Open DAW Bridge

After downloading DAW Bridge from the app store, double click on the icon to install it. Once installed, open Final Cut Pro X (FCPX). You will notice the orange icon in the upper left of the FCPX window.

If you have multiple extensions installed, you will see the orange icon in an extensions pulldown, labeled DAW Bridge.

Click the icon to open the extension.

Match Project FPS

The DAW Bridge can interpret your project’s frames per second if you drag the project from Final Cut Pro X’s Projects panel into the DAW Bridge.

Sync Basics

For your DAW to sync with Final Cut Pro X, your DAW project must have the same frame rate and start time as your Final Cut Pro X project. Also, MMC must be turned on and activated with DAW Bridge selected as the source inside your DAW.

Transfer

Open Logic Pro X. Navigate to Project Settings > Synchronization. Here, see that you have the same Frame Rate and Start Time as you do in FCPX.

Then, select the MIDI tab and select “DAW Bridge In” from the Destination dropdown menu. Check “MTC”.

The Transport in Logic will now control FCPX, while maintaining their timelines in perfect sync.

Scrubbing in FCPX can drag Logic along but to play both programs in sync you should play from Logic or from the DAW Bridge extension.

Pro Tools

Open Pro Tools and navigate to Setup > Session and see that your Frame Rate (labeled Timecode Rate) and Session Start match those of FCPX’s.

Then navigate to Setup > Peripherals. Set the MTC Generator Port as “DAW Bridge In”.

Navigate to Setup > MIDI > MIDI Input Devices.
Enable DAW Bridge Out

Open the options caret at the top-right of Pro Tools and check “Synchronization” to reveal the MTC button. Click on the button so it turns blue.

Pro Tools and FCPX’s timeline are now perfectly in sync. Note: Pro Tools does not allow for scrubbing to maintain synchronization. However, the timelines will snap back into sync when you click play in Pro Tools or in the extension.

Cubase

Open Cubase. Navigate to Project > Project Setup and see that you have the same Frame Rate and Start Time as you do in FCPX.

Then navigate to Transport > Project Synchronization Setup. Under the Sources tab, check “Activate External Sync” and “Internal Timecode”.

Under the Destinations tab, check “DAW Bridge In” for the MIDI Timecode Destination, and check “MIDI Timecode Follows Project Time”

The Transport in Cubase will now control FCPX, while maintaining their timelines in perfect sync.

Controls

There are a few other controls in the DAW Bridge extension, including: play, go to beginning, frame rate selection, MTC In/Out, and sync on/off. The timecode for both FCPX and the connected DAW are also displayed.