Subject:Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Posted by: David Trotter

Date:7/28/2010 1:26:14 PM

This is the sole reason I purchased Sound Forge 10. I have been dragging and dropping multiple 48K 16 Bit wave files from my standard file folder into the main window of SF 10. They all show up. I need to provide my client with Broadcast wave file format so they can insert their metadata. Once I drop my files in I use the view pull down, and click on metadata. That gives me another choice called Broadcast wav. I select that, which in turn opens a window for metadata insertion. Since my client inserts the metadata I have none to insert. Remember I am required to send broadcast wav files even though the meta fields will be empty. Here is my question. If I have brought 25 files into my window and get to this point, what are the next steps to insure that these files are now broadcast wave files? I understood there was a way to process them all at once (Batch) as opposed to saving them individually. Is this true? Additionally, how many files can I convert at one time? I have more that 2,000 files to do in this batch alone. Thank you for your help.

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: roblesinge

Date:7/28/2010 1:44:43 PM

Use the built-in Batch Converter. Go to Tools-->Batch Converter. You can process as many files as you want all at once.

--R.

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: ChristoC

Date:7/28/2010 6:31:33 PM

> what are the next steps to insure that these files are now broadcast wave files?

It is possible to add BWF chunk to wav file with SF10; just
- goto View Menu, select Metadata .... Broadcast Wave
- in the BWF window, right click on left hand column & select "Auto populate".
- Save file (as WAV).
It's now saved with generic chunk info (including a OriginationTimeRef which = OriginationTime, whereas a normal DAW would interpret an untagged WAV file as having a zero OriginationTimeRef).

but I don't think it's possible to automate/batch convert adding BWF chunk metadata to files with SF10.

I fail to understand why the client can't just add that same metadata direct.... seems like double-handling to me.

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:7/28/2010 7:44:29 PM

Wave Agent (free) from Sound Devices should do what you want.

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: rraud

Date:7/29/2010 8:47:50 AM

The BWF/Wave Agent issues were discussed within the last six months by Musicvid, Peter (SCS) and myself, among others. Search this forum for the info.

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: musicvid10

Date:7/29/2010 10:41:40 AM

Since that discussion, Sound Devices has updated to a new version of Wave Agent.
I must confess, I have not yet tested the new version against the issue we discussed.

However, that should not be an issue if my assumption is correct that David's third party destination is something other than a Vegas editor.

In any event, the discussion rraud spoke of makes very interesting reading. You can find it here:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=19&MessageID=703983

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: David Trotter

Date:7/29/2010 12:59:49 PM

It is not Vegas Editor. We provide original broadcast wav files to our distributor. Additionally we provide an excel sheet with our portion of the Metadata. They merge that with their excel file containing publisher info. They use Soundminer as the insertion tool and search engine. Unfortunately Soundminer does not convert standard wav format to Broadcast wav. The problem we have is that the amount of metadata inserted into each cue, and stem exceeds the Standard maximum, hence we need Broadcast wav.

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: David Trotter

Date:7/29/2010 7:55:18 PM

I am beginning to suspect that batch conversion to a broadcast wav file with an empty metadata chunk simply cannot be done. I am betting that the real time being different between stems, and even more so between cues is problematic. That there must be metadata like an excel file to insert these differences would be necessary. Maybe a fake excel sheet may work to add some basic data. Can anyone agree, or disagree with this? Thank You

Subject:RE: Batch convert Standard wav to Broadcast wav

Reply by: ChristoC

Date:7/29/2010 10:00:14 PM

> I am beginning to suspect that batch conversion to a broadcast wav file with an empty metadata chunk simply cannot be done.

Well, yes, because such a converter would not make sense in most instances.

Normally the idea of BWF type WAV files is that the BWF chunk is created by the originator when the file is first created, and typically it is not edited or changed except by DAWs which are re-processing the file for some reason....

BTW "Wave Agent" seems pretty clunky to me - e.g. it ignores certain info in BWF chunks created by Logic/ProTools/SSL-Editor etc, and some of the time code numbers seem to be referenced to 30fr only....