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Pimp My AAF Workflow!

By Iwan Davies @Iwan_Davies
    2019-09-28 16:14:48.879Z

    Im hunting for solutions to cut out the crap from our AAF workflow. Wondering if anyone has come up with any automation solutions, apologies if this question exists elsewhere.

    I look after a team who mix a factory line of promotions. Multiple Adobe Premiere sources and 4 Pro Tools suites. The problem we face as im sure others do, the time it takes to import session data and start a session.

    We have a template we work on but due to the lack of support of stereo tracks import on protools its near impossible to streamline the process. Im hoping SF can maybe improve the process. Key areas ive looked into are below.

    1. Match tracks automation? However only works with mono data.
    2. convert imported tracks to pre saved track presets.

    Im sure someone has experienced the same problems or needs a solution.

    Looking forward to replies.

    Thanks

    Iwan

    Reply1 Like
    • 6 replies
    1. M
      Martin Pavey @Martin_Pavey
        2019-09-28 17:24:27.811Z

        IMHO the only way to really improve this is to train the picture Editors to have groups of tracks for DX, FX, MX etc.
        I can't see shorcuts helping massively unless you always know the structure of what you might receive in the AAF.
        However I may be wrong, Christian is a bit of a genious when it comes to these things.
        Cheers
        Martin

        Reply
        1. IIwan Davies @Iwan_Davies
            2019-09-29 06:15:50.394Z

            Thanks Martin.

            Reply
          • In reply toIwan_Davies⬆:
            Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2019-09-28 17:35:01.704Z

            Thanks for posting this, Iwan! @Iwan_Davies.

            This is a really interesting conversation, and we’re really only touching the tip of the iceberg here.
            The way to look at this is dividing up steps and try to describe them to a “robot”. You already started out by doing this in your question.
            Let’s say we took a closer look at your #2, converting already imported tracks from an AAF to pre-saved track presets. How would you imagine this working?
            Try to describe the steps involved here. Should the script use an algorithm or a pre-defined list to figure out which tracks should go to which track preset? And once it knows which track preset to apply, should it then just recall that track preset onto the specific track in question, or would other steps need to be taken?
            Once we more clearly have a path of steps it needs to take for any given input, it can then be broken down into smaller segments each of which can be individually automated. Finally, all those things can be put together.
            That’s how I would approach it anyway :)

            Reply
            1. IIwan Davies @Iwan_Davies
                2019-09-29 07:19:40.739Z

                Thanks Christian. Yes i agree, its really the tip of the iceberg in terms of what i would like to see automated. Im new to SF and complete Java beginner so any help here is much appreciated. Ive noted the stages below, starting from the very beginning.

                1. AAF delivery. As @Martin_Pavey mentioned, this demands some coaching to the production team to organize audio tracks from AP. This could be a big task in its self as we have a very large production team but not impossible, i see this built into the AP template and grouping dialogue, music, VO and SFX in predefined naming. At the moment AAF files are exported to producers own folder on a shared network, i am moving this to one unique location on the network to perhaps improve some further automation. Video is sent separately, ive not explored the embedded video on AAF, i was aware this didnt work with protools however could be a time saver if it did.

                2. Session start. Audio team receive details of session from a central bookings system (program name/booking number/producer). I would love to see the automation start as early as here, i.e a process that could "pick" this info, create new session based on template and chose the correct session location based on this info. Could go as far as finding the correct AAF and importing.

                3. AAF Import. Our template consists of an empty edit window and imported tracks from the AAF are either converted to track presets or if stereo dragged/cut into a track preset. This is the part i can only visualize as a manual process? As about 90% of tracks from the AAF are stereo, i cant even see how "match tracks" could benefit to be fair. There is also an element of organization of the AAF as some are pretty messy, i also cant see how a robot could determine what is what. Once tracks are organized, empty tracks are deleted. I guess there could be a process for this.

                Deleting any volume or pan automation from the AAF. This could be unticked at import, but i find it doesn't always remove all the automation points.

                Thats pretty much it. I see it possibly as 2 processes, an app that can pull data from our booking system and create the new session and a command from a stream deck that starts the import. With obvious human interruptions for stuff that cant be done by a robot.

                Any help for a complete beginner would be a leap forward.

                Thanks

                Iwan

                Reply1 Like
                1. Christian Scheuer @chrscheuer2019-10-01 09:58:42.981Z

                  @Iwan_Davies I'll contact you privately, stand by for more info.

                  Reply
                  1. JJon Shamieh @Jon_Shamieh
                      2020-01-25 22:12:28.622Z

                      I’m interested in this too. I’ve made macros to “convert” tracks to ones in my template. Now i am going to try the same but using track presets, will be easier I think

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