Help me-I have a protools session file but dont have protools :-(

[luddite]

Hi, (first post :-) )

I just left a recording studio running some protools set up.

We ran out of money after 2 days and so we got the data and tried to open the pts file in Nuendo(which is what came with our hardware which is not digidesign).

Since we have no digidesign hardware protools is useless to install.

Can someone please open this PTS file in PT and save it as something that Nuendo can read please or tell me how to go about getting 12GB of audio data in wave file(not broadcast) into nuendo or some other tool?

I want to either convert the pts file to a npr/cpr (nuendo/cubase) but can really use anything you suggest.

Or are there converter apps around?

I cant go back to the studio as we are now broke and they are booked out and we just need to downsample to CD qual and clean up some files. Nothing much else is needed.

The PTS files

Thanks in advance as it will save us tons.

cheers,
luddite

[atiller]

As far as I know, you will have to manually import all the audio data (found in your project's directory structure) into Nuendo, track by track. Of course that's not going to help you with any of the gear/software that was in play at the studio, nor is it going to help you in recalling the mix!

Good luck!

[luddite]

That completely sucks as the engineer was trimming ever recording to save space or some shit.

So each file can not even be aligned correctly - it will take years to get all 9 tracks synced.

One point of note- when we were in the studio they 'lost all our vocal data' and wanted us to re-record it. I said just recover it from the bin. The engineer lost it and yelled at me about telling them how to do my job. I replied that if they could do their job then we would still have the vocal data which made her angrier. She stormed out and i said i'd recover it. I had never seen pro-tools before in my life but after 30 mins all tracks were back.

Protools was a childish and clumsily labeled app from that 30minute experience. First impression was not good.

I digress though.

I dont want to manually add the tracks.

Are there converter tools around?

I have found pro-convert and mm-edl but cant aford them.

[gurubuzz]

If you hit record and you all played from start to finish it's easy.

Just import all the files in the audio folder into nuendo and choose "Different tracks" when it asks you.

If you did overdubs the onlyway to do it is to go to someone with protools LE or M powered and export all the files as continuous ones.

Here's a post on how to export individual long files that all start at bar 1-1-1-1

First, I'd make a copy of the session (including all audio files) and work on that, just in case. Another option would be to make a copy of each track to a new playlist for all of your tracks.

Once you've done one of these, in the edit window, hit return to go to 0:00. Next select "all" in your group menu. Hold shift and then hit tab until you get to the end of your last region.

You can also go to zero then double click enter to create a marker. Then find the end of your last region and double click enter again to create another marker. Say you used markers 1 and 2. Now hit .1. to go to marker one, then while holding shift hit .2. to go to marker two. This will highlight all of the regions to be "duplicated".

Now just hold shift + apple + 3, or select "duplicate" in the audio suite.

This will create whole regions from 0 to the end of your last track for all of your tracks. You might want to double click each new file and name them something easily recognizable for importing/exporting.

Again, it's a good idea to work on a copy of the original.

Hope this helps. Have fun.

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by atiller

As far as I know, you will have to manually import all the audio data (found in your project's directory structure) into Nuendo, track by track. Of course that's not going to help you with any of the gear/software that was in play at the studio, nor is it going to help you in recalling the mix!

Exactly.

Nor will it keep all those takes in place & sort them for you while keeping everything in it's proper time & place.

Sorry man... you need Toolz. If you don't have Toolz, then you'll need to find someone with it to open the sessions & export everything to broadcast wave so Nuendo can make sense of it.

[luddite]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

Exactly.

Nor will it keep all those takes in place & sort them for you while keeping everything in it's proper time & place.

Sorry man... you need Toolz. If you don't have Toolz, then you'll need to find someone with it to open the sessions & export everything to broadcast wave so Nuendo can make sense of it.

Ok- probably best to buy a dongle off ebay then, or find someone with that limited setup.

Thanks for the help guys.

One last question - if someone with protools opened my pts file without the wav's then can they save as OMF or anything like that?

Any other suggestions people?

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally Posted by luddite

One last question - if someone with protools opened my pts file without the wav's then can they save as OMF or anything like that?

Any other suggestions people?

What?!

No!

You need to find someone with Toolz, and give them all the session folders with all the data so they can create a clean export for you. There's no other way around it. It's either that or bring them in one by one, and line them up, one by one.

Those are the only two choices...

[luddite]

Originally Posted by Jay Kahrs

What?!

No!

