Prism Sound Orpheus - Audio Media

SSL>includes the standalone (though launched from themain program) Audio Tool file format and attributebatch conversion utility.A detailed list of file formats and supportedfeatures can be found on the Solid State Logicwebsite and in the Pro-Convert PDF manual.Note that Pro-Convert, like other conversionsoftware, translates overall session data, timelineaudio events and associated pan and levelinformation; it does not convert MIDI tracks, staticmixer positions (without automation envelopes)or plug-ins.In UsePro-Convert runs under the Windows operatingsystem (all standard versions between Windows98 and Vista; 64-bit versions not supported), butcan be successfully run on Macs using Boot Camp,Parallels, or Fusion. As the manual states, Pro-Convert is not heavy on system resources, andindeed it would be extremely difficult to unearth acomputer that doesn’t meet the minimum systemrequirements – 266MHz processor, 64MB, 20MBhard disk space, VGA display. For authorisation,Pro-Convert uses a CodeMeter USB donglethat is multi-user/multi-license capable fornetworked facilities.At the top of the Pro-Convert main interfaceis a concise ‘Project Strip’ summary of the sourceproject’s vitals that includes the number of clips,source files and tracks referenced on the timeline,as well as project sample rate, bit depth, framerate, length, size, and offset information; there isalso indication of whether the project containsautomation, PQ, and/or marker data.Below the Project Strip is a three-pane projectexplorer that includes a Project Tree (selectablebetween physical files and track view), a ClipWindow that displays all the timeline clips (withsource file I/O and timeline I/O points) that belongto the track or file selected in the Project Tree, and aDetailed Clip Window that provides additional datasuch as fade type and time, mute, lock status andlevel of any selected clip. On the far left of the maininterface is the Convert Strip, which contains all theexport file types and associated icons. The strip canbe toggled between an overall pool of conversionformats and a user-defined (via drag-and-drop) poolof favourites.For many interchange tasks, the generalconversion process in Pro-Convert can be quitesimple: open a supported session file using thestandard Windows File>Open dialogue; choosethe export file type from the pool on the left; usethe default settings on the options pages thatfollow, and choose a location to save the convertedproject. Once a conversion has been completed,Pro-Convert’s main project explorer interfacecan be toggled between source and convertedsession data.Much of the in-depth power of the program liesin the customisation of the conversion dialoguepages, which display a set of options tailoredspecifically to each export type. Though the mostcommonly appropriate values for each export typeare already preset as defaults, it most certainly paysto get familiar with all of Pro-Convert’s conversionoptions (and limitations) and the capabilities ofthe respective input and output applications.The excellent Pro-Convert manual provides clearand detailed information on the above; even abrief survey of this information provides insightinto the herculean efforts required to developand maintain this application’s conversion matrixand its adept, context-sensitive interface.While there are far too many to list all settings foreach export type, common export options includefade management (translate, ignore, replacewith alternate type), level and pan automationenvelope and region gain management (translate,rescale levels), file location and replace, and audiofile and session export options (link to existingsource files, create new files, stereo-to-mono splitfile conventions, change file container type).During the testing process for this review, Iproduced a number of sessions designed to testa range of (hopefully) translatable information.These sample sessions were created in SteinbergNuendo 3 and 4, Pro Tools LE 7.1, and Sony Vegas7, and cross-tested using Pro-Convert on the localmachine. I then enlisted several colleagues aroundthe country to test exports on a variety of otherplatforms including Logic, Final Cut Pro, Avid MediaComposer, Sonar, Samplitude, and Cool Edit/Adobe Audition; I also received sessions to test thatoriginated on several of these platforms.The results of this mass testing effort were generallyimpressive – all of the session exports created withPro-Convert were successfully opened on the target>AUDIO MEDIA MAY 2008 57