export/import Q:

[pk_hat]

Hi guys,

Many of you often (like myself) create new ides/songs in programs other than ProTools, with the intent to later export either the individual tracks, whole mixed project or even individual loops into PT, for further arrangements, adding MIDI keyboards, better plug-ins, etc.
I was wondering what your different procedures are and what do you find works best?
Do you temporarily export the files to the desktop area in order to import them into PT from there?
Do you get the basic idea down say, in ACID or Reason, then open a new PT session with the same name, go back to the other program and directly export to that PT session's 'AudioFiles' folder, so that they're already contained in the session when you go back to PT?

It seems there could be a proper way to do this in order to avoid having files and copies thereof floating all over the place, in different programs, leading to confusion from poor file management later down the road.
Just curious to see if some of you have pinned down an efficient exp/imp system.

Thanks for any comments ar advice.

pk

[pk_hat]

?

[Mark_Knecht]

PK,
Hi. Been away for awhile, but dropped in tonight to start looking around again.

I am no expert at any of this, but I am using ACID to lay down basic drum tracks. Once I get things built up there, using maybe 8-12 tracks in ACID, I mix all that down into a couple of stereo tracks and take it over to PTLE. Then start doing recording of instruments, bass, guitar, what not. This works for me as long as I get the drums right to start.

My problem, at least in my head, is that I'm not sure how to make a big change to the drums and be able to salvage any of the work I've done in PTLE. If I want to record some new drums, then I'm not at all sure of how to get it into PTLE and get everything sync'ed up correctly.

(I haven't actually tried this, I'm just worried about it...)

Anyway, I'm interested, like you, in what others might be doing in this area. There's just no way that I can get a drummer into my house on a regular basis, so ACID is great, with limitations.

Mark

[pk_hat]

Hi Mark,

thanks for the reply. As far as a rhythm part 'breakdown' or change, I would usually go back to Acid and do my changes there. This would mean a lot of shuffling between the two programs (which bare the same session name and tempo).
I've always advocated the efficiency of doing this but I think after a while, patience begins to wear thin, anticipating DirectConnect support to make PT for PC more integrated.
So all this shuffling is what prompted the thread about file management or 'shuffling', should I say. Basically wanting to know what the path is for the file to be exported and imported between 2 programs.

pk

[Mr_Seven]

Yo Pk,

I've made a folder in my audio drive "songs" and each protools song has it's own folder. I use that folder to store files i.e. acid, rebirth in that folder since the audio files (PT) are store in their own subfolder this keeps a pretty clean house. Basicly the song folder contains all the elements for the song.

In addition I create other folders to manage elements that could be used for other songs.

[Roy Howell]

Hi pk and Mark(Where HAVE you been, my friend?).....

Here's what I do. I have created two basic files, one called 'Loops for Roy', and one called 'Roy's Percussion Store'.

Any WAV's I create in Acid(or any such program) along with any loops I may download go in the 'Loops" folder. And all One-Shot samples go in the 'Percussion' folder.

Then, of course I 'import audio' into PT.

Keeps it simple.

But, I must admit, I've only learned the basics of Acid. Many times I find myself just 'playing around' with it, but when it comes down to business, I create the loops myself.


pk,

Gotta ask. I've got PT. I've got Reason. How exactly did you manage to make the two work together finally?


Thanks, Roy