Topic: join files in samplitude v8 pro

[panther65]

I can't seem to figure out how to join wave files in Samplitude v8 professional. Also, is there a 2gb limit?

[Brian Skalinder]

Why are you trying to join the files, i.e. what are you trying to accomplish?  Perhaps there's a way of accomplishing your goals without joining the files.  Just another way of saying:  I don't know of a way to join files in SAM, never even tried it.    But if working in a Virtual Project, I've never found any need to join file.

As for the 2GB limit, more here:  http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,81091.msg1078238.html#msg1078238

[panther65]

Thanks Brian. Gonna have to get used to this program. I've been using Audacity, but wanted to see if Samplitude had better features, which I think it does.
I copy and paste two files in Audacity to get one large file. If set 1 goes past one hour at 24/96 it splits in the middle of a song and I have to join that to the next file.
If in virtual project mode how does the end of one file seamlessly join the next file so that I can then track it out in cdwave?

[Brian Skalinder]

If in virtual project mode how does the end of one file seamlessly join the next file so that I can then track it out in cdwave?

I don't think you can join files to make a > 2GB file and export it for CD-Wave to track.  The way SAM handles > 2GB files when exporting / bouncing is to create a 2GB WAV file, then a number of "add-on" files, per the link I referenced before.  I don't think CD-Wave supports the "continuous chunk" option that SAM uses create > 2GB filesets.

One of the reasons I use SAM is so I can do everything all in one app, and one non-destructive, object-oriented process:  import into a Virtual Project, apply virtual edits, track, bounce once for 24-bit, and a 2nd time for 16-bit.  Then FLAC.

For tracking in SAM, I think CTRL-ALT-I will drop track markers (don't have the app on my work laptop).  It's on the CD menu, I think.  I find it very easy.  For 24/96, you don't need to worry about SBEs.  And for 16-bit, well...I've yet to figure out how to track w/o SBEs in SAM, so I just fix the SBE's when FLAC'ing.

[terrapinj]

Thanks Brian. Gonna have to get used to this program. I've been using Audacity, but wanted to see if Samplitude had better features, which I think it does.
I copy and paste two files in Audacity to get one large file. If set 1 goes past one hour at 24/96 it splits in the middle of a song and I have to join that to the next file.
If in virtual project mode how does the end of one file seamlessly join the next file so that I can then track it out in cdwave?

it should seamlessly patch the two files - you can click on the icon with the magnet on it and it will automatically but the files back to back when you drag them close to eachother

then do track bouncing to export to a 16/44.1 file

[panther65]

I figured out an easy way to join files or "append" one file to the other. Open both files and then hit appropriately enough "append" and both files will be joined seamlessly.

[Brian Skalinder]

I figured out an easy way to join files or "append" one file to the other. Open both files and then hit appropriately enough "append" and both files will be joined seamlessly.

Go figure!  But how does it save the output of the joined file?  IME, it won't save the joined file - if > 2GB - in a format readable by CD-Wave.

[panther65]

However, now I can't find the second file that I joined to the first. Would it delete my master file?

[Brian Skalinder]

However, now I can't find the second file that I joined to the first. Would it delete my master file?

Shouldn't, unless the output filename matched the 2nd file and you confirmed when asked if you want to overwrite the file.

How did you create the joined file - track bouncing, or export?  Did you output at 24/96?  And if so, did it create a file with extension W01?  And if so, will CD-Wave open the complete joined file (the WAV file + the W01 file together)?  I think the answer to the last is no, but...don't recall if I actually tried or not.

[panther65]

I'll check. Didn't think I chose to overwrite. I know I renamed the file, but I'll have to recheck my settings. Must have missed something there. But the file is gonzo. Luckily, I still have the masters on my cf card.
I didn't bounce, but exported the wave and chose to down-sample and dither. When I get the files re-copied to my hard-drive, I'll re-do and see what went wrong, and try to export the 24/96 file and see what happens.
Is bouncing better? I also have to try the virtual part of Samp. I haven't figured that out yet.

