XML Import + Multi-Channel WAV Files ARGH!!!

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Level 1

4 points

XML Import + Multi-Channel WAV Files ARGH!!!

I do post-production sound on some projects and I've had a few projects lately where the editor has been working with multi-channel wav files.

When getting Logic to ingest the multi-track sessions using XML import, it seems as though Logic tries to rebuild the session with the editor's initial slicing and automation intact.

HOWEVER, each track seems to import a copy of the six-channel wav, sets the input type to either "Left" or "Right" and sets the stereo pan to either left or right. The multichannel WAVs contain individual lav mic and boom mic takes (instead of having multiple sync'd mono tracks for each mic).

The way that the tracks, regions and audio files are interpreted, I can not properly audition nor isolate the audio from anything but the right and left channels of the multi-channel WAVs.

The infuriating part is that if you drag and drop a multichannel file onto the timeline, Logic will automatically split out the individual channels to six discrete mono tracks - so I know there is information on the other channels.

I've scoured the user manual and the internet to see if there is a way to "deconstruct" the multichannel WAVs in Logic, but I can't find anything. Even if I set the input and output types to surround, I can not seem to be able to isolate individual channels appropriately.

The only way I've been able to jerry-rig this to be able to properly solo and audition each of the multichannel tracks is to
- set the input type to surround,
- set the output to stereo (what the film will be encoded as)
- insert a multi-channel Gain plugin,

- solo the appropriate channel,

- follow that by a multi-mono Gain plugin,

- set that to Mono

and I can cycle through the channels to ID which are the appropriate mic channels to use.

Barring a miracle that the developer gods at Logic insert an option in the next release that allows you to specify how you'd like Logic to handle multichannel files on XML/AAF import, IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY TO ISOLATE A TRACK IN A MULTICHANNEL WAV?

Thanks, Dave

Logic Pro X, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 20, 2018 10:14 AM

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Answer 1

Chckn8r Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 21, 2018 10:56 AM in response to Indyuser

Indyuser,

Again, thanks so much for your persistence and willingness to help here!

Unfortunately, I don't think testing just one (or a few) multi-channel wav file will resolve anything. As I stated above, I've dragged and dropped individual WAV's onto the timeline and verified that Logic will split them out into discrete mono channels. With a multi-track import (AAF or XML), I'm dealing with dozens of individual multi-channel WAV files (in this case over 150) and subsequently those files being sliced into 100's of discrete regions where the editor has made cut, cross-fade and sequencing decisions. In essence, a single audio file may be segmented into 10 different regions, placed out of sequence and spread across multiple tracks across the timeline.

I don't know how versed you are in the workflow of film audio, but in order to understand the dilemma here, you'll need to know that editing and mixing film audio is an entirely different workflow from traditional music editing and mixing.

The move to original recorded position function in Logic is nice when that meta-information has been preserved or applicable to the timeline, but once the raw audio has been injested into the editing program and sync'd with the appropriate takes of raw video, the SMPTE metadata is used to maintain sync with individual clips - not the edited composite timeline that I receive. In essence, the WAV files I receive either do not have any SMPTE metadata attached or the metadata is relevant to only the raw video that was shot on set.

A multitrack import via XML or AAF protocols first imports all of the raw audio files into Logic and then essentially rebuilds the multitrack session that the video editor ended with - splitting the raw audio into regions, placing regions on appropriate tracks in the appropriate location, and then applies any panning, levels and automation. So, in essence unless there is a function that I can't find that enables me to break out the individual channels of a multi-channel wav, I'm going to have to start looking at ProTools...

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Answer 2

Indyuser

Level 5

4,623 points

Aug 20, 2018 8:27 PM in response to Chckn8r

I have not used the xml import option - feel free to send a multi wav file to logicprose@icloud.com if you want me to test it. A drag and drop should preserve the location by using the move region to recorded position key command. But haven't test that with an xml import.

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Answer 3

Indyuser

Level 5

4,623 points

Aug 20, 2018 3:21 PM in response to Chckn8r

I am not sure if I fully understand... I believe you want to drag in a multi channel audio file into logic and have each channel end up on a separate mono track. In earlier versions of Logic you could hold down the option key and the multi would come in on separate tracks - regardless of how many channels. However in one of latest updates things changed and if the multi has the same number of channels as a know format - you cannot decouple it. So in your case with 6 channels - logic thinks it is a 5.1 format. The workaround is to add two dummy channels to the multi to make it 8 - then it will come in on different tracks each mono - then you just delete the two dummies. I think I used wave agent to add the extra tracks - but truthfully I can't remember all the details. Anyway if this helps great, if not - sorry I misunderstood.

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Answer 4

Chckn8r Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 20, 2018 3:38 PM in response to Indyuser

Hey thanks Indyuser - the drag and drop of individual multichannel files DOES break them out into discrete mono channels. However, I’m importing many (100’s) of these files into the timeline via the XML/AAF import functions - not arbitrarily dropping these in. I need to preserve the frame-accurate location of each file.

In essence, I’d love a function in Logic that breaks out the individual channels to new mono tracks or an option to do this on import OR an option to easily route the individual channels to a mono channel/bus.

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XML Import + Multi-Channel WAV Files ARGH!!!

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