Cross-platform compatibility
Soundscape uses proprietary formats for Audio and Automation Take, Arrangement and Mixer files. However, compatibility with other systems is important to many users who regularly exchange files with other studios. Indeed, for professional facilities, being able to easily load projects that were started on other platforms, or export Soundscape projects to other systems, is as much a business advantage as it is a technical asset.
Soundscape audio files use the Soundscape Take format and can be easily exported as WAV or BWF files. Conversely, WAV and BWF files can be imported as Soundscape Take files.
Soundscape's XPro Import/Export functions allow MPEG Layer-2 and MPEG Layer-3 import and export.
OMF composition import and export and OMF audio import are available with the optional XPro OMF Import/Export plug-in.
Soundscape also supports two third party, system-specific formats as standard, for import and export: the SDR format (for Mackie hard disk recorders) and the Pro Tools format (for Digidesign Pro Tools systems).
Importing and exporting are simple procedures, handled via the File menu of the Soundscape Editor. Pro Tools Project import and export procedures are described below.
Pro Tools Projet Import
As explained above, this import option and the corresponding export option are installed automatically with the Soundscape Editor. There is no need for a password. The first step is to expand the File menu in the Editor and go to XPro Import/Export Functions:
Clicking “Pro Tools Project Import” calls up a standard Windows dialog box which can be used to locate and select a Pro Tools Project stored on any PC logical drive:
NOTE: If there are any Parts in the Arrange window, a message box will appear first warning you that these Parts will be removed from the Arrangement. Click “Cancel” if you need to save the current Arrangement before proceeding, otherwise click “OK”:
After selection, clicking “Open” will call up a further dialog box which allows the selection of any SDisk in the system as import destination:
Clicking “OK” will start the import, during which a progress indicator will be displayed:
The audio files from the Pro Tools Project will be loaded automatically as Parts at the required time positions in the current Arrangement which will then need to be saved in the usual way.
Pro Tools Project Export
Clicking “Pro Tools Project Export” in the XPro Import/Export Functions section of the File menu calls up a standard Windows dialog box which can be used to locate and select a Pro Tools Project stored on any PC logical drive:
Clicking this item calls up a “Pro Tools Project Export” dialog box in which various settings can be defined for the export:
In the top section of the dialog box, you can specify the version of the target Pro Tools system. The possible choices include versions 3.x, 4.x and 5.0 (Mac) and version 5.0 (PC). If you select a Mac version, the “Convert to MacBinary” check box will be enabled. It must be checked if you are transferring to HFS volumes.
In the second section of the dialog box two option boxes let you choose to export either all the Parts in the Arrangement or only the selected Parts.
The third section also features two option boxes which you can use to specify if the volume data associated with the Parts should be translated to Pro Tools automation data. Note that this is not available for Pro Tools V3.0 Mac (the option will be dimmed if this version is selected).
In the fourth section you can decide to export the complete Take referenced by each Part in the Arrangement, or only the audio actually used by the Parts, without handles or with 2, 5, 10 or 30 seconds handles. Handles can only be created if there is enough audio in the Take at each end of the Part.
In the last section of the dialog box a value box allows you to select WAV or SDII format for the exported audio.
Clicking “OK” will call up a standard Windows dialog box which allows the selection of any PC drive or folder as the export destination:
Clicking the “Save” button of the Windows dialog box will initiate the export, during which a progress indicator will be displayed:
More details are provided in the Soundscape Editor manual which can be obtained from the Downlads section of this website.
Please be aware that in the case of Pro Tools, there are certain limitations to the type of data that can be exchanged. For instance, Pro Tools automation data cannot be imported, while Soundscape Audio Take volume curves can be translated to Pro Tools as automation data.
Cui Bono EDL Convert and EDLiSD
Please note that Cui Bono's EDL Convert software supports Soundscape file formats and can handle file conversions between en extensive range of formats including, at the time of writing: Samplitude/Sequoia, Vegas, Vegas Scripting, Cool Edit Pro, Audition, SAW, SAWStudio, Wavelab, Sadie, Sonic Studio, Discreet, AES31, OpenTL, OMFI, Tascam BU, CMX/GVG and Pro Tools 5.
In addition, Cui Bono's forthcoming EDLiSD software will allow direct SDisk access and super fast file transfers between Soundscape native SDisks and PC logical drives with "on-the-fly" format conversion during transfers.
EDL Convert and EDLiSD can be ordered from the Sydec Online Shop.
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