How to render a file half speed

[efisch]

I have a client who had some old archive tapes transferred into Pro Tools at the wrong speed (twice as fast). What's the best way to render them at half speed?

[TimNielsen]

You can use something like Soundhack, to modify the header information of the audio files. So say they were recorded at 48k. Using soundhack, you'd tell the files that they're actually 96k. When importing them into PT, it will tell you they're going to play at the wrong speed, or give you the option to convert them. Just say 'play at the wrong speed', but now they'll actually play correctly.

You could also just load them into PT, hit Shift-Spacebar to play at half speed, and record them out to another device... I have the optical output of my 96 I/O routed to my Mac, so I can record the output of PT at half speed really easily using Audio HiJack, or any Mac program that could record sound could do it.

Those are two ideas that come to mind.

Or make the person who transferred them redo it, and do it right!

[Keybeeetsss]

Originally Posted by TimNielsen

Or make the person who transferred them redo it, and do it right!

That may be the better idea

[blackbirdstudio]

Originally Posted by efisch

I have a client who had some old archive tapes transferred into Pro Tools at the wrong speed (twice as fast). What's the best way to render them at half speed?

Theres a way to play pro tools at half speed. Cant quite remember how. Something like option+play.. Check the manual...

You'll need a second tools rig to record the tracks into. I dont think it can be done without realtime playback and record to another tools system.. Could sound glitchy though...

Thats some bad transferring in the first place..
Cheers
Dave

[1m1]

Well, you can play them at half speed with SHIFT-Spacebar, but if you care about the quality you'll have them transferred again. If you don't, the highest frequency you'll have in the music will be about 10k rather than 20k. Plus you'll be bringing the bias tone on the tape down within audible range and it'll sound like a continuous squeal.

[efisch]

Thanks for all the reply's gang - I won't be able to transfer them again but Soundhack worked perfectly! I just changed the sample rate in the header and boom - done. Fidelity wasn't the biggest concern.

[BaileyBass]

Next time you could..
Export them from your session at 96k (if the originals are at 48)
Then Import them back into the session, unchecking the SRC option in import window. You will get the "playback at wrong speed" dialog.
Probably use the "new track option"...they should then play back normally, then bus them to new audio tracks and record them if you want them "properly" saved at the proper sample rate. SB

gonna get Soundhack.. that was too easy!

[James Drake]

i had someone who was recording at 44.1k with their sync i/o happily locked to a 48k clock (or vice versa)

so i think in this case audio is recorded ok, just the meta data in the file saying it's 44.1/48 is incorrect

i was able to do a dance with pro tools and no other software, exporting and importing and making sure to not check that SRC button at the right time.

i ended up with the audio that hasn't been touched, just audio files that have the correct metadata. so in this case i don't think we lost any fidelity at all.

depends what you mean by 'recording at the wrong speed'

[Sean Russell]

Even easier:

Tell Workspace what SR you want them to be - they will playback faster or slower.

[BaileyBass]

Originally Posted by Sean Russell

Even easier:

Tell Workspace what SR you want them to be - they will playback faster or slower.

Excellent!!!