ClearCue™ Knowledge Base
Understanding timing, structure, and workflow
ClearCue™ is not a plugin, not automation, and not a preset system.
This knowledge base explains how it behaves, why it behaves that way, and how to use it intentionally in real editorial workflows.
What ClearCue™ Is (and Is Not)
What it is
A frame-accurate timing reference
A non-destructive pacing layer
A visual + audible rhythm grid
A tool for shaping timing intentionally
What it is not
Not AI
Not automation
Not beat detection
Not a music replacement
Not a plugin or install
ClearCue™ never decides where to cut.
It only makes time visible.
How ClearCue™ Works (Conceptual Overview)
Each ClearCue™ file contains one thing only:
Timing.
Internally, this consists of:
A mathematically precise rhythmic grid
Frame-locked pulse points
A lightweight audio click for reference
(In Resolve) visible timing pulses as timeline events
There is:
No metadata dependency
No external markers
No session state
No lock-in
You can delete it at any moment.
Nothing collapses.
ClearCue™ and Your NLE
DaVinci Resolve (Recommended)
Resolve is the native environment for ClearCue™.
You will see:
Visible timing pulses
Frame-accurate snapping
Layered cue behaviour
DAW-style stacking and alignment
Resolve displays the full timing system.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Premiere reads ClearCue™ as a media clip.
You will get:
Audible timing click
Visual pulse inside the clip
Clean alignment
No imported timeline markers
Timing behaviour remains accurate.
Final Cut Pro
FCP behaves similarly to Premiere:
You will get:
Audible timing click
Visual pulse inside the clip
Clean alignment
No imported timeline markers
Timing behaviour remains accurate.
ClearCue™ and Your NLE
Marker placement in Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro
Some NLEs do not import timeline markers from media clips.
This is expected.
In Final Cut Pro and Premiere Pro:
The timing pulses are visible and audible inside the clip
You can place markers manually if you wish
Once placed, those markers are reusable across sequences
This is no different from building or refining a template.
ClearCue™ simply gives you accurate placement information.
ClearCue™ Modes (Timing Behaviours)
ClearCue™ modes define how time is spaced, not what content does.
Examples:
Straight / Grid – even, neutral structure
Organic – fibonacci spacing
Drift – gradual deviation over time
Offset – displaced emphasis
Tension – compressed / stretched feel
Interplay / Mosaic – complex rhythmic behaviour
Push - urgency
Each mode:
Is deterministic
Is repeatable
Never recalculates unless you choose a different mode
You can stack them freely.
Stacking and Layering Cues
ClearCue™ supports multiple timing layers at once.
You can:
Stack cues vertically
Run different rhythmic systems simultaneously
Use one for structure, another for feel
Remove or replace layers without breaking anything
This is overlay, not sequence.
Structure runs alongside instinct, not instead of it.
Working with Music (important)
ClearCue™ grids are mathematically perfect.
Most music is not.
This is expected.
Common causes of perceived drift:
Micro-timing shifts
Swing and groove
Compression/transient shaping
Human performance
Tempo fluctuations
ClearCue™ does not drift.
If something feels off:
Choose a grid closer to the music’s internal feel
Adjust playback speed slightly
Or use ClearCue™ as a structural reference, not a lock
Rule of thumb:
Shape timing with intention.
Don’t chase imperfect audio.
Working with Music (important)
ClearCue™ does not attempt to match music automatically.
Instead, you choose a timing grid first, based on the pacing needs of the story, the edit, and the intended rhythm of the piece — before committing to a soundtrack.
Music is then chosen or tested against that pacing decision, not the other way around.
To work effectively, it helps to understand tempo and time signature.
Most professional music libraries provide this information clearly.
In practice:
120 BPM / 4–4 works as a neutral structural base for a wide range of edits
Slower grids often suit dialogue-led or narrative pacing
Faster grids can introduce tension or urgency, even when paired with slower music
This is an editorial judgment, not a technical constraint.
ClearCue™ makes pacing visible so you can evaluate whether the structure supports the story — before emotional content is layered on top.
Changing Music Late in the Edit
ClearCue™ is audio-independent.
If you replace music:
Your pacing remains intact
Cuts stay clean
Structure holds
This is especially useful for:
Trailers
Brand films
Social edits
Client revisions
ClearCue™ lets you separate timing decisions from soundtrack decisions.
Frame Rates and Technical Notes
ClearCue™ always aligns to real frame boundaries.
Supported frame rates include:
23.98
24
25
29.97
30
50
59.94
60
Grids do not interpolate.
They snap cleanly.
Timing is stable across sessions and exports.
Intended Use
ClearCue™ is built for editors who want:
Clear timing decisions
Repeatable pacing
Layered structure
Editor-agnostic workflows
A calm, non-automated process
It works best when treated as:
An advanced ruler, not a prescription.
ClearCue™ rewards editors who think structurally.
It does not replace taste.
Questions?
Have a question not covered here - reach out.
Built independently. No AI tricks. No bloat. Just clarity.