You need to find someone with Toolz, and give them all the session folders with all the data so they can create a clean export for you. There's no other way around it. It's either that or bring them in one by one, and line them up, one by one.

Those are the only two choices...

Thanks Jay. That is terrible of digidesign :-)

Cheers all.

[DontLetMeDrown]

The files are 126 kb? If you've got 9 audio tracks then something went wrong.

I was going to try and help you out, but when I tried to download, it said "Hacking Attempt" and went to a white screen.

[Raw-Tracks]

Originally Posted by luddite

Thanks Jay. That is terrible of digidesign :-)

Cheers all.

Why is it terrible?

Can Nuendo open Sonar sessions, for example? No. How about Samplitude sessions, can Nuendo open those?

[uncle duncan]

Originally Posted by Raw-Tracks

Why is it terrible?

Can Nuendo open Sonar sessions, for example? No. How about Samplitude sessions, can Nuendo open those?

Yes, and yes, if the Nuendo session was saved as OMF. That's the rub with Digi - even though every other app in the world can open and save OMF/AAF, Digi charges an extra $500 for the same functionality. How does that help the audio community?

Back to the OP - I was in the same boat for a long time, wondering when Digi would break down and include OMF in PT at no extra charge. Finally, I gave up and bought a Mbox micro for $225 (I have a good local retailer who will beat the internet prices.) The Mbox micro won't record audio, but it will play it back, and it comes with PTLE 7.3 - upgradable to 7.4 via internet download. With this software, you can open any PT project and render the files as explained above so you can then open your project in whatever daw you choose.

Considering that PTLE with the Mbox micro costs the same as a good plugin, I don't feel so bad about throwing away $225 - especially since I can use PTLE as an external processor if I ever need Elastic Audio to fix up a crappy drummer. Lucky for me, I don't have to do that very often. Plus, my DAW already has elastic audio for stretching and shrinking soundbites when lining up vocals and such.

Another alternative would be for you to just find somebody with a PTLE rig and pay them for an hour to convert your project. PTLE is everywhere these days, (just like air pollution) and it shouldn't be that hard to find someone with an hour to spare.

[slaves666]

I have an Mbox just for this reason. Buy one on Ebay for $100 and it'll serve its purpose.

[BLUElightCory]

Or buy an hour or two of time at any Pro Tools equipped studio and have them consolidate all of the audio files so you can import them into Nuendo.

[luddite]

Originally Posted by DontLetMeDrown

The files are 126 kb? If you've got 9 audio tracks then something went wrong.

I was going to try and help you out, but when I tried to download, it said "Hacking Attempt" and went to a white screen.

I dont know what that meant. The file just contains a gzipped pts file- i made it on ubuntu with no virus'. The 126kb bit worries me now that you say that its too small.

Originally Posted by Raw-Tracks

Why is it terrible?

Bundling hardware and software is crazy as the software requirements to do this encumber the programmers from making a efficient application programatically. All the added security results in a bloated and proc intensive app. That is terrible.

[quote=uncle duncan;2470313]Digi charges an extra $500 for the same functionality. How does that help the audio community?


Considering that PTLE with the Mbox micro costs the same as a good plugin, I don't feel so bad about throwing away $225 - especially since I can use PTLE as an external processor if I ever need Elastic Audio to fix up a crappy drummer. /quote]
Great - thats a option next month.

Originally Posted by slaves666

I have an Mbox just for this reason. Buy one on Ebay for $100 and it'll serve its purpose.

:-) I found one for $71

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

Or buy an hour or two of time at any Pro Tools equipped studio and have them consolidate all of the audio files so you can import them into Nuendo.

They cost too much and I am a bit over studio's atm.


Thanks to all posters.

[bobby yarrow]

Originally Posted by slaves666

I have an Mbox just for this reason.

Me too. And also so that I can say 'yes' when some idiot asks if I have protools.

The mildly nasty bit is that I'm pretty sure digi wrote the OMF format, and they're just about the last program to not support it (without the grossly overpriced add-on).

[psycho_monkey]

Originally Posted by luddite

IBundling hardware and software is crazy as the software requirements to do this encumber the programmers from making a efficient application programatically. All the added security results in a bloated and proc intensive app. That is terrible.

do you really think? referring to LE here, once PT is up and running I can't see why it's any different using a Digi interface to using any other interface. It just checks the hardware is connected when you open the program, and if not it doesn't start. Like any other dongle - I don't see why that should cause the app to be any more processor intensive than say logic checking it's dongle (in the days when there was one) is attached?

