AMS Neve AudioFile SC/X User Manual
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AMS Neve AudioFile SC/X User Manual

Audio editing system
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AudioFile SCX user manual
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Revision 0.91
Jan 2008

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  • Page 1 AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    CONTENTS GLOSSARY GENERAL INTRODUCTION AudioFile SCX AudioFile SCX Supported Software & Devices Structure of this Manual Conventions in this Manual Cues, Inputs and Tracks Cues and Events Editing Jukebox Remote Control Edit and Event List Data Time Number Entry Macro Keys AudioFile SCX Control Surface 2:10 Softwheel (Nudge Key) Modes in Cut And Splice...
  • Page 3 Levels 4:26 RECORDING Recording Level Meters Wordclock Reference Recording a new Cue (Source recording) External Recording with Timecode Record While Play (Assembly) Sync Recording Inputs Recording Events Manually Multi-Track Recording Monitoring Punch-in and Overlap Programmed Recordings Grab Time Key 5:11 Threshold Recording 5:13 Digital Varispeed Record...
  • Page 4 Timecode Output Sync Relay System Sync Status MACHINE CONTROL SYSTEM (MCS) Introduction MCS Main Page Machine Local Defaults Recording 9:14 Transport Controls 9:19 Connections 9:20 FILING AND SAVING Filing Page 10:1 Saving 10:2 Loading 10:4 Using Folders 10:5 Printing 10:6 Backup And Restore 10:9 Exabyte®...

  • Page 5: Defaults

    changed. Cues also have a unique identifier, separate to the name, to prevent problems with duplicate names. Cue Library This is the name given to the collection of Cues stored on hard disk. It contains the raw material, or building blocks, from which the finished work is to be constructed.
  • Page 6 Event List The Event List is the structure for organising Events. Events are ordered chronologically according to Event start time. Constructing an Event List is called Assembly (e.g. in Cut and Splice). Event Lists can be saved in named files. External Refers to a timecode source which is external to the AudioFile SCX system.
  • Page 7 A point in an event that is used, for instance, to sync it with a video sequence. List Outpoint The time reference at the end of an event. Longitudinal timecode. Mark Used to identify and record a precise position within a Cue (Source Mark) or the Event List (Assembly or List Mark).
  • Page 8 Ramp The term used for a fade taking place over a brief timespan. ‘Fade’ refers to a steady reduction or increase in level that travels from 100% to zero in anything over 100 milliseconds of duration. Record Event Literally a duration of space into which a recording can be made. Record Events can be prepared in advance of a recording session.
  • Page 9 The opposite of no slip mode (lock). A state where an event shifts along the timeline when edited but does not lose or gain any material: the duration remains constant with a change in the start and stop time. SoftKey A key whose function changes and is dependent upon the page that is currently being displayed.
  • Page 10 This is Universal Serial Bus. A “plug and play” computer interface which allows simple connection of printers and storage devices. Vernier This is a fast editing mode for moving the cursor rapidly or for making adjustments using precise numerical values. Audio is not monitored. VITC Vertical interval timecode.
  • Page 11 Therefore, use the index (at the back of the manual) to find information quickly. Using AudioFile SCX AMS Neve recommend tha t the methods described to achieve specific perations are adhered to as closely as possible. MS Neve request that users notify their suppliers of any problems they may encounter.

  • Page 12: Audiofile Scx Supported Software & Devices

    AMS Neve reserve the right to remove such software if a site visit is carried out to rectify a problem. Under som e circumstances this may require the...
  • Page 13 problem. The system will then be tested and left without the devices insta lled or connected. The engineers visit plus expenses will be chargeable. TRUCTURE OF THIS MANUAL asic Information and Getting Started If you are a new user, and particularly if you are new to hard disk editing ystems, then you should familiarise yourself with the information in the following chapters of the manual: Glossary Of Terms...
  • Page 14 Notes At various points there are notes that describe exceptions, options or provide other information that is relevant to the current topic. These are shown in italics next to a writing hand symbol: This is a note. Please read me. Key Locations The Getting Started chapter uses icons representing the SoftKey locations on AudioFile SCX screen.

  • Page 15: Cues And Events

    An audio Cue can be re-used numerous times during playback without affecting available storage time (therefore replay time is not necessarily related to storage time). Cues and Events A Cue is a piece of audio recorded onto hard disk (prior to editing and arranging It is placed in a Cue Library and automatically given a default title which can be replaced with a relevant name at any time.

  • Page 16: Editing

    The current Ev ent is displayed in Yellow within the Event List; this can be isabled within the Display Defaults Page. iew Details Used to view information about files, Cues, Events and Defaults. To view details a bout an item Place the highlight on or select an item and press the asterisk key.
  • Page 17 e.g. 035631.23 Tenths of frames are preceded by a decimal point. ield positions are labelled, HH (hours), MM (minutes), SS (seconds), FR (frames), TH (tenths and hundredths of frames). Numbers fill the box from the right (p receding zeros need not be entered). The entry of a decimal point assumes that tenths of frames will follow.
  • Page 18 acro Filing Macro IDs and descriptions can be edited from the h ard disk or from their cation in the control surface RAM in the Macro Filing Page (via the ISK/MEMORY SoftKey). he MACRO SoftKey in the Main Menu accesses the Macro Filing Page. Existing Macros can be renamed in the Macro Filing Page.
  • Page 19 oftKeys he function of these keys changes according to the currently selected Mode. In some situations the SoftKeys will either toggle between states or display different states which can be toggled betwee Trigger Keys The “trigger keys” are the lower 8 horizontal softkeys below the screen. The term “trigg er keys”...
  • Page 20 These (roller bearing ) Softw heels are us ed to scroll thro ugh options, make selections, position material and ReelRock audio (see example below). Nudge Keys In many situations these ca n be us ed to execute the sa me activity as the Softwheels (see example below).

  • Page 21: System Setup

    Assumptions The instructions in this chapter assume that a properly configured and working AudioFile SCX system is available, and that a suitable audio source is available s an input to the system. In This Chapter This chapter is d ivided into the following sections: Starti ng up the AudioFile SCX ow to switch on and make the AudioFile SCX ready for use.
  • Page 22 Switch on the 4U rack and the monitor. Power is supplied to the AudioFile SCX control surface from the Studio Controller Unit. Windows XP will bootup o n the Studio Controller Unit and automatically boot up e AudioFile. The user name and password are factory set. The user name is administrato The password is admin and must be entered in lower case.
  • Page 23 This stage of the boot initialises the SCX card via the Firewire link, then boots the DSP and SCSI subsystems of the SCX card. 2. ASPI layer boot and SCSI drive cache sequence. The top left part of the Windows screen shows 2 boxes. One for "bank A" and one for "bank B".
  • Page 24 3. AudioFile SCX Hardware engine boot. The Spectra bootup display shown on the control surface screen shows the progress of device initialisation. The card being processed will have its frame AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 25 highlighted with either yellow or green (yellow indicating loading and g reen indicating code running). When the software start up pro cess is complete, the Main Menu page will be displayed. The bottom and right hand edges of each page show virtual buttons that indica the functions of the corresponding SoftKeys and Trigger keys (notice that the Main Menu has no functions on the Trigger keys).
  • Page 26 (green) then the key must be pressed to return control of the AudioFile SCX urface to the AudioFile SCX software. Key Locations This chapter uses icons representing the SoftKey locations on the AudioFile SC screen. The icon will be shown next to an instruction (as above) and the key ation is indicated in red.

  • Page 27: Start A New Session

    The Main Menu has a DEFAULTS SoftKey that provides access to all the Defaults pages. The User Defaults page is displayed first on entering Defaults. A full description of the Defaults is given in the Starting Up chapter. Local Defaults Most pages have an associated Local Defaults page that is accessed with the LOCAL DEFS HardKey.
  • Page 28 session (even though the Event List and Source Stack are clear when AudioFile SCX has just been booted up). This is also a useful exercise to retu rn to after working through this chapter. If the AudioFile SCX has been used, make sure that any work in progress has been saved.
  • Page 29 area of the screen switches emphasis between the Source Window and the ssembly Window by giving the active area a black background. le the SOURCE/ASSEMBLY SoftKey to ASSEMBLY. Press the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey. The Expanded Access page for Cut and Splice in Assembly will be displayed. Press the DELETE MENU SoftKey.

  • Page 30: Recording A New Cue

    Press the DEL ALL Trigger key. A prompt will be displayed at the top of the screen indicating how many Events and Source Stack entries will be deleted. Press the DELETE SoftKey. The AudioFile SCX is now a 'clean sheet', ready for starting a new session. Press the EXIT EXPANDED ACCESS SoftKey and then the EXIT CUT AND SPLICE SoftKey to return to the Main Menu.
  • Page 31 The Cut and Splice page will be displayed. Toggle the SOURCE/ASSEMBLY SoftKey to SOURCE. Press the RECORD AUDIO HardKey. The Source Recording page will be displayed. This shows a set of horizontal meters in the bottom half of the screen. To the left of the meters are the names o e input ports (e.g.
  • Page 32 The bit resolution depends on the format of the volume that is storing the audio .e. hard disks and partitions are formatted to store 16-bit or 24-bit audio). Toggle the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SoftKey to INTERNAL (this is only nece ssary if it is already set to EXTERNAL). itching to Internal disengages the Machine Control System (MCS).
  • Page 33 If MONO/STEREO is set to STEREO then the inputs will be armed in odd/even pairs (e.g. 3 and 4). Both inputs are armed when one of the Trigger keys is pressed. The STEREO/MONO SoftKey can be toggled when selecting which inputs to arm.

  • Page 34: Add A Cue To The Source Stack

    he new Cue(s) will have been given default name(s) that are not likely to relate to the audio stored in the Cue. Renaming Cues allows them to be given meaningful names Rotate the left hand Softwheel to select a newly recorded Cue in the Source Stack (this is not necessary if the Cue is already highlighted).
  • Page 35 Press the CUE LIBRARY SoftKey. The Cue Library page will be displayed. The bottom half of the screen will d isplay the Cues available on the first hard disk. The left hand Softwheel is assigned to Cue selection in the S ource Stack.

  • Page 36: Source Editing

    To find a Cue by name Type the Cue name. As soon as letters or numbers are typed, a box will be displayed at the top of the screen showing the name to search for. The first Cue that matches will be highlighted.
  • Page 37 The usual task is to make a rough 'top and tail' edit to a Cue by changing the in and out points. This is a non-destructive opera tion, as are all edits to Cues in the ource Stack, and the underlying Cue stored on the hard disk is not affected. By doing this, a section of th e Cue is selected that is referred to as a Cue Segment.
  • Page 38 the Cue is on the right. Press and hold the >> (Fast Forward) Transport key briefly. The source cursor will rapidly move from right to left a long the Cue until the key released. Fast Forward is tapped (pressed as briefly as possible) then the cursor will move approximately 1 second.
  • Page 39 The en d of the yellow 'tape' will jump to the cursor position. A Mark will also be added at the out-point. A small piece of the Cue is now selected ('topped and tailed') and re ady for use the Event List. etting the source in and out points does not affect the Cue stored on the hard disk.
  • Page 40 Notice that the legend on the TRIM SoftKey is TRIM SOURCE IN-POINT. The legend changes according to which Mark the cursor is positioned on. Press the TRIM SoftKey. The TRIM SoftKey will now appear pressed in and the Trim Source page will be displa yed.

  • Page 41: Adding Events

    Notice that the audio also plays backwards (with real time response to the Softwheel) and that it is easy to identify the required point by ear. Toggle the IN-POINT/OUT-POINT SoftKey to OUT-POINT. The cursor will jump to the end of the Cue and the legend on the TRIM SoftKey will change to TRIM SO URCE OUT- POINT.
  • Page 42 Events can be created in other ways, which generally bypass the Source St ack. This includes recording material that is us ed directly in the Event List (Assembly ecord). potting down uses the currently selected Cue segment in the Source Window. A Cue segment is either the whole Cue or a portion of a Cue that has been defi using Marks (i.e.
  • Page 43 The defined segment of the Cue will be used for the Event. If the Cue is stereo, then the Event will be placed on the current Stereo Default racks. If the Cue is mono, then the Event will be placed on the current Mono Default Track s.
  • Page 44 The beginning and end of each Event is called an edit. It is the edits that are elected as the Softwheel is rotated. Notice that the Timeline position will not move any further than the first and last edit when using the Softwheel in this mode.
  • Page 45 There are two basic ways in which edits are trimmed: Lock and Slip. Lock is the efault on entry to the Trim page (notice that the LOCK Trigger key is selected). In Lock, the audio in the Event is locked to the Timeline (or pictu re) and the edit oints are moved along the Timeline.
  • Page 46 Notice that when BOTH is selected, the PRE or POST Trigger key will still be selected. This determines which Event provides the audio played by ReelRoc as the edit is trimm ed and also by the PLAY UP TO, PLAY FROM and PLAY CROSS SoftKeys.

