AVID and PT sync question?

[Pentium]

This is probably a fairly basic question?

Is it common to slave Pro Tools via SMPTE Timecode
to AVID systems cause PT has better audio editing facilities?
(Or has AVID got comparable audio editing capabilities)

Also how would this be done, I think I am correct in thinking
you would need the Sync Hardware from a TDM system.

Thanks for your time.

[Frank Kruse]

The AVID does not output LTC. It can only control RS-422 decks.

Frank.

[filmixer]

>Is it common to slave Pro Tools via SMPTE Timecode
to AVID systems<

No, this is almost never done and I have never done it personally. A common workflow is: picture edited on the Avid, picture is then output to tape or Quicktime file, picture is imported into Pro Tools, sound is edited, mixed and final mix tracks are brought back in to the Avid for final finishing and layback. Since you bring the sound files right into the Avid, there is really no need to lock Pro Tools to an Avid system. It wouldn't be cost effective anyway to use an Avid to play picture for Pro Tools. Avids make their money editing and finishing the picture, not as a tape deck.

[Helgonet]

You can output LTC by placing SMPTE code on an audio track in the Avid.

[Helgonet]

It's not an efficient solution but it might be OK for a one time adventure in the Post realm.

[Pentium]

Thanks there. I am new to Sound to Picture(not that you would have guessed) and have a lot to learn as yet
I appreciate what a massive field of work this is but thank you people
very much for spending time responding.

My previous understanding was that

For example that a Voice over could be
inserted over the video and incidental music played in
etc on an AVID system.

And then if complex Audio edits/sweetening needed to be performed then Pro Tools could be slaved via TC
but it seems that is not the way its done.

May be my question should have been:

What Audio editing capabilities does AVID have?
and do they come close to Pro Tools?

I think I may be getting a bit mixed up with what Audio Post Production actual
definition is here. Is it strictly syncing to a Pro Video master tape
once all incidental and location sound is on the tape for example
adding EQ, dynamic control, denoising, foley effects,
Addition of any music that needs to be in place over the video?

Thanks

[Helgonet]

The Avid interface isn't designed with audio as the main objective, that doesn't rule it impossible. It takes more time to do audio work on an Avid.

For example, an Avid can't edit audio (video) in smaller steps than a videoframe (40 msec where I reside). Theres a lot to gain by doing the audio in ProTools. Speed, functions, and quality of the result is easier to achieve with a dedicated audio software.

[FajitaTone]

Avid has (for video not film) 30 "chunks" of audio every second. it is "frame" accurate as there are 30 Frames per second of time. ProTools gives you 48000 "chunks" in that same second of time, so it is "sample" accurate. giving you acces to each of the 48000 samples that make up the audio. You can edit alot closer in protools than in an Avid system. It IS neccessary to use ProTools to clean up audio for video/picture.

or

A screwdriver can be used to drive a nail, but a hammer is the right tool for the job.

[Pentium]

Thanks for your time all!

[lightning ad]

Avid has (for video not film) 30 "chunks" of audio every second. it is "frame" accurate as there are 30 Frames per second of time. ProTools gives you 48000 "chunks" in that same second of time, so it is "sample" accurate. giving you acces to each of the 48000 samples that make up the audio.

Unless you work in PAL (which a large part of the world does) in which case the Avid uses 25 frames per second for those same 48000 audio samples. So depending on the video format the audio samples per frame will be different. ie in NTSC you get 1600 samples per frame, whereas in PAL we get 1920 samples per frame.


confused? you will be!