Bouncing...to m4a (mp4)?

[wallyw26]

I've been involved in an on again-off again narration project for the last 2 years and the client (a museum) finally has its funding in place and is ready to move ahead.

I've got 160 different narrative segments to bounce. The client has requested their files in the m4a format.

Is there a PT plug-in available that will help me do the bounce directly to m4a or will I have process my files independently of PT after my bounces, which would be at 16/44.1 .wav so I can make safety CD's?

Just trying to save time, these segments run from about 45 seconds to nearly 4 minutes! Of course it's pro-bono work too.

Thanks!

[Obsidian Dragon]

I am not aware a plugin or utility within Protools that will bounce to M4A format files. So you will probably need to bounce to wav or MP3 and then use a converter like the one at this link to convert it into M4A. (This is a Windows program but you can google for one for the Mac if needed)

[Dave Lang]

This is my fav OSX utility to do audio conversions - and it's free!

http://tmkk.pv.land.to/xld/index_e.html/

[Eric Seaberg]

Dave Lang, I don't think he's talking about m4a "Lossless", but m4a AAC.

AudioEase BarbaBatch is the best at everything. We've been using it for the last 9-years in 6 different studios. Info at:

http://www.audioease.com/Pages/BarbaBatch/


_________________________

Sorry, after looking at the software, which I do have, XLD does do AAC. However, the thing I love about BarbaBatch is the fact that I can setup MULTIPLE codecs for encoding the same file set to different formats. I hit GO when I leave my controlroom to encode almost 200 files into 3 different formats. When I come in the next morning everything is organized and I have a log telling me what happened.

[wallyw26]

Thanks. I'll go with Audioease.

[jasonthurley]

I use Switch... its free for personal use (http://www.nch.com.au/switch/index.html)- download is on bottom right.

You can easily export all selected sections by using the export feature in your audio bin drop down menu (Mind Plugins and automation will not be bounced- If you need this in the bounce you'll have to bounce them out one at a time or bounce each one to a new track and then export via bin drop down menu) 1:30 seconds in shows you how to export a section via regions bin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egoITcK2-ns
You can select all edited regions and export in one step if they are ready to bounce.

Then select all the bounced files and drag into Switch... select your file encoder type (M4A) and settings... then export.. it will do them all in order.

Its a great program... does Flac, MP3, Wav, AIFF, etc etc.. and has a lot of encoder options.

Good Luck!

[gtomassetti]

Originally Posted by jasonthurley

I use Switch...

Excellent advice, Jason. I needed to edit a couple of tracks and convert them to .m4a. Switch worked flawlessly and quickly. Thanks!

GT