  • Page 47: Saving An Event List

    ress the PLAY UP TO, PLAY FROM and PLAY ACROSS SoftKeys as required. PLAY UP TO plays the audio leading up to the current edit, according to the Pre-Roll time. PLAY FROM plays the audio after the current edit, according to the Post- Roll time.
  • Page 48 that there are up to three names in square brackets ([CURR], [PREV] and [AUTOSAVE]). The names in square brackets are the quick and auto save files. Press the SAVE SoftKey. A box will be displayed at the top of the screen for entering a new file name. Th is because ###NEW### was already selected.

  • Page 49: Some Common Functions

    LOAD the Event List that has just been saved. Inspect the Event List in Cut and Splice to verify that it is still the same. Some Common Functions The following items introduce functions that are available in many different operational areas of the AudioFile S Playing Cues and Events Cues and Events can be played at any time by pressing the >...
  • Page 50 with the left hand Softwheel. The rate of movement through a Cue or Event depends on how fast the Softwheel is turned. eelRock and Varispeed These are similar to jog and shuttle on conventional ta pe machines and ultitracks. eelRock ReelRock is used to move at varying speeds, either forwards or backwards, through a Cue, an Event o r the Event List and play back the audio at the same...
  • Page 51 The blank Transport key on the left of the row has the same functionality as the GRAB TIME Hard Key(i.e. it can be used as well as or instead of the GRAB TIME ardKey). o create a Grab Time From the Main Menu, press the CUT AN D SPLICE SoftKey.
  • Page 52 To Locate to a Grab Time Press the LOC Transport key. A box will appear at the top of the screen for the locate time. T he Trigger keys ill show the first 8 Grab Times. otice that un-assigned Grab Time s are indicated by GRAB and the Trigger key number on the Trigger key legends.
  • Page 53 ress the CUT AND SPLICE SoftKey in the Main Menu. oggle the SOURCE/ASSEMBLY SoftKey to ASSEMBLY. Select the required Event with the right hand Softwheel. Press the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey. Select the required time field by pressing the START or STO P Trigger key.
  • Page 54 The tagging fun ctions are described in full (in this manual) according to where ey are used. Searching for Cues Cues can be found by name when selecting from a list of Cues, e.g. in Cue ibrary. To find a Cue by name ype the Cue name.
  • Page 55 The next steps use the trackball and the monitor. Click the Start button on the Taskbar. The Start Menu will pop up. Click Turn Off Computer. The Shutdown Computer dialogue box will appear. Click on Turn Off. When the system will close all processes, log off and turn off. The monitor will g into “power save”...
  • Page 56 The De faults are divided into groups: User Defaults, Display Defaults, Machine Defaults, Threshold Defaults and 48 track Display Defaults. There is also the “colour match” page but that page is not really a default page. On each page of Defaults, the left hand Softwheel or Nudge Keys are used to select a parameter and the right hand Softwheel or Nudge Keys are used to select from the available options.
  • Page 57 lace the highlight on an item in the required Defaults screen and press the asterisk key. A box will appear providing information about the selected default. ser Defaults Page 1 ser Defaults allow options governing the operation of the AudioFile SCX to be changed to suit different working preferences.
  • Page 58 Used to define the initial operating mode (for editing and recording) to be either MONO or STEREO. The right-h and Softwheel or Nudge Keys are used to toggle etween the two modes. rompt before [CUT/RUB] When set to YES then pr ompts will be displayed before operations such as RUB UT &...
  • Page 59 Defines a handle length which is kept either side of actual edit points when using the Discard Ends feature to free up storage space on the system. Event bank copy handle length (SS FF) Defines a handle length which is kept either side of an Event when using the Bank Copy feature.
  • Page 60 Used to set the post ha ndle length of program record events. System Sample Rate This sets the current sample rat e used by the system to 44100Hz or 48000Hz 4.1kHz or 48kHz). It is not necessary to re-start the AudioFile SCX. If the sample rate is changed the effect is immediate.
  • Page 61 Setting this default to YES will cause the cue library display to be shown in the "d etails" mode. This mode shows duration, bit depth, sample rate and start time for all cues. Ignore muted events Setting this default to YES will cause the events list scrolling in assembly to nore muted events when scrolling through.
  • Page 62 clude missing cues in cue search his default works in conjunction with the cue folders. If it is set to YES and you search the cue library whilst in folders mode, cues which are referenced within the folders but not present on local storage will be picked up during text earching.
  • Page 63 Audio export destination Determines whether the cue export target is set from windows explorer or always exported to the same default target folder. Trim both fade philosophy There are three options - classic, power and prefade. The settings define how trim behaves when adjusting audio fades.
  • Page 64 operation. Prefade mode will produce the crossfade by extending the fade backwards into the post fade event and backwards from the end of the pre-fade AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 65 event. The POWER and PREFADE modes both require that there be handles present at the beginning of the post edit event. SRC Import Defaul The AudioFile can convert the sample rate of audio to match the current system sample rate during import. This process can be applied to wav, bwav, AIFF, Protools, OMF and AES31 import.
  • Page 66 When booting up the system loads the defaults saved on the hard disk. Display Defaults The Display Defaults are used to set options that govern how information is shown on the screen. Display Simplified Timecode Either standard timecode (i.e. Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Frames and Hundredths of Frames) or simplified timecode (i.e.
  • Page 67 Used to sele ct either timecode or feet and frames (16mm or 35mm at both 25 frame and 24 frame formats). Fade entry/display type Used to select whether fades are entered and displayed in seconds or timecode. Mark cue or event on record overload Used to determine whether Cues and Events are marked when record overload takes place.
  • Page 68 Machine Defaults The Machine Defaults are used to set parameters that control the operation of the MCS (Machin e Control ystem). Cycle pre-roll (SS FF) etermines the val ue of the pre-roll when used with cycle (expressed in seconds and frames). Cycle post-roll (SS FF) Determines the value of the post -roll when used with cycle (expressed in...
  • Page 69 etermines the Frame Rate across the system. 4 frames per second 5 frames per second 9.97 frames per second non-drop 9.97 frames per second drop 0 frames per second xternal reference Sets the external refere nce for the system (what it is resolved to) as either imecode or Video.
  • Page 70 Enables the relay accessed via t he services port on the mainframe (see Installation Manual). Number of beeps Determines the number of beeps (1-30). Length of ADR beep (frames) Determines the length of each beep (1-30 frames). Tempo of ADR beeps (frames) Determines the beep tempo (1-30 frames).

  • Page 71: Recording Level Meters

    he Threshold Recording defaults are: ecording On Threshold (-20 to -50 ) Used to set the level at which the audio will start to be recorded. This ca not be et lower than the Recording Off Threshold. A vertical line on the recording level meters shows the threshold.
  • Page 72 completed. If Strip Silence is interrupted then the old Eve nt is not removed. When set to No, the new Events created by Strip Silence overlay the old Event. Threshold Level (-10 to -64 dBs) Used to set the threshold below which the signal will be treated as silence. The source stack waveform shows the threshold level in graphical form.
  • Page 73 display. The 48 track display defaults are: Enabled on bootup Setting this to YES will set the 48T display so that it is automatically turned on when the AudioFile boots. Screen Resolution This must be set to match the resolution of the Windows display of the Studio ontoller.
  • Page 74 Sets the screensaver mode used on the 48T screen when the Spectra scree nsaver is activated. None - Screensaver is not active. Blank - A blank screen is displayed when screensaver is active. Bitmap - The 48T display will display the bmp file in the bitmap folder. Number of Monitors Set this to 2 to enable dual monitor support.
  • Page 75 sed to adjust any of the parameters relating to the backup and restore of audio, inputs, outputs and wordclock. To select I/O options Press the DEFAULTS SoftKey in the Main Menu then press the I/O CONFIG SoftKey. On entering the page the RECEIVE SYNC SoftKey is highlighted. Select a device using the right-hand (Device) Softwheel (or the associa Nudge Keys located beneath) until the appropriate name is h ighlighted.

  • Page 76: Input/Output Configuration

    elect the device to be configured Use the right-hand Softwheel or ass ociated Nudge Keys to select the device to e configured. Press the appropriate SoftKey to set the direction of the (either to or from the selected device). Select the inputs/outp uts to be used (and tell AudioFile SCX if the device is to be used for backing-up audio, restoring or both).

  • Page 77: Miscellaneous Page

    o select between analogue and digital inputs Use the right-hand Nudge keys to outline the required input source. Press the INPUT CONTROL LEFT and ENABLED SoftKeys. Press the INPUT C ONTROL RIGHT and the ENABLED SoftKeys. is therefore possible to have different input sources for left and right during a stereo recording.
  • Page 78 ome of the older additional (chargeable) features (e.g. EDL) are installed via this page after the main operating software has been installed. Features can also be added as required to a current configuration without re- stalling the system software. hese options were individually installed as required from separate ‘NEW FEATURE’...

  • Page 79: Ams Trandisk Interface Window

    The Time entry box will ap pear. Enter the desired time using the numeric keypad and press the ENTER key to confirm selection. Enter Date Press the ENTER DATE SoftKey. The Date entry box will appear. nter the desired date using the numeric keypad and press the ENTER key to confirm selection.
  • Page 80 The AMS Trandisk Interface window will be displayed. To view devices in a bank ouble click the required TranDisk icon. The devices on the bank will be displayed. To tell the system that a drive is a removable device (e.g. an external movable hard disk) Right click the require d hard disk icon.

  • Page 81: Audiofile++ Window

    Click the Mark As Removable ption. This only needs to be done once when the drive configuration is changed. After a drive has been m arked as Removable, the AudioFile SCX software must e re-started using T1-LOC on the control surface (see Getting Started). This makes the LOCK/UNLOC K REMOVABLE MEDIA SoftKey available in the Media tilities page.
  • Page 82 Double click the AudioFile++ icon in the System Tray. The AudioFile++ window will be displayed. To close the AudioFile++ window Double click the AudioFile++ icon in the System Tray. AudioFile SCX Controller Window This is used to launch the AudioFile SCX SCSI disk formatter software (for formatting, initialising and scanning the audio hard disks).
  • Page 83 The AudioFile SCX Controller window will be displayed. To close the AudioFile SCX Controller window Double click the AudioFile SCX Controller icon in the System Tray. Audio drive bandwidth configuration This system enables the user to attached any LVD SCSI 160 drive to the system and set the maximum playback and record tracks.
  • Page 84 nd playback bandwidth for any Manufacturer/model of drive. Set the type of device and bandwidth for each device. Click OK when finished. If the max playback tracks is set to zero, the cue library will show NO CUES for that drive even though cues are actually present. If max record tracks is set to zero, it will not be possible to arm any tracks when attempting to record to the drive in question.

  • Page 85: Audiofilescx Controller Window

    Note: The terminator MUST be rated at SCSI 320 LVD. Not all LVD SCSI terminators work to this specification. Failure to fit the correct type will result in incorrect operation of the AudioFile:- AudioFile SCX Formatter (Aspiprog) This is a utility that is used to format, initialise and scan the audio hard disks (i.e. the hard disks which store the Cues).
  • Page 86 This re-starts the AudioFile SCX software. The request to start the Formatter will be recognised and the For mat Operations ialogue box will be isplayed. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...

  • Page 87: Levels

    Click the drop down box to see a list of devices detected on the SCSI bus. If there are any devices attached that are not recognised by the Formatter then the New Device Detected dialogue box will be displayed. Click the Winchester (i.e. hard disk), Optical or Exabyte check box as appropriate.
  • Page 88 Click the Low level Format button. A confirmation dialogue box will be displayed. Click Yes or No as required. If Yes is clicked, the hard disk will be formatted. The format activity will be indicated in the Status box at the top of the Formatter window. The Status box will display Idle when the format is complete.

  • Page 89: Wordclock Reference

    Record Overload Points Marked If a recording overloads (i.e. reaches 0dB) the starting point of the overload is marked with either a Source mark (Source Record) or a mark in the Event List (Assembly Record). The bar changes from green to red prior to overload (at -10 on the meters) and when overload occurs a prompt box will temporarily appear displaying the message ‘OVERLOAD’.
  • Page 90 When INTERNAL is selected, recordings are made against the AudioFile SCX’s internal clock generator and the Start time of Cues is set to zero (their Stop time is equal the duration of the recordi ng). This makes internally recorded Cues easily identifiable from externally recorded Cues when added to an Events List.
  • Page 91 The >> (FF) and << (REW) Transport Keys move the cursor along the Cue and by pressing the > (PLAY) Transport Key the Cue can be auditioned from the current position of the cursor. The current Cue will be highlighted in the Source Stack (until recording is completed).
  • Page 92 The renamed cue will be moved in the Cue Stack according to its name. Discard and Re-take To discard and retake a recording (but retain the title/name) Press the DISCARD AND RE-TAKE SoftKey and repeat the recording process. If stereo is discarded then only stereo can be re-recorded. Similarly, a mono recording can only be replaced with mono.

  • Page 93: External Recording With Timecode

    A prompt box will ask if you want to retain references to the cues in Cue folders. Press Y or N as required (please refer to the Cue folders section for more information on this feature). Turbo Tag Turbo Tag is a fast way of selecting multiple Cues or Events. It can be used with the above delete operation.

