import split Sound Designer II files possible? Digital Performer sessions?

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import split Sound Designer II files possible? Digital Performer sessions?

Hi all

I work in a studio that uses Digital Performer (5.13) for tracking. Our programmer uses Logic 8 so we wish to export DP sessions into Logic. No matter how I set up OMF export from DP, or even just drag and drop the audio files themselves, I can't seem to get Logic to import split (non-interleaved) SD2 files so that they turn up as stereo files. They always arrive in the Arrange window as 2 mono files. I have tried reconnecting in the Audio Bin window but this is not working for me. Also this behaviour occurs regardless of whether the SDII file has the suffix .sd2 or the older system of .L and .R.

Am I missing something with this? It just seems that Logic does not recognize split SDII files.

I'd really like to find a way to get this workflow happening.... short of bouncing all tracks from Bar 1.

Any thoughts most welcome

Thanks a lot

Frank V

G5 Dual 2.7, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Feb 17, 2008 2:38 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 17, 2008 10:26 AM in response to FrankyV

I don't have an answer specifically, but my first thought is, have you tried the same thing using broadcast wave or AIFF audio files, instead of SD2?

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Answer 2

FrankyV Author

Level 1

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Feb 18, 2008 12:48 AM in response to Jim Frazier

Hi Jim

Thanks for your reply.

I have now tried importing DP-created OMF files in SD2, AIFF, and BWAV. All display the same behaviour. Upon import only mono tracks are created with the files placed in the correct positions. Interestingly although the files are aiffs or waves and are displayed as such in the Audio Bin, they come up in the Arrange window as <file name.sd2>. Neither in the Finder nor the Audio Bin do they have this suffix.

I have tried changing Audio Prefs/ Recording Type to the relevant recording types (aiff, wav, sdII).

Dragging and dropping all split file types ...aif, wav, and sd2... directly into the Arrange page creates stereo tracks correctly but unfortunately this does not seem to allow moving the file to the Original Position (does not read Time Stamping) so this method is of no use in importing session files which are not recorded from the beginning of the song.

I can't understand why this process is failing. It does seem to be a fundamental bug in Logic that does not allow importing of split files of any type (aif, wav, sd2).

I'd love to be wrong about this as it makes practical transferring of DP sessions into Logic all but impossible.

Anyone?

Many thanks

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Answer 3

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Feb 18, 2008 12:53 AM in response to FrankyV

Hi,

I found that working with sd2 files was a pain, so I use them as mono files, and group the two mono tracks in the mixer group section. That way I can move them, edit them, etc... together.

Cheers

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Answer 4

FrankyV Author

Level 1

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Feb 20, 2008 3:03 AM in response to FrankyV

Hi noeqplease

Thanks for the reply.

Yes at this stage grouping the various double mono tracks is the way we have to go to get a result. Not the end of the world when it's only a few tracks but frightfully time-consuming when you have large numbers of tracks and takes to review.

I don't think Apple should claim that Sound Designer files are supported when it seems pretty clear they are not.

Also it seems that Reconnect Stereo Files in the Audio Bin just doesn't work.

Again, I would love to be wrong but...

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Answer 5

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Feb 20, 2008 9:22 AM in response to FrankyV

Hi Franky,

The only support they provide, is being able to open and hear the sd2 files.

You stated in your original post :

I can't seem to get Logic to import split (non-interleaved) SD2 files so > that they turn up as stereo files. They always arrive in the Arrange window as 2 mono files. I have > tried reconnecting in the Audio Bin window but this is not working for me. Also this behaviour
occurs regardless of whether the SDII file has the suffix .sd2 or the older system of .L and .R.

SPLIT (NON-INTERLEAVED) files will NEVER get re-connected to stereo, because, and get this: they are NOT true stereo (interleaved) files. They are dual-mono files. NOT stereo. Repeat this mantra until you puke...

This you have to know, or you'll just keep pulling your hair out.

Cheers

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Answer 6

FrankyV Author

Level 1

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Feb 21, 2008 7:14 AM in response to FrankyV

Hi noeqplease

Yes you're right .... I have been reciting the mantra

I've gone to the end of it.... when using Add File it understands the .L and .R are stereo files and are to be treated as such by Logic.... when using drag and drop or OMF import, however, the same files are never seen as stereo....

But why not?

Anyway, thanks again for your help

Cheers

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Answer 7

noeqplease

Level 4

3,589 points

Feb 21, 2008 10:34 AM in response to FrankyV

Hi,

I don't know for sure, but my educated guess would be that in adding the file Logic is forced to "think" about what the file is, and int he import, it just parses whatever the OMF or the finder tells is the file type is.

But, that's just a guess...

Cheers

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Answer 8

ChuckS

Level 1

15 points

Feb 24, 2008 5:47 AM in response to FrankyV

AudioFinder by Iced Audio can combine split mono to stereo and convert SD2 to WAV. It's a great tool to have around - relatively little it can't do - convert, slice and dice, drag and drop, audition - something for everyone.. Check it out here http://www.icedaudio.com/

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Answer 9

May 6, 2008 1:25 AM in response to FrankyV

Hi,

Don't know if you've found the solution to your problem but I have a workaround. I usually work in DP as well and am trying to use Logic for mixing. What I did was export all the SDII files from DP as AIFFS. This will join the files to interleaved. The drawback is that you lose any time stamps. If thats not important it won't matter. Apparently with DP6, you can set your default file format to be BWAV or AIFF, interleaved.

David

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