CS3 - how to export audio for use in Pro Tools at DVinfo.net

Nathan Quattrini · July 29th, 2008, 01:23 PM

I know Premiere can`t export OMF (another strike against them), but I need to find a way to get my short films audio to a Pro Tools audio guy in another state so he can work on it. Are there any ways to accomplish this?

Jiri Fiala · July 29th, 2008, 02:05 PM

You can try exporting your timeline as AAF and cross your fingers - Premiere usually crashes doing this. You cannot specify handles and you will need to send your video footage along (try to shrink your project with Project Manager).

I can open use this workflow with Sony Vegas which I LOVE for audio work. You may or may not be able to open these AAFs in ProTools, I cannot confirm that. I wasn`t succesful with Nuendo.

Or, you can always export your audio as separate WAVs (or AIFFs) - one track per speaking person, FX, foley, music etc. Be sure you overlap these clips, simulating handles. You audio guy won`t love you for that, but you cannot do anything else with Premiere. That`s a fact of life.

Nathan Quattrini · July 29th, 2008, 03:37 PM

simulating handles? What do you mean?

Jiri Fiala · July 29th, 2008, 05:42 PM

It`s better if your audio guy has extra audio to work with. Like you have several seconds of video before and after the very shot you have in timeline, it`s wise to provide audio post with extra material for crossfades or simple fades.

Proper AAF or OMF export does this automatically (you can extend or shrink audio just as you are able to in video editing app), but AAFs from Premiere usually do not work in ProTools. So, you need to checkerboard your audio (person No. 1 on one track, person No. 2 on another track, and the same for any other audio that overlaps - your timeline will resemble a checkerboard) and extend all these clips from both sides.

This way your audio guy can crossfade lines and sounds even when he gets just a bunch of WAVs.

Oh, I nearly forgot: export all these tracks one by one, soloing them in Audio Mixer, so they are separate.

Nathan Quattrini · July 30th, 2008, 09:44 AM

how do I export AAF? The only audio export options I have are QT and AIFF

Jiri Fiala · July 30th, 2008, 11:26 AM

How about reading the manual? I agree it`s not intuitive, it`s under Project menu, but then again, it`s ALL in Help.

If you are on Mac, you are out of luck. Export to AAF is buggy as hell and Windows only.

Nathan Quattrini · July 30th, 2008, 11:31 AM

I am on a mac, and I guess thats why I couldn't find it. Damn this program

Jiri Fiala · July 30th, 2008, 01:30 PM

Yes, but it`s in Help nevertheless... even on a Mac. People really should learn to consult documentation before asking questions. It`s faster, too.

I guess you will have to go the AIFF route I described earlier.

July 29th, 2008, 01:23 PM	#1
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	CS3 - how to export audio for use in Pro Tools I know Premiere can`t export OMF (another strike against them), but I need to find a way to get my short films audio to a Pro Tools audio guy in another state so he can work on it. Are there any ways to accomplish this? __________________ Cinematography Site

July 29th, 2008, 03:37 PM	#3
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	simulating handles? What do you mean? __________________ Cinematography Site

July 30th, 2008, 09:44 AM	#5
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	how do I export AAF? The only audio export options I have are QT and AIFF __________________ Cinematography Site

July 30th, 2008, 11:31 AM	#7
Nathan Quattrini Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 740	I am on a mac, and I guess thats why I couldn't find it. Damn this program __________________ Cinematography Site

July 29th, 2008, 02:05 PM	#2
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	You can try exporting your timeline as AAF and cross your fingers - Premiere usually crashes doing this. You cannot specify handles and you will need to send your video footage along (try to shrink your project with Project Manager). I can open use this workflow with Sony Vegas which I LOVE for audio work. You may or may not be able to open these AAFs in ProTools, I cannot confirm that. I wasn`t succesful with Nuendo. Or, you can always export your audio as separate WAVs (or AIFFs) - one track per speaking person, FX, foley, music etc. Be sure you overlap these clips, simulating handles. You audio guy won`t love you for that, but you cannot do anything else with Premiere. That`s a fact of life.

July 29th, 2008, 05:42 PM	#4
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	It`s better if your audio guy has extra audio to work with. Like you have several seconds of video before and after the very shot you have in timeline, it`s wise to provide audio post with extra material for crossfades or simple fades. Proper AAF or OMF export does this automatically (you can extend or shrink audio just as you are able to in video editing app), but AAFs from Premiere usually do not work in ProTools. So, you need to checkerboard your audio (person No. 1 on one track, person No. 2 on another track, and the same for any other audio that overlaps - your timeline will resemble a checkerboard) and extend all these clips from both sides. This way your audio guy can crossfade lines and sounds even when he gets just a bunch of WAVs. Oh, I nearly forgot: export all these tracks one by one, soloing them in Audio Mixer, so they are separate.

July 30th, 2008, 11:26 AM	#6
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	How about reading the manual? I agree it`s not intuitive, it`s under Project menu, but then again, it`s ALL in Help. If you are on Mac, you are out of luck. Export to AAF is buggy as hell and Windows only.

July 30th, 2008, 01:30 PM	#8
Jiri Fiala Major Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brno Czech Republic Posts: 453	Yes, but it`s in Help nevertheless... even on a Mac. People really should learn to consult documentation before asking questions. It`s faster, too. I guess you will have to go the AIFF route I described earlier.