  • Page 94: Sync Recording

    Recording while replaying the Event List is useful for constructing a mix from a complex series of edits and once completed the recording will become an Event (inserted in the Event List). The following two types of recordings can be made in the Event List. Manual Program Sync Recording...
  • Page 95 ress the RECORD AUDIO HardKey. he Assembly Record page will be displayed with the MANUAL/PROGRAM/ADR SoftKey defaulted to MANUAL. oggle the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SoftKey as required. Toggle the STEREO/MONO SoftKey to the desired ch oice. Toggle the Trigger Keys on th e required tracks to READY.

  • Page 96: Inputs

    The Cut and Splice page will be displayed. Toggle the SOURCE/ASSEMBLY SoftKey to ASSEMBLY. ress the RECORD AUDIO HardKey. oggle the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SoftKey as required. elect MONO or STEREO as required. oggle the RECORD/PUNCH-IN SoftKey to RECORD. sing Trigger Keys 1,2,3 and 4 (counted from the left), select OFF for the four tracks.

  • Page 97: Monitoring

    ecord mode ecord mode renders playback and record on each track mutually exclusive. Any tracks armed for recording will not play back any events on th at track until the ack is dis-armed. unch-in mode punch-in mode, armed record tracks will play back events on the track until the track is actually punched-in to record.
  • Page 98 The S and SC platforms had a default called “punch-in input select”. Normally this default would be set to track input as shown:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 99 In that mode, AudioFile input to track routing was linear. So if you wanted to punch in on track 4 then you sent the signal to AudioFile track 4, to punch in on track 9 you would send the input to track 9 and so on. In some cases it is more convenient to send the input to a fixed track and have the AudioFile route this input to the track you select to punch-in.
  • Page 100 In this mode, the signal on inputs 1 or 1&2 would be routed to and recorded on whichever track is armed for punch-in and this could be seen from the metering display:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 101 As can be seen above, by arm ing track 3, the signal being presented to input 1 would be recorded onto track 3. This mode of operation was partly due to a limitation on S and SC AudioFiles in punch-n mode: It was only possible to punch in either on a single mono trac k or a single stereo track.
  • Page 102 Press the Track 1 arm key and you have the signal on input 1 routed to punch-in rack 1 in a very straightforward way:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 103 This method can be used to arm as many tracks as you want in linear punch-in mode – in each case the track input comes directly from the system input of the same number. , instead, you want to route the system input 1 to track 9, press the numeric key “9”...
  • Page 104 If you press the track 9 arm key, input 1 will be routed to track 9 and this is shown on the meter bar:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 105 As another example, to route inpu t 1 to track 3, press “3” on the numeric keypad. he track display will show tracks 3 – 18 and arming track 3 will cause input 1 to be routed to track 3:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 106 You can use this method to route and arm punch-in tracks across “page” boundaries: For example route input 1 to track 3 and input 2 to track 10:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 107 This method allows any of the tracks to be armed for punch-in – including tra 1 – 48:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 108 his track arming system is also used in 16 track record enable:- for example to arm tracks 1 – 4 from inputs 1 – 4 AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 109 Or to additionally arm tracks 35 – 38 from inputs 5 – 8 and tracks 43 – 46 from tracks 13 – 16:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 110 Punch-in input monitoring Press the PLAY Transport Key and any existing audio on selected tracks will layed out until REC is pressed. hen RE C is pressed AudioFile SCX monitors the sound punched-in through tracks 1/2 and the selected record tracks (default tracks). f PLAY is pressed (while in punch-in mode) it drops out of record before the default track...
  • Page 111 o create a Record Event he MANUAL/PROGRAM/ADR SoftKey must be toggled to PROGRAM. Multiple takes can be made and as each one appears in the List the Record Event re-appears in the List available for a further take. See later for a detailed d escription on creating Record Events via the XPANDED ACCESS SoftKey.
  • Page 112 Toggle the STEREO/MONO SoftK ey as required. Use the << and >> Transport Keys to position the cursor at the required start point. Press the CREATE P ROGRAM RECORD SoftKey. Using the Trigger Keys toggle PLAY/ENABLE to ENABLE on the required tracks. Re-position the cursor with the <<...
  • Page 113 Select the Event which was created from the desired Program Record. ress the CREATE PROGRAM RECORD SoftKey. ress the CREATE PR FROM CURRENT EVENT SoftKey. hanging Tracks Press the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey in the Asse mbly Record Page. Select the required Event. Press the O/P Trigger Key.
  • Page 114 EFAULT RECORD NAME his feature allows you to define a “default record name” to be applied to and recordings made onto the DEFAULT tack. The key wh ich allows you to set a efault record name is in the Assembly record Local defaults page:- ressing the key allows yo u to enter the default track name:- AudioFile SCX user manual...
  • Page 115 nce this has been set, any assembly recording made on the default track will be named according to the default tra ck name, followed by a incremental number nd track designator:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 116 Note: This mode and name is cancelled when the assembly record pag e is xited – i.e. exiting assem bly record and re-entering it will cancel the function. 16 Track recording he 16 track record k ey activates 16 track arm keys. he record page s feature 16 meters.

  • Page 117: Punch-In And Overlap

    By pressing the 16-TRACK RECORD ENABLE key, you can arm up to 16 tracks of the AudioFile simultaneously. All 16 tracks can be armed regardless of the record mode (RECORD / PUNCH-IN & OVERLAP). Previous AudioFile platforms only allowed a maximum of on stereo (or mono) track arm when in punch-in mode.
  • Page 118 To use 16 track record mode in assembly, press the 1 6 track record enable key. he track arm keys are available. The 16 meters mete r each AudioFile input as shown by the number b elow each meter. The lower number displays the udioFile track each input will be recorded to.
  • Page 119 Here, inputs 1 & 2 are armed to record to tracks 1 & 2 as can be seen from the umeric info rmation on the meters. Inputs 3 & 4 are armed to record to tracks 11 & 12. As the system is not in the 16-track record enable page, it is only poss ible to control the arming of 8 tracks maximum.
  • Page 120 Position the Timeline cursor at the required point. This can be done using the Transport keys or any oth er method of positioning the vent List, and the Event List can also be in play when the time is captured. Press the GRAB TIME HardKey.
  • Page 121 If n ecessary, change the Threshold Recording options. ress the THRESH HOLD RECORDI NG SoftKey. THRESHOLD tally will be shown against a green highlight above the recording level meters on the screen. The Trigger Keys will show 01 THRSH to 08 THRSH, corresponding to the 8 recording level meters.
  • Page 122 The system is now ready to record. In External, the transport mu st be running and locked before recording can begin. To change Threshold Recording defaults Press the THRESHOLD OPTIONS SoftKey. The threshold defaults will be displayed. elect the required parameter w ith the left hand Softwheel and rotate the right hand Softwheel to set the value.
  • Page 123 Used to set the level at which the audio will stop being recorded when the level drops. This can not be set higher than the Recording On Threshold. A vertical line on the recording level meters shows the threshold. Pre Record Handle (Seconds Frames) Allows a handle to be attached to the start of the recording.
  • Page 124 he vertical lines showin g the on and off thresholds will only be shown across the meters for the inputs on which threshold rec ording is active. Now that the thresholds are active, recording will be triggered when the inpu level crosses the on threshold.

  • Page 125: Programmed Recordings

    igital Varispeed Record his is used in source recording to internally re-record audio from Cues using ReelRock and Varispeed, allowing ReelRock and Varispee d to be used as sound esign tools. To use digital Varispeed record rom the Main Menu, press the CUT AND SPLICE SoftKey. oggle the SOURCE/ASSEMBLY SoftKey to SOURCE.
  • Page 126 Enables multiple audio takes to be recorded into precise locations within a list. Each take can be preserved while automatically making the most recent valid. Takes can be overwritten to optimise space usage on hard disks and old takes an be re-taken at any time. sing ADR If desired create single or multiple Record Events before the start of the session.
  • Page 127 Program records are usually generated in External when using the picture source decide where dialogue will be replaced. To use External for ADR when spotting against picture Toggle the INTE RNAL/EXTERNAL SoftKey to EXTERNAL if necessary. Also see the Machine Control System chapter for a detailed description of transport control when using External.
  • Page 128 Cycling can be set-up ‘on the fly’ – cycling is possible whenever PLAY is available. Cycle setup in ADR Cycle Set-up is automatically determined in ADR by the pa rameters of the loop nless the loop is extended), therefore it is not obligatory to establish setup cycle points before using the cycle facility.
  • Page 129 Press SET CYCLE START or SET CYCLE END. ove to the required position in the list. Press the GRAB TIME H ardKey. Method 2 ove to the required position in the list. ress SET CYCLE START or SET CYCLE END twice very quickly ('double click' the key).
  • Page 130 o recall a cycle, first press the LOAD SoftKey followed by the appropriate rigger Key. o find out which cycle is assigned to which Trigger Key (i.e. to interrogate Trigger Keys), press the DISPLAY CYCLE MEMORY SoftKey followed by any Trigger Key.
  • Page 131 To use Program Locate Press the LOCAL DEFS HardKey followed by the ENABLE PROGRAM LOCATE SoftKey. ow press the PROGRAM LOCATE SoftKey and type in the required value. PAUSE If PAUSE or STOP are pressed during a cycle, a ‘keep’ of the last recording is made.
  • Page 132 When dealing with a large list of recordings, the operator can work on the Record Events in group. While recording in a cycle, the ALL Trigger Key will enable all Record Events within the cycle parameters (if they have been muted). In normal circumstances Record Events within a cycle are automatically enabled.
  • Page 133 Press the LOCAL DEFS Hardkey. The local defaults page will appear - the PR Handle SoftKey displays pre and post roll lengths. Press the PR Handle SoftKey. It will illuminate to confirm that it has been enabled and the handles have been applied.
  • Page 134 nter the desired prefix and press the ENTER key to confirm selection. a Record Prefix is not specified then the system will apply a default prefix (i.e. ADR 01, ADR 02 etc.). efault Track sed to select the default track. ress the LOCAL DEFS HardKey.
  • Page 135 djust the parameters Press either the PRE (selects the pre-segment only), POST (post segment only) or BOTH Trigger key. Sync lock audio to picture Press the LOCK SoftKey. Slip the audio sync relative to the picture Press the SLIP SoftKey. If SLIP is selected then select Ripple, N o Ripple or Tag Ripple.
  • Page 136 Tag the current Take Press the GRAB TIME HardKey. If the ADR/POSITION SoftKey is toggled to ADR the GRAB TIME HardKey ta the current Take. elect Track/List oggle the ADR/POSITION SoftKey to POSITION. Toggle the TRK/LIST SofKey as required. Scroll through the track or list as selected using the right-hand Softwheel. Jump to th e next Event Press the <...
  • Page 137 To enable this facility first press t he LOCAL DEFS HardKey, then press the NABLE BEEPS SoftKey. here are three ‘beeps’ separated by intervals of half a second from the start of one to the start of the next, making the total time from the beginning of the first eep to the record start point one and a half seconds (the internationally recognised standard).
  • Page 138 The key will illuminate to confirm selection. This Loop/All Lo his Loop is used to tag only those takes in the Take List Area (.e. currently displayed) and All Loops is used to tag all Loops of ta kes in the system. Toggle the THIS LOOP/ALL LOOPS SoftKey to the desired selection.
  • Page 139 Press the TAG ADR PROGRAM RECORD SoftKey. Delete Tagged Takes Used to delete all tagged takes. Press the DELETE TAGGED TAKES SoftKey. A warning will appear to advise that all x number of Program Records and x number of Takes will be deleted, with the option to continue or abandon the action.
  • Page 140 The list of Cues in the Source Stack, and any edits that have been made, are saved when the Even t List is backed up to floppy or optical disk. The Source tack is restored with the Event List. Assembly Assembly is used to work directly wi th the Event List.
  • Page 141 To access the Cut and Splice in Source page Press the CUT AND SPLICE SoftKey in the Main Menu. Toggle the SOURCE/ASSEM BLY SoftKey to SOURCE. The background of the Source Window will be black. Cues must first be added to the Source Stack from the Cue Library. Press the CUE LIBRARY SoftKey.
  • Page 142 etting the Local Defaults list/details default to details will change the cue library display so that the full long cue name is displayed:- To add a Cue to the Source Stack AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 143 Use the right-hand Softwhee l (Cue Library) to highlight the required Cue. If Auto Audition is enabled in Cue Library Local Defaults then the Cue will start to play back. Press the ADD TO SOURCE SoftK The selected Cue will be shown in the Source Stack.
  • Page 144 This allows a partial name to be entered, and then the required Cue can be found if the whole name is not known. It also allows Cues with the same name on ifferent hard disks to be found. To jump to a different volume volume is a hard disk, a partition on a hard disk, an optical disk or other storage device that can be shown in the Cue Library.
  • Page 145 The Cue will be highlighted in a different colour to indicated it has been Tagged The Tag will be toggled each time the GRAB TIME is pressed while on the same o Tag a block of Cues (Turbo Tag) Highlight the first Cue using the right-hand Softwheel. ress and hold the >>...
  • Page 146 The Cues will still be tagged. The tagged Cues will be treated as a group for further operations. Select a tagged Cue and press the ADD TO SOURCE SoftKey. All the tagged Cues will be added to the Source Stack. If waveform display is enabled then the waveforms will be acquired as a background task.
  • Page 147 A prompt will appear displaying the number of Cues copied. Press the CONTINUE SoftKey to complete th e process or CANCEL to quit. Cue Library features ther facilities/keys available in the Cue Library. RENAME CUE, ERASE AUDIO and EDIT CUE are described in the Editing chapter, MEDIA UTILS is described the Media Utilities chapter and FILING SYSTEM is described in the Filing And Saving chapter.
  • Page 148 The Tagged cue(s) will be sample rate converted to the selected sample rate. Note: This process will create COPIES of the cues with the new sample rate. The original cues will remain unaffected. Cue Directory System The cue directory system allows users to set up and organise folders for audio ues.
  • Page 149 The top half of the screen shows user defined folders with cues and the "tree l ist" for the folders. older tree list The folder tree list allows the user to navigate through the cue folders quickly easily. Navigation is achieved by turning to LH softwheel or using the nudge keys below this wheel.
  • Page 150 Using cue folders The user can choose between displaying cues in the conventional "disk volumes" manner or the new folders" manner by toggling the volumes / folders key within cue library local defaults. You can switch freely between these two display modes at any time.
  • Page 151 If a folder contains subfolders, then tree can be expanded by pressing the E nterX key. Once a folder is expanded all folders within that folder can be accessed. nce expanded, a folder can be left expanded or collapsed by pressing exit and collapse.
  • Page 152 Press ENTER or ADD CUE TO F OLDER. Turbo tag cues by ho lding down either << or >> and turning the VOLUME CUES heel. ag individual cues by pressing GRAB TIME then press ENTER or ADD CUE TO FOLDER. Further tagging option s are available by pressing the TAGS key.
  • Page 153 Recording cues Into Folders The AudioFile can be configured to record into cue folders if desired. The system will only record into folders if the Cue library is set to the FOLDERS view. therwise cues will simply be recorded onto the selected drive. the FOLDERS view is active, cues will be recorded into the CURRENT folder or th e selected DEFAULT folder according to the setting of the RECORD INTO...
  • Page 154 olders Stored with Projects Users have the ability save Cue library folder contents into Projects. The folder content formation will then move around with the StarNet project or can be backed up via the Project Manager. Folder entries can be stored with Projects by using the projects folder(s). The projects folder tree is specifically designed for this purpose and will not be present unless a p roject is actually...
  • Page 155 The user can add cues to the folder, create subfolders and so on within the projects folder just as with any other folder. In addition it is possible to move or copy the entries of other folder(s) into the projects folder tree.
  • Page 156 This allows you to copy or move the cue references within any folder to any of the folders crea within the pr ojects folder tree. After pressing COPY REFS, bro wse to the projects folder you want to put the folder contents to:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 157 When you have highlighted your target folder, you can either move or copy the selected folder information into that folder by pressing either COPY TO… or MOVE TO… In addition, it is possible to move or copy the entries to the top folder level (root) by pressing COPY TO ROOT or MOVE TO ROOT.
  • Page 158 Exporting Project Folder s If you wish to include folder entries within a project, enter folder utilities and press the IMPORT EXPORT KEY. The folders import/export page allows fol ders within the projects folder tree to be exported into the currently loaded project. The folders import/export page is used to transfer cue folder records to &...
  • Page 159 Folder references are exported into a named file (the example opposite shows two such files - Mike1 and Mike2). In this manner, the project can contain multiple folder files – allowing different users to save individual folder references within the same project. It also enables project ferences from different users to be shared and merged.
  • Page 160 To exit the Cue Library Press the CUE LIBRARY SoftKey again or the EXIT CUE LIBRARY SoftKey. Select a Cue to work with Scroll through the Sou rce Stack to the required Cue with the left hand Softwheel Srce Select). ype in the Cue name using the QWERTY keyboard, then press the ENTER Key.
  • Page 161 eelRock he left hand Softwheel is labelled Rock. As the Softwheel is turned, the Cue will be played according to how quickly the wheel is turned, either forwards or ackwards, and the audio is heard. The Status Display above the Varispeed Softwheel will show the rate.
  • Page 162 In all cases Press the SET SOURCE IN-POINT or SET SOURCE OUT-POINT SoftKey as required. The yellow 'tape' will jump to the new point and, if there was no Mark, a new Mark will be added. This is now the In Point Mark or Out Point Mark as appropriate.
  • Page 163 o place Marks in the Cue Use the Transport Keys or ReelRock to move the cursor to the re quired position r audition the Cue. Press the ADD SOURCE MARK SoftKey. The marks are shown along the top of the Cue g raphic.
  • Page 164 A box will appear at the top of the screen. Type in the desired name using the QWERTY keyboard and pres s the ENTER When the cursor is on a named Mark, the name will be displayed in the MARK box above the Source Window, and the ADD SOURCE MARK SoftKey will become the RENAME SOURCE MARK SoftKey.
  • Page 165 Press the DELETE MENU SoftKey. The delete options will be shown. ress the DEL MARK Trigger Key. The Delete Mark options will be shown. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 166 box is displayed to show how many Marks will be deleted if DELETE ALL MARKS is used. If the cursor is n ot on a Mark, or the In Point, Out Point, Cue start or Cue end ark is selected then DELETE CURRENT MARK will not be available. Press DELETE ALL MARKS, DELETE CURRENT MARK or CANCEL as required.
  • Page 167 The Trim SoftKey will be labelled TRIM SOURCE IN-POINT, TRIM SOURCE OUT-POINT or TRIM SOURCE MARK depending on which Mark is selected in the Source Window. The Trim Mark page is displayed. ReelRock is selected as the default trim mode. Rotate the Softwheels as required.
  • Page 168 The left hand Softwheel w ill move rapidly through the Cue. The Nudge keys rovide one tenth of a frame adjustment. To exit Trim Press the TRIM or EXIT TRIM SoftKey. Rapid Segment Definition Any adjacent pair of Mar ks can be quickly set as the In Point and Out Point. elect the required Mark for the In Point or Out Point.

