Audio Media Options

 

Audio Media Options

When exporting tracks to AAF or OMF, Pro Tools provides the following Audio Media Options:

Audio Format

Choose whether you want the resulting AAF or OMF file to refer to BWF (.WAV), AIFF, SD II (Mac and OMF only), MXF (AAF only), or embedded files. The audio files will be converted accordingly.

If you create AIFF or BWF (.WAV) audio, the audio files have extra OMF data attached to them. Though most applications will not have problems reading these audio files, they may not be compatible with all applications.

MXF is only available if you have selected the Enforce Avid Compatibility option.

Bit-Depth

Select 16-bit or 24-bit as the target bit-depth for the exported media. Pro Tools automatically applies dither, without noise shaping, when reducing bit-depth from 24-bit to 16-bit.

Source Media

When exporting tracks from Pro Tools to AAF or OMF, there are three ways that Pro Tools can handle source audio media (as set in the Export to OMF/AAF dialog’s Audio Media Options pop‑up menu).

Link To Source Media

Creates an AAF or OMF file that refers to as many of the original media files as possible. In this case, the AAF or OMF file points to the BWF (.WAV), MXF, AIFC, or Sound Designer II files from the source project.

Copy From Source Media

Copies audio to another drive or folder. You can sample-rate convert the audio during this translation.

Consolidate From Source Media

Copies only the part of the files that are actually used by the session. For example, you may only be using a ten second clip of a ten-minute audio file in your session. Consolidating this audio saves a great deal of disk space by copying only the audio you use, and discarding the rest.

Consolidate Source Audio Media is the only usable option for a Pro Tools to AAF or OMF translation when Quantize Edits to Frame Boundaries is selected. See Quantize Edits to Frame Boundaries.

Consolidate Handle Size (Milliseconds)

Specifies the number of milliseconds of the original audio file to retain at the beginning and end of each audio clip that is created. This lets you extend clip boundaries even after you have consolidated, by the amount you specify. It is a good idea to have at least 1000 milliseconds (one second) of handle, so you can “trim out” edits that sound “clipped” or “up-cut.” Consolidate Handle Size is only available when Consolidate From Source Media is selected.

Export Stereo, 5.1, and 7.1 Tracks as Multi-Channel

When exporting a sequence with multi-channel (stereo, 5.1 or 7.1) tracks, enable this option to retain proper channel layouts upon export.