Anyway back to your problem. If you recorded broadcast WAVs at the studio, you could probably load them into nuendo and "spot" them to the correct timecode position. I don't know how to do this in Nuendo, but I'm sure it'll be able to do it. You'll lose any edits you had in PT, but your audio will all be in sync.

Secondly, you mentioned "downsampling" for CD. Just be aware that if you're meaning your original sessions were at a sampling rate higher than 48k, the original Mbox or an Mbox micro won't open them.

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by BLUElightCory

Or buy an hour or two of time at any Pro Tools equipped studio and have them consolidate all of the audio files so you can import them into Nuendo.

bingo!...probably take 15 minutes to do

[cosmicBdog]

You might find this tool useful => Solid State Logic | Music

Apparently it converts pro tools files into files other programs can use.

Anybody know of any others? How hard can it be to have a program that strips the PTF file of the tracks and timecodes?

It seems the biggest issue here isn't even so much the mixing, but just the time syncing. Is pro tools really that afraid of losing their edge on the market that they don't even show the other kids in the playground this most basic information? Do they really think everybody does everything in protools? Seems like a very ancient mentality that is stagnating to me.

[andygomez]

So many people have Pro Tools LE these days its insane. im sure theres a little old lady down the street with an Mbox. where are you located?.. I am a Pro Tools and Nuendo equipped studio perhaps I can help

[slaphappygarry]

Hey man

Its a fast and simple process once you have tools.

If you are local to Edinburgh in Scotland I am happy to help you out.

Drop me a PM.

G

[shanabit]

I think the engineer was childish, NOT ProTools.

BTW, we shouldnt be getting HACKING attemps from YOU when trying to look at your session

[UnDeFiNeD]

Originally Posted by shanabit

we shouldnt be getting HACKING attemps from YOU when trying to look at your session

Wohoo, I'm now officially a hacker

[Zooey]

Originally Posted by luddite

I dont know what that meant. The file just contains a gzipped pts file- i made it on ubuntu with no virus'. The 126kb bit worries me now that you say that its too small.

If all you have is the pro tools session file, then you're screwed. You will never be able to recreate that session without also having the actual digital audio that is found in the audio files folder. That's not Pro Tools' fault--that's your engineer's fault and I would do anything up to and including a small claims action to get the rest of your project back at no additional charge.

There seem to be a shitload of ignorant PT studios out there, or maybe they're just feigning ignorance to keep your business. All you have to do is make a selection across all tracks, hit "consolidate," and "export selected as files" from the region bin popup menu. It doesn't take two hours. It doesn't even take one hour. It takes literally 15 minutes, if you count the time it takes Pro Tools to boot up and the time to burn a CD of the audio files.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by Zooey

If all you have is the pro tools session file, then you're screwed. You will never be able to recreate that session without also having the actual digital audio that is found in the audio files folder. That's not Pro Tools' fault--that's your engineer's fault and I would do anything up to and including a small claims action to get the rest of your project back at no additional charge.

There seem to be a shitload of ignorant PT studios out there, or maybe they're just feigning ignorance to keep your business. All you have to do is make a selection across all tracks, hit "consolidate," and "export selected as files" from the region bin popup menu. It doesn't take two hours. It doesn't even take one hour. It takes literally 15 minutes, if you count the time it takes Pro Tools to boot up and the time to burn a CD of the audio files.

exactly - if all you have is this PTS file then you're screwed. You need the 9GB (or whatever) of audio data that went with it. Something tells me your Nuendo is a crack also - correct me if i'm wrong. I'm willing to help, but not if you're using cracked software.

[samwinston123]

If the studio was using any version of Pro Tools above 5.x, then all of the wave files should be broadcast, because that's the only wave format PT will record in.

[luddite]

Originally Posted by narcoman

exactly - if all you have is this PTS file then you're screwed. You need the 9GB (or whatever) of audio data that went with it. Something tells me your Nuendo is a crack also - correct me if i'm wrong. I'm willing to help, but not if you're using cracked software.

I have 12GB of audio data - i just thought that the PTS could be opened and saved as something else that another app could read/open. Even if pro tools gave a error "i cant find the file please locate it - browse/cancel". It shouldnt matter.

