there is no need to switch workspaces to access specific features.

• Users can easily adjust color grades without entering the color workspace.

• This flexibility allows users to have more control and freedom over their editing process.

New Section

This section reflects on the familiarity and comfort of using Premiere Pro as a long-time user.

Familiarity with Premiere Pro

• Having used Premiere Pro for more than a decade, the speaker appreciates its familiar interface and workflow.

• The platform provides options and freedom without imposing any automatic actions unless desired by the user.

• Switching from Premiere Pro to Final Cut may feel like a step backward due to personal preferences and familiarity with Premiere's control over every aspect of editing.

Premiere Pro Stability and Autosave

This section discusses the stability issues in Adobe Premiere Pro and the autosave functionality.

Premiere Pro Stability

• Premiere Pro is infamous for its stability issues, with frequent crashes experienced by many users.

• The lack of constant autosaving like Final Cut Pro adds to the frustration.

• Premiere's autosave feature is set to every 15 minutes by default, with limited options to change it.

• Manual saves and autosaves are stored in separate files, which can be inconvenient if a crash occurs before a manual save.

Autosave Functionality

• When manually saving (Ctrl/Cmd + S), changes are saved directly to the main project file.

• Autosaves are stored in a separate autosave file within Adobe's folder structure.

• If progress is lost due to a crash without a manual save, the most recent version can be retrieved from the autosave file.

• There is an option in the autosave settings to save the current project along with autosaves, making it more similar to Final Cut Pro's approach.

• However, even with this option enabled, the most frequent autosave interval remains at 1 minute.

Pricing and Recommendation for Premiere Pro

This section discusses pricing concerns and recommendations for using Adobe Premiere Pro as a video editing tool.

Pricing Concerns

• The subscription-based pricing model of Premiere Pro is considered expensive compared to other editing programs.

• As an editing tool that requires long-term use and investment in learning, the cost of subscription adds up over time.

• The standalone subscription for Premiere Pro alone starts at $2.99 per month, excluding other Adobe programs like After Effects.

Recommendation

• Despite its downsides, Premiere Pro remains popular among creators due to its tried-and-tested reputation.

• However, it may not be the ideal choice as a first video editor, considering both pricing and the ability to expand editing abilities.

• Other options may be more suitable for long-term use and offer better value for money.

Da Vinci Resolve Overview

This section provides an overview of Da Vinci Resolve as an alternative editing software.

Introduction to Da Vinci Resolve

• Many editors are switching to Da Vinci Resolve due to its features and capabilities.

• Initially known for its focus on color grading, Da Vinci has expanded into a full-fledged editing software.

• The interface of Da Vinci Resolve can be intimidating at first, but there are many reasons to love it.

Media Linking Issue

• One issue with Da Vinci Resolve is occasional media linking problems when working with external SSDs.

• Switching USB ports can sometimes cause the media to become unlinked and require relinking.

• While most of the time relinking works fine, there are instances where it fails or requires comprehensive search efforts.

Importing XML Files

• Importing XML files from other editors like Premiere or Luma Fusion may encounter difficulties in linking media.

• Despite researching and trying various suggestions, some cases remain unresolved.

Familiarity for Premiere Pro Users

• If transitioning from Premiere Pro, users will find Da Vinci Resolve more familiar compared to Final Cut Pro.

• The workspaces in Da Vinci Resolve are designed intuitively, providing easy access to necessary tools without navigating through multiple tabs or settings.

Workflow Efficiency in Da Vinci Resolve

This section highlights the workflow efficiency offered by Da Vinci Resolve.

Streamlined Workspaces

• Da Vinci Resolve organizes workspaces into different tabs that follow a logical flow: importing, cutting, editing, fusion (VFX), coloring, audio, and export.

• Each workspace contains essential tools and functions required for the specific task.

• Users can choose to work solely within the edit page, avoiding unnecessary navigation between different tabs.

Flexibility in Editing

• Da Vinci Resolve allows users to perform various editing tasks, including ripple editing, directly within the edit page.

• The flexibility of choosing which workspaces to utilize enhances workflow efficiency.

The transcript provided does not cover the entire video.

Visual Effects and Color Grading in Da Vinci Resolve

The speaker discusses the advantages of using Da Vinci Resolve for visual effects and color grading compared to Premiere and Final Cut. They highlight the ease of learning and accuracy of color grading in Da Vinci, particularly with the use of nodes.

Benefits of Color Grading with Nodes

• Nodes in Da Vinci Resolve allow for easy adjustment layer-like functionality.

• Each adjustment can be represented as a node, which can be turned on or off.

• Nodes make color grading faster, especially when working with multiple clips shot in the same setting or cut from a long clip.

• Shared nodes can be created and applied to similar clips, making adjustments efficient.

Using Nodes for Consistent Color Grading

The speaker explains how to use nodes in Da Vinci Resolve for consistent color grading across multiple clips.

Creating Shared Nodes

• Grade your desired look using nodes on one clip.

• Set these nodes as shared nodes.

• Copy and paste these shared nodes onto other similar clips.

• Any adjustments made to the shared node will update all instances.

Utilizing Fairlight Page for Audio Editing

The speaker discusses their experience using the Fairlight page in Da Vinci Resolve for audio editing.

Streamlining Audio Editing

• The Fairlight page allows for adjustments and effects to be applied to all audio clips on a particular track simultaneously.

• Unlike Premiere, Da Vinci automatically saves changes in real-time, minimizing the risk of lost work.

Pricing Comparison: Da Vinci Resolve vs. Premiere Pro vs. Final Cut Pro

The speaker compares the pricing models of Da Vinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro.

Da Vinci Resolve Pricing Options

• Da Vinci Resolve offers a free version and a studio version.

• The free version provides enough features for beginners and even client work.

• The studio version is priced at $299, similar to Final Cut Pro's one-time purchase cost.

Limitations of the Free Version

The speaker discusses some limitations of the free version of Da Vinci Resolve.

Limitations in the Free Version

• Lack of support for 10-bit footage (although it may vary depending on camera format).

• Some users reported issues with reading or supporting 10-bit footage in the free version.

• Built-in noise reduction plugin is not available in the free version.

Personal Recommendation: Da Vinci Resolve

The speaker shares their personal recommendation based on their experience with all three editors.

Recommendation and Benefits of Da Vinci Resolve

• The speaker recommends Da Vinci Resolve as the most logical choice due to its well-rounded editing experience, stability, and financial advantages.

• The free version can be used as a legitimate editing software without watermarks.

• Upgrading to the studio version is affordable once you outgrow the free version.

• For PC users, the one-time purchase price of $299 is more cost-effective than Premiere Pro's monthly subscription fee.

• Fusion is built into Da Vinci Resolve Studio, providing visual effects capabilities comparable to After Effects. However, After Effects may have better performance in this area.

Conclusion

The transcript covers various aspects of using Da Vinci Resolve for visual effects, color grading, audio editing, and pricing comparisons. It highlights the benefits of using nodes for color grading consistency and efficiency. Additionally, it emphasizes that Da Vinci Resolve offers a compelling option with its free version and affordable studio version.