Exporting AAF Sequences Containing MXF Audio

Use Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF to export individual tracks or an entire Pro Tools session as an AAF sequence referring to MXF audio files.

Tracks are exported in their entirety and time selections are ignored.

Volume and pan automation is not exported if Quantize Edits to Frame Boundaries or Avid Compatibility Mode are enabled.

To export selected audio tracks from Pro Tools as an AAF sequence referring to MXF audio files:

1 In Pro Tools, select the tracks you want to export.

2 Choose File > Export > Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF.

3 Under OMF/AAF Options, select AAF from the Export As pop-up menu.

An OMF sequence cannot reference MXF media files. When using the Export Selected Tracks as OMF/AAF dialog, choose AAF in the Export As pop-up menu to enable MXF in the Audio Format menu.

4 Select Enforce Avid Compatibility.

Enforce Avid Compatibility creates frame-accurate edits, wraps the files as OMFI (unless you choose MXF), and limits the sample rate options to 44.1 or 48 kHz. Dither without noise shaping will be applied to files being exported from 24-bit to 16-bit.

5 Ensure the Target Project Timecode Format is correct for the Avid application project to which you are exporting the AAF sequence.

6 Under the Audio Media Options section, select MXF from the Audio Format pop-up menu.

7 Verify the Audio Bit-Depth setting is acceptable for the recipient of this export.

8 If you’re exporting a sequence that contains stereo, 5.1 or 7.1 l tracks and want to export those tracks as multi-channel audio files, enable the Export Stereo, 5.1 and 7.1 Tracks as Multi-Channel option.

9 Click OK.

10 In the Publishing Options dialog, type the Pro Tools Comment and Sequence Name.

Pro Tools will create a sequence with the name you supply. The comment appears in the Avid application bin in the Pro Tools Comment column.

11 Click OK.

12 In the Name the AAF File to Export dialog, navigate to a folder where you can easily locate the AAF sequence when it is time to distribute it to another editor or import it into Media Composer.

13 Click Save.

14 In the Please Choose a Folder for Converted Audio Files dialog, navigate to a folder where the media files can be easily located (such as the same folder where AAF or OMF sequence resides).

Some video editors (such as Avid Media Composer), require all media files to be in specific folders to allow proper relinking.

15 Click Choose (Mac) or Use Current Folder (Windows).

Pro Tools exports the AAF sequence to the selected folder, and exports the related media to the OMFI MediaFiles folder (OMF files) or the Avid MediaFiles folder (MXF files).

16 If you are ready to import the files into the Avid application, exit Pro Tools.

For more information on working in Avid applications, see the appropriate Avid application guide.