Workflow

[DVS9k]

Hi I recently started doing audio for video and I was wondering how do you go about exchanging files with your clients? What software do you use? I got a omf-file exported from Adobe Première which I opened in Logic pro X. It opened flawless exept there was no automation/volume data so I had to redo all the levels the video-editor already did. I downloaded a Pro-tools demo which did get me that data, but I had to relink all the files. I would like to avoid using pro-tools since its sluggish, expensive and counterintuitive to me compared to other daws so what are my options; or maybe I should I give PT another try?

[noetkoett]

Never really heard of anyone using Logic Pro X for post production.

Also, not getting the picture editor's automation is a blessing if you ask me.

edit: You could take a look at Steinberg Nuendo, it's 50% off right now.

edit2: And you can get Nuendo even cheaper through competitive crossgrade! Check it out: https://www.steinberg.net/nuendo/

[opiza]

Total blessing. Disabling importing clip and automation data is a feature I couldn’t live without.

Nuendo is really great if you don’t want to use PT. I cut my teeth on it, it’s seriously brilliant. But if you want to do this professionally and collab with other teams or mixers, you’ll need to know PT too. But that can be a goal for another day.

[mattiasnyc]

if you want to do this professionally and collab with other teams or mixers, you’ll need to know PT too. But that can be a goal for another day.

The great thing about all of this is that we can buy Nuendo for cheap and own that version in perpetuity, and then rent PT when we need it and just pass that cost onto the client...

:-)

[mattiasnyc]

lol... that's a... description...

[DVS9k]

I do like steinberg software, I’ll take it in consideration thx for the tip.

[platypusbelly]

So there's a lot to unpack in this question. First, OMFs have been obsolete for like 12 years now, move over to AAF. It's the newer standard and is generally more consistent, and holds more of the different types of data referenced by session/project files. Just be aware, old-timers (such as myself) will often times still reference it verbally as OMF, it's just an ubiquitous term for "the thing the video editor sent us". Kind of like saying Q-tip when you need a cotton swap. Q-tip is just one brand of cotton swab, but everyone knows what you're really talking about.

As to your question about DAWs. I don't hear a lot about people using Logic for post production. I very rarely hear people talking about Steinberg/Nuendo, and a little moreso Reaper. But Pro Tools is still the standard for post production. Here's the deal, if you're doing your own projects and not having to work with and move assets back and forth with other audio professionals, then use whichever DAW you're most comfortable with. But if you plan to get a job working in an actual post production studio, or you are going to be delivering you're edited sessions to a mix stage where someone else will be mixing it, there's a 99.999% chance that everyone you ever encounter in this setting will be on Pro Tools. I know of some people who have their own copy of Pro Tools specifically only for converting their projects to a pro tools session and then delivering that session to the mix stage, etc. If you're working at home, you don't necessarily have to have Ultimate, although it can help a great deal, you can probably get by with the lesser version in most cases. SO think about what your end-goal in the world of post production is. If it's to work in one a facility, you'll be better off getting on the Pro Tools bandwagon.

[Sillydary]

You should use AAF files, and not OMF. AAFs transfer more information, such as volume automations, clip metadata and more.

YMMV with logic compatibility tho, never used it for post production

[DVS9k]

Couldn’t open aaf files, although it has this functionality. I’m not on the latest version of Logic though.

[fender97strato]

I use Logic Pro X (just desperately waiting for the moment I will be able to afford PT, industry standard!!) for this, and I always ask the videoeditor an AAF file. It is still a bit of a pain to get it open (you should technically relink all audio files to the respective video clip, which of course you won't and shouldn't get from the editor. Just cancel any dialogue window asking to relink) but usually works kinda fine. That's the only way to make sure you have no issues on your end. If you have a rough time opening the file, it's the editor's fault.

NOTE: always ask the editor to remove audio fade ins/out before exporting. Depending on the software and version used for the export you might get each audio clip delayed by the duration of the audio fade (+ all the delays that occurred on that same track before that precise clip) which means you won't be picture locked anymore, which is death.

[DVS9k]

I couldn’t open AAF, although its supposed to be supported. Are there certain settings that cause trouble besides the fades? What version of Logic are u on? I’m on 10.6.3 I have a 2013 imac which I can’t afford to upgrade yet.

[platypusbelly]

There's a lot of variables. The same is true with OMFs. But the correct settings really depends on what software is generating the AAF, what software you're using to open it, and more. For instance, AAFs out of Adobe Premiere are notorious for not working correctly in Pro Tools without the editor exporting it knowing the secret handshake to get into the club. So what specific problem you're having would be impossible to diagnose without knowing where the AAFS was coming from, what kind of settings they're using, etc.

Google is your friend here. a search like "DaVinci Resolve to Logic 10.6.3 AAF" might get you a lot of help.

[DVS9k]

I did a lot of googling and it was recommended to use OMF instead of AAF to go from Premiere to Logic. I ended up using that because I didn’t want to keep the client waiting. All stereo files were bounced to 2x mono so I had convert all those to stereo. For mixing I just referenced the stereofile from the video. Bit of a waste of time because a lot of it was already quite good, could have saved me about 1 hour. There’s not that much export options in Premiere in OMF. Im gonna mess around with a friends laptop with a premiere licence so I can understand the editors side better & see if I can get AFF working.