Subject:Multi-track vs Multi-channel

Posted by: nedski

Date:4/11/2007 8:21:19 AM

Sound Forge 9 is described as a "multi-channel file editor" which is different than Vegas or Acid which are "multi-track" editors.

Could someone at Sony give me a verbose, explicit definition (and differences) for these two terms?

I have had Sony (Sonic Foundry) products for years and I still don't know what the difference between these two editing modes is.

Thanks,
Ned

P.S. When is Vegas 8 coming???? ;-)

Subject:RE: Multi-track vs Multi-channel

Reply by: ForumAdmin

Date:4/11/2007 9:24:22 AM

Multi-track editor: a project-based editing model where multiple media files are recorded, mixed, or otherwise manipulated into a single rendered result, typically a single stereo or 5.1 file.

Multi-channel editor: a file-based editing model where files with more than two channels are exposed and editable individually or as a unit. Typically, the audio content of the file is manipulated, but the format (i.e. number of channels) is not changed.

But a demo is worth a thousand words...

J.

Subject:RE: Multi-track vs Multi-channel

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:4/11/2007 10:35:13 AM

Another difference that i think is key is that in a multichannel system, sync across all channels tends to be fixed. You wouldn't normally slide, say, channel 3 15 seconds ahead of the other channels. With a multitrack system each track is an independant entity and they can be rejuxtapositioned at will, not just because it's possible but because it's desirable to do so. True, you can move individual channels in a multichannel system, and you can keep all the tracks in a multitrack system in sync with each other. It's the intent behind them that's different.

Subject:RE: Multi-track vs Multi-channel

Reply by: dpvollmer

Date:4/14/2007 9:17:08 AM

What is a simple way to say move one or more tracks into sync with other tracks? In Vegas it is quite easy but I have not found a way to easily do that in SF9.

Subject:RE: Multi-track vs Multi-channel

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:4/14/2007 12:03:21 PM

Probably the easiest way to do this in Sound Forge is to do it in Vegas. Seriously.

However, if you really want to do it in Sound Forge, select a track and Ctrl-X to cut it. Move the cursor forward as necessary for syncing, select the same track again, and Ctrl-V to paste. That track will now be moved forward to start at the cursor. If you need to move it backwards then you'll have to start with the cursor already partway into the track and select to the end, then cut that selection instead of starting at the beginning.

This method works equally well in earlier versions of Sound Forge too; it's not just a version 9 thing.

Subject:RE: Multi-track vs Multi-channel

Reply by: danika

Date:4/16/2007 4:23:36 PM

I'm still amazed that Sony decided to put their efforts into multichannel instead of multitrack, especially since Audition is multitrack. If you're not into surround sound, are there any other uses for multichannel?