Pro Tools integration with Avid Media Composer

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sean90291

Veteran
I've given up searching the sorry Avid site (I was relieved to read I wasn't alone in finding Avid's site completely byzantine: cf., pro editor Steve Cohen's blog in which he laments the sorry state of disorganization at Avid's site).

Anyhow, I'm contemplating a sound mixing software package. I'm not that experienced with such software, but I gotta start somewhere, and I'd prefer a suite that opens within Avid (so I don't have to export and re-import). Apparently Pro Tools has some form of integration with Avid. I read about some $1000 software that allows Pro Tools to open within Xpress. (Yes, $1000 just so the two applications can talk to each other....ugh!!!). But does this hold true for Media Composer as well?

What are you guys using for mixing sound out of Avid? If it's simpler to use another software package (e.g., Audition), then I'll do that even if I have to export and import in and out of Avid. Note that I'm not going to be composing symphonies. I'm mainly cleaning up sound and modifying sound effects, etc.

Any advice is appreciated as always!

Oh and Michael P better still be on Avid's payroll after their layoffs.
 
Apparently Pro Tools has some form of integration with Avid.
Click to expand...
Given that Digidesign is owned by Avid, yes there's some integration.
Here's an oversimplified workflow:
From Avid export an OMF file (audio only) and a compressed video file (quicktime).
Import the OMF using digitranslator & import the quicktime into PT. Mix to picture and export the stereo mix from PT. Reimport the final mix into Avid and master.

The software you're talking about is Digitranslator which converts the OMF file into a Pro Tools file.

http://www.digidesign.com/index.cfm?langid=100&itemid=4873

Regarding the choice of audio sweetening applications - Pro Tools is the industry standard.

The audio mixing tools in Avid are very strong. Unless I'm doing something very complex (+ 12 tracks with heavy sfx) I usually handle the audio mixing within the Avid (MC).

Note - I use MC and have the benefit of working with a sound designer that uses Pro Tools HD. I'm not perfectly clear on the integration between Avid Express Pro and Pro Tools LE.

You might also want to ask this question in the Avid Express Pro forum.
http://www.avid.com/exchange/forums/14/ShowForum.aspx
 
Thanks Milksac. Great info. As for posting over at Avid, I have found I get better answers on DVXuser even regarding Avid related questions!

I would be using Pro Tools with Media Composer. And you've pointed me in the right direction. Much appreciated. :)
 
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I'm just wondering, is there still some advantage to exporting OMF audio from Avid as opposed to exporting a QuickTime audio format when you're working in Pro Tools WITHOUT video?
 
Yes. The advantage is that with OMF you'll keep your edit points. Meaning that any cut in the audio on the Avid timeline will transfer to ProTools. With a QT format, it will come in as one huge block of audio. I've done it both ways. You'd rather have edits. :)

This is all assuming that your ProTools rig has Digitranslator.
 
I doubt I'll have digital translator...cuz it costs $500 more. Thanks krestofre. I see how having the edit points could be valuable!
 
Be VERY careful about your HD shooting frequencies. Not everything goes into a ProTools session from Avid yet. Take 720p/59.94 for instance... :(

In a few words... "test, test and re-test".
 
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