  • Page 169: Cut And Splice In Assembly

    he Loop Edit page will be displayed. The beginning and end of the segment are wn on either side of the START position in the centre of the loop display. eelRock and Timing editing are selected by default. The default time range is ±10 seconds. This can be adjusted by accessing xpanded Access from this page.
  • Page 170 Quick Saving to Disk The current Event List (and Source Stack) can be saved to hard disk. To execute a Quick Save Press the HARD DISK QUICK SAVE SoftKey. The Event List is saved in a pre-named file called CURR. CURR is moved to a re-named file called PREV before it is overwritten.
  • Page 171 The COMBINED/SPLIT/OVERLAID SoftKey determines how the waveform is displayed when BOTH legs are shown. COMBINED shows one leg above the centre line and one leg below. SPLIT shows two separate waveforms in parallel, one for each leg. OVERLAID shows one leg superimposed over the other and the leg that is on top is selected in the main Display Defaults.
  • Page 172 Change the settings, if required. Note that when the Threshold is adjus ted it is shown graphically on the Cue in e Source Window. This is most useful when the waveform is displayed. ress the YES SoftKey. Strip Silence will begin and the display will return to the Expanded Access page. The green SoftLED next to the software version number will flash while Strip ilence is in progress.
  • Page 173 he example shown here illustrates the assembly set to 16 track display mode.(See Tracks Display below). The current Event is displayed in Yellow in the Assembly Window. This can be isabled wi thin the Display Defaults Page. Tracks Display The assembly tracks display can be set by the user to display a variety of track counts in differing resolutions.
  • Page 174 To switch between compact and expanded track display Press the 16 TRACKS/48 TRACKS key as shown. To switch between 8 or 16 Tracks (compact mode) 8 or 16 tracks are displayed when the track display is in compact mode. Press the “0” key on the numeric keypad. This toggle s the compact track display between 8 and 16 tracks.
  • Page 175 indows XP 48 Track waveform Display When active, the Audi oFile SCX 48 track waveform display occupies the indows XP desktop monitor. he 48 track display is enabled from the Expanded Access page. rom here, press the zoom factor key. et the resolution key so that the resolution matches the resolution of the external display before enabling the 48T display.
  • Page 176 Set to tracks, the softwheel (and nudge keys below) allows selection of th isplayed tracks when in zoom mode. Set to cursor, the softwheel can be used to alter the position of the timeline on the display. Multi Monitor Support The AudioFile can now support m ultiple monitors on the Studio Controller rovided a suitable dual head graphics card is used).
  • Page 177 This display is used to configure the relative orientation of the 2 monitors. If they are side by side, select Horizontal. If they are vertically aligned (such as with Integrated Au dioFile SCX / Logic MMC combination), select Vertical. Waveform resolution This default optimises the system’s capability to sample and display waveforms.
  • Page 178 When a new Event is added it is placed on the appropriate Default Tracks (i.e. a Mono Event is place on the Default Mono Track). This happens regardless whethe r the Mono Track or Stereo Tracks are current for editing and selection functio When building up an Event List it is often desirable to place new Events on different Tracks (although note that Events can be moved to different Tracks...
  • Page 179 Type a Track number on the numeric keypad and press ENTER. The legend on the DEFAULT TRACK SofkKey will change. Any Track can be used for the Default Mono Track. An odd/even pair (always odd first, e.g. 1/2, 9/10, etc.) are used for the Default Stereo Tracks. To quickly change the default track to match the current event track, press LOCAL DEFS and then ENTER.
  • Page 180 Edit operations above the cursor are currently implemented and can be undone. immed operations below the cursor have been undone and can be redone. Scroll through the list with the right hand Softwheel. Edit operations will be undone/redone as the y are selected.
  • Page 181 o undo all actions in the list Press the UNDO ALL SoftKe To redo one action ress the REDO SoftKey. To redo all actions in the list Press the REDO ALL SoftKey. To return to Cut and Splice ress the EXIT UNDO MENU SoftKey. ssembly Marks arks are shown along the top of the Assembly Window.
  • Page 182 A box will be displayed at the top of the screen to indicate the number of Marks that will be deleted if all Marks are deleted. Press DEL ETE CURRENT MARK, DELETE ALL MARKS or CANCEL as quired. DELETE ALL MARKS will delete all Marks in the Event List.
  • Page 183 The legend above the Softwheel will ch ange back to Source Select. Use the left hand Nudge keys to select the required Cue se gment. To add an Event Select the required Cue segment. Position the Timeline at the point where the segment is to start. ress the SPOT SEG Trigger Key.
  • Page 184 The TRK EDIT/LIST EDIT SoftKey in Cut an d Splice Local Defaults affects hether Events on only the Default Track or on all Tracks are rippled when an Event is inserted. See page : for details. The Timeline position will move to the end of the new Event. This is so the next ew Event can be added seamlessly to the Event List.
  • Page 185 The Timeline position will move to the end of the new Event. YNC SEG is not available for Cues recorded in Source with no timecode (the key is dimmed). INS. S EG and SPOT SEG place a Cue at the current Timeline position, gardless of whether the Cue was recorded against Internal or External timecode.
  • Page 186 Press the PLAY FROM SoftKey. This will play the Events immediately after the selected Edit or Assembly Mark. The amount of audio played is controlled by the Post-Roll time set in Trim. Play - Quick Replay Feature This feature gives users a fast way to repeat the last section played back. With the feature enabled, pressing play whilst the AudioFile is already playing will cause playback to be re-started from the position where play was last pressed.
  • Page 187 CUT SEG becomes CUT OUT and RUB SEG becomes RUB OUT when a window is defined. To Cut an Event Position the Time line at the point where the Event is to be cut. Press the CUT SEG T rigger key. If a confirmation prompt is displayed, press Y or N as required (this can be disabled in User De faults).
  • Page 188 Trim Edits Trim is used to make precise adjustments to the Edit at the current cursor position. Two Events are displayed, with the pre-edit Event in the lower right ortion of the Trim window and the post-edit Event in the upper left portion of the Trim window.
  • Page 189 ReelRock and Timing editing are selected by default. The default time range is ±10 seconds. This can be adjusted by accessing Expanded Access from this page. Notice that the whole of the Cue that is used for each Event is shown by the waveform display.
  • Page 190 LAY UP TO plays the audio leading up to the current edit, according to the Pre- oll time. LAY FROM plays the audio after the current edit, according to the Post-Roll time. PLAY ACROSS uses both the Pre and Post Roll times. The Event that is played depends on which of the PRE or POST Trigger keys is elected (this is why one of these keys remains selected when BOTH is...
  • Page 191 As the Edit is adjusted, the audio in the Pre Edit Event is moved while the Event's out point remains fixed. The Edit can be slipped in either direction. Note that the Event's in point moves with the audio. To Slip the Post Edit Select POST and SLIP.
  • Page 192 As the Edit is adjusted, the audio in the Post Edit Event remains fixed while the Event's in point is moved. The Edit can be moved in either direction. The Event out point remains fixed. To Slip both Edits Select BOTH and SLIP. PRE or POST will remain selected to determine which Event will be auditio by PLAY UP TO, PLAY FROM and PLAY ACROSS.
  • Page 193 PRE or POST will remain selected to determine which Event will be auditioned by PLAY UP TO, PLAY FROM and PLAY ACROSS. PRE and POST can be changed while BOTH is selected. As the Edit is adjusted, the Pre Edit Event's out point and the Post Edit Event's in point move together and maintain a fixed interval (a butt edit is shown for illustration).
  • Page 194 The illustration shows the limits of movement for Overlap when the Post Edit Event is selected. To specify an exact gap Toggle the GAP/OVERLAP SoftKey to GAP. Type the required time value on the numeric keypad. A time entry box will be shown at the top of the screen. A value of 0 will make butt edit.
  • Page 195 The corresponding level field(s) will be highlighted. se the left-hand Softwheel to adju st the Level from +6dB to -42dB. o change the Ramp Length ggle the AUDIO/TIMING SoftKey to AUDIO. ress the RAMP LEN Trigger K Press either PRE, POST or BOTH. The corresponding Ramp field(s) will be highlighted.
  • Page 196 Classic mode is the "normal" AudioFile crossfade trim mode where the fade is "ramped out" starting at the current edit and extending the ramp(s) back into the event:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 197 Power mode produces the crossfade using the current edit point as the central power point and opening out the fade either side of this point. This allows the crossfade to be adjuste d with a single operation:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 198 Prefade mode will produce the crossfade by extending the fade backwards into the post fade event and backwards from the end of the pre-fade event. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 199 The POWER and PREFADE modes require that there be handles present at the beginning of the post edit event. To exit from Trim Press the TRIM SoftKey. Changes made in Trim will be rendered into the Even t List. The Timeline will jump to the new position of the edit currently being trimmed. ress the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey.
  • Page 200 Windows in Assembly Several operations in Assembly use a window in the Timeline. This is defined by an in-point (the start of the window) and an out-point (the end of the window). Once the window is defined, it can be used to loop a segment across the window, delete Events, cut out the defined section (remove Events and close the gap) or replace the window contents with a new Event.
  • Page 201 Press the EXPAN D ACCESS HardKey. Press the DELETE MENU SoftKey. Press the DEL WND Trigger key. The window in and out points will be removed. Press the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey or the EXIT EXPANDED ACCESS SoftKey to return to Cut and Splice. he RUB OUT and CUT OUT Trigger keys will become RUB SEG and CUT SEG again.
  • Page 202 The Events in the Window will be deleted. If any Events cross the Window boundaries, they will be truncated at the in-point and/or out-point as appropriate. Rub out is not affected by the status of List or Track Edit mode. All Events across all T racks in the Window will be deleted.
  • Page 203 ress the REPL SEG Trigger key. he Cue will be spotted down as a new Event which replaces the Events in the window. The Source and Assembly cu rsor positions will be used to synchronise lacement of the new Event. the Cue is short of either of the window limits, a space will be created in the Assembly List.
  • Page 204 he segment will be looped on the default Track, starting fro m the cursor position. xpanded Access in Assembly he Expanded Access Page provides additional functions for Cut and Splice in Assembly. Press the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey while in Cut and Splice in Assembly. he Expanded Access page will be displayed.
  • Page 205 f Expanded Access is entered when the lis t is static, pressing the PLAY (>) key will also exit from Expanded Access. ABEL his allows additional identifying information to be associate d with an Event (e.g. the same Cue appearing more than once, with different edits in different scen can have scene 1, scene 2 etc.
  • Page 206 his is us ed to mute or un-mute the selected Event. he state of a Record Even t can only be modified in Program Record (otherwise all Record Events are muted). SUB CUE This allows one Cue to be immediately substituted for another (eith er singly or lobally).

