Transferring between different DAWs without OMF/AAF March 2, 2008
Posted by ConnorSmith in : Digital Audio Workstations, Project Studio, Studio Setup , trackbackMany times, a project will travel from studio to studio during production. Each studio might be running a different DAW, with a different interface and computer. While exporting a project as an OMF or AAF and then importing to another DAW is sometimes possible, a few DAWs don’t allow this (::ahem:: Pro Tools LE….) So, its a good idea to know how to transfer the audio files without the use of OMF or other “universal” file formats.
First, you are going to want to write down the sample rate and bit depth of the original session. This is important. You don’t want to have to apply sample rate conversion to get your audio opened up in the new DAW, and the same goes for the bit depth. When you create the session in the “new” DAW, make sure those sample rate and bit depths settings are the same as in the original file. Also check to see what file format the audio was originally recorded into. Some DAWs use .wav, some use .aif, some use .sd2… (etc). Make sure the new session is compatible with the audio type, or else you will have to convert each file (which can take a lot of time and introduce artifacts into the audio).
Now… moving the audio can be a slight hassle. If the audio was tracked to a click, make sure you write down the tempo(s) and construct the correct tempo map in the new file. I would make the tempo map in the target DAW before you start importing audio and especially MIDI. Probably the easiest way to get the audio moving is to consolidate all of your regions/tracks so that they have the same starting point (and to make sure there is only one long audio file per track). Doing this is going to be different in each DAW. In Pro Tools, just highlight the audio you want to consolidate, and hit Shift+Option+3 to consolidate the region. In Logic, consolidating tracks is fairly similar. Just choose the regions you want to merge, and in the Region menu of the Arrange window, choose Merge. (see picture)
Now, there are 2 different options for “Merge”. The first option, Regions, will make a mono or stereo mixdown of multiple tracks (if you select multiple tracks). This is great if you want to “bounce” your multitrack drums to stereo (and merge the edits in the process). The second option in the menu: Regions per track, will merge multiple tracks at once, but NOT create a new mixdown. This is most likely what you will use when consolidating tracks for purposes of transferring, as you can select ALL of your tracks at once, choose Merge>Regions Per Track, and Logic will consolidate the regions on each individual track.
But!!! In Logic, you don’t even really have to do any of the above-mentioned things to transfer smoothly. In Logic, just go to the top menus and choose File>Export>All Tracks as Audio Files. Then just choose a folder to place the files, and Logic will automatically do all the work for you. Awesome (see picture below)
(Assuming you didn’t just export all your files with Logic) Once you have ALL the tracks consolidated and starting at the same point, I would recommend assigning each file a meaningful name. This will help you find the files on your hard drive, as well as help you organize the song in the transferred file. (In Pro Tools, just double-click the waveform with the grabber tool to rename, in Digital Performer, option-click). I would suggest naming them with both the song name and the track name. So for example, in the picture below, I named the tracks “SF (track name)”. (So, the kick drum file is named “SF KICK”, snare top mic is “SF SN TOP”
.
Once things are labeled, you are ready to transfer. Go to the folder on your hard drive where you have the project saved. Usually the audio files will be in a folder labeled “Audio Files” or something like that within the project folder. If you have labeled everything consistently, it will be very easy to find your files in that folder, because you will see them all in sequence (in our case, all beginning with “SF” and then having individual names for their tracks. See the picture below.
Now, go into your new DAW of choice. Each DAW will have a fairly standard option of importing audio. Digital Performer has an import audio function through the soundbites window, Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase (etc) all have Import Audio options in menus. (If you can’t find the menu, try pressing Shift+Apple+I or Apple+I, chances are this will open up the Import pane). The DAW will import the audio (and in most DAWs, automatically assign the audio to a new track).
That’s it! Its really not as scary as it may seem. Personally, I think its often easier to just export the audio like this, rather than dealing with OMF/AAF compatibility. Just stay organized, and label EVERYTHING you can with something meaningful. If you have questions about transferring between DAWs (or have some suggestions), post in the comments here or send me an email.
C
The Studio Files
Comments»
Hi,
Dumb question, but using the process as you’ve explained it, can you transfer audio files from GarageBand to Pro Tools 7.3.1.? I’m sitting here with a brand new iMac (w/4 gigs ram) and no where to go until DigiDesign gets its act together with Leopard. Thanks.