Why do you think my nuendo is cracked? I got logic(never used it) and nuendo on cd from music workshop with hardware that i have purchased(c-port and rack untis and keyboards). They are cut down versions though i dont know what the cant do as ive never used the full versions. They do everything i need. - 8 track multitrack recording, midi, vst plugins(i use some cracked plugins namely drum samplers and for mastering - recently i discovered some kvr free vst's which have removed any reliance on them).

Originally Posted by samwinston123

If the studio was using any version of Pro Tools above 5.x, then all of the wave files should be broadcast, because that's the only wave format PT will record in.

Brilliant- i was recording all weekend but will try this tonight. Brilliant Sam -absolutely brilliant.

Originally Posted by slaphappygarry

Hey man

Its a fast and simple process once you have tools.

If you are local to Edinburgh in Scotland I am happy to help you out.

Drop me a PM.

G

Thanks G - but I am in melbourne australia

Originally Posted by andygomez

So many people have Pro Tools LE these days its insane. im sure theres a little old lady down the street with an Mbox. where are you located?.. I am a Pro Tools and Nuendo equipped studio perhaps I can help

Thanks Andy - but I am in melbourne australia

[luddite]

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

do you really think? referring to LE here, once PT is up and running I can't see why it's any different using a Digi interface to using any other interface. It just checks the hardware is connected when you open the program, and if not it doesn't start. Like any other dongle - I don't see why that should cause the app to be any more processor intensive than say logic checking it's dongle (in the days when there was one) is attached?

The security code is constantly polling the hardware, be it dongle or off/on-board card. That results in the security taking priority over the applications functionality.

This priority slows down the app. You can follow the processing hit with certain free applications and it may suprise you.

Every function runs through the security code first. Just to check of course...

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Anyway back to your problem. If you recorded broadcast WAVs at the studio, you could probably load them into nuendo and "spot" them to the correct timecode position. I don't know how to do this in Nuendo, but I'm sure it'll be able to do it. You'll lose any edits you had in PT, but your audio will all be in sync.

Thanks- yeah i dont know how to either but I found a simple(ish) tutorial to follow. I will do that tonight and hopefully its not too difficult to follow.

Originally Posted by psycho_monkey

Secondly, you mentioned "downsampling" for CD. Just be aware that if you're meaning your original sessions were at a sampling rate higher than 48k, the original Mbox or an Mbox micro won't open them.

Great point - I will try the import first then if that fails I will look into the mbox or just finding a protools unit somewhere. I just cant afford anything more atm(just bought a house and invested in soundproofing a spare room and istalling all my gear in it)

[narcoman]

Well - if it all doesnt work - you can post me a couple of DVDs with the data on OR try and find a way of sending me it and i'll conform the regions for you.

Over to you - if you need help, find a way and i'll do it.

Ah, see what you mean about the Nuendo thing. The reason i thought it may be cracked (ta for the correction) is because its £1400 software but you seemed quite "blase" about using it and other software. I was wrong, you have my apologies.

[luddite]

Originally Posted by narcoman

Well - if it all doesnt work - you can post me a couple of DVDs with the data on OR try and find a way of sending me it and i'll conform the regions for you.

Over to you - if you need help, find a way and i'll do it.

Ah, see what you mean about the Nuendo thing. The reason i thought it may be cracked (ta for the correction) is because its £1400 software but you seemed quite "blase" about using it and other software. I was wrong, you have my apologies.

Cheers Narcoman. Tonight I will test as I didnt get a chance to last night as i had work to do.

On a side note i was paid to help set up a studio in Sydney(Australia) for Sony which was for a small demo house for talentless blonde barbie doll girls who were going for their one shot at fame :-).

After we installed all the hardware(new and old) and set up the PC with a brand new Nuendo 3(2 years ago) we fired it up and recorded. It kept crashing randomly. I spent a few hours searching and calling to resolve the issue but all to no avail. Their was a second PC that the producers son was setting up but we only had a single copy of Nuendo and one dongle so had to wait another day until someone could go into the store to get another dongle. The son decided to download a cracked version without asking anyone. The next day we had all figured that the dongle had been purchased and installed. It was a busy time so no-one questioned anything.

Anyway- the cracked version was more reliable, never crashed and also seemed to operate faster on a lower spec'ed PC.

Even though they now have 2 licenses they are running the cracked version on both PC's instead of the security laden purchased versions.

They are very happy with this situation now and havent had any problems that they couldnt handle themselves since.

...end of segway :-)

[jbsg02]

I'm willing to help out, I have Pro Tools M-Powered and can consolidate the tracks if you can find a way to get the session to me. Maybe one of the upload sites?