Exporting clips with Sync Points in ProTools

Question

Can anyone shed some light on this one?

ProTools can't seem to export .bwavs with a sync point embedded, but occasionally I will get a clip from someone else that will have one on it, and when I look at it in the workspace browser it's 'Duration' is set to a Bars|Beats as opposed to time in seconds.

However, when I try copying (not exporting) one of these .wav files to another ProTools rig the sync point is not present..

As an experiment I dug out Cool Edit and tried putting in Cue markers .. loops, etc, and still couldn't get ProTools to recognize any of these on import.

It's always seemed like a really rudimentary function that appears to be missing... Or am I missing something?

James

Answer 1

I've never known to be able to embed sync points and loop markers in the metadata of a file exported out of Pro Tools. The only software that I have found to reliably make loop points is SoundForge.

Many game engines rely on loop points to create start-idle-stop sounds for weapons and vehicles. I have always had to take my sound out of ProTools and into SoundForge to place markers and loop points in the file. If you re-import those files back into ProTools the software ignores that metadata and does not recognize the markers or loop points.

Answer 2

I will attempt to answer this question.

I think what you are trying to do is "timestamp" a file. Try this: Pull a file into PT and click on it so that it is highlighted. Go to the drop down menu of your audio bin (far upper right on the edit page). look for Time Stamp (shift+command+M if you are on mac). A dialogue box should appear called User Time Stamp. It will show the name of the file at the top and at the very bottom the position of the file along the timeline. Next to it is an arrow. if you click on that arrow it will move the timecode position of the file to the top field. Timecode numbers will go from 00:00:00:00.00 to what ever the timecode of the file is.

Now your file is Time Stamped. But this Time Stamped sync value that you have assigned the audio file is (at its current state) is only readable by protools..... In order to embed the sync point or Time Stamp into the file so that it is readable by all applications you must then do this.

Again with the audio file highlighted click on the audio bin dropdown menu. Scroll down to Export Region Definitions (shift+command+Y on mac). This will promt a dialogue box that explains the whole thing.

Now your Sync Point- or Time Stamp information is embedded into the file and readable by any application.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you run into any trouble

Answer 3

maybe this link can help http://www.showmeprotools.com/using-sync-points/

Answer 4

Chris is correct , which is why I keep him around (lol). We have gone through scenarios where only Sound Forge sync point and loop markers would be recognized by the game engine. For instance, I have had several different Wavelab loop markers and sync points be ignored, but I am sure it depends on the particular engine you are implementing into.

Has anyone hear had good success with Wavelab marker and sync points? If so, what engine were you having those be recognized by?

Anyways, get Sound Forge. I cant live without it anymore!

Answer 5

I´ve founded this webpage that talks a bit about exporting region properties to parent files. I´ve tried "Exporting Region Definition" a region that has sync point. When importing this audio files, sync point is imported too.

http://www.editorsguild.com/v2/magazine/Newsletter/pt-quicksd.html#sync_points