Subject:Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Posted by: danika

Date:3/17/2005 2:07:08 PM

OK, so call me picky, but I think the new Batch Converter interface for plug-ins in SF 8 is a step backwards. With the Batch Converter 5.0 you could just click on Edit Plug-in Chain and then add any plug-in chains you had created in SF as FX Packages--just like CD Architect.

With the new interface in SF 8 you have to add the Plug-in Chainer as a plug-in and then select the chain preset. Seems kind of convoluted to me.

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: SonyKV

Date:3/19/2005 9:01:35 PM

We hope that the availability of effects not available via the Plug-in Chainer (Normalize, Fade In, Insert Silence etc ) will offset the behavior you describe as convoluted.

Having said that, the new Batch Converter is a pretty different animal than Batch Converter 5, so I understand that you miss the old UI and workflow.

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: TorS

Date:3/20/2005 5:08:38 AM

Is it possible to use the old batch converter with SF 8?
Tor

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:3/21/2005 11:05:34 AM

Also - can someone confirm just what the heck is happening with this scenario:

1. So I have created a test batch to take 10 loops (.wav) format (that are all open in the SF window) and simply convert them to 192KBPS MP3 in a separate (and completely different) directory from the original source files

If I run this batch with say, a couple of simple effects (EQ and Wave Hammer) on the Process Tab within Batch Converter - the batch takes each original wav - runs it thru the EQ and WH and writes the new MP3 out to my specified location. Coolio.

BUT I run this batch with The Plug-in Chainer selected on the Process Tab with one of my prepackaged chains loaded up - the batch takes each original wav - runs it thru the plugin chain and writes the new MP3 out to my specified location PLUS applies the prepacked chain effects to each one of my original files open in the SF window? Huh? Is this for real?

Pardon my workflow - but I don't want any of my original source files altered EVER when doing a batch convert. Logically - to me - that's the whole point of a batch convert - to take my original final works, batch em out to some delivery format for my clients and then save these highest quality originals for some other purpose later on...Am I missing something here or is this in intended usage of the plugin chainer?

Of course - I know how to use "Process Selection" when using the Plug-in Chainer on individual files in the SF window but even that is dangerous in that I will most certainly over write my final with some effected version.

So - what purpose does the Chainer have within the Batch Converter - unless I guess someone wants to overwrite all their open files with an effected version?? Is that normal?

Please enlighten moi

Oh - and why does SAVE ALL - prompt me 10 freakin' times when I have 10 files open and obviously want to SAVE THEM ALL! Why would I press Save All if I did not want to Save All?

Cheers,

VP

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Sonic

Date:3/21/2005 11:59:46 AM

Actually, the BC applies the chain to each open window, then saves it to mp3 and doesn't undo the chain. That's just the design chosen if you launch BC with windows open. It adds them to the current job.

To avoid this, don't bother opening the files in Forge first. Just add them to the job when you launch BC.

Save All will prompt with Save As if (a) the file is new and has never been saved (i.e. Forge doesn't know what you want to save them as), or (b) Forge cannot determine what to save as from the source file and needs you to specify a template (some compressed formats exhibit this).

J.

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:3/21/2005 1:58:38 PM

Sonic,

Thanks for the clarification on BC. I will just go with an empty SF window and add my stuff as needed to the job.

Regarding Save All - I still don't understand. For a test I opened 10 existing files and made small changes to them....each file gets an asterisk in the upper left of the window indicating a change has been made. These files all have names and formats and everything already...I do not want to change extensions or filenames or locations...I just want to quickly save all 10 edits back to the ten files in one pass....you would think Save All would do that - but I get prompted ten times....what it should do is the same as doing 10 CTRL-S movements...what's the difference?

Save All should do what it says - quickly save ALL existing edits and write the changes back to the file as is...using the existing parameters, names, format with no questions asked. I agree that if the file has not yet be saved at all - there should be a prompt leading to a standard file save dialog but If I wanted something different on a file per file basis - I would use Save As and specify.

I guess I see this in many programs like graphics editors, text editors like UltraEdit etc where it's a one click fast motion...that really helps my workflow. But having to stop down and address 10 or 20 or 47 dialog boxes makes for way to much button pressing and dialogs popping up to be of any use....sorry - it's just the way I work.

Maybe there is a possibility for a user selectable option in a future revision? Something like "Prompt for each file during "Save All"

Cheers!

VP

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Sonic

Date:3/22/2005 7:16:24 AM

What are the file types?

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:3/22/2005 10:55:23 AM

Sonic,

In my test (and in my workflow in general) I always use standard Microsoft .wav file types.

VP

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: mpd

Date:3/22/2005 11:17:43 AM

I can confirm the same behavior with wavs.

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: SonySCS

Date:3/22/2005 2:06:47 PM

Save All lets you go through the files without having to select each individually -- you're avoiding "bring data window into focus and then save" (ctrl+tab then ctrl+S) for each file.

If you hold the Shift key down when selecting Save All, no prompts will be displayed and all changed files will be saved.

-Suzan

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Sonic

Date:3/22/2005 3:38:17 PM

This behavior does indeed go back to SF4.0, but seems superfluous. We'll re-examine it.

J.

Subject:RE: Batch Converter Plug-Ins

Reply by: Vocalpoint

Date:3/23/2005 4:16:32 AM

Sonic,

Sounds great.

Wavelab (for comparison) does this with a dialog...everything open within the editor window is highlighted within a listbox. Then it's my call to leave them all highlighted or select individual files. BUT there is just one button - Save Selected....which is tre' cool for a ton of open files.

Suzan - the Shift command key is handy but I agree superfluous - but I will give it a try.

EDIT: Gave the Shift-Save All a try and it works great...

Cheers,

VP