For a while I was using Simon Says, but it sucks. I found a better way. How I automatically generate subtitles/captions to videos in Final Cut Pro.
Overview: Why subtitles matter in Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro provides a built-in workflow for automatic transcription and captioning, along with manual captioning options and import/export capabilities for a complete, flexible subtitling pipeline. The process starts with an initial transcription, followed by refinement, styling, and export options that suit various distribution needs. Final Cut Pro transcribes each clip in the selection and automatically connects the resulting title clips to the clips they were transcribed from. Each title clip starts and ends in sync with the spoken words. Automatically generated subtitles are standard title clips created using the default Subtitle title (in the Subtitles category of the Titles and Generators sidebar).
Step-by-step: Generate auto captions directly in Final Cut Pro
In Final Cut Pro, select one or more clips in the timeline that contain speech. Do one of the following: Control-click the selection, then choose Generate Captions > Subtitles. Choose Edit > Generate Captions > Subtitles (or press Shift-Command-S). Click the Enhancements pop-up menu below the viewer, then choose Generate Captions > Subtitles. Final Cut Pro transcribes each clip in the selection and automatically connects the resulting title clips to the clips they were transcribed from. The Subtitles role is automatically assigned to all subtitles created using Generate Captions.
Step 1: Prepare Your Project - Start by opening your project or creating a new one in Final Cut Pro. Import the video file you want to subtitle by dragging it into the media library. Then, drag your video to the timeline, ensuring it’s ready for editing.
Step 2: Initiate the Transcription Process - Highlight the audio clip or track that contains the dialogue. Go to the Captions section in the Final Cut Pro interface and click on Transcribe to Captions. The software will prompt you to confirm the settings, including the language of the audio (currently supported in English).
Step 3: Review the Generated Captions - After a few moments, Final Cut Pro will display the generated captions on the timeline, aligned with the audio. Open the captions panel to review the text. Carefully read through the transcription and make edits where necessary. Correct any inaccuracies or refine the text to improve clarity and readability.
Step 4: Adjust Timing and Overlaps - There will be some discrepancies in the timecodes of the captions. Slide the subtitle blocks to sync with the audio. If there’s an overlap between two captions, go to Edit > Captions > Resolve Overlaps. This will remove any overlap. Play the video and check sync.
Step 5: Customize the Captions - Final Cut Pro allows extensive customization of your captions. Use the Inspector panel to adjust the font, size, color, and position. You can also modify the timing by dragging the edges of the caption blocks on the timeline to align with the spoken words.
Step 6: Export Your Captions - When you’re satisfied, export them. Go to the File menu and choose Export Captions, or burn the captions into the video. You can also export them as separate files, such as an SRT or iTT file, for use on other platforms. To do that, go to File, Share, Export files. Click on the Roles tab, then the blue icon Captions and select Burn in captions.
Alternative: Importing existing captions into Final Cut Pro
Importing captions is a time-saving feature if you already have pre-made subtitles or a transcription file. Step-by-step: check supported formats (SRT, iTT, CEA-608). Open your project, File > Import > Captions, and select the caption file. Assign a Caption Role to organize within the project. Review and edit captions for accuracy. Customize appearance via the Inspector. If timing is off, adjust caption blocks in the timeline. Finally, export with captions embedded or as separate files (SRT, iTT) as needed.
Manual captioning: When you need full control
Final Cut Pro also supports manual captioning for precise control. Start by creating a closed caption role (choose a closed caption format: iTT, CEA-608, or SRT). Add captions via Edit > Closed Captions > Add Caption, which places a caption block in a dedicated lane. Enter text in the caption editor, adjust duration by dragging edges, and position captions within the frame using the Inspector. Ensure captions stay synchronized when editing primary video clips. You can create additional closed captions by repeating the process for each caption.
Using third-party tools to enhance the workflow
There are approaches to extend Final Cut Pro’s capabilities, such as exporting captions for conversion or using tools like X-Title Extractor for FCPX to convert captions to Titles. If you encounter issues with any tool, ensure proper permissions or settings (e.g., Disk Access in System Preferences) to avoid hindrances in exporting or conversion.
Speeding up subtitling with AI
AI subtitle generators can accelerate the process. For example, Checksub can generate automatic subtitles by uploading your video, selecting the source language, and optionally translating into other languages. The AI output is time-coded to match the audio and can be edited for timing and readability. Export subtitles in SRT or iTT formats compatible with Final Cut Pro. Using AI-generated subtitles alongside Final Cut Pro’s built-in tools can significantly reduce manual workload.
Tips for accuracy and accessibility
- Use the Transcribe to Captions feature for English audio to quickly generate base captions.
- Review and correct inaccuracies to improve readability and synchronization.
- Keep captions legible with appropriate font, size, color, and contrast.
- Share or burn-in captions as needed for distribution on various platforms.
- When dealing with noisy audio, consider pre-processing with noise reduction or Voice Isolation to improve transcription quality.