  • Page 207: Expanded Access In Assembly

    Edit operations above the cursor are currently implemented and can be undone. Dimmed operations below the cursor have been undone and can be redone. Scroll through the list with the right hand Softwheel. Edit operations will be undone/redone as they are selected. To un do only the most recent action Press the UNDO Har...
  • Page 208 To undo all actions in the list Press the UNDO ALL SoftKey. To redo one action Press the REDO SoftKey. To redo all actions in the list Press the REDO ALL SoftKey. To return to Expanded Access in Assembly Press the EXIT UNDO MENU SoftKey. Bump Sync This is used to rapidly synchronise an individual Event, several Events (tagged vents) or the entire List to picture.
  • Page 209 The TAGS SoftKey provides the following additional options: A prompt is displayed for a track number (all Events on the ack are tagged). VOLUME A prompt is displayed for a Volume letter (all Events riginating from the Volume are tagged). MUTE This tags all muted Events.
  • Page 210 To return to expanded access Press the TAGS SoftKey. COPY/MOVE When the COPY/MOVE SoftKey is toggled to COPY any change to the tagged lock automatically creates another block (with the original block remaining unchanged). When the SoftKey is toggled to MOVE the original block will be changed (MO is the default mode).
  • Page 211 Applying a label name to a series of Events will allocate them the suffix 001, 00 003, 004, etc. aggin g functions are only available if the cursor is located on a tagged Event (if not it will only work on an individual Event). The UNDO MENU SoftKey is available in the Expanded Access Page to amend any errors.
  • Page 212 Auto-fade A function allows you to tag events and apply a “global” pre, post or crossfade to edits associated with tagged events. This function is called auto fade” and can be accessed from the tags page. A typical use for this is to “correct”...
  • Page 213 You can apply the fade to the in (fade up), out (fade down) or both (crossfades). If you want to change or set the fade time, press the FAD TIME key:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 214 You can then enter the fade time:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 215 The fade will be applied when you press the EXECUTE key. Note: This operation cannot be undone. Therefore you should save your events list before you perform this operation. ULTIPLE VOLUME COPY AND VOLUME MOVE olume Copy/Move allows the transfer of audio from any Volume to any Volume (either by transferring the whole Cue, as recorde d, or transferring the audio used an Event).
  • Page 216 vent Lists decide which audio to play for which Event using a ‘unique identifier’ (UID). Every Cue has a ‘unique identifier’ (UID) and the system does not accept more than one ‘unique identifier’ in the directory (when two copies of the same aud are made the system creates a n ew Cue with a new identifier).
  • Page 217 ith overlaps maintained, overlap and crossfade parameters are transferred to the new Events, allowing them to be re-edited if required. This may be useful on OMFI projects, where stereo Events have been recorde as two mono Events. DELETE MENU hen the DELETE MENU SoftKey is pressed the following set of options become available:- DEL AUDIO This allows the audio associated with Events to be deleted.

  • Page 218: Cut And Splice Local Defaults

    changed in Cut and Splice Local Defaults (page :) before STRIP SILENCE is ressed. the Strip Silence Confirmation option is set to Yes then the Strip Silence settings will be displayed. Change the settings, if required. Note that when the Threshold is adjusted it is shown graphically on the Cue used by the Event in the Source Window.
  • Page 219 Press the LOCAL DEFS HardKey while in Cut and Splice. The Cut and Splice Local Defaults page will be displayed. When all options (see the following descriptions) are set press the EXIT LOCA DEFAULTS SoftKey. TRIM ANY TRACK This toggles between allowing Events to be selected for Trim on the Defau Tracks on ly and allowing Events to be selected for Trim on every Track.
  • Page 220 In Zone edit mode the cut and splice operations are performed on all events which are linked to the current zone. In both all modes any material transferred from Source to Assembly will be assigned to the default Track(s) (these are h ighlighted in Track Mode and dimmed in List Mode).
  • Page 221 MONO and STEREO default tracks are independent of each other, therefore changing STEREO tracks does not affect the MONO track (or vice versa). DEFAULT TRACK When STEREO is selected, the DEFAULT TRACK SoftKey shows the currently elected odd/even pair (e.g. 7/8). When MONO is selected, only one track number (e.g.
  • Page 222 Delete Old Events This is used to remove the Event from the Event List after it has had the s ilence stripped out, so that the series of Ev ents that is created by Strip Silence is used its place. his is used in Assembly and does not apply to Strip Silence in Source (it can not be changed if Local Defaults are accessed from Cut and Splice in Source).

  • Page 223: Error Prompts

    Allows an Event or Cue Se gment to continue for a pre-set time after the level drops below the threshold, in much the same way as a noise gate would op erate. This allows for a long decay without a sudden cut off. The Post Record Han dle is dded after the Hold Time.
  • Page 224 An attempt is being ma de to move an Event back around the twenty-four hour lock so that it will beg in earlier than zero time. O ACTION. REPLACEMENT AUDIO <0.1 FRAMES ssembly with a piece of audio whose duration has been defined as less than 0.1 frames.
  • Page 225 Setting Alternate assembly layout to yes will enable the FX key and the ZONES key on the main cut & splice assembly page:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 226 AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 227 The ZONES page Pressing zones key from cut & splice will open the zones page:- The zones page can be used to manually add events to zones. To create a new zone containing the highlighted event press ADD TO EMPTY ZONE.
  • Page 228 To add multip le tracks to a zon o add events on adjacent trac ks to a zone press TRACKS… :- The range of tracks you wish to add to the zone can now be entered in the form “n-nn” for example to add tracks 1 – 4 simply type in 1-4 <enter>. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 229 AutoZone utoZone is a simple & fast system of linking together adjacent tracks according to a selected multi-channel format. The formats which can be selected are tereo, 5.1 and 7.1. AutoZone works by linking together adjacent tracks (within the selected window if configured) with matching in and out times. A tolerance can be defined to either widen or narrow the timecode match window.
  • Page 230 AutoZone will automatically link together any such events so that they can b trimmed as though they are stereo. This system has an advantage over combining mono into ster eo during import as it gives the user the ability to “unpick”...
  • Page 231 Trimming zones hen you are trimm ing a zoned events the icon will appear and the icon will indicate the zone being edited. rimming z oned events will cause the trim adjustments to be applied to all events within the current zone. In this way audio fades can easily be applied to linked events.
  • Page 232 Traverse Zone se the traverse zone key if you want to reel rock a different track within the current zone. With trav erse zone active the LH softwheel allows you to ighlight any event within the current zone without leaving the zone. This will then become the event you hear when reel-rocking.
  • Page 233 To access the EDL Local Defaults page Press the EDL SoftKey in the Main Menu. Press the LOCAL DEFS HardKey. he EDL Local Defaults page will be displayed. EDL display frames/volumes sed to toggle between frame and volume display (to view which edits are going where).
  • Page 234 CMX 3400 CMX 6000 IBM DOS (MSDOS/PCDOS) Sony 5/9000 Multitrack Use the left hand Softwheel to move the highlight onto Select Disk Type. Use the right hand Softwheel to select the required format. Mode of operation Determines whether the programmed record Events created from the EDL will be mono, stereo, dual mono or quad mono.
  • Page 235 se the left-hand Softwheel to position the highlight on Pre-run. nter the required amount (up to 30 seconds) using the numeric keyboard and press the ENTER key to confirm the choice. Highlight Record Post-run. Type in the required amount (up to 30 seconds) using the numeric keypad nd press the ENTER key.
  • Page 236 Select the type of edit to be ignored , using the right-hand Softwheel (or Nudge eys). Type 0 on the numeric keypad. Mark Used to see vision edits in the list (i.e. selects a M ark instead of Event). Place the highlight over Track to Channel Select Out. Position the highlight in the list.
  • Page 237 Press the MINIMUM EVENT SIZE SoftKey and enter the time (0-20 frames) sing the numeric keyboard. he selected time will appear on the MINIMUM EVENT SIZE SofKey. nore Reverse DMCs (i.e. Dynamic Motion Control) dits that have source In points greater than source Out points (i.e. reverse DMCs) have In and Out points swapped back ag ain by the recorder In/Out oints.
  • Page 238 A prompt will appear ‘Delete the current EDL Press D to confirm any other key to escape’. Press the D key to continue or any other key to abort. orking with an EDL Before starting work with an EDL users must ensure that Disk and Frame ate Defaults are correct (see EDL Local Defaults).
  • Page 239 A prompt will appear ‘EDL will be overwritten. Press (CANCEL) to abort or ELETE) to delete EDL’ ress the CANCEL SoftKey to quit. ress the DELETE CURRENT EDL SoftKey to overwrite the existing EDL. As the AudioFile SCX loads the file a p rogress bar fills to indicate the time lready taken and the time remaining until the process is finished.
  • Page 240 ‘C’ for CUT , ‘D’ for DISSOLVE etc. Trac k (VTR tracks used for edit) ‘V’ for VIDEO track , ‘A1’ for AUDIO track 1 etc ., the name of original source reels and the edit number. A summary of the type of edit (i.e. V, AAV etc.) is displayed in the Defaults Page.
  • Page 241 Used to rename VTR tracks used during the video edit, or the reel names assigned by the video edit controller, which often contain up to nine characters. When naming the Program Record Events it creates (during the EDL autoconform process) AudioFile SCX takes only the last three characters of the reel name and adds additional characters of its own.
  • Page 242 Each occurrence of the track in the EDL List is then renamed using the new name. Set Start/End i.e. conforming audio in several sections Normally AudioFile SC X autoconforms the entire EDL, but sometimes users may prefer to conform audio in several stages (allowing a long production to be split into smaller sections).
  • Page 243 Press the TAG UNCON SoftKey. To remove all tags Press the UN TAG ALL SoftKey. Volume Allocation Allows edits to be recorded to a selected volume. By default edits recorded to the current volume (selected in the record page). To allocate volumes Tag a program section.
  • Page 244 After entering the Record Page it is normal to verify that machine control is working and AudioFile SCX is receiving the correct audio/timecode. To access the record facility from EDL Press the RECORD AUDIO HardKey. o confirm that machine control is working Toggle the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SoftKey to EXTERNAL and test the Transport keys.
  • Page 245 If auto record is enabled Toggle the INTERNAL/EXTERNAL SoftKey to EXTERNAL. Press the PLAY key. The system will now locate to the first Event and begin recording. auto record is disabled he first record Event in the List normally indicates the current reels starting point.
  • Page 246 DL CONFORM USING CUE FOLDERS. The AudioFile SCX cue folders can be used in conjunction with EDL conform to increase the flexibility of the EDL system. It allows you to only apply the conform process to a cues within a selected folder. In this way you can conform a specific set of cues without getting erroneous cue matches from other cues with similar timecodes and names (for example other programme episodes) To us...
  • Page 247 In this version, you need to TAG the cues you may wish to use as alternative takes and then press enter. For each edit the tagged cues / events will be added to the events list as muted events beneath the original:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 248 Conforming the Audio This creates an Event List from the EDL (once all audio for the current reel has been recorded). Conforming matches each recorded Cue with its corresponding edit in the EDL and creates an Event at the current point in the Event List (defined by the Rec In/Out timing fields).
  • Page 249 To stop a conform proceeding any further Press the QUIT SoftKey. To pause during a conform Press the PAUSE SoftKey. A prompt will appear ‘Conforming paused. Press QUIT to abort conforming ny other key to resume’. To deselect pause ress any key except QUIT. telligent Conforming Both EDL-SRCE and EDL-REC systems include an intelligent conforming sub-system which enables AudioFile SCX to make intelligent guesses about...
  • Page 250 Conform passes During the conform process AudioFile SCX makes from one up to three ‘Conform Passes’ at the List (i.e. if all the edits are conformed on the first pass (and in most cases they will be) then it makes no further passes. The First Pass with EDL-SRCE Matches the Cue with the current EDL filename, the Cue name with the corresponding REEL for the edit and the Cue record times with the source...
  • Page 251 This will most often happen when recordings have been made at an earlier session and the user wants to finish either recording or conforming. AudioFile SCX knows if earlier recordings have been made (as a result of butt editing edits) so it will now run through the List, making an intelligent guess where there is a strong probability that butt-edited recordings have been made.
  • Page 252 Edits are not lost when this happens because conforming can be performed at anytime in the future (as long as the relevant Cues remain resident on the hard disk). To conform recorded audio It is advisable to use a ‘cleaned’ copy of the EDL (if not overlapping of Events may occur in the resulting Event List).
  • Page 253 The information associated with it will be displayed. Delete conflicting conformed events Used to delete any conformed Event, the Event is removed from AudioFile SCX’s Event List but remains in the Cue library. o delete conflicting events elect the conflicting event. Press the DELETE CONFORMED EVENT SoftKey.

