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  #1  
Old 01-16-2025, 09:50 PM
reezekeys reezekeys is offline
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Default Timeline messed up on AAF import

I'm new to PT but not DAWs. Trying to transfer a few tracks of vocals from Digital Performer to PT via AAF but the clips are not aligning on the timeline. In DP I am running at the default tempo (120 bpm), same in PT. Not sure if PT is looking at SMPTE times to spot clips, but the frame rates match in both DAWs (25 fps) and they both start at SMPTE time 1:00:00:00.

In case this behavior has something to do with tempo stretching or other manipulations: the original files came from a Pro Tools recording session of a live gig where the tempo was left at 120 bpm for the entire show. I have no use for any embedded tempo information (if it's there). I thought I'd mention this just in case it's pertinent.

Continuous clips that start at the beginning stay in sync. Further in, where I have broken up some tracks into individual clips - those are the ones that are out of sync. They are at different bar & beat numbers than in DP too. What am I missing or doing wrong? Any help is much appreciated, thanks!
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  #2  
Old 01-17-2025, 09:11 AM
smurfyou smurfyou is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

Forget about tempo and bars/beats. AAF doesn't carry that. It has frame rate and SMPTE like you guessed.

When you first import the AAF into PT look at the details of the AAF. Does it correctly show the 25fps and starting timecode?

Do you have any real time processing on the clips in DP? That could throw it off.

DP has been iffy with AAF and OMF over the years but the fact you got it to import is a good start.
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Old 01-17-2025, 10:13 AM
reezekeys reezekeys is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

Thanks, it's most likely a DP thing. Yes to both your Qs - start time and frame rate match in both apps. No real-time processing happening in DP. Some clips are in completely wrong spots, others are off by a few beats. Here is the dialog box I'm presented with in DP when I export - I wonder if there's a bad setting here. I believe I tried both referencing the original audio files and creating new ones, which did not make a diff.
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Old 01-17-2025, 12:31 PM
smurfyou smurfyou is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

Sample accurate edits is the most important one. I"m not sure what Logic compatible does. I might uncheck that. Will it let you change the fade setting if you do that?

I would try one with the Consolidate option and Embed in AAF. Just so it's forcing new media with new metadata. If that still doesn't work I'd suspect a DP issue.

Other thing to try is to take one of those problem segments in DP and bounce it and add it back to the sequence. Same idea as above to create new media and see if it will translate over to PT.
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Old 01-17-2025, 12:33 PM
smurfyou smurfyou is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

BTW you had the right idea with "Reference Original Files". That'd be the best way to do this if it would work.

Do you have fades on those clips? One other thing to try is removing the fades. Not ideal but they could be recreated in PT if the clips were correct.
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Old 01-18-2025, 07:49 AM
reezekeys reezekeys is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

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Originally Posted by smurfyou View Post
Do you have fades on those clips? One other thing to try is removing the fades. Not ideal but they could be recreated in PT if the clips were correct.
I do have a few fades, however "Export fades as precomputed regions" is checked in that dialog box, which the DP user guide says "renders each fade as an audio region, preserving the exact nature of the fade or crossfade as it was programmed in Digital Performer but rendering it un-modifiable." Maybe I should try the other option, "Export fades as OMF/AAF effects."

What might be the issue is the timestamping of these clips ("soundbites" in DP parlance). DP distinguishes between "original timestamps" and "user timestamps." As part of my troubleshooting, since every clip was where I wanted, I selected all of them and used DP's function "Timestamps > Set User Timestamp from Sequence." I figured if PT used those timestamps, all my clips would be placed correctly. Is there a global function in PT so it will place clips by user timestamps only, or does it do this by default? If so, I'm still at square one. Thanks for your help so far!

Last edited by reezekeys; 01-18-2025 at 08:30 AM.
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Old 01-18-2025, 08:12 AM
reezekeys reezekeys is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

And here's why "Export fades as precomputed regions" was ticked, it's automatic when you "Enforce Logic compatibility." This from the DP user guide. Other than that, AAF export to both Logic and PT is the same, so this doesn't sound connected to the issue I'm dealing with.
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  #8  
Old 01-18-2025, 09:02 AM
smurfyou smurfyou is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

Right but did you try deselecting Logic compatibility and prerendered fades? PT doesn't need that.

No there is no way to automatically place clips by timecode in PT. The AAF is supposed to do that for you. You'll probably have to try all my suggestions to find the right trick to work.

You could also try an OMF. The tracks will be mono but you can move the clips to stereo tracks. Uncheck those options I said and create a consolidated and embedded OMF.
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Old 01-18-2025, 01:59 PM
reezekeys reezekeys is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

Quote:
Originally Posted by smurfyou View Post
Right but did you try deselecting Logic compatibility and prerendered fades? PT doesn't need that.
I think I did but will try it again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by smurfyou View Post
No there is no way to automatically place clips by timecode in PT. The AAF is supposed to do that for you. You'll probably have to try all my suggestions to find the right trick to work.
Right, but during the import is it placing clips at their "original" timestamps or their "user" timestamps? That's what's confusing me. DP and PT show both parameters when you look for them. I have not seen a mention of which category timestamp is used when doing an AAF transfer. The logical thing to me is that the importing app would go with the user timestamps - but maybe that's not happening in PT?

Quote:
Originally Posted by smurfyou View Post
You could also try an OMF. The tracks will be mono but you can move the clips to stereo tracks. Uncheck those options I said and create a consolidated and embedded OMF.
Good idea, I'll try that if my next attempt with AAF doesn't pan out!
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Old 01-19-2025, 09:03 AM
smurfyou smurfyou is offline
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Default Re: Timeline messed up on AAF import

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Originally Posted by reezekeys View Post
Right, but during the import is it placing clips at their "original" timestamps or their "user" timestamps? That's what's confusing me. DP and PT show both parameters when you look for them. I have not seen a mention of which category timestamp is used when doing an AAF transfer. The logical thing to me is that the importing app would go with the user timestamps - but maybe that's not happening in PT
An AAF is an EDL. It is only concerned with the clips position on the timeline. It references the original timecode in the source clip but placement is taken from your sequence not anything inherent to the clip. If that makes sense.
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