Helpful ReplyConverting Sonar Files to ProTools

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chamlin
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2017/03/15 18:16:08 (permalink)

Converting Sonar Files to ProTools

Have a recording session with 19 songs. Just audio tracks (2 to 10 per song). No plugins or eq or anything else. Just the audio tracks. A few have tempo changes.
 
Is there a better option than just exporting each song as "tracks", zeroed out, of course? Tempos, markers, a concern. And do I have to bounce each track on my own or just let the export handle that?
 
My aim is to save "studio cost and time".  Thanks!
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chuckebaby
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/15 18:21:47 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby chamlin 2017/03/15 18:23:34
 
If they are only audio tracks, simply lasso all the tracks and use the "Bounce to clips" function.
This ensure all your little clips within a track (from punch ins, exc) are solidified as one whole clip within the track.
If there are no breaks in the clips (in each track) and they all line up, just go to the audio folder and copy them to your new destination. There is a function in sonar that allows you to save a project with Tempo and automation changes to export to other DAWs but that rarely works to perfection.
 
When ever I want to open a project in another DAW (as I use Pro Tools and Studio One at times).
I make sure the audio all lines up (all the audio tracks start at 1:01) then I bounce to clips and use the sonar audio project folder to get them from there.
It saves the step of exporting or bouncing.

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chamlin
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/15 18:26:55 (permalink)
Thanks, Chuck. Yes to that! I guess the next step could be to find a very reasonably priced person with ProTools to actually import the tracks, set the tempos and markers. Anyone know of someone?
 
One other question:  For songs with tempo changes, should I export each track by tempo section? Meaning export just the 90 bpm section of each track, then the 94 bpm, etc. and have them in subfolders? Or does that not make a difference if the ProTools "project" file is initially set up with the tempo changes and then the full tracks are imported?
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EyjolfurG
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/15 19:11:57 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby chamlin 2017/03/15 19:33:10
If there are tempo changes or markers you could add on empty midi track to the sonar project. Then you are able to save it as midi. That midi file is then possible to import into protools. You can then import the wav files.

Eyjolfur G.
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jpetersen
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/15 19:20:55 (permalink)
Like chuckebaby says, if it's only audio, try export as OMF.
There was someone here doing voiceovers who I think finally did have success.
But no guarantees.
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chuckebaby
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/15 20:07:16 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby chamlin 2017/03/15 20:18:53
let me ask you a question, what is the final goal  ?
Are you doing prep work for someone to mix your songs in pro tools ?
 
If so you have a few options.
1- You can try creating 1 OMF project and send it. see if he/she accepts it and with positive results. 
2- Sending the data (Audio tracks) making sure they all line up with a document attachment of the tempo changes, Track notes and details of the project.
 
I just cant understand why your moving the projects to a different platform (different DAW).
Maybe if I do understand I can give you a better idea of where to go from there.
 
I do a lot of different kind of work myself and as an engineer, I can tell you one thing, we hate receiving unorganized messes IE- 5 clips that go on track 1, 4 clips that go on track 2 and so on.
We also like it when every single track begins from the same spot. Midi tracks are a little different and can be over looked. Sometimes those will start on the second measure (2:01) and as long as its in the project notes given to the engineer, he wont have a problem with it.
 
There is a lot to be said of sending out a complete package. Many engineers, including myself will be more inclined to take a few dollars off of the over head price if there are no headaches involved. So this is what you want to achieve.
A Project Document: This includes a list of all the tracks. Any tempo changes should be noted in measures, if they are between a measure that should be noted as well. A list of problem areas, for example: a vocal section that has sibilance issues or a guitar part that has a buzz in one part.

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#6
chamlin
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/15 20:42:01 (permalink)
Thanks again, guys.
chuckebaby
let me ask you a question, what is the final goal?

I have done some tracking in my studio (guitars, keys, scratch vox) and am going to a "real" studio to track drums and bass simultaneously. The studio uses PT. The goal is to, in the most efficient, most highly functional and cost efficient manner, get the tracks ready to import into PT.
 
Just tried the OMF export, and on just a 2 track song, Sonar crashed. So, it's the wav file solution for me.
 
Will utilize your sage wisdom re: the organization of the files. That's the only way I can personally function anyway. Don't tolerate clutter well, be it track naming, etc. I'll make sure they're all zero'd out and make it neat and tidy. Also have a spreadsheet that I can augment for the 'Project Document'. Great idea.
 
EyjolfurG
If there are tempo changes or markers you could add on empty midi track to the sonar project. Then you are able to save it as midi. That midi file is then possible to import into protools. You can then import the wav files.

I love this idea, added a MIDI track but I don't get an export option for the empty MIDI track. How does one do that?
Thanks!
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chamlin
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/16 06:27:30 (permalink)
EyjolfurG
If there are tempo changes or markers you could add on empty midi track to the sonar project. Then you are able to save it as midi. That midi file is then possible to import into protools. You can then import the wav files.

I rarely work with MIDI anymore, and I'm clearly not doing something properly. If the goal is to save a MIDI track which will retain the tempo changes and markers, how would I do that?
 
I've got markers and tempo changes in the song but I don't know how to save just the empty MIDI track. Help?
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maltastudio
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/16 06:58:14 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby chamlin 2017/03/16 06:59:47
Save as midi file.I run Sonar and Pro Tools together all the time and OMF was always ok for me.
Peace

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chamlin
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/16 07:00:25 (permalink)
maltastudio
Save as midi file.I run Sonar and Pro Tools together all the time and OMF was always ok for me.
Peace

Thanks, Charles. And I'll give OMF another shot tomorrow for sure.
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chuckebaby
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/16 11:15:25 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby chamlin 2017/03/16 15:47:11
I shared this about a year ago. It's a template I created.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Orginizing-Labeling-Audio-and-Midi-Tracks-m3448904.aspx
 
There's a download link (a few comments down) for my "Track document sheet".
Best wishes 

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#11
chamlin
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/16 15:51:45 (permalink)
chuckebaby
I shared this about a year ago. It's a template I created.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Orginizing-Labeling-Audio-and-Midi-Tracks-m3448904.aspx
 
There's a download link (a few comments down) for my "Track document sheet".
Best wishes 




Damn, that's a serious project document. Would love to download the template you posted but it looks like it's gone.
http://www.filedropper.com/tracklogtemplate but it just took me to the filedropper homepage. Can you reupload it? Very valuable tool.
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chuckebaby
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Re: Converting Sonar Files to ProTools 2017/03/16 20:52:21 (permalink)
ill re up in bit and send you a download link

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