  • Page 254: Using Audiofile Scx With Timecode

    default folders are specifically geared towards use for EDL conform as they can be conformed from (this is not possible with user-defined folders). These default folders can be recorded into just like any user-defined folders by selecti ng the folder as the "current" folder (the "current" folder in the example above is _default5.
  • Page 255 replaced with the external timecode. The software will permit all the normal standards to be used: 24, 25, 30, and 29.97 (drop frame) F.P.S. (frames per second). The required rate can be selected from the Machine Defaults page which is accessible from the main Defaults page. In addition, the machine type and dropout limit are selected from this page.

  • Page 256: Playing Against Timecode

    Timecode Dropout udioFile SCX is not ‘hard locked’ to the timecode rate. Perturbations in code speed are filtered so that there is practically no wow and flutter transfer. AudioFile SCX can be programmed to flywheel over specified periods of timecode dropouts. To alter the timecode dro pout limit Access the Defaults Page from the Main Menu.

  • Page 257: Sync Relay

    selected, in which case the regenerated code will output non-dropframe times Therefore, AudioFile SCX can be used to convert dropframe code to non dropframe code. When the so urce is stationary (or the internal clock is not running) repeat- ame timecode will be issued at the time that the code last stopped. In some instances (for example when driving a sequencer from AudioFile SCX’s code) this may cause problems as the code may suddenly ‘jump’...
  • Page 258 In source, the timecode display will show the timecode position within the current cue. In assembly, the timecode display will show the timecode position within the vents list when locked. In assembly, the timec ode display will show the timecode position of the xternal machine(s).
  • Page 259 MADI The wordclock source is derived from the AudioFile SCX MADI input. TAXI he wordclock source is derived from the AudioFile SCX TAXI input from the Logic console. he wordclock is generated internally by the AudioFile SCX The wordclock is derived from the MCS. It is important to ensure that the AudioFile SCX and the wordclock source are running at the same sample rate and frame rate.
  • Page 260 Any of the transports can be designated as the ‘master’ (all other transports within the group will then follow the master) and any transport can be soloed from it s current ‘Group’ (allowing it to be independently controlled). The sy stem is also able to shuttle and jog transports (soloed or as a group).

  • Page 261: Mcs Main Page

    GROUP SETUP Assigning Machines This is executed in the Group Setup Page. Up to six groups can be created and each group can contain any or all of the same transports. A group can contain up to a maximum of eight transports. To access the Assign Machines Page _ Press the GROUP SETUP SoftKey in the MCS Main Page.
  • Page 262 The machine is automatically placed in the 1st position of the first group. Its selection will be displayed in the main MCS page. The above is subject to the machine being supported (see list of suppo rted machines). Assigning Multiple Machines This is executed in the Group Setup Page.
  • Page 263 PORT (the machine channel). ID (the machine I.D.). PROTOCOL (the machine protocol). MACHINE NAME (the machine name). To select a group Press the desired Group SoftKey. There are six Group SoftKeys located along the bottom of the screen, when selected each will display all the available machines (i.e. the same list of available transports will appear in the pool area of the screen).
  • Page 264 ontinue selecting and assigning transports (up to a limit of 8 in any one roup) and create up to 6 Groups. ransport master he first machine to be placed in the Group (i.e. number 1) will be designated as the Master by default. To cancel the default and designate anoth er transport as Master.
  • Page 265 Press the SET MACHINE OFFSET SoftKey. nter an offset using the numeric keypad, the nudge offset facility or the auto offset facility. Numeric keypad Enter an offset using the numeric keypad into the Offset dialogue box which appears at the top of the screen. Press the ENTER Hardkey to confirm and apply the selection.
  • Page 266 Press the M/C Trigger Key for the selected transport. Press the SET MACHINE OFFSET SoftKey. inally press the NUDGE OFFSET SoftKey. Apply the offset using the right-hand Softwheel or associated Nudge keys. o reset offset ress the RESET OFFSET SoftKey. This will restore the offset to its origina l value when entering the page.

  • Page 267: Machine Local Defaults

    This accesses th e Setup Cycle page, see Cycling (in the Recording chapter) r a detailed description. Machine Local De faults Used to establish the defaults for individual machines. If there are difficulties with locking-up then access Machine Loc al Defaults and make fine djustments.
  • Page 268 Options will be show n that are used for fine adjustment. The following is only applicable to machines under direct MCS control (via ony P2 protocols). External synchronisers (e.g. AK or Lynx units) have their own internal features to set similar adjustments except Track Arming which supported in all instances.
  • Page 269 Edit machine name This featu re allows the machine name to be edited to give specific names to machines. This can be useful when using multiple machines of the same type. The MCS defaults are split into t wo categories, Servo parameters and General parameters.
  • Page 270 This parameter is used to delay the onset of servo action for a given number of frames. This can be set to allow time for the machine’s transport to stabilise before beginning servo action. Some machines may give inaccurate information to the MCS when servo is begun too quickly. Increasing this value may help to compensate for this.
  • Page 271 This parameter determines the way the machine servos into lock. The most common method is to servo up from 1 frame behind. However, this is not suitable for some machines, which will be unable to lock by this method. If the machine hovers between zero error and 1 frame error, try an alternate servo type.
  • Page 272 General Parameters Shuttle Stop Non-zero means that machine will be slowed down to stop. The larger the number the gentler the action of the stop command. Unlace time (seconds) Distance to target in locate/chase above which unlaced or high speed wind will be engaged.

  • Page 273: Recording

    his option determines how the machine will behave when the STOP key is pressed on the AudioFile SCX. If it is set to 0, then the machine will shuttle at zero speed. I f it is set to 1, then the machine will be sent a stop command. Stop before wind (0 or 1) = issue stop command before going into wind from play.
  • Page 274 This value should be used to set the maximum shuttle speed. Larger values will result in higher shuttling. This parameter can be used to slow down machine shuttling if desired. Stop count (f rames) Machine must be motionless for this number of f rames before stop is reported.
  • Page 275 mecode, video and analogue tracks. Recording is normally disabled by default to prevent accidental recording to a machine. Press the INSERT SoftKey. The RECORD MODE is now INSERT and track arming for the machine is ow possible. ress the SoftKeys for the required tracks Press the ALL READY So ftKey to arm all tracks.
  • Page 276 To rehearse external edits Toggle the REHEARSE/EDIT SoftKey to REHEARSE. Press Record. The record key will not perform an edit, instead any external machine which is armed will set armed tracks to input monitor. To make the edit Toggle the REHEARSE/EDIT SoftKey to EDIT. Press Record.
  • Page 277 To use Program Recording Toggle the MANUAL/PROGRAM SoftKey to PROGRAM. set edit-in and edit-out points Position the timeline to the required Timecode. Press the SET EDIT IN-POINT SoftKey. ress the GRAB TIME HardKey. A dashed line will be shown across the timeline to indicate the in-point. Position the timeline to the required Timecode.
  • Page 278 All machines will cycle round the programmed edit and machines with tracks armed will set these tracks to input monitor within the edit in and out points. The machines will then rewind to before the edit-in point and stop. The REHEARSE SoftKey will be shown in yellow on the screen.
  • Page 279 Arm the required tracks and exit back to the Local Defaults page. The EXT RECORD tally will now be orange. Exit from Local Defaults. rm the AudioFile SCX Tracks that will be recorded to. n recording, the external machine will be put into record at the same time as the AudioFile SCX Tracks.

  • Page 280: Transport Controls

    Set the Manual Recording EDIT/REHEARSE SoftKey to EDIT. nable the ASSEMBL E SoftKey in the Machine Local Defaults page for the required machin Once assemble edit has been selected and armed for a machine, the machine will record on all tracks including timecode and video when the cord key is pressed in MCS exte rnal record mode.

  • Page 281: Remote Control

    You may need a MCS software update for your console before this feature can be used. Please contact AMS Neve Customer support if you are unsure. ow to enable Slave machine emul ation between AudioFile SCX and...
  • Page 282 Lock-up Times Lock-up times are dependant on independent transport characteristics. Accuracy of the lock-up with directly controlled 9-pin transports is dependant on the resolving accuracy of the individual transport to video. eference Signal Accuracy of connected transports depends on the selected reference source. To ensure tight lock-ups, 9-pin transports must be locked to video sync a transports on the EsBus systems should be resolved to the same video sync.
  • Page 283 The Group/Solo display shows group/solo status messages to represent the combined behaviour of the currently active group/solo machine. Status Description STOP All group members have stopped STEP Solo machine is trying to step 1 frame SHUTTLE Group/Solo machine(s) in shuttle Solo machine fast forward Solo machine rewind PLAY...

  • Page 284: Filing Page

    Event Lists and Cue edit data can be saved to the hard disk (in the Studio Controller unit) or onto a floppy disk. Event List files can be organised in related groups using folders. The Filing page is also used to compare, format and copy floppy disks . To access the filing page Press the EXPAND ACCESS HardKey in Cut and Splice then press the FILING SYSTEM SoftKey.

  • Page 285: Saving

    To exit Filing Press the EXIT SoftKey to return to the original page (followed in Cut and Splice by pressing the EXIT EXPANDED ACCESS SoftKey). To clear both the Event List and the Source Stack Position the highlight over the ##NEW## file (using the left-hand Softwheel) and press the LOAD SoftKey.
  • Page 286 Quick Save (in Cut and Splice) Used to instantly save the current Event List. To execute Quick Save Press the QUICK SAVE SoftKey. The Event List will be saved with the name CURR. The existing CURR file will be saved as PREV (before it is overwritten). The existing contents of PREV will be lost.

  • Page 287: Loading

    If there is a current Event List A prompt will appear to indicate that loading the file will overwrite the existing Event List. Press the LOAD SoftKey to load the new List or CANCEL to quit. To merge Position the highlight over the file name to be loaded (using the left-hand Softwheel) and press the MERGE SoftKey.
  • Page 288 Press the OPEN SoftKey. The file list will n ow show the contents of the selected folder. Folders can contain further olders. The BACK Trigger key becomes available when a folder has been opened. To move b ack to the previous folder ress the BACK key.