[Brian Skalinder]

Is bouncing better? I also have to try the virtual part of Samp. I haven't figured that out yet.

For simply joining files, I don't think there's a difference between export and bouncing.  Don't have SAM in front of me here, but if memory serves...

Bouncing provides user configuration of the sample rate conversion quality.  There are four options, 1st = lowest, 4th = highest quality.  I forget how they're naned.  It outputs a single track (instead of multiple tracks) with track markers, so you still have to export (with no dither/SRC) to create individual tracks.

Export does not provide user configuration of the sample rate conversion quality.  But I think I tested and determined it uses the 3rd SRC option, i.e. 2nd highest quality (the highest quality is really slow and I didn't hear a difference).  Export also will output individual tracks so you don't have an extra step at the end for track creation.

Virtual Projects are the real heart of SAM.  If you do any editing beyond dither/SRC, this is where you want to do it, in the virtual (and object oriented) realm.  Very powerful stuff, very user-friendly, though a slightly longer learning curve relative to other apps I've used (Audition/CEP, Audacity, wee little bit of WaveLab).

[live2496]

Is bouncing better? I also have to try the virtual part of Samp. I haven't figured that out yet.

Here is how I would track out a project with Samplitude to create 16-bit files which you could flac. You don't need to adjust your original files. And it's possible to do this without bouncing.

First create a virtual project. Then load your audio files into the project using File->Load Audio File . Let's assume that you have multiple 24-bit files and they have seamless breaks. When you load each file it will create an object.

Set "snap on". It's the button with the little magnet. Drag each object to the left and it will jump into position to align perfectly with the object on the left. To move objects around you need to be in "universal mode" or "object and curve mode" and click on the lower half of the object to select it. Then drag it with the mouse.

Now once all your audio is loaded, the next thing you want to do is to split each song into it's own object. This makes it easy to set track markers later. At the beginning of each song, press "t" on the keyboard and this will split the current object at the current cursor position.

Once all objects are split, then from the CD/DVD menu, "Set track indices on object edges". Next, position the cursor at the end and select "Set CD end". (If you have more than 80 minutes of audio you will need to deal with each 74 or 80 minute segment separately. A CD can be any size from 0 to 80 minutes total.)

Then save the project. This is important because the CD audio code reads the project file for information. Now you are ready to burn the CD. Notice, that at this point, no 16-bit files have been created yet and no bounces were required. All changes were made in the VIP and your audio is in it's original format. The VIP determines what happens.

Finally, mark the range from track marker 1 through CD end. Then from the CD menu select "Make CD" and follow the dialog. There are options for dithering and CD burn speed.

Once your CD is created, you can import them into a new project using File->Load Audio CD Tracks or use ExactAudioCopy (which is my favorite for that). This I think is the fastest way to do this. You could also bounce each object to a 16-bit file, but that would take a bit more time.

There are different ways of doing things in the software. I'm not saying this is the only way or the correct way. It's just a quick way (having used the software for a good while I would recommend it).

Each 80 minute or less segment of audio can be dealt with in this manner. All you have to do to make a CD for each part is set your CD markers, set your end CD marker, save the project, mark the range and then and make CD.

Gordon

[panther65]

Boy I can't seem to get the hang of this program. I first tried loading the files via VIP mode. So now I have three files on my module window. The first file has the warm-up act, then DTB for about 10 minutes. The second file has 1.9 gb file and the third is the remainder of the show. I do my edits and bounce, but the bounced file has 1 or 2 second gaps between the two spots in the files where they were cut in my recorder. I don't see the magnet that Gordon talked about on my screen that would enable me to join these three files together.
I also loaded the three files via the non-VIP mode-I guess destructive and was able to join the files without a problem and do my edits, but when I go back and look for my master wav files, they are gone. Only take one is left. I can't figure out how to exit out of the program and keep my master files in this manner. The edited file that I renamed of course is there, but take 01, and take 02 are gone. How do I save the edited file and also not have my master files erased?

