Difference between revisions of "Consolidating Tracks and Exporting Files"

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Once your project is finished, you need to get it out of ProTools to use elsewhere. There are a couple of different ways to do this, and each method has its own purpose. This section covers consolidating tracks and exporting files, which allows you to save individual regions from ProTools. This happens almost instantly, so it's ideal if you're working with a long project. If you're working with a shorter project with multiple tracks, [[Bouncing to Disk]] will likely be your best option.
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==Overview==
 +
Once your project is finished, you need to move it out of the ProTools environment so that it can be used elsewhere. There are a couple of different ways to do this and each method has its own purpose.
  
Often times a project contains more than one track (voiceover, music beds, etc). In order to export media from ProTools, these need to be consolidated into ONE track - the export function works with one track and one track only. This process sounds a little tricky at first, but if you follow the steps below you'll be a pro in no time.
+
This section covers '''Consolidating Tracks and Exporting Files''', which allows you to save individual regions from ProTools. This happens almost instantly, so it is ideal if you are working with a long project. If you're working with a shorter project with multiple tracks, '''[[Bouncing to Disk]]''' will likely be your best option.
  
First, you need to identify the sections you need to consolidate. Let's use this project as an example:
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Often a project will contain more than one track, ''(ex. voiceover, music beds, etc.)''
  
[[File:Example.png]]
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In order to export this media from ProTools, these tracks need to be '''consolidated into one track'''. The export function will transfer one track and one track only. This process is a little tricky at first, but if you follow the steps below, you'll be a pro in no time.
  
You want to move around as little audio as possible. For this project, the '''music at the beginning and the end''' (located in the bottom green track) need to join the voiceover in the top blue track. To do this, we will bounce small sections of the project and then bring those bounced pieces in to the voiceover track to make a complete single-track project.
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==1. Identify sections needing consolidation==
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Let's use this project as an example:
  
Next, highlight the first section of audio you want to bounce. Be sure to include ALL tracks you want bounced.  
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:[[File:Example.png|600px]] 
  
[[File:Beginning_selected.png]]
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You want to move as little audio as possible.
  
Next, go to File->Bounce to...->Disk to bounce that selection of audio. (More information about the bouncing process can be found at [[Bouncing to Disk]]) When given options about how you'd like the audio bounced, the following settings are best:
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For this project, the '''music at the beginning and the end''' (located in the bottom green track), needs to be coupled with the voiceover in the top blue track. To do this, we will bounce small sections of the project and then bring those bounced pieces into the voiceover track to make one complete, single-track project.
  
[[File:Bounce_options.png]]
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==2. Highlight your selection==
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Highlight the first section of audio that you want to bounce. Be sure to '''highlight all''' of the tracks that you want included.  
  
Pay attention to where ProTools is sending that file and what you're calling it - you'll need it in a minute.
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:[[File:Beginning_selected.png|90px]]
  
In ProTools, make sure you're in SLIP mode, then hit the delete key to remove the audio you bounced out. Then, find your bounced file in Finder and drag it into that empty space. It should look something like this:
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==3. Bounce the audio==
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Go to '''File -> Bounce to... -> Disk'''.
  
[[File:Moving_opening.png]]
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More information about the bouncing process can be found on the wiki page '''[[Bouncing to Disk]]'''.
  
Go ahead and play your audio to make sure the transition sounds okay. When placed properly, you won't be able to tell that there are two different pieces of audio at all. Follow the same procedure for the outro of your piece, or any other parts of your piece that need to be consolidated (it's easiest to work in SHUFFLE mode for the ending so your audio lines up perfectly).
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When you are given options about how you'd like to save the audio, the following settings are recommended:
  
Now that all of your audio is happily in one track, you need to combine it into one region for export. Select all of the audio in the track you're going to consolidate:
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:[[File:Bounce_options.png|300px]]
  
[[File:Select_to_combine.png]]
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Pay attention to where ProTools is saving that file and what you are naming it. You will need it again in a minute.
  
Once your audio is selected, go to Edit->Consolidate Region and your audio will be combined into one region:
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==4. SLIP mode==
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In ProTools, make sure that you're in '''SLIP mode''', then hit the '''Delete''' key to remove the audio that you just bounced out.
  
[[File:Consolidated.png]]
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Next, use '''Finder''' to find your new bounced file and drag it into the empty space.
  
