Topics covered in this article:
- Preparing the Session I/O Setup
- Using the Import Session function
Introduction
Pro Tools can import and play back an ADM BWF .wav master file with all audio and metadata converted to pan automation.
Preparing the Session I/O Setup
When importing an ADM BWF file there are two approaches to the I/O Setup.
- The Output and Bus tabs of the I/O Setup can be cleared and will be recreated when the ADM BWF is imported.
- Alternatively, the I/O Setup can be prepared so that the incoming ADM BWF uses the existing paths.
Importing an ADM BWF with an existing I/O that hasn’t been cleared or prepared can result is in unpredictable mapping and extra busses. If importing an ADM BWF into an existing session extra attention must be paid to the I/O Setup Bus tab.
Preparing the I/O can be performed manually by adding output paths, by importing a .pio file, or by opening the ADM BWF in the Renderer and then pulling the I/O configuration from the Dolby Atmos Renderer using the Dolby Atmos Renderer as the Default in the I/O Setup Bus tab.
Using the Import Session Data Function
To import an ADM BWF .wav file into Pro Tools:
- Create a new 24-bit, 48 kHz Pro Tools session.
- Open the I/O Setup Setup>I/O
- Delete Output and Bus paths
- Choose File > Import > Session Data.
- Navigate to and select the ADM BWF .wav file you want to import.
- Click Open. The Import Session Data dialog box will display.
- In the Import Session Data dialog box, Option/Alt-click on one of the Source tracks in the Tracks section to select them all and set their Destination to New Track.
- Select the Custom Data to Import:
- Bed/Object Output Assignment – Imports Bed and Object output path assignments for imported tracks.
- Object Pan Data – Imports Dolby Atmos metadata and converts it to track pan automation.
- Add Object Group Name to I/O Setup – Imports the Bed and Object group assignments from the ADM BWF if present. For this option to be revealed Pro Tools must be set to manage Bed/Object Group names and assignments in the I/O Setup Bus tab as described in the previous article. On ADM BWF import these group assignments will be visible in the Bed/Objects Group column of the I/O Setup Bus tab. These are utilized if bouncing a mix to ADM BWF. The must be done prior to deleting Bus paths. Bouncing a mix to ADM BWF will be discussed in module 8.
- Add Object Group Name to Track Name – Adds the Object group name to the Beginning or the End of the track name, as specified. If descriptions were used in the Renderer Input Configuration window when mastered, they will be included in the ADM BWF export and be visible in the Tracks pane (as shown below) and included in the Pro Tools track names. If so, including the group name in the track name is not necessary and will just make it hard to read the track names. If not, and the track names listed are just numbers in the tracks pane then including the group names can be helpful. Input descriptions will be discussed in module 7.
- Configure any other Import Session Data settings as desired.
- Click OK.
Note: an alternative to Add Bed/Object Group Name to I/O Setup is to set the Dolby Atmos Renderer to Manage Bed/Object Group Names and Assignments in the I/O Setup Bus tab and open the ADM BWF in the Renderer. Group names and assignments will be pulled from the Renderer. Pro Tools can then be set to Manage Bed/Object Group Names and Assignments to prevent any further changes.
Using Other Import Methods
You can also import audio from an ADM BWF .wav file using the Import Audio command or by dragging and dropping the file into a session. However, only the audio will be imported when using these methods.
Navigation
Next: Appendix H - Multibed Workflows, Templates, and Techniques
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