tech question: Avid and Sonar

[aracu]

A film editor I do post audio for switched from Final Cut to Avid. With
final Cut we would import an omf file of the audio into Sonar. Is there
a way to convert the audio in Avid to an omf file, maybe through using a third program? I really like working with Sonar on a PC and don't want
to switch to Pro Tools.

[Henchman]

Google is your friend.
It took me 30 secs to find this link that explains what to do.

How do I Export OMF in MC 5.5.3 - Avid Community

[aracu]

Originally Posted by Henchman

Google is your friend.
It took me 30 secs to find this link that explains what to do.

How do I Export OMF in MC 5.5.3 - Avid Community

What does "you can switch your project to the compatible SD version if
it has one" mean?

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by aracu

What does "you can switch your project to the compatible SD version if
it has one" mean?

Talk to your film editor.

[aracu]

dude...

[Henchman]

Originally Posted by aracu

dude...

I'm serious.
He'll know what it means.

[aracu]

You don't know the answer bright guy.

[Henchman]

That's the right attitude to have when asking for help.
I shall refrain from giving any.

Bright guy.

[Sam Watson]

I used to use AV Transfer as a general OMF wrench. Back in the day Logic would never open Avid OMFs unless it went through AV Transfer. However it has been discontinued. And it used to cost almost as much a PT9 Native sells for now.

Maybe you can find a used version kicking around somewhere? Or get your editor to look into that hint about Media Composer 5. I didn't know that OMF was still available if you just opened the HD project as standard definition.

I'm curious: Does Sonar import panning and volume automation data via OMF? As far as I know, only Pro Tools correctly does this. Logic does not via OMF or AAF.

Best,
Sam

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by aracu

don't want
to switch to Pro Tools.

You don't know it yet but you really do. :-)

I have used Cakwalk Pro Audio and then Sonar since CWPA 8 and know it inside out. It is absolutely crap for post production compared to Pro Tools.

Or are you composing?

Alistair

[philper]

First--make sure the Avid OMF is being made according to what you know Sonar wants. (ie try to match the FCP method--"bento" style OMF with media and project in one big file, OMF v2, audio only version of the project, some reasonable handle length, copy the source media, make sure the source media is all the right sample rate). If that doesn't work the simplest thing to do is to import the OMF into a ProTools system (can be an older LE etc as long as it has DV ToolKit) then export it as a new OMF. Another plan is to use something like SSL ProConvert to clean up the OMF for you. If the editor is making the OMF in the Avid correctly there's no reason it shouldn't work in your DAW.

phil p

[aracu]

Originally Posted by philper

First--make sure the Avid OMF is being made according to what you know Sonar wants.

The problem as I understand it is that the Avid software the editor is
using cannot make an omf file. By omf file I am going by a strict definition
of a file which has an omf extension, because that is what I can import
into Sonar.

"If that doesn't work the simplest thing to do is to import the OMF into a ProTools system (can be an older LE etc as long as it has DV ToolKit) then export it as a new OMF."

This sounds like a good idea, if you mean importing an Avid file which functions similarly to an omf file into ProTools.

[minister]

Originally Posted by aracu

The problem as I understand it is that the Avid software the editor is
using cannot make an omf file. By omf file I am going by a strict definition
of a file which has an omf extension, because that is what I can import
into Sonar.

AVID invented OMF, how can it not be output? And "strict definition"??? The file is an OMF regardless of whether or not you can SEE the ".omf" extension. On a MAC (at least) you can chose to turn this on or off. Besides you can always add it.

[aracu]

Originally Posted by Sam Watson

I used to use AV Transfer as a general OMF wrench. Back in the day Logic would never open Avid OMFs unless it went through AV Transfer. However it has been discontinued. And it used to cost almost as much a PT9 Native sells for now.

Maybe you can find a used version kicking around somewhere? Or get your editor to look into that hint about Media Composer 5. I didn't know that OMF was still available if you just opened the HD project as standard definition.

I'm curious: Does Sonar import panning and volume automation data via OMF? As far as I know, only Pro Tools correctly does this. Logic does not via OMF or AAF.

Best,
Sam

Sonar does not import panning and volume automation data via omf,
Pro Tools has an advantage in that respect.

[aracu]

Originally Posted by minister

AVID invented OMF, how can it not be output? And "strict definition"??? The file is an OMF regardless of whether or not you can SEE the ".omf" extension. On a MAC (at least) you can chose to turn this on or off. Besides you can always add it.

I tried add on approach but it didn't work.

[minister]

Originally Posted by aracu

I tried add on approach but it didn't work.

Was it a version 1 or version 2? Referenced or embedded?

[Sam Watson]

Originally Posted by minister

AVID invented OMF, how can it not be output?

The problem is that OMF does not appear as an export option when working in an HD project. It was replaced by AAF. In order to export as OMF you must be in a standard definition project.

Phil Perkins post is right on the money. Solid advice. To reiterate: OMF. Type 2. Audio embedded. And additionally I would add, remove all AVID audio effects. (EQ, AudioSuite effects, etc.) Fades are fine. They show up.

FWIW, I found that when working with AAF in Logic that it prefers to have the media separate. If embedded it is a no-go. Weirdly, I sometimes have to open in SoundTrackPro and resave to OMF for Logic. *shrug* OMF / AAF have never been completely what we hoped for.

For best translation I have observed: AVID > AAF/OMF > Pro Tools. Or FCP > iXML > Logic. You get the most volume / pan / other data intact this way.

FWIW,
Sam

[minister]

Originally Posted by Sam Watson

The problem is that OMF does not appear as an export option when working in an HD project. It was replaced by AAF. In order to export as OMF you must be in a standard definition project.

Ah! Thanks for the info! Didn't know that.

[aracu]

Thanks guys, I will relay the relevant info to the editor, and maybe even pick up a PC version of ProTools.

[cananball]

Avid will not allow OMF export on certain HD framerates because they we're created after OMF was standardized. Create an SD version of the film (in an appropriate SD framerate, ie 29.97 instead or 59.94) the omf option should be available.

Btw I don't think many video editors could answer that.

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