"Un-mixing" an old project... at DVinfo.net

Sean Mewshaw · November 2nd, 2007, 02:43 PM

I'm re-editing a short film I made a few years back, which was shot on 35, recorded to DAT, cut on Avid, post-mixed in ProTools.

I now need to access the ProTools project file and re-edit and re-mix the soundtrack. I'm going to be working in FCS2 (which is being sent to me as we speak, I have yet to work with it, just FCPHD), and don't have the funds to buy ProTools, or to rent more time in a session at a mixing house...

So my question is whether there are other programs that can open and/or translate ProTools Sessions? All the audio media is present on my disk (along with the "fade files" and sound effects we produced in the session), and I'm trying to figure out how to re-build the mix without having to manually re-cut the soundtrack from the full takes on DAT... ;p

Alternately, I also have the Avid project file of the master edit, but I haven't re-captured the telecined footage with synch sound, so I have no media to re-connect to that cut...

Lastly, the ProTools session files have no extensions. Should they be ".pts" files?

Any thoughts or flashes of inspiration would be welcome!

Thanks,
Sean

Mike Peter Reed · November 2nd, 2007, 03:04 PM

If it's an OMF I think FCP6 can open them.

Jonathan Bufkin · November 2nd, 2007, 03:12 PM

The short answer is that only Pro Tools can open Pro Tools sessions. The best advice I could give is check the "audio" folder that accompanies that session. I'm assuming that there will be tons of files when you look in it, but some audio guys consolidate all of their audio files when they are done with a project. If this is the case then you could import these files into another DAW(i.e. Logic, DP, Soundtrack, etc.). This would give you the ability to remix. If there are a ton of files created by recording and editing then you would need to hire someone to consolidate the files for you that has Pro Tools. This should not take long to do at all. One thing to keep in mind...if you don't use Pro Tools to mix then you will be working with raw audio again.

Steve Oakley · November 2nd, 2007, 07:01 PM

there is protools LE which is free, but I doubt it will yeild what you need. best thing to do is find a protools setup, and have them export each track to its own AIFF file. FCP will export OWF, but not import it AFAIK. another possible solution is Automatic Duck might have an importer.

with the Avid project, either use Automatic Duck to bring the project into FCP, or find some one who can do it for you and save out a FCP project file, or open the project up in Avid and export a EDL :(

Brooks Harrington · November 4th, 2007, 10:00 AM

Where can you get PTLE for free?

Steve Oakley · November 4th, 2007, 10:31 AM

avid.com

they offered it free to introduce people to PT. limited to 8 tracks or something, but useful.

good luck finding it because they have the most unorganized website ever and it was several years ago when I last ran it.... I personally ran it around OS8 or so for mac. there is a windows version. its quite possible they are no longer offering it, but... well you know its out there if you what I mean ;)

so i just did a google search and here it is on cnet.com

http://www.download.com/Pro-Tools-Fr...4-3296394.html

link is dead :( but I'm sure its out there. again not sure if its worth anything either given its so old. I thought that had updated it a little more.

link to the PDF manual I found

http://archive.digidesign.com/suppor...tart_Guide.pdf

Anna Harmon · November 4th, 2007, 10:38 AM

The problem with protools is you can't open it unless you have a digidesign interface plugged in. Like, the 002 or whatever.

Steve Oakley · November 4th, 2007, 11:15 AM

with the free version, exactly the opposite. it only works with the built in audio with the exception of the AM III card. idea was to let you try it out on your own hardware, but then step up to a full PT systems which of course requires their hardware

Sean Mewshaw · November 4th, 2007, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, daunting as the prospects may seem. I'm going to give the PT Free method a try today, see if it can re-construct a full session.

I just wish I could track down the OMF I exported from Avid when we went into the original ProTools Mix session... I assume I could import that into FCP now, and though it wouldn't be the final mix, at least it would be the sound edit!

I'll post my progress. Cross yer fingers, folks.

Nate Weaver · November 4th, 2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Mewshaw

I assume I could import that into FCP now, and though it wouldn't be the final mix, at least it would be the sound edit!

FCP only exports OMFs for ProTools. It doesn't import them.

I don't know about Soundtrack Pro, however.

Sean Mewshaw · November 4th, 2007, 12:28 PM

Yes indeed. Darn it.

