Import session data (+consolidate) or Compacting not working

[SD2]

Hello there,

I'm facing what I think I can call a genuine bug in PT.
I'm trying to backup a session so that its size gets lighter, I've been trying two methods (taht I've been using for years) with the same result:
1/Creating a new session (with the same settings as the original one) and using Import session data (with Consolidate+ 2000ms handle size). The process goes just fine but, verifying the resulting size... it hasn't changed!...
2/Then I've tried the classical (but longer) version: save sesion copy in of the session ,opening the new one (copy), Select Unused (including whole files), Remove and then Compact (still using 2000ms handle size). The process starts, seems to block (multi-colored spinning wheel) and then ends up very quickly (too quickly in my opinion). As for the result... Same size in the end!!

Both methods can't seem to do what they're supposed to. I've tried this on a HD 7.3.cs4 and a LE 7.3.cs4. Same result...
I've checked with other users, they get that same bug.
Anyone knows what's going on??

[aux]

The only thing I know is that compacting never really worked properly. In earlier versions the audio would mess up on the timeline, different parts suddenly appearing etc etc. I've tried it recently, the same way you're describing it and same result: not smaller!

What you could do is a Save Session Copy In, consolidate all tracks and delete (after consolidating) all other audio files from the region list. Watch out with the fades, that are at the start/end of the regions.

[SD2]

Thanks for the reply. I know I could consolidate but I've got a lot of editing (duplicates and so) that I would like to keep as they are (further editing/moving of regions is still possible), so consolidating region by region would take to much time (and space) and consolidating the whole tracks is not the best solution.
But thanks anyway, it's always nice to know you're not alone, I'm just surprised Digi doesn't seem to know about this bug or doesn't seem to care much... What's the point in offering an option that doesn't work??

[SD2]

Nobody's got an explanation for this?
Even Digi??

[tj_davies]

I do it differently.

• Open the Session.
• Save it with the appropriate date (for safety reason).
• Delete all unused playlists, if you really don't need them anymore
• Make sure you have "Show Auto-Created" enabled in your audio bin
• Select all unused
• Remove all unused (don't delete)
• depending on the size of the session, you have to repeat the last two steps
• NOW make a Session Copy (Copy All Audio Files -- Don't Copy Fade Files -- Copy Movie/Video Files)

Saving for safety reason is just for me, as I tend to press Command+S far too often . So to make sure, I don't loose the old session with all the information inside, I make a safe copy.

Hope this helps,
Timothy

[tj_davies]

2/Then I've tried the classical (but longer) version: save sesion copy in of the session ,opening the new one (copy), Select Unused (including whole files), Remove and then Compact (still using 2000ms handle size). The process starts, seems to block (multi-colored spinning wheel) and then ends up very quickly (too quickly in my opinion). As for the result... Same size in the end!!

Removing audio only removes them out of your visible bin - not out of the audio folder on your disk. You need to delete them.

Hope it helps,
Timothy

[SD2]

Thanks but I do know that.
I don't want to delete files, I wish to make the Audio files loose some weight...
I was speaking about Compacting which DOES remove all the extra audio.But it doesn't work.
Importing data with Consolidate option checked also does that. When it works...

Your method is good to get rid of unused edits, not for getting rid of unsused audio (handles).

[SD2]

Strangely enough, I've been working today in a studio where it was perfectly working (PTHD+ same version as mine)...
Go figure.