Hi
PJ is our GarageBand guy , so he may have a better answer, but..
I don’t believe there is an “export each track” function in GarageBand. And as far as I know, GarageBand does not utilize an “audio files” type of folder like I mention in the article. What you can do (and this is a bit tedious) is mute all but one track at a time, and choose the “Export to iTunes” command. Since everything but one track is muted, only that track will be exported. You would just need to do that for every instrument/track in your song, and then use the Import Audio command (Shift+Apple+I) in Pro Tools. One way to save time would be to export similar tracks together. For example, if you have two guitar tracks, and they are panned hard left and right, I would export those at the same time.
As far as I know, this would be the only way to get multi-track audio from GarageBand to Pro Tools (other than opening the GarageBand files in Logic, and then exporting them). If you have a friend with Logic, that may save you some time.
C
The Studio Files
Hi, thanks Conner. I have another solution and that is to start working on a borrowed G4 with OS10.4 and transfer the files to the new computer when the upgrade to Leopard comes. Makes sense?
In a related question, do you know if the plugins that come with the MBox 2 Pro/Pro Tools LE package are “one-time only” products or would I be able to upload those to different computers?
If you have another computer to work on the meantime, thats great. Then you can just transfer when the update comes.
As far as the plug-ins goes, yes, but it depends. If you are talking about the normal plug-ins (such as the Digidesign plug-ins or the free bomb factory ones), then any computer you install Pro Tools on will also get those plug-ins. (However, you can’t run Pro Tools without the hardware plugged in).
If you got the factory bundle, you will have plug-ins that need an iLok authorization. You can install the plug-ins on as many computers as you’d like, but you need to bring your iLok with you when going from computer to computer.
I may be able to give more info; what specific plug-ins are you trying to get onto different computers?
Hi, thanks. I’m talking about the Ignition Pack 2 that comes bundled with LE and the MBox Pro 2. I may never use all the plug-ins in the package but I could see using “Reason Adapted” for effects and maybe a couple of the instrument plug-ins like “AmpliTube LE” or “Arturia Analog Factory SE.”
Speaking of effects in Pro Tools, what is commonly used for reverb, delay, compression etc when mixing or simply to add a little presence to the vocals while recording?
You can install both Pro Tools and those packs on any computer you’d like. But, remember that Pro Tools will not work without your interface being connected.
As far as the mixing goes, its very situational. Many people just use the stock EQ3 and dynamics plug-ins on the vocals. The Digirack reverb and delays are also very nice sounding and functional plug-ins.
If you want a “slap” delay on the vocals (think Elvis), try a delay with a time of anywhere from 70-130 miliseconds (or even shorter). Longer and more repeated delays in tempo will add depth and character to your vocals. Reverbs, like delays, will really depend on the specific song. If you want a little bit of ambience, try a plate reverb with 1-1.5sec decay and a short pre-delay.
If you have some mixes posted online, I’d be happy to listen to them and make suggestions. Its a little hard to suggest effects and mixing techniques without hearing a specific tune
Hi,
Quick question regarding importing OMF files into Logic. I have received an OMF to extract & mix in Logic, however, when I try to import the file in Logic, I receive an error message:
Error code 89
Description: OMFI_ERR: Unknown Locator Type
Can you shed some light as to why I’m getting this message, as I’m at a loss as to how to rectify this problem. Thanks in advance.
P.
Hi Phil–
If you could tell us your Logic version and the origins of the OMF (DAW and version number) we will have a better chance of answering. I have had problems importing from some DAWS (DP & Sequoia) but it can be managed manually as a last resort.
Damon
Yeah^^ let us know. We can hopefully offer some better insight.
It sound like maybe there was an error in packing it.
If worst comes to worst, you can have them try to resend it, or (the way I usually prefer) is to just have them send you tracks that you can import onto your own tracks.
Hi Connor,
Coming to you from the alternative chambers of Pro Tools hell and ecstasy, depending on the day.
Real dumb question: if you are recording midi and using Pro Tools to quantize, ie as your sequencer, are you not, in fact, recording TWO tracks each time, a midi track from your controller and an instrument track from your sound module? According to the reference guide, midi data is routed from your controller, through the interface (mBox2 Pro) to the computer where it is recorded on a “midi track,” then back out to your sound module. At that point, the audio signal from your keyboard or drum machine etc is routed back thru the interface into the program and recorded on a separate track, right? Or am I missing something?
