Week 5 - Importing Media into Sessions

Question 1

What are the types of files you CAN import into a Pro Tools session?

Answer 1

1. Audio files created in another Pro Tools session
2. Track settings (track type, plug-in configurations, etc.)
3. Files and Clips create in most other DAWs
4. Files created with workstations such as Digital Performer and SONAR
5. Video files

Question 2

Why are files created in other DAWs so easy to import into Pro Tools?

Answer 2

The files that other DAWs create are based on AIFF and WAV files, so conversion and import is pretty simple into Pro Tools.

Question 3

What are native audio file types in Pro Tools?

Answer 3

1. MXF Audio
2. AAC Audio
3. ALAC
4. MP3
5. ACID
6. Recycle
7. Sound Resource
8. Sound Designer II

Question 4

When importing an audio file, if the imported file specs match the session parameters, is it necessary to convert the file?

Answer 4

No. If the file that is being imported matches the session parameters, conversion is not necessary.

Question 5

If the audio file is native to Pro Tools, is conversion necessary?

Answer 5

No. If the file is native to Pro Tools, you do not need to convert the file.

Question 6

What will happen if an audio file with an incorrect sample rate is not converted in the session?

Answer 6

If an audio file with a sample rate that does not match the projects sample rate, the audio will play with incorrect tempo and pitch, unless converted.

Question 7

When importing audio that is not native to Pro Tools, is conversion necessary?

Answer 7

Yes, when importing audio that is not native to Pro Tools, conversion is always necessary.

Question 8

What setting needs to be selected in order for a Pro Tools project to import stereo files?

Answer 8

The session needs to be configured to support interleaved files in order to import stereo files.

Question 9

What happens to non-interleaved stereo audio content when you try to import a stereo file into Pro Tools?

Answer 9

Non-interleaved stereo content is treated as a air of split stereo, or dual mono, files.

Question 10

How can you identify non-interleaved stereo files?

Answer 10

You can identify non-interleaved stereo files by looking for these 2 parameters:
1. The names of the files: <filename>.L and <filename>.R
2. Both files are identical lengths</filename></filename>

Question 11

How are non-interleaved stereo files presented in the Clips list?

Answer 11

Non-interleaved stereo files are presented as one audio file in the Clips list, but you can also expand that audio file to show both the .L and .R files associated to the name.

Question 12

When importing a multi-channel file into Pro Tools, what is the main similarity between interleaved and split stereo?

Answer 12

The multi-channel file will look and act exactly the same when importing either interleaved or split stereo files.

Question 13

How will Pro Tools organize split stereo files that are identical lengths and ends with .L and .R?

Answer 13

When two files are identical lengths and have .L and .R at the end of the file name, Pro Tools will link them as a stereo file in the Clips list.

Question 14

How will Pro Tools organize split stereo files that have different lengths or not named the same?

Answer 14

Pro Tools will create 2 separate mono tracks in the main window, and will display 2 separate names in the Clips list.

Question 15

What is the biggest workflow difference between Import Commands and the Workspace browser?

Answer 15

• When using Import Commands, you will not be able to control the Pro Tools session until the processing has been completed.
• When using a Workspace browser, you can still interact with the Pro Tools session while you are importing files.

Question 16

What happens to an audio or video file when you add it to a session?

Answer 16

Any imported audio or video placed in the Clips list, or on a track playlist, references the file in its original location.

Question 17

What happens to the imported file when you copy the media into a session?

Answer 17

The imported files are duplicated and placed in the session folder.

Question 18

What happens to converted media on import?

Answer 18

One or more file parameter is modified, and the new version is placed in the session folder. The converted file is then referenced whenever used in the session.

Question 19

Why would you potentially choose to copy versus adding a file into your session?

Answer 19

1. First, there is no operational difference between the two options.
2. You should choose the add option if duplicating the original file requires excessive disk space.
3. Choose copy if you prefer your sessions to be self-contained and you are not concerned with using additional disk space.

Question 20

What situations might call for using commands to import audio versus drag-and-drop techniques?

Answer 20

1. The process is much simpler to use the commands versus drag-and-drop
2. The Import Audio command also allows you to import clips defined in other sessions.
3. Allows you to import files with different sample rates without converting on import.