We recorded 8 tracks of field produciton audio simultaneously. The recorder saved them as 8-track WAV files, and the recordist added metadata with descriptions for each track (boom, lav, etc...). When these files import to Avid (MC 6.0.3.3 on OSX), I can see that the metadata is imported. The bin shows custom columns for TRK1, TRK2, etc... and for my WAV file, I can see that these tracks are assigned boom, lav, etc.
However, I can't seem to get this metadata to show up on the timeline, where it would actually be helpful for editing. Is there any way to get the track names to show up on the timeline, or is there some other workaround I need to do to be able to see which mic each audio track contains?
In FCP 7, it's just changing some metadata in the Logging window, then it shows up on the timeline. I thought it would be just as easy in Avid.
Thanks in advance!
do you mean on the clips or track
Tom Pearson
Director/Writer Big Picture Films
Sound Designer/Sound Editor Hollywood Sounds
WWLD
I'm not sure I understand your question, Tom. I have an 8-channel master clip. When that clip is cut into the timeline over 8 tracks (A1, A2, A3...), I would like an easy way to be able to identify which microphone recording is on which track.
Note that on the same timeline, I will also have cut a different 8-channel audio clip, with different track assignments within the original WAV file. So renaming the A1 A2 A3 tracks on the timeline is not an option. The field mixers were not consistent in their assignment or mic use.
Thoughts?
Tom's point was that you CAN change the timeline's track names (as you noted), but you can't change individual tracks of a single clip.
Your best bet would be to standardize where you lay the tracks, so that each track has the same type of audio on it. Makes it easier for mixers anyway.
-- Kevin
I think you're out of luck on this one? Unless the tracks are 8 seperate channels to begin with autosync wise and you copy into into the comments column the mic info, and then show comments in timeline. Even that though may not be doable.
I want more money!
-Telegram!
Nice--- now care to share how that is actually accomplished? Where is the track info coming from in terms of what columns need to be edited, and what settings in the timeline to actually show the name?
That's weird that the text of Telegram!'s post didn't come through, but here it is:
Telegram!: this screengrab proves that if you want it bad enough, you can get it.... bad enough. Curious, I made an 8-trk tone clip and then just renamed each track's mediafile.MXF and also set the Timeline's Clip Text tool to display Media File Names. *** I don't know if this is practical for you, or if you will jolt your system into chaos, but iIdo recall that back in the old days, Renaming mxfs like this did not seem to do any harm. CAUTION: Try this workaround at your own risk-- sort of like editing on FCP. :)
this screengrab proves that if you want it bad enough, you can get it.... bad enough. Curious, I made an 8-trk tone clip and then just renamed each track's mediafile.MXF and also set the Timeline's Clip Text tool to display Media File Names.
*** I don't know if this is practical for you, or if you will jolt your system into chaos, but iIdo recall that back in the old days, Renaming mxfs like this did not seem to do any harm. CAUTION: Try this workaround at your own risk-- sort of like editing on FCP. :)
This seems like such a sketchy way of doing it, so I'm hesitant to think of it as the 'best practice' way to do it.
Tmirk: I think you're out of luck on this one? Unless the tracks are 8 seperate channels to begin with autosync wise and you copy into into the comments column the mic info, and then show comments in timeline. Even that though may not be doable.
I don't know, I think this may actually be the best way to do it. I'm sure I can find an app that quickly and easily batch-splits all these 8-track WAVs into 8 different MONO WAVS. Then, I'm sure the metadata will become a mess, but with any luck the timecode will stay the same. Then I can rename each file before I import to Avid - or I can just edit the comments field for each one after import...
It's amazing to me how much effort needs to be done to overcome the shortcomings of Avid. One would think there would be a way for this to be automated and not-that-hard.
LW, I'll try to take "sketchy" as a compliment!
You asked for a solution to your "Metadata per track" issue but the responses provided until now indicated that it did not seem possible.
It is a good request, and as you can see, it is somewhat possible to do-- if you really need it... just rename your imported .mxfs. (at your own risk, of course)
Hopefully, there is an even better trick to do it out there...
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