I spent hours trying to figure this out yesterday.
Hi JandB-
You can record both if you choose, but its not automatically done.
Are you using a controller AND a separate module? If so, just have the controller plugged to your MIDI in, a MIDI out to your sampler, and then audio cables from your sampler’s output to your interface.
Then just make a midi track to record the MIDI, and an audio track with the correct input (record enable both, and record).
I can probably be a little more specific: let me know what pieces of gear you are hooking up.
Thanks
C
Hi Connor, thanks for the reply. Okay, I’m using an old Yamaha PF70 keyboard as a controller. This has weighted keys and is a wonderful platform if you like an almost full keyboard. My sound modules vary from an R-8 Drum sampler, to the Korg X5DR and T3 (can also be used as a controller). I also have a Proteus and a vintage Juno-106 for those wonderful analog synth sounds – all equipment from my 80’s-90s jingle days in NYC. Back in those days I used a stand-alone sequencer (Creator/Notator) and recorded to a Tascam 1″. Everything was synced to time-code laid down on the 1″.
What you seem to be saying confirms my earlier msg. But it seems to me that if you want to quantize that you MUST record both midi and audio for each sound module, right, no choice. Otherwise, how would you be able to edit the midi data? Say you wanted to change a snare hit or the groove on an entire track. Both midi and audio track would have to be recorded. Also, what is the difference between a “midi” track and an “intstrument” track on Pro Tools LE? Both look the same on the Edit window — midi data not audio.
Thanks
JandB,
Thought I’d chime in here. A MIDI track is a general track for recording MIDI data (note on, off, velocity, volume, etc) that can be routed either internally to an instrument track in PTLE or externally to a synth or rack module. You do not have to rceord the audio generated by the synth (whether software or hardware) when you first record the track. You can wait until you have the MIDI sequence edited just so. An “instrument” track simply combines the VI with its MIDI track in one track. The MIDI is automatically routed to the instrument that is loaded up. Since many VIs are multi track (that is, they can respond to multiple MIDI tracks as input) you may want to create multiple MIDI tracks and then choose where to route them. This gets a little more complicated when it is time to render the VI tracks as audio, but it is just a matter of bussing the instrument tracks output to a stereo audio track. Again, you don’t have to take this step until the sequence is finished. You are correct that you have to have a MIDI track in order to quantize–more or less. There are some DAWs that will adjust audio to a grid, but it is much better to get the original tracks grooving.
Hope that helps!
Damon
The Studio Files
^^That’s pretty much it.
Remember that you don’t have to record the audio right off the bat.
A popular way is to record the MIDI data (and just use an Aux track to “monitor” the output of your module). Then, edit the MIDI data til’ your heart’s content. Once everything is perfect, then just run a pass and record the audio to a track.
I need to send my engineer in Germany my pro tools session to mix…He uses Pro logic.. he wants me to convert my pro tools sessions to OMF…I dont know how…please help me…
James^^
Unless you have the DV Toolkit for Pro Tools LE, you can’t export as an OMF.
I would send him consolidated audio files that all have the same start time. That way he can just drag into Logic without problems, and you won’t have to buy the DV Toolkit. (which is over $1k)
[...] Re: How do I export from WAV to AAF/OMF? I found the answer. Check this out: Transferring between different DAWs without OMF/AAF | The Studio Files [...]
Hi ,
There is a free way to convert Pro Tools sessios to Sonar?
Thanks for all
Yeah^^
Technically you aren’t converting the session file, this is just a convenient way to get the audio from DAW to DAW.
What’s the easiest way to line up audio, that was recorded in a home studio and imported into protools? I’m recording with Sony acid pro at home and will be bringing wave files into the studio to import into protools. This project was not recorded with a metronome. All the drums, bass, and main guitars were recorded at the real recording studio and all the extra guitars at my house. I just don’t know the best way to record and save the files so it’s easy for the engineer to import them in protools. Any suggestions?
I would try to do exactly what this article explains.
I’m not familiar with Acid Pro, but I’m sure there’s a way to do what I’ve outlined in the program. Most importantly, just make sure all the audio files start times are lined up, and that each track is a single, consolidated file (rather than one with gaps and/or edit points).
Hi,
I have one silly question. How can a person who’s using Sonar prepare a track for recording MIDI data?
Thanks!