  • Page 289: Printing

    he folder will be deleted. There is no confirmation for this operation. If a fold er that is not empty is selected for deletion then nothing will happen. Events List Printing Via Windows XP Events lists can be printed from the filing page. It is possible to print either the current events list or choose any events list from those present on the system.
  • Page 290 If you in tend to start work on a new project, a project must be created on the AudioFile first (note: events lists can be added to projects later). o create a project Enter the projects page and press C REATE NEW PROJECT.
  • Page 291 Saving events lists into a project When you have a project loaded, the events list filing page offers 3 choices of where to save/load events lists. These are fixed, floppy and project. To load or save an events list against the currently loaded project, set this key project.
  • Page 292 Logic automation can be saved into a project from the logic automation backup page. To save mix setup files and automation files into the current project, go into e Logic automation backup page and press the select system key so that he medium display shows “Automation backup”.
  • Page 293 he restore table wil l now show a list of automation files which have been previously saved into the current project. Each file can be selected and copied to the Logic hard drive in the same way as used to be used when restoring automation files from an Exabyte drive. Logic data cannot be restored in this way unless the user has loaded a project first.

  • Page 294: Backup

    The left hand side of the screen shows the local AudioFile projects. These are the same projects which appear in the PROJECTS page of the AudioFile Spectra. The R ight hand side of the screen shows the Projects which are currently presen t on the selected user backup target (or Starnet server).
  • Page 295 Local The Project Manager page is used for AudioFiles and CineFiles. The AUDIOFILE SCX needs to be ticked when used with AudioFile SCX. Audio settings et the system sampl e rate to match that of the AudioFile. Set the system frame rate to match that of the AudioFile. Display AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 296 Display type hould be set to Timecode. Projec ts defaults AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 297 Get cue names from Cue pool ick this box if you want Starnet cue names to be retrieved from the cue pool when interrogating a Starnet project. Show source stack in event list display Tick this box if you want source stack cues to be shown at the top of the events list summary when interrogating a Project.
  • Page 298 Browse to the backup target location (for example DVD burner):- hen click OK. The backup target will be shown at the top of the box. Click OK to exit the browse page. Miscellaneous AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...

  • Page 299: Restore

    Show transfer time remaining Tick this box to set the Project Manager screen to show the remaining time for a project backup / restore to complete. Always attempt to upload all audio When backing up to a project which already exists, Project Manager can be set to work in one of two ways.

  • Page 300: Backup And Restore

    There is a “plugin” available for Project Manager which enables automated project backing up. The automated backing up can be scheduled to begin at any pre-set time. If the AudioFile is in use when this would normally start, the automated backup will not take place. If you tick this box the backup will be retried later.
  • Page 301 Multi-Project batch transfers Project Manager supports batch transfer of multiple projects. The “Multi Drag & drop” page allows you to set the default AudioFile drive / bank combinations for project transfers to AudioFile:- To select the default drive for each bank click on Select Drives. The drives n eed to be pre-defined in this way to allow queued projects to be transferred without user intervention.
  • Page 302 AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 303 To begin the transfers, click and drag the highlighted projects to the target location. The batched projects will be queued and transferred. BACKING UP The backup device must be connected to the system and must be recognised by Windows XP. The system operates by using AudioFile Projects. All backing up is performed at the PROJECT level.
  • Page 304 he project Manager provides two options for backing up. If your AudioFile is connected to a Starnet network system then you can backup the project to Starnet or you can choose to backup to a local target. If you do not have a Starnet use the “local backup target.
  • Page 305 When archiving is complete, pr ess the project manager softkey to close the roject manager screen. To restore a project from an archive Restoring a project from an archive is essentially the same process as rchiving except that the project is dragged from the "storage" window ove r to the "local"...
  • Page 306 With the cue picker window open browse to an archived project and select an events list within the project. The system will read & display all cues used by the events list in the cue picker window (note: make sure the “Get cue names from cue pool” default is enabled in the project manager defaults).
  • Page 307 Once you have finished your selection, click on import now. The selected cue(s) will be imported onto the local AudioFile system and can be used immediately. Live Starnet audition from CUE folders This StarNet feature works hand in hand with the cue picker syste m and the ue folders system.
  • Page 308 In this example, the cues E SIREN1, ESIREN4, S.KLAXON1, S.SIREN.2 and S.SIREN.6 are not present on the AudioFile. Pressing PLAY on these cues will audition them directly from the Starnet cue pool over the network. To imp ort a cue from Starnet, press EXPANDED ACCESS, IMPORT FROM TARNET from the cue library:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 309 The selected cue will be imported from the Starnet cue pool to the local AudioFile and can be used immediately. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 310 By attaching these to the Starnet Project you can bring all the external elements together beneath the AMS Neve Project “umbrella”. Once the external files have been attached to the project they will be moved around and archived automatically as a part of the project.
  • Page 311 Note that the file is attached to the local project – it does not actually exist on the system but it is attached to it. When this project is transferred or updated to the Starnet server the attached file(s) will also be transferred from its source location.
  • Page 312 Automatic Scheduled Backup "sweeping". Starnet features the ability to automatically update to the Starnet server any Project which is either new of has been changed. This can be set to occur at a scheduled time and requires no user intervention. The Starnet server software can also be configured to automatically archive and Starnet projects which are either new or changed to a designated archive target.
  • Page 313 Project Monitor monitors the local projects on the AudioFile and keeps a log of any project which has been modified or which is new. These will be shown in the "Projects marked for scheduled backup" window and will be backed up or updated to the Starnet server at the scheduled time.
  • Page 314 Here th e backup time can be set and the frequency specified (daily, weekly, month ly). This system frees the user from having to remember to backup / update etc as any modified or new project will automatically be updated at the scheduled time (this would most probably be set to take place overnight).
  • Page 315 When used manually, Starnet projects can be archived by dragging them from the LH "storage manager" window over to the RH "network" window. Autom atic scheduled archiving can be set up by clicking on the defaults tab:- The archive target computer/drive/folder can be set by clicking on the browse tab.

  • Page 316: Catalogue

    MEDIA UTILITIES PAGE Used to initialise and rename hard disks, unload and reload removable media, catalogue isks and import OMF files. isks in Media Utilities are displayed as volumes. To access media utilities _ Press the MEDIA UTILITIES SoftKey in the Cues Page, Cut and Splice Asse mbly Expanded A ccess Page or the Cut and Splice Source Cue Library Page.
  • Page 317 A prompt will appear ‘Are you sure you want to initialise the disk in ‘drive name’’ _ Press YES to continue. _ Press NO to quit the process. As initializing a disk will erase all cues on the disk, a prompt will ask if you wish to retain references to the cues in Cue folders.
  • Page 318 This format can store up to 2048 cues. Maximum cue name length is 9 characters. Can address maximum of 18Gb drive space. This format is compatible with "S" systems and "CPC" systems. It is not compatible with "M" systems. Mixed 16/24 bit: This format can store up to 1024 cues.
  • Page 319 Once protected the audio cannot be deleted unless it is unprotected (UNPROTECT AUDIO key). Protected audio is shown as red cues:- Unlock removable media Used to unlock removable disks prior to removing them. Re-read a disk Used to re-read all removable hard disks. To re-read hard disks _ Press the UNLOCK REMOVABLE MEDIA SoftKey then press the RE-READ ALL DRIVES SoftKey.
  • Page 320 _ Or press CANCEL to quit. To jump from drive to drive (on screen) _ Press the DRIVE: SoftKey. Each time it is pressed the next successive drive will be displayed. The highlight will appear on the first Cue in each list. As each drive is selected its name will appear on the key (e.g.
  • Page 321 name is not known. INTEGRATED DSP PROCESSES (PLUG-INS) PROPRIETARY DSP PROCESSES _ DSP processes are accessed from the FX key of cut & splice. _ To enable the FX key, go to the USER DEFAULTS 2 page and set ALTERNATE ASSEMBLY LAYOUT to YES.

