Subject:Replace beatmapped file with higher quality one?

Posted by: technicaltitch

Date:4/20/2009 3:04:17 AM

Hi all, thanks for reading..

I am working on a remix and need to replace the main source file that is being remixed - the reason being I started the remix using a low quality version (128 kbps MP3) and I've only just got hold of a decent quality one (CD, WAV or 320 kbps MP3).

The MP3 is used in many tracks in my ACID project, and is sliced, diced, reversed, etc in around 100 events.

I have tried deleting the original source file, opening the project then specifying a replacement, but it loses all offset and original tempo info (and even changes it from beatmapped to loop). I have also tried renaming the replacement file to that of the old file, leaving the SFK file in place, then opening the project in the hope ACID wouldn't realise, does slightly better but the tempo and sample offset settings are lost.

PLEASE is there any easier way to do this than recreating every event based on this source file? If not, would the sample offsets be a multiple of the sample offsets of the 128kbps file? If I changed it to a WAV file?

Next time I'll certainly generate a WAV then stick to that format - lesson learnt 6 months too late!

Thanks for your time,
Chris

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quality one?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:4/20/2009 8:20:28 AM

"Replace with New File..." should handle this.

From the Clip Properities view for the media, use the "Replace.." toolbar button.

Peter

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: technicaltitch

Date:4/20/2009 12:16:41 PM

Hi

Thanks for the tip but this has the same effect as deleting the old file then opening the project file and specifying a replacement, ie, all track and event properties are lost, and the track becomes a one-shot instead of beatmapped. Is there any way I can retain or translate the tempo and offset settings?

Thanks again
Chris

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: technicaltitch

Date:4/21/2009 1:22:21 AM

In case it is relevant, the project was originally created by Sony ACID 6 then loaded into Sony ACID Pro 7.0 (a then c, running on XP Pro).

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: technicaltitch

Date:4/27/2009 3:59:14 AM

Seems there is no way of replacing a source file in an ACID Pro project without losing all the clip tempo and offset properties, so I guess I need to re-beatmap the file then re-paste in each clip and reset each offset (in samples) and tempo setting. This is such a fundamental change I'm starting my project again from scratch (6 months in...ouch!). Does anyone know any nifty shortcuts I can take? Tips will be appreciated however small - I've a LOT of copy and paste to get through!

I've written to Sony support but its been a couple weeks and I've not heard anything, obviously I'll post here anything I learn.

Thanks
Chris

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: technicaltitch

Date:5/29/2009 7:33:03 PM

Never got a reply from Sony tech support but managed it at last. Unfortunately there is no way to keep a track's clip's beatmapping properties while replacing the underlying audio file - they are loaded from the replacement file. I used the Track Properties, right click track, Replace function then manually copied over the BPM settings and downbeat, and after a few fine adjustments all worked ok.

While I was doing such a boring job I re-beatmapped the WAV to take advantage of Sony Pro 7's ability to cope with varying tempo in the beatmapped track (in Acid 6 I'd had to chop up and beatmap the original in many sections) - these were then saved into the WAV file, so when I loaded that file into a track, the beatmapping came with it. I then replaced all my longer samples with this track (which took some fine adjustment of beatmap markers etc before it sounded OK - the samples time rulers were invaluable with this).

Acid Pro 7 should have made this easier with automatic varying tempo beatmapping, and when you replace an audio source file it could ask whether you want to use the new file's beatmapping or retain/import the beatmapping from the file being replaced.

Took something like 12 long hours - but it is finally sounding gorgeous!

Cheers,
Chris

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: pwppch

Date:5/30/2009 1:51:46 PM

The support staff also never replied except for SonyPCH's one-liner - I get much better support with $30 software!

This forum is for peer to peer support. I do this in my spare time.

If you need direct support, you should contact our customer support group. (Click the "Support" menu item above.)

Thanks
Peter

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: technicaltitch

Date:5/30/2009 3:13:27 PM

Very sorry Peter - I removed that comment from my message then saw your reply (I had assumed you were paid, so hoped you hadn't seen it as it was the weekend!). That comment was ungrateful if you're paid to be here, let alone if not, and I've found many of your posts very helpful.

I contacted support about a month ago but they never replied - I think that is bad, but that's absolutely no excuse for lashing out at you so please accept my apologies.

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: pwppch

Date:5/31/2009 4:55:50 PM

No need to appologize. I do what I can and will try to assist as much as I can.

I am investigating your beatmapping issues with the other engineers on the team (I did not actually develope the beat mapping code so I like to get those that did work on it to discuss it with me first.)

Peter

Subject:RE: Replace beatmapped file with higher quali

Reply by: technicaltitch

Date:6/5/2009 2:02:19 AM

Thanks very much for humouring my tantrum, your help and further research - I'll check back here to see what comes of it.

One thing I couldn't suss out was where this info is stored - variable beatmapping comes in with a WAV (unaccompanied by an SFK file), yet I've been able to use the same MP3 file with different original tempo settings. (Just posting in case it is of interest.)