From the ProTools website:

"Pro Tools FREE for Mac OS 9 and Windows 98/Me are no longer available for download or on CD.
There are no current plans for a standalone version or a free version of Pro Tools for either Mac OSX or Windows XP.
When Pro Tools FREE for Mac OS9 and Windows 98/Me was released years ago, it was originally meant to be a temporary demonstration tool for Pro Tools. At that time, there were no portable (USB or FireWire) Digidesign interfaces, only Pro Tools systems that used PCI hardware. Since that time, Digidesign has introduced the Mbox, Mbox 2, Digi 002, and Digi 002 Rack interfaces, as well as Pro Tools M-Powered software, which supports many M-Audio portable interfaces."

I'm going to keep digging for it, though, just in case some other freeware server is hanging onto this program. Anybody out there download it, and still have the program archive?! Ha!

Sean Mewshaw · November 4th, 2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Peter Reed

If it's an OMF I think FCP6 can open them.

Can anyone confirm or deny this? I am a few days away from taking delivery of FCPS2, and currently am only running FCPHD4.5 so I have no way to know. 4.5 certainly can't handle OMF.

I have looked into the Automatic Duck Pro Import FCP software, which seems to be capable of making this translation, but of course I would *prefer* not having to spend the $500 on it...

Gerry Gallegos · November 4th, 2007, 03:58 PM

OMF is an import/export file system that only works with an additional tool that in not normally included in PT,and works outside of PT, or MAC systems for that atter (at least it was when I worked with PT) the easiest answer is to get you an basic Mbox protools setup (not very expensive) this will open the PT session, however any plug in s and any tracks beyond the LE limitation will not show up , but you should still have the time line info. you might have to re-build the session as this project was probably saved with TDM plug ins and may or may not transcribe to the new LE system.

Steve Oakley · November 4th, 2007, 04:07 PM

its seems if you buy some hardware, they'll "give" you PT LE. cheapest thing is this USB output device on the digidesign site

http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?...20&itemid=5343

for $279 not a bad deal if you need PT LE and it will open everything up.

no FCP does NOT import OMF, only export.

Sean Mewshaw · November 4th, 2007, 04:43 PM

Well, I dug up the complete OMF export, with attendant data files, so I feel inches away from being able to rebuild the mixing session. You guys may have a point that I should just spring for one of the ProTools LE set ups... Certainly cheaper than the Ducky software translation solution; though I would prefer to be able to re-cut the audio natively in FCP alongside the video.

Thank you for all the help - the DVI forum can't be beat!

November 2nd, 2007, 02:43 PM	#1
Sean Mewshaw Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 28	"Un-mixing" an old project... I'm re-editing a short film I made a few years back, which was shot on 35, recorded to DAT, cut on Avid, post-mixed in ProTools. I now need to access the ProTools project file and re-edit and re-mix the soundtrack. I'm going to be working in FCS2 (which is being sent to me as we speak, I have yet to work with it, just FCPHD), and don't have the funds to buy ProTools, or to rent more time in a session at a mixing house... So my question is whether there are other programs that can open and/or translate ProTools Sessions? All the audio media is present on my disk (along with the "fade files" and sound effects we produced in the session), and I'm trying to figure out how to re-build the mix without having to manually re-cut the soundtrack from the full takes on DAT... ;p Alternately, I also have the Avid project file of the master edit, but I haven't re-captured the telecined footage with synch sound, so I have no media to re-connect to that cut... Lastly, the ProTools session files have no extensions. Should they be ".pts" files? Any thoughts or flashes of inspiration would be welcome! Thanks, Sean

November 2nd, 2007, 03:04 PM	#2
Mike Peter Reed Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hants, UK Posts: 185	If it's an OMF I think FCP6 can open them. __________________ ---8<---

November 4th, 2007, 03:58 PM	#13
Gerry Gallegos Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 262	pro=tools OMF is an import/export file system that only works with an additional tool that in not normally included in PT,and works outside of PT, or MAC systems for that atter (at least it was when I worked with PT) the easiest answer is to get you an basic Mbox protools setup (not very expensive) this will open the PT session, however any plug in s and any tracks beyond the LE limitation will not show up , but you should still have the time line info. you might have to re-build the session as this project was probably saved with TDM plug ins and may or may not transcribe to the new LE system.