[Brian Skalinder]

I first tried loading the files via VIP mode. So now I have three files on my module window. The first file has the warm-up act, then DTB for about 10 minutes. The second file has 1.9 gb file and the third is the remainder of the show. I do my edits and bounce, but the bounced file has 1 or 2 second gaps between the two spots in the files where they were cut in my recorder. I don't see the magnet that Gordon talked about on my screen that would enable me to join these three files together.

It definitely has a steeper learning curve than other tools, but in the end it pays off, IMO.

General tips

With the cursor in Universal Mode (I believe the default, icon on the toolbar looks like a dotted red rectangle over a smaller black rectangle in which resides a blue waveform and next to which is a white arrow/pointer), clicking the top half of the waveform places the cursor, single-clicking the bottom half of the waveform selects the object, clicking and holding the bottom half of the waveform allows dragging / dropping.  Use Ctrl + left-click in the bottom half to select multiple objects, or Ctrl + A to select all objects.  With that in mind...

Add multiple source files, without gaps between them

(I have my toolbar customized, so I'll reference the menu options and/or keystrokes instead of buttons)

Create New Project

• Main Menu:  File | New Virtual Project
• Specify the project name, file path, number of tracks (1), and sample rate

Confirm / Set Configuration

• Main Menu:  View | Snap To | select Objects (should place a tick mark next to the Objects entry in the menu)
• Main Menu:  View | Snap Active (should place a tick mark next to the Snap Active entry in the menu)
• Main Menu:  Edit | Auto Crossfade active (when done, this option should not have a tick mark next to it in the menu)
  
  

Add Files

• Load file A (1st file):  File | Load Audio File (keystroke:  w)
• Left-click and hold the bottom half of the waveform in file A and drag it left as far as it will go (should be left-justified by default, but I included this step just in case)
• Load file B (2nd file):  File | Load Audio File (keystroke:  w)
• Left-click and hold the bottom half of the waveform in file B and drag it until the left edge of file B snaps into place with the right edge of file A (should do this by default, but it depends on where one has placed the cursor)
• Load file C (3rd file):  File | Load Audio File (keystroke:  w)
• Left-click and hold the bottom half of the waveform in file C and drag it until the left edge of file C snaps into place with the right edge of file B (should do this by default, but it depends on where one has placed the cursor)

I also loaded the three files via the non-VIP mode-I guess destructive and was able to join the files without a problem and do my edits, but when I go back and look for my master wav files, they are gone. Only take one is left. I can't figure out how to exit out of the program and keep my master files in this manner. The edited file that I renamed of course is there, but take 01, and take 02 are gone. How do I save the edited file and also not have my master files erased?

I don't do any work in destructive mode, so I can't answer that question specifically other than to say use the Virtual Project mode, which won't change your master files at all.

What edits are you doing?  If you need help, I can try to provide some details on how to accomplish the same edits in the Virtual Project mode.

[live2496]

I do my edits and bounce, but the bounced file has 1 or 2 second gaps between the two spots in the files where they were cut in my recorder. I don't see the magnet that Gordon talked about on my screen that would enable me to join these three files together.

It sounds like you are almost there, but you just need "snap to" set to on. Here is a picture of my toolbar, which is the default one you get when you install. Also, you will probably want auto-crossfade turned off. That's the button to the right next to the snap (magnet) button. It says "auto".



Another way to set these options is when you create a new project. There is a button in that dialog called "Project Options". You can turn "snap to" on and "auto-crossfade" off there.



Once that you have "snap to" set, your objects will jump into place as you drag them to the left.
This is sample accurate. I do this all the time when testing rectangular wave files recorded with Live2496.
You can either jump to (snap to) an object or to the cursor. Also, this is how I align a bounced file on one track so as to align it to the original file on another track. You just keep the cursor at that position and drag it until it snaps in place.