OMF AAF Volume Automation

[soundworthy]

Avid state that "AAF is the new format and contains more information than the OMF. OMF loses the volume automation and names of the tracks when exporting and importing from one application to another. AAF retains the volume automation and the track names"
https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...S/FAQ/en331113

I’ve had been using OMF for decades prior to the AAF.
The volume automation has always transferred from FCP into Protools using OMFs.

Why does all Avid/Protools affiliated sites state this when i have OMF sessions from over 10 years ago that proves to me that OMFs do transfer volume automation?
Other non avid related sites support my claim.

Here's an example i made
https://vimeo.com/619438950/bc308f8092

I'd really like to find out why this is Avid's take on it.

[smurfyou]

That document is from 2009. How important is this issue to you? This is a user forum so don't expect an answer from Avid here.

OMF is long dead. There were limitations on automation and clip data depending on the source program. I believe Pro Tools itself would not export volume automation in an OMF.

[soundworthy]

Originally Posted by smurfyou

That document is from 2009.

It was incorrect in 2009, it still is in 2021.

Originally Posted by smurfyou

How important is this issue to you?

what does it matter?

Originally Posted by smurfyou

This is a user forum so don't expect an answer from Avid here.

I'm not new to the subject, I've been a member here since 2002 and been using protools since 1994.
I've often seen Avid representatives responding in the DUC.

Originally Posted by smurfyou

OMF is long dead.

That may well be how it is for yourself and many others.
However, I still receive OMF's from film makers who haven't upgraded from FCP7, so for them OMF is very much alive.

Mike Thornton recently did a piece on ProTools Expert stating the differences between AAF & OMF, while quoting from the 2009 document line that OMFs don't transfer automation. It's alive enough for him to talk about it.

Originally Posted by smurfyou

There were limitations on automation and clip data depending on the source program. I believe Pro Tools itself would not export volume automation in an OMF.

Yes there are many limitations of automation with OMF transfer.
AAF's also have limitations and react differently when importing into PT depending on the NLE & version it was created in.
Exporting an OMF from PT is not something I consider, as its not part of my workflows.

I'm referring to importing an OMF (created in an NLE like FCP7), into protools, as per the video link,
There must be a valid reason that line was taken.
I'm looking for any facts on the matter.

[EGS]

Originally Posted by soundworthy

...The volume automation has always transferred from FCP into Protools using OMFs...

Same with Premier Pro, i.e. volume automation transfers from Premier Pro into Protools using OMFs. So yeah, that AVID doc is incorrect or outdated.

[gives]

Originally Posted by soundworthy

Avid state that "AAF is the new format and contains more information than the OMF. OMF loses the volume automation and names of the tracks when exporting and importing from one application to another. AAF retains the volume automation and the track names"
https://avid.secure.force.com/pkb/ar...S/FAQ/en331113

I’ve had been using OMF for decades prior to the AAF.
The volume automation has always transferred from FCP into Protools using OMFs.

Why does all Avid/Protools affiliated sites state this when i have OMF sessions from over 10 years ago that proves to me that OMFs do transfer volume automation?
Other non avid related sites support my claim.

Here's an example i made
https://vimeo.com/619438950/bc308f8092

I'd really like to find out why this is Avid's take on it.

It is and I am using both at the moment on two series shows. It's what I get. I usually get AAF and prefer that. Sometimes some editors that are certain DAW for their work have said sometimes they have trouble exporting our of certain software editors. Most experienced editors I work with have no trouble with either. Always ask for OMF or AAF embedded so it's not looking for individual files on their HD that you do not have on yours
G

[smurfyou]

Wow didn't expect a point by point rebuttal.

On the NLE side they can use either keyframe volume or track volume automation. One or the other, sometimes both, sometimes neither would make it into the OMF. Maybe that's what the document was referring to. Or maybe it was a mistake. But again, it is from 2009 hence the question how much it matters. If it really bothers you file a support request with Avid, see if you get a response. I cannot fathom anyone still using FCP7 but if they are it was capable of exporting AAF like 15 years ago via Automatic Duck.

OMF is dead.

[soundworthy]

The clip keyframe and track keyframe is what I was referring to when AAFs don’t transfer uniformly across from different NLEs.
A lot film makers are not tech orientated people but make great films, aren’t interested in the upgrade path and just use what they have, because it does the job.
The only reason I put it here was because there are many other experienced users my age that would have come across this and may know why Avid states otherwise.

I’m not trying to fix anything,
10years 15 years, what does it matter if it means something to me, if it doesn’t to you then ignore this thread. I’m just trying to reach out to those in the broader community that understands that just because a version software has been superseded, doesn’t meant it’s obsolete.
It’s not the latest software that makes an operator good.
The best music producer I know uses protools 8.

[soundworthy]

Originally Posted by gives

It is and I am using both at the moment on two series shows. It's what I get. I usually get AAF and prefer that. Sometimes some editors that are certain DAW for their work have said sometimes they have trouble exporting our of certain software editors. Most experienced editors I work with have no trouble with either. Always ask for OMF or AAF embedded so it's not looking for individual files on their HD that you do not have on yours
G

Yea, all of the above, same for me, standard operating procedures.
However, have you received an OMF that failed to transfer automation, if so from what NLE did it originate?

[soundworthy]

Originally Posted by EGS

Same with Premier Pro, i.e. volume automation transfers from Premier Pro into Protools using OMFs. So yeah, that AVID doc is incorrect or outdated.

Thanks, yes it does for me in both fcp & premier.
Not outdated, just wrong, as this has been happening for decades now.