November 2nd, 2007, 03:12 PM	#3
Jonathan Bufkin Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 253	The short answer is that only Pro Tools can open Pro Tools sessions. The best advice I could give is check the "audio" folder that accompanies that session. I'm assuming that there will be tons of files when you look in it, but some audio guys consolidate all of their audio files when they are done with a project. If this is the case then you could import these files into another DAW(i.e. Logic, DP, Soundtrack, etc.). This would give you the ability to remix. If there are a ton of files created by recording and editing then you would need to hire someone to consolidate the files for you that has Pro Tools. This should not take long to do at all. One thing to keep in mind...if you don't use Pro Tools to mix then you will be working with raw audio again.

November 2nd, 2007, 07:01 PM	#4
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	there is protools LE which is free, but I doubt it will yeild what you need. best thing to do is find a protools setup, and have them export each track to its own AIFF file. FCP will export OWF, but not import it AFAIK. another possible solution is Automatic Duck might have an importer. with the Avid project, either use Automatic Duck to bring the project into FCP, or find some one who can do it for you and save out a FCP project file, or open the project up in Avid and export a EDL :(

November 4th, 2007, 10:00 AM	#5
Brooks Harrington Regular Crew Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 152	Where can you get PTLE for free?

November 4th, 2007, 10:31 AM	#6
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	avid.com they offered it free to introduce people to PT. limited to 8 tracks or something, but useful. good luck finding it because they have the most unorganized website ever and it was several years ago when I last ran it.... I personally ran it around OS8 or so for mac. there is a windows version. its quite possible they are no longer offering it, but... well you know its out there if you what I mean ;) so i just did a google search and here it is on cnet.com http://www.download.com/Pro-Tools-Fr...4-3296394.html link is dead :( but I'm sure its out there. again not sure if its worth anything either given its so old. I thought that had updated it a little more. link to the PDF manual I found http://archive.digidesign.com/suppor...tart_Guide.pdf

November 4th, 2007, 10:38 AM	#7
Anna Harmon Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 127	The problem with protools is you can't open it unless you have a digidesign interface plugged in. Like, the 002 or whatever.

November 4th, 2007, 11:15 AM	#8
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	with the free version, exactly the opposite. it only works with the built in audio with the exception of the AM III card. idea was to let you try it out on your own hardware, but then step up to a full PT systems which of course requires their hardware

November 4th, 2007, 12:18 PM	#9
Sean Mewshaw Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 28	Thanks for the suggestions, daunting as the prospects may seem. I'm going to give the PT Free method a try today, see if it can re-construct a full session. I just wish I could track down the OMF I exported from Avid when we went into the original ProTools Mix session... I assume I could import that into FCP now, and though it wouldn't be the final mix, at least it would be the sound edit! I'll post my progress. Cross yer fingers, folks.

November 4th, 2007, 12:28 PM	#11
Sean Mewshaw Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 28	Yes indeed. Darn it. From the ProTools website: "Pro Tools FREE for Mac OS 9 and Windows 98/Me are no longer available for download or on CD. There are no current plans for a standalone version or a free version of Pro Tools for either Mac OSX or Windows XP. When Pro Tools FREE for Mac OS9 and Windows 98/Me was released years ago, it was originally meant to be a temporary demonstration tool for Pro Tools. At that time, there were no portable (USB or FireWire) Digidesign interfaces, only Pro Tools systems that used PCI hardware. Since that time, Digidesign has introduced the Mbox, Mbox 2, Digi 002, and Digi 002 Rack interfaces, as well as Pro Tools M-Powered software, which supports many M-Audio portable interfaces." I'm going to keep digging for it, though, just in case some other freeware server is hanging onto this program. Anybody out there download it, and still have the program archive?! Ha!

November 4th, 2007, 04:07 PM	#14
Steve Oakley Trustee Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: United States Posts: 1,158	its seems if you buy some hardware, they'll "give" you PT LE. cheapest thing is this USB output device on the digidesign site http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?...20&itemid=5343 for $279 not a bad deal if you need PT LE and it will open everything up. no FCP does NOT import OMF, only export.

November 4th, 2007, 04:43 PM	#15
Sean Mewshaw Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 28	Well, I dug up the complete OMF export, with attendant data files, so I feel inches away from being able to rebuild the mixing session. You guys may have a point that I should just spring for one of the ProTools LE set ups... Certainly cheaper than the Ducky software translation solution; though I would prefer to be able to re-cut the audio natively in FCP alongside the video. Thank you for all the help - the DVI forum can't be beat!