Multi-Channel .wav files & DP

[sdemott]

I'm working with a videographer who is using a SoundDevices unit that records all channels to a single multi-channel .wav file that he sends to me. It typically has 5 channels.

Am I correct in assuming DP just doesn't support multi-channel files? Every time I try to open one (import or drag) it thinks it's a mono file.

Anyone have any idea?

Thanks.

[Maxxy]

I use a Sound Devices 744T ... the main problem for me is that the SD recorder uses a suffix .WAV on all its files

DP doesn't recognise this ... so you need to rename the files with a suffix .wav before DP can make use of them...i'm sure there are clever ways to batch do this but I end up just renaming them by hand... old school (:

Sound Devices provides an app Wave Agent which will allow you to write a file(s) to the channel config you want but I suggest checking the suffix first and see how you you go

Best

[cuttime]

I use a Sound Devices 744T ... the main problem for me is that the SD recorder uses a suffix .WAV on all its files

DP doesn't recognise this ... so you need to rename the files with a suffix .wav before DP can make use of them...

This has been fixed in 9.52.

[Maxxy]

Ahhhh nice cuttime... hadn't seen that.... it does indeed now work ... just last night I had a few files that I renamed ... but no longer need to .... great! ( :

Timely question sdemott

Thanks very much MOTU

[sdemott]

I can import the file - it just sees it as a single channel (mono) file, when it actually has 5 channels.

Pro Tools opens it properly. I just really would rather not work in Pro Tools...but if I have to open it there it's just easier to keep it there rather than exporting everything to individual tracks & then importing to DP. The turn around on these projects is super tight.

I was surprised to find that DP doesn't handle multi-channel BWF files. I hope they include that in the next update. I did submit a feature request.

[Maxxy]

Hi sdemott

You are right

I have used the Sound Devices recorder only occasionally ... and then generally only for a mono boom mic....possibly with one lavalier radio.

I did do a 4-channel surround nature gig many years ago and now recall it was quite an ordeal to get it happily into DP ... I remember the .WAV/.wav problem (now fixed) .... but there was also the necessary splitting of the files into multi-mono channels into DP and then bussing those mono channels into the desired surround format... I was using Soundfield SPS200 software (A format)

DP reads mono and stereo files from the unit fine but, as you have pointed out, not multi-channel files. To check your problem I tested the quad files my 744T can create ...and they do, unfortunately still, import only as mono files in DP

I think you are right to query tech support on this... please let us know if you get a result

Thanks a lot

[sdemott]

I am waiting for a reply from MOTU, but in the meantime I found this software from Sound Devices: https://www.sounddevices.com/products/a ... wave-agent

It spits out mono & stereo files from multi-channel .wav files quickly & easily. You can select how the files export and combine any channels into stereo while keeping others mono. This will allow me to stay in DP for now and still work fast.

My only complaint is that it installs a driver for direct access to a 788T. For those with that hardware it's probably awesome. For me, it's one more driver to load that may or may not cause issues at some point. I wish the driver install were optional. Of course, I could always remove it from the system. I'm not sure if the software does a check for the driver on launch.

Hoping MOTU will add support for multi-channel bwf files in the next update (fingers crossed).

[sdemott]

Just to follow up, for those playing along at home:

It seems MOTU never expected anyone to want to open a multi-channel .wav and have it split up into separate tracks. I was able to get it to show up as a 5 channel surround track (sort of a 5.1 without the .1)...but because the 5 channels are all different sources from a location shoot (booms & lavs) they really need to be treated as separate files/tracks when imported.

Pro Tools does this as expected, as does Final Cut X & Media Composer. Logic & DP both fail. It's been added as a request, but I don't expect it to happen soon.