final cut pro will not create proxy media

Hi, I'm having an issue creating proxy media in FCP 11.1 (but also in previous version too)

I'm editing mostly 4k files and one 6k file and as the original media playback has been dropping frames and lagging, I've been trying to create proxies, to no avail. I'm editing from / have my library/files etc on an external hard drive, using MacBook pro 15 inch 2018 32gb memory i9 processor, running Sequoia 15.3.2.

I've watched so many youtube videos on importing and transcoding, assuming its an operator error, or something to do with my file management, but nothing seems to work.

I have tried the following:

transcode orignial media (original files in place)

No proxy media listed in available media representations. I've done this a couple of times. FCP creates a proxy file and stores it in the proxy media folder. I try relinking to the proxy media file and still no proxy media visible in the AMR

transcode orignial media (with import setting changed to copy to library)

Nothing happens. The background tasks panel shows that it is transcoding, but once complete, there's still no proxy available. I try transcoding again and the transcode media panel options are greyed out, which indicates the FCP thinks or has created the proxy media, but I just don't know where it is or how to access it.

I delete the files from the library and re-import making sure proxy media is checked- I only do this on the leave in place setting as regenerating the original 4/6k files in the library takes up way too much space. Still no proxy
Created a new library and imported/transcoded files to see if that changes anything. It doesnt
Unistall / reinstall. Still no proxy

I must admit, for some reason it did actually create a proxy one of the times - i cannot remember under what conditions, I've tried so many things - however the proxy file was black. I recall reading a post about this problem that indicated that it was a bug.

If anyone has any suggestions (before I switch to Premier Pro, Lol!) I'd be most appreciative,

Allison

Posted on May 11, 2025 8:29 PM

Top-ranking reply

Michel Boissonneault

Level 5

4,890 points

Posted on May 11, 2025 9:05 PM

Hum your external hard drive has not the correct format, you need APFS or MacOs extended, it’s almost full, the converter is another bottleneck for fast data travelling. USB connection for spinning hard drive is too slow for 4K or 6k.

6k ProRes 4444 is pretty demanding on your system.

You can try Blackmagic speed disk test app to test your setup capacity:

https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/blackmagic-disk-speed-test/id425264550?l=fr-CA&mt=12

You can buy a 1To SSD drive like Samsung T7 with USB C for around 150$ can. They are reliable and fast.

Try to create a new library with some clips on your internal drive Macintosh HD just for test purposes and see if you can create proxies.

Michel

View in context

final cut pro will not create proxy media

Similar questions