Multiple editors, same sound files w/ SoundMiner

[Eric Seaberg]

We have three editors working on a feature but need to keep all audio files in the same place on our SAN. We have tried keeping individual PTX files on our perspective systems and set disk allocation pointed to the SAN for all of them to see the files. As music/SFX are added by an editor, we are hoping the new file is added to the Audio Files folder everyone sees, but it's not working that way with SoundMiner.

As an editor places a marker in his session and selects a SFX file within SoundMiner, clicking SPOT doesn't place the file in the timeline OR copy it to the Audio Files folder we share, but puts it in the individual editor's Audio Files folder. If we drag the SFX into the timeline, it is placed in the timeline but only LINKS to the original SFX file.

One other question... what would happen if we move individual PTX files into the same parent folder that also contains all Audio Files? Would that create a problem as there is only ONE wave cache file and one Backups folder? Just trying to find a simple solution here instead of having thousands of audio files duplicated over multiple systems.


Thanks for the help.

[audiolex1]

Originally Posted by Eric Seaberg

We have three editors working on a feature but need to keep all audio files in the same place on our SAN. We have tried keeping individual PTX files on our perspective systems and set disk allocation pointed to the SAN for all of them to see the files. As music/SFX are added by an editor, we are hoping the new file is added to the Audio Files folder everyone sees, but it's not working that way with SoundMiner.

As an editor places a marker in his session and selects a SFX file within SoundMiner, clicking SPOT doesn't place the file in the timeline OR copy it to the Audio Files folder we share, but puts it in the individual editor's Audio Files folder. If we drag the SFX into the timeline, it is placed in the timeline but only LINKS to the original SFX file.

One other question... what would happen if we move individual PTX files into the same parent folder that also contains all Audio Files? Would that create a problem as there is only ONE wave cache file and one Backups folder? Just trying to find a simple solution here instead of having thousands of audio files duplicated over multiple systems.


Thanks for the help.

What version of SM? Do you have reference original or send files to DAW after transfer?

I don't completely understand the need to keep all the files in one place? If the library is on the server, then copy the effects locally. Its also safer.
When you open a PT session SM should locate to the PT session and transfer path. Set your handle length.

This sound video game related I'm guessing. Check preferences. It is either send files to DAW is checked or Reference original if possible.
Also if the files are 16 bit and you are 24 bit, it is going to convert (I think), as well as format.

PT doesn't do multi audio file systems. It has to be one format, wav AIFF, and the bit depth has to be the same as well.
So with libraries, they are all different and you can't get around that as far as I know.

[Frank Kruse]

Check proper settings first.

-Always copy on import off in PT?
-Reference on in SM?
-Smart spot on or off?
-Have you set interleaved or split in SM?
-Spot doesn't spot to a marker in PT. It spots to the cursor/playhead position.

Also: 100% referenced only works if you don't use the pitch slider or DSP rack as the sound needs to be processed/rendered and will be sent to the individual audio files folder set in SM. So 100% referenced won't work for those sounds. Also when set to split mon and spotting interleaved as referenced the sound will be split and sent to "local" audio folder. "Local" meaning where ever your session lives so it can be on the SAN.

100% referenced won't be possible with PT even without SM due to the nature of PT. ANYthing rendered by any of of the editors will be sent to the session audio files folder. Unless you manually set disk allocation manually in all sessions. But that will rely on 110% user-discipline with regards to maintaining session settings and no one deletes stuff.

[Eric Seaberg]

Originally Posted by audiolex1

don't completely understand the need to keep all the files in one place?

Sorry, I really asked two questions... SM isn't the real issue. This is a feature film with well over 4000 files already of production sound, foley, etc., and everything was being copied between edit systems. When I opened the master sequence to begin working on it, ProTools was scanning EVERYTHING on our network looking for the files and grabbing them as they were found on other systems.

We decided to move all of those files to a common area on our 2PB SAN and have everyone's system point to those, keeping everything together in one place, making Disk Allocation always look there.

The SFX libraries are also on our SAN but separate directories. SM knows where all of those are and is working OK.

However, as I had mentioned, after doing all of that and having Disk Allocation setup properly for the film files, anything that SM imports into the session isn't going to that directory but to the Audio Files folder of the individual editor on his system. We're just trying to keep everything together so as other editors import each other's SFX session data, each system will know where the files are.

I'll check all the prefs you mentioned. Thanks!!

[Eric Seaberg]

Originally Posted by Frank Kruse

Check proper settings first.

-Always copy on import off in PT?
-Reference on in SM?
-Smart spot on or off?
-Have you set interleaved or split in SM?
-Spot doesn't spot to a marker in PT. It spots to the cursor/playhead position.

Thanks, Frank!! We realized what happened and "COPY ON IMPORT" became unchecked. We had major problems importing AAF from Resolve and the only way to solve it was to delete all PT prefs... and the "COPY" setting reverted back to off.

Thanks again for the info. We're good now!!