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Timecode Audio
Greetings. So I own a Sound Devices 744T hard disk audio recorder and I have a question about audio sync in Vegas. The 744T has full timecode implementation and the ability to write said timecode into .bwf files. Now if I sync my audio timecode to the video timecode, is there an easy way to sync the audio files with the video files within Vegas? I’ve yet to be able to work with a camera that has the ability to sync up with my recorder, but once I do, I want to make sure that this is doable. I’m hoping this can be done within Vegas, otherwise, should I be barking up the Protools tree? Thanks in advance for any help that can be provided.
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4 Replies
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I just loaded some bwfs and was hoping to see the timcode on the timeline events, but no go.
How about using a clapboard? Low-tech but this has worked since the 1920s. (though not nearly as elegant as what you are trying to do).
Gary Kleiner
Learn Vegas and DVD Architect
http://www.VegasTrainingAndTools.com
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Well, a slate is a great tool to be sure (especially a timecode slate), but I have a feature coming up that they’re wanting me to do sound on, as well as edit and they’re giving me exactly one month to get it edited, so I’m really searching for ways to hurry up as many aspects of this as possible, plus the thought of hand syncing all of the audio for a feature is something I’d rather try to avoid (I’ve had to do it in the past – not a huge deal, but still takes extra time and it’s just generally a big annoyance). I know that Protools has a digital video kit available, so I’m wondering if I’m going to have to bite the bullet and get a Digi 002, but I’d rather have everything work in Vegas since it’s what I use on a day to day basis. Again, thank you for any help.
-Jeff Deel
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Just went through the complete production workflow on this, and have tested a few post workflows.
Vegas will import a 2-ch. bwf that has been renamed to .wav via file | import | bwf. It will place it on the timeline at the initial timestamp of the file. The initial timestamp will also be visible in media properties.
Two open source/freeware utilities will help – fostex has a splitter utility that will take a 4-ch. recording down to 1-ch. bwfs with .wav extensions. You’d import these to vegas as above, timecode info is still present. Download it here.
Vegas will not allow opening a bwf or wav over the arbitrary 2GB limit, but Audacity will. Also, you can drag and drop a full 4-ch. 744 bwf onto audacity and it will open. However, Audacity does not expose the timecode stamp, and also saves only to a straight .wav, but is handy for auditioning and utility work.
Now we come to video – there is a pref to view event timecode right on clip thumbnails on the timeline. You might establish rough sync by importing a bwf and then dropping a video clip using reference timecode from the beginning of the bwf.
All this gets you close – in my humble opinion you must have reference audio from the camcorder as well. Then, turn off quantize to frames and slip the 744 audio until you have perfect sync. And then don’t forget to turn quantize back on before cutting video.
Now group the 744 audio with the video clip and move it where you want. Good idea to enable the 2GB recording limit on the 744 as well.
BTW, I did time-of-day timecode on the 744 and a couple Sony Z1s.
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thanks for bwf tips and tricks.
gordan antic
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