The tough part is done! Now, all you need to do is export that region from ProTools. Use your hand tool to make sure the desired region is selected. Then, find the regions list on the right side, and click on the downward arrow just to the right of where it says "Regions" (more information about this part of the window can be found at [[Track and Regions Menu]]).
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It should look something like this:
  
[[File:Export.png]]
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:[[File:Moving_opening.png|200px]]
  
Make sure the settings are as follows:
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Listen to your audio to make sure that the transition sounds okay. When placed properly, you should not be able to tell that there are two different pieces of audio playing. Follow the same procedure for the outro of your piece, or any other parts that need to be consolidated.
  
[[File:Export_options.png]]
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It is easiest to work in '''SHUFFLE''' mode for the ending, so that your audio lines up perfectly.
  
You can then name your file and choose where to save it, and you're done!
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==5. One track of audio==
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Now that all of your audio is in one track you need to combine it into one region for '''Export'''.
  
[[Category:Editing With ProTools]]
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Select all of the audio in the track that you are going to consolidate.
 +
 
 +
:[[File:Select_to_combine.png|700px]]
 +
 
 +
==6. Consolidate Region==
 +
Once your audio is selected, go to '''Edit -> Consolidate Region''' and your audio will be combined into a single region.
 +
 
 +
:[[File:Consolidated.png|700px]]
 +
 
 +
==7. Exporting==
 +
The tough part is done!
 +
 
 +
Now, all you need to do is export that same region from ProTools.
 +
 
 +
Use the '''hand tool''' to make sure that the desired region is selected. Then, find the '''REGIONS''' list on the right side of the window and '''click the downward arrow''' just to the right of '''REGIONS'''.
 +
 
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Choose '''Export Regions as Files ...'''
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 +
:[[File:Export.png|400px]]
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 +
==8. Export Selected==
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Make sure your settings are as follows:
 +
 
 +
:[[File:Export_options.png|300px]]
 +
 
 +
==9. Naming your file==
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Now you can name your file, choose the correct folder for save it in and you're finished!
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 +
[[Category:Production]]
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[[Category:Radio]]
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[[Category:ProTools]]

Latest revision as of 22:08, 24 February 2015

Overview

Once your project is finished, you need to move it out of the ProTools environment so that it can be used elsewhere. There are a couple of different ways to do this and each method has its own purpose.

This section covers Consolidating Tracks and Exporting Files, which allows you to save individual regions from ProTools. This happens almost instantly, so it is ideal if you are working with a long project. If you're working with a shorter project with multiple tracks, Bouncing to Disk will likely be your best option.

Often a project will contain more than one track, (ex. voiceover, music beds, etc.)

In order to export this media from ProTools, these tracks need to be consolidated into one track. The export function will transfer one track and one track only. This process is a little tricky at first, but if you follow the steps below, you'll be a pro in no time.

1. Identify sections needing consolidation

Let's use this project as an example:

Example.png

You want to move as little audio as possible.

For this project, the music at the beginning and the end (located in the bottom green track), needs to be coupled with the voiceover in the top blue track. To do this, we will bounce small sections of the project and then bring those bounced pieces into the voiceover track to make one complete, single-track project.

2. Highlight your selection

Highlight the first section of audio that you want to bounce. Be sure to highlight all of the tracks that you want included.

Beginning selected.png

3. Bounce the audio

Go to File -> Bounce to... -> Disk.

More information about the bouncing process can be found on the wiki page Bouncing to Disk.

When you are given options about how you'd like to save the audio, the following settings are recommended:

Bounce options.png

Pay attention to where ProTools is saving that file and what you are naming it. You will need it again in a minute.

4. SLIP mode

In ProTools, make sure that you're in SLIP mode, then hit the Delete key to remove the audio that you just bounced out.

Next, use Finder to find your new bounced file and drag it into the empty space.

It should look something like this:

Moving opening.png

Listen to your audio to make sure that the transition sounds okay. When placed properly, you should not be able to tell that there are two different pieces of audio playing. Follow the same procedure for the outro of your piece, or any other parts that need to be consolidated.

It is easiest to work in SHUFFLE mode for the ending, so that your audio lines up perfectly.

5. One track of audio

Now that all of your audio is in one track you need to combine it into one region for Export.

Select all of the audio in the track that you are going to consolidate.

Select to combine.png

6. Consolidate Region

Once your audio is selected, go to Edit -> Consolidate Region and your audio will be combined into a single region.

Consolidated.png

7. Exporting

The tough part is done!

Now, all you need to do is export that same region from ProTools.

Use the hand tool to make sure that the desired region is selected. Then, find the REGIONS list on the right side of the window and click the downward arrow just to the right of REGIONS.

Choose Export Regions as Files ...

Export.png

8. Export Selected

Make sure your settings are as follows:

Export options.png

9. Naming your file

Now you can name your file, choose the correct folder for save it in and you're finished!