  • Page 322: Timeflex

    PLUG-IN SELECTION & CONTROL AMS Neve proprietary plug-ins can be configured and controlled from the Spectra surface - there is no need to break off from the Editor interface to reach for the mouse. This control principal applies to Super TimeFlex, Pitch Shift and all the DSP tools plug-ins.
  • Page 323 To add the selected DSP module to the layout, press ADD MODULE. The selected module will be added to the current layout & connected. AUDITION/PROCESS _ The DSP processing applied to the cue can be auditioned by pressing the Spectra transport PLAY key.
  • Page 324 _ The current DSP module can be changed via the RH softwheel (or nudge keys). Rotating this wheel will move the "cursor" along adjacent modules and connections. _ A highlighted module can be "opened" or deleted by pressing the appropriate SoftKey. It is also possible to move modules and connections around by using the mouse.
  • Page 325 With the DSP process page open, the Spectra Screen enables control of modules and parameters. _ Pressing the OPEN MOD key opens the selected module:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 326 SPECTRA SURFACE CONTROL The parameters for an open module can be controlled from the Spectra screen via the softwheels. The RH softwheel & nudge keys scroll through controls and the LH softwheel adjusts the value of the selected control. Control values for the highlighted control can be entered via the Spectra surface keyboard or the Studio Controller keyboard (type in the value followed by enter).
  • Page 327 Once added and connected, modules can be opened for control by right-clicking the mouse inside the module icon. The parameters for an open module can be controlled via the mouse by either holding down the left mouse key over the rotary control whilst making an adjustment or placing the cursor over the control value display, holding down left mouse key and moving the mouse up / down.
  • Page 328 The MODULES/CUES toggle key allows the LH softwheel to select which tagged cue is used during auditioning. Once the REC key has been pressed the user can either process the cue being auditioned or press BATCH RECORD to process all of the tagged events. ACTIVATING PLUG-INS DSP modules which are not activated will appear as grey modules when placed in a layout:- AudioFile SCX user manual...
  • Page 329 "dot matrix" DSP module name in the top left corner, and enter the activation key for the DSP module. Contact AMS Neve csd@ams-neve.com to obtain an activation key for any DSP processes you have purchased. SUPER TIMEFLEX & PITCH SHIFT DSP PROCESSES The TimeFlex/Pitch Shift plug-in contains a proprietary algorithm giving high quality TimeFlex and pitch shift effects.
  • Page 330 TimeFlex/Pitch Shift Parameter Adjustment _ Right click the mouse over knob controlled parameters to give access to a "control history" and "oscillator" values. The control history allows quick selection of previously used values for the control. The Oscillator menu allows an oscillator to be enabled on the controls. This can be used to creative effect.
  • Page 331 The remaining controls adjust Frequency, Gain and Q (for bell filter). Presets can be saved/ loaded in exactly the same way as the TimeFlex & pitch shift plug-ins. AMS NEVE PROPRIETARY PROCESSES AMS Neve proprietary processes are available as extra options. Processes available individually 4 band DFC / Capricorn EQ AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 332 4 band fully sweepable EQ including low & high pass, low & high shelving, bell, notch and an incredible maximum Q value of 1000! Identical to the 4 band EQ but single band only. Triple band ring modulation effect which can be used to create modulation of sounds The effect produces a tone like the ring of a bell, providing effects such as a cosmic sound or a robot voice.
  • Page 333 This effect produces the familiar effects available with delay / modulation. These include echo, flanging & phasing type effects. Resonator Containing 2 resonant filters, the resonator provides a rich variety of musical and creative special effects. Each filter can be low or high pass from six to twelve dB/octave roll off or bandpass with variable Q.
  • Page 334 This plug-in gives the AudioFile user access to the powerful digital dynamics of the DFC console. Each plug-in module provides two dynamics processors which can be configured as Compressor, Limiter, Expander or noise gate. DFC users have commented for years on the smooth natural sound of these dynamics.
  • Page 335 Oxymoron (advanced delay) The Oxymoron plug-in is a stunningly creative advanced delay system. It allows rhythmic delays to be created with variable feedback to create repetitive effects. The feedback loop includes two bands of EQ so that "analogue" type echo effects can be created. The delay also includes a variable shape oscillator for flanging effects.
  • Page 336 Multi delay can be used to create a vast range of stereo delay effects. It consists of two pairs of delay modules configured as left-right pairs. Delayed signal from the left channel can be fed back into the right channel and vice-versa. The effects which can be created with this plug-in would normally require multiple delay units and a "spaghetti"...
  • Page 337 The Multi-band resonator differs from the resonator described previously in that each resonance band can be configured in a fashion similar to the DFC EQ. It contains four bands as opposed to the dual resonator's two bands but roll off is not variable. Voice code (ring modulator for voice) DFC Digital Gate AudioFile SCX user manual...
  • Page 338 This plug-in gives the AudioFile user access to the digital gate which is available on the DFC console. This gate is unique in it's smoothness and performance. Refitter (8 band frequency dependant variable delay) This is a unique effect which consists of eight variable delays which are tuned across the audio frequency band.
  • Page 339 Quick pitch (dual ratio pitch changer) This plug in differs from the standard pitch change plug-in. There are two variable ratio controls allowing two different pitch change effects to be applied to the sound simultaneously. ALWAYS INCLUDED WITH ANY COMBINATION OF PLUG-INS:- _ Build in control oscillator (VCO) - can be used to modulate plug- in controls _ Fader _ Feedback fader...
  • Page 340 CEDAR auto declick provides a fast effective method of removing scratches and clicks from audio. To launch CEDAR auto declick press the new FX key of the AudioFile. _ From the FX page the CEDAR plug-in is launched by pressing the appropriate SoftKey. The CEDAR plug-in operates on the selected audio.
  • Page 341 CEDAR DEHISS The CEDAR dehiss process is an effective tool for removing unwanted noise from a cue or event. This process is not limited to "hiss" and is capable of removing general background noise. _ To launch CEDAR auto decrackle press the new FX key of the AudioFile. _ From the FX page the CEDAR plug-in is launched by pressing the appropriate SoftKey.
  • Page 342 Media File Import/Export AudioFile SCX can import & export media files of the following types:- _ Wav _ Broadcast wav _ AIFF _ SDII (import) Media File export directly from cue library Wav/bwav files can now be exported directly from the cue library, allowing easy export of events list audio.
  • Page 343 The file extension for AIFF files can be set to either aif or aiff by a user preference in the user defaults2 page. _ Choose the file format you wish to export. The system will then launch Windows explorer. _ Browse to the desired export location of the files and right-click the mouse. _ Amongst the usual Windows options select the Export Audio Here option:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 344 The AudioFile will now export the tagged cues to the selected location. Progress is indicated a progress bar on the Spectra screen:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 345 AUDIO EXPORT TO DEFAULT TARGET The user defaults 2 page includes a default which determines how the Audio Export AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 346 Destination is defined. When set to Explorer the export target is manually browsed to via Windows Explorer. When set to Default the audio export is automatically sent to the "default" export target. _ To set the export target, launch Windows Explorer, browse to the desired location, right-click on the folder and select Export Audio Here.
  • Page 347 _ Browse to the desired export location of the files and right-click the mouse. _ Amongst the usual Windows options you will see an "Export Audio Here" option. Select this option. The AudioFile will then generate broadcast wave files in this directory, which consist solely of the audio from the tagged events (not the entire cue).
  • Page 348 When this key is pressed the track range and import track can be set via the bottom SoftKeys. In the example above, the imported sound effect will be placed on track 6. For more details of supported sound effects servers please contact AMS Neve. BATCH IMPORT OF WAV/BWAV/AIFF AUDIO Multiple audio files can be browsed and tagged via Windows and then imported in a single operation.
  • Page 349 Pressing this key will launch Windows explorer on the AudioFile SCX desktop. Use explorer to browse to the audio files you wish to import (WAV, BWAV, or AIFF), then select them using the mouse:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 350 Right click on the selected files and select Send to AudioFile SCX:- The system will ask you to select the audio drive you wish to import to: _ Select the drive and the files will be imported to that drive:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 351 SUPPORT FOR POLYPHONIC WAVE FILES Polyphonic wave files can be imported and split into mono cues during import. The AMS / Deva option determines whether these files are names according to the AMS naming convention or the Deva. FILE EXCHANGE (MEDIA & EDIT INFORMATION) AudioFile SCX can exchange media and composition data with other digital editing systems via the following interchange formats:- _ OMF1...
  • Page 352 _ DEVA (import) _ ProTools V4.0 - V5.0 session. (import) OMF Import The AudioFile SCX OMF import system features the following:- _ Import from PC & Mac format disks (requires “Macdisk or Macopener software for direct import from MAC drives). _ Import from any size disk (no 2G limit).
  • Page 353 Importing an OMF file will affect the events list, so If an events list is already loaded the system will prompt for action before continuing:- There are 3 options available: FILING SYSTEM allows you to access the events list filing system to save the current events list, MERGE will retain the current list and merge the OMF composition into the events list, CLEAR will clear the current events and source stack.
  • Page 354 To set or change the defaults _ Click on Defaults on the main OMF import screen. ä Check the defaults. These may need to be set according to the type of OMF file you wish to import:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 355 Unique Identifier Options: Generate New UIDs: This setting allows you to force the system to import every cue within the OMF file and generate a new UID for each one - even for cues which have already been imported and are present on the system. Use OMF UIDs: This setting will generate and match UIDs from the OMF click cookies.
  • Page 356 To exit the defaults page click on OK. To begin an OMF import click NEXT from the main OMF import page. _ Click on OPEN. A windows browser will open:- _ Browse to the location of the desired OMF file. Double click on the OMF file. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 357 The system will analyse the OMF file and show the following information on the screen:- _ Current OMF file path. _ OMF revision (OMF1 or OMF2). _ Number of cues within the OMF file. _ Number of events which will be created by importing the OMF file. _ Number of tracks within the OMF file.
  • Page 358 This page allows you to either manually select the target audio drive or set the Auto drive select option. Auto drive select imports audio to the first available drive until it is full and then continues on the next available drive. To continue, click Next.
  • Page 359 SAMPLE RATE CONVERSION DURING IMPORT (OMF) SRC during import allows you to convert an OMF file from one sample rate to another during import. For example a 44100 OMF file can be converted to 48000. This feature will convert the sample rate of the media and also adjust the start times of the events so that the timeline is correct at the new sample rate.
  • Page 360 SRC is applied to the audio during import and the events list is recalculated as it is built. To continue, click Next. To begin the 2 phase of the import procedure, click on Import. The import process will begin. Audio is imported first, then the events list is built from the OMF composition.
  • Page 361 the source stack. The SCX import will automatically put matching mono events on adjacent tracks into Zones to make editing of these events faster. _ Click on FINISH or press the EXIT key on the AudioFile screen. _ Save the events list. _ You may now edit the material just as you would any native events list.
  • Page 362 _ Make sure the Sample Rate, Edit (Frame) Rate and OMF Version are all set to the desired value. These settings will affect format of the OMF file. It is important that they are set to the correct value. ProTools can only import OMF2 files via Digitranslator. If you care exporting an OMF for Protools do not select Version 1.0 If you are generating an OMF file for an audio editor, enable the Sample Accurate default.
  • Page 363 The next page will show the events list(s) which are within the Project. An OMF file can only contain one composition file, so choose the project events list you want to use. Click Next to continue. Click on Save to define the target file location for the Exported OMF file. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 364 Browse to the computer/disk/folder where you want to save the exported file, and type in a name for the OMF file you are about to export, then click on Save. Click on Export to begin writing to the file. The OMF specification allows for symmetrical overlaps on the same track (crossfades) but does not accommodate asymmetrical overlaps.
  • Page 365 compatibility with the wide range of platforms which support this interchange format. The AES31 format was specified by the AES and was intended to be a completely open, text readable audio interchange format. When introduced, manufacturers and users alike had high hopes for AES31.
  • Page 366 Use Rendered Fades OFF: Rendered fades within the AES31 file will be converted into AudioFile real time fades. ON: AudioFile will import the rendered fades and use them in the events list (note: all fades will create a separate cue and event using this method). Move Illegal Stereo Events Some AES31 files may contain stereo events (or clips) which straddle incorrect track pairs (for example track 2 &...
  • Page 367 _ Browse to the location of the desired AES31 adl file, highlight it and click OPEN (note the file can be browsed via a network). The system will open the adl file and check the location of the media. _ Next select the target bank & drive:- _ Once you have selected the drives, click on NEXT.
  • Page 368 The system shows a summary of the AES31 file details. _ To begin the import, click IMPORT. During import, if there are any media files which cannot be found, the user will be prompted to browse to the location of these files:- If this happens, it is because the media files are not located where they should be according to the adl file (this would happen if the media files had been copied to a drive after the adl file had been generated).
  • Page 369 Click on Next. Import of media files will then continue:- Once finished, exit the AES31 import page by pressing Exit on the Spectra screen. The imported file will now be present on the system as the currently loaded events list. This must be saved if you wish to refer to it later.
  • Page 370 DEVA IMPORT AudioFile SCX includes an import page which allows DEVA recordings to be directly imported into the AudioFile. The Deva import plug-in enables source recordings from the Zaxcom Deva or Deva II portable digital recorder. The native audio format for the Deva recorder is broadcast wave, and the track placement is derived from the file name(s) of these files.
  • Page 371 OFF: The embedded timecode value is not displayed. This will decrease the time taken by the initial phase of import. Offset Start Time Of Cues This allows the user to input a manual offset for the cues (useful if the initial start time is potentially problematic - for example 23:50:00).
  • Page 372 _ Select the folder, then click OK. With the Show additional info on cues option not set, the system will show:- The SELECT ALL key will tag all the media files for import, the TOGGLE KEY will toggle the tagged files. Individual media files can be tagged or untagged by ticking or unticking the desired box.
  • Page 373 In this mode the start & stop times of each media (bwav) file is shown. There is also an extra key available in this mode, T/C SELECT:- This option allows you to tag media files within a specified timecode range. _ Start by untagging all the media files (select all, toggle), then enter the required start &...
  • Page 374 Select the target drive(s) for the imported media (auto drive select will cause the imported media to span multiple drives starting at the first available drive). _ To begin importing click IMPORT. Media importing will begin and continue until all the selected media files have been imported and the events list generated.
  • Page 375 At the end of the process the user can close the page by clicking on CLOSE or by pressing the EXIT key on the Spectra screen. The VIEW LOG button will display a log file containing full details of the import process. This can be saved if desired.
  • Page 376 How to import a ProTools file Enter the projects page on the AudioFile and press PROTOOLS IMPORT. _ Set the import options as desired:- Rendered fades as events: Unticked = Generate real time fades from ProTools rendered fades. Ticked = Generate an events for each rendered fade. Import unused audio: Unticked = Do not import audio not used by the session timeline.
  • Page 377 _ Double click the file to select it. The software will examine the file and display information regarding the ProTools file contents:- Select the AudioFile drives you wish to import the audio to using the Target audio drive(s) menu. _ Click on Import to AudioFile. The system will import the file.
  • Page 378 IMPORTANT GUIDELINES FOR IMPORTING PROTOOLS SESSION FILES _ Save the session file as either 4.0 or 5.0 format - not 5.1 or above as it will not be possible to import due to the file encryption. _ When saving a 4.0 or 5.0 session on a MAC based ProTools file, make sure the session file has been saved correctly along with the audio files.
  • Page 379 normal for data to be located in the data fork. However, the ProTools session data is located in the resource fork. The resource fork is inaccessible to Windows - even when using Macopener. Interestingly, from Version 5.1 files onwards (i.e. when Digidesign started encrypting the session files), the data is saved in the correct part of the file (i.e.
  • Page 380 In the above example you can see that the session file contains 0 bytes in the Data fork, but 103kb in the resource fork. _ Go to options and select Expert Menu:- The main page will now contain an extra menu – Expert _ Go into the Expert menu and select Copy Mode:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91...
  • Page 381 _ In the copy mode page, select Resource Copy:- Click on OK. Now you can copy the session file onto a different drive (for example the My documents folder) and the copied file will be a valid windows file containing the session file data. Use this file as the session file when importing via the AudioFile ProTools import page.
  • Page 382 systems and applications. The AAF simplifies project management, saves time, and preserves valuable metadata. AAF Import The import mechanism for AAF is much the same as for OMF etc and is launched from the PROJECTS / EXPANDED ACCESS page. AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 383 There are variations in the structure of AAF files generated by different Manufacturers systems. The AAF import defaults page allows you to configure the import procedure to best suit the source AAF. Link Dual mono events (auto zone) Turning this on will automatically link together dual mono events during the import.
  • Page 384 Use alternative import procedure Early AAF files were internally structured in a different way to later ones. Thus during development of AAF interchange the mechanism was changed. This is known as the “alternative” import procedure and should always be used unless the file fails to import. Move illegal stereo events up(X) or down ( ) Some workstations require that stereo or mono tracks are “fixed”...
  • Page 385 To select the AAF file, click OPEN, browse to the file and double-click the file:- AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 386 The software will open the file and provide a summary of the contents of the file. The up / down arrows will scroll the summary display. To continue press NEXT. Importing will commence and continue until the AAF file has been imported:- At the end of the import, the AudioFile screen will show an events list.
  • Page 387 AAF Export AAF Export enables an AudioFile project to be exported as an AAF file which is compatible with any system supporting the AAF file format. AAF exports To export an AAF file, you need to have the AudioFile Project loaded on the system first. To do this go into the Projects page and LOAD the project containing the events list you want to export.
  • Page 388 AudioFile SCX user manual Revision 0.91 Jan 2008...
  • Page 389 The export parameters should be set to the correct values according to the sample rate and frame rate of the project. Sample/ frame acc If the AAF file is being exported to a video editing system then set this option to FRAME. If it is for an audio editing system them set it to SAMPLE.
  • Page 390 Export will begin and continue until the contents of the project have export into the target AAF file.. A summary page is generated as shown below:- The VIEW LOG page will show a log of the activity which took place during the AAF export.
  • Page 391 rate during import. This process can be applied to wav, bwav, AIFF, ProTools,OMF, AAF and AES31 import. The SRC mode can be selected from the User Defaults Page 2:- None: Sample rate conversion during import is disabled. Auto: Media files are automatically converted to the current system sample rate during import. Prompt: User is prompted to SRC media file during import.

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