Are tracks "separateable" once a render occurs in digital video/audio production?

J

jayhink

Member
Are tracks "separateable" once a render occurs in digital video/audio production?

Is there a tool out there (or is it even possible) to edit the separate audio tracks of a piece of rendered audio?

For example, I have a corporate client product video from a couple years ago archived onto a mini-DV tape (using the 'print to tape' tool in Sony Vegas Pro). Client had no need for additional work, so the raw video and project files were deleted. Basically, there was just a voice-over narration track and a music track for the bed. If the client wanted to change some narration and re-use the rest, is there any info saved in a digital render (whether it be the DV tape print, an mpeg2 file, wmv file, whatever) that allows for recovering the separation of the tracks?

I'm pretty sure this is a 'no', but I've never asked before and I'm curious. Also, if the answer is no, is there any methods you use to archive separate tracks without keeping all of the raw data as a 'just in case' backup? I suppose one could render wav files of each audio track and store those with the video for potential future changes.

Thanks for this forum. It's very helpful.
 
If this was a mixdown of the bed and vocals into a stereo mix with a slight off middle mix of each, then you are correct. "No". If you can access the original files, then maybe.

Sorry for the bad news.
 
Hey Jay,

Unfortunately, a mixdown is a mixdown, and a render is a render (I know the FBI and the Library of Congress have some pretty advanced applications, but that's basically how it is for the little guy)...

What folks usually do is what you described-- If there's a chance that you might need to make changes later, back-up, save, and archive.

It sounds like your particular project might be relatively easy to deal with though, if I understand correctly. You'd basically need to re-do voice-over, add a music bed, and marry that to existing visuals (after you strip the original audio). Not too difficult in most NLE/DAW-based editing programs. But for the future, remember-- save, save, save.

GJ
 
I've seen some pretty amazing stuff on CSI, why can't I do that?
Anyway, in the real world...
I usually make stem tracks (Dialog, Music & Effects) and give them to the client, should they want to change something later on or create a foreign language version that they hadn't planned. If the project is small I'll just give em everything.
 
Also in Vegas if you want a way to backup just the files your project has in it (and therefore be able to reopen the project years down the road in Vegas and have it all be there) you can click "Save As" and check the box that says copy project media which will allow you to save just the media files used by Vegas. You can even specify if you want the whole file or just the part used in the project.
 
What???????? CSI isn't real? Man, the next you are gonna tell me is Santa Claus ain't real either........ Leaving before you destroy all my beliefs.
 
Doc Bernard said:
What???????? CSI isn't real? Man, the next you are gonna tell me is Santa Claus ain't real either........ Leaving before you destroy all my beliefs.
Click to expand...

It's all relative. Santa is more real than CSI, no question. Because the laws of physics do *not* apply to Santa. But it's not even October yet -- why are we talking about Santa Claus?
 
If you have the original music separate from the dialogue this is simple and easy. If you don't have the original music my question is way would you delete everything and the music?
 
With the cost of hard drives being so low it is easier then ever to archive JIC. I offer every client an archive hard drive at a 50% markup. If they do not purchase I charge a $100/hr reencode fee. I keep everything anyway but this helps them understand the value of saving content.
 
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