What audio file formats can be imported to Pro Tools without requiring conversion? What condition would cause a file in one of these formats to require conversion on import?
WAV - Waveform Audio File Format
AIFF - Audio Interchange File Format
The sample rate of the audio file would have to be different to the sample rate of the session in order for a required conversion - It can be any bit depth
Name some common audio file formats that Pro Tools can convert on import.
- Sound Designer II (SD II)
- Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF)
- Audio Interchange File Compressed (AIFC)
- Waveform Audio File Format
- MP3 (MPEG-1 Layer 3)
What video file format can be imported by Pro Tools?
- Quicktime
- A wide range of Avid MXF video formats (including Avid DNxHD)
What two stereo file configuration formats are common on Mac and Windows systems? Which format(s) are directly supported in Pro Tools 12?
- Split Stereo (multi-mono)
- Interleaved Stereo
What is the difference between the Add button in the Import Audio dialogue box and the Copy button?
Which button will force-copy the files into your session’s Audio Files folder?
Add:
Use these buttons to import compatible files or clips WITHOUT copying them to the Audio Files folder. Clips that do not match the sample rate of the current session can also be added using these buttons, but they will not play back at the correct speed and pitch.
The Add buttons reference the original audio file(s) and do not copy them into your session’s Audio Files folder. If the original files are moved or if the session is transferred to a different system, the session may no longer be able to play the references files.
Copy:
Use these buttons to import compatible files or clips and force-copy them to the session’s Audio Files folder. The copy buttons change to Convert/Convert All buttons when the selected audio file or slip is not directly compatible with the current session.
What happens when you use the Workspace browser to import audio that is not compatible with your session’s parameters (in other words, audio that requires conversion)? What happens when you import audio that does not require conversion?
It automatically converts it to be compatible with the session
Imported audio that is directly compatible with the session parameters will be referenced in its original location and not copied into the session’s Audio Files folder. To force-copy a file, hold OPTION while dragging the file to the Clip List.
What steps are required to conduct a search for an audio file using the workspace browser?
- Choose WINDOW > NEW WORKSPACE
- To conduct a search of audio files only, follow these steps:
- In the Workspace window, click the ADVANCED SEARCH button on the right side of the toolbar. When Advanced Search mode is active, Advanced Search tools will display in the Browser pane.
- Choose the volume or folder that you want to search by selecting it in the Locations pane on the right side of the window. Note that you can drill down through the file system by clicking the arrow icons to expand volumes and folders.
- Click on the SEARCH COLUMN selector in the Advanced Search tools and select KIND
- Click on the FILE TYPE selector and select AUDIO FILE. The search results will update in the Browser pane to show only audio files. - Drag the audio files you want to import from the Workspace Browser onto the Clip List
- The files are automatically converted to the file format and sample rate of the session, if necessary, and will appear in the Clip List
What parameter will Pro Tools convert when importing audio from a CD into a 48-kHz Pro Tools session? Why?
Sample Rate
To avoid signal loss
How would you go about importing a QuickTime movie file to Pro Tools while simultaneously importing the audio embedded in the file?
FILE > IMPORT > VIDEO
select IMPORT AUDIO FROM FILE
How many video files can be associated with a standard Pro Tools session at once?
One
