AudioDesk to Tracktion
Disclaimer: Geek-talk ahead. Proceed at your own risk
In preparation for the JMB Live DVD coming up soon, I recorded a portion of our rehearsal a couple of nights ago. Since I’m using a new 24-channel recording rig, I wanted to give it a test drive to make sure everything turned out alright.
Here’s catch #1: My recording-program-of-choice (Tracktion) does not allow me to use multiple sound devices at one time. In order for my 24-channel setup to work correctly, I have to be able to link multiple devices together (in this case, my MOTU 8pre and MOTU 896). MOTU provided a copy of their AudioDesk software with my new 8pre, which gives me the option to link the devices together.
Here’s catch #2: This means I can’t use my program-of-choice, and need to learn a new program. Bummer….almost. AudioDesk records in Sound Designer II format (why, oh why?). Tracktion does not support this file format. The saving grace of AudioDesk is that it enables you to export the SD2 files as WAVs, AIFFs, or ProTools compatible files.
Solution: I was able to batch-convert all of the files from the rehearsal to AIFF files. I have imported all of these into Tracktion. Now, I’m able to listen, mix, edit, and master the recording in the program I’m familiar with. Yay.
