Last updated 17 Nov 08
Most of us are well used now to digital editing, so it's just a matter of learning how to copy digital audio files from our compact flash recorders into our preferred editing program. I'll post advice here as it comes to me, so practical advice is welcome.
(A) Digidesign Pro Tools:
My preferred system, which is why you'll find a whole page with some options for getting into Pro Tools economically. It's also the standard system in BBC Manchester's network radio departments. Pro Tools Free is still available for older PCs and Macs. Or spend under £100 on second-hand sound-card and upgraded software. Or about £175 to £ 250 on one of the "M-Box" family of sound interfaces with the latest software.
To import audio files into Pro Tools [steps vary slightly depending on version of PT]:
1.open Pro Tools and start a "New Session".
2. connect up your recorder by USB cable, or remove compact flash card and insert into computer's card-reader
3. copy your sound-files across to the "Audio Files" folder in your new Pro Tools session (good idea to back up your audio files to CD/DVD at this point)
4. go back into Pro Tools and click the top of the "Regions" list at the right-hand side.
5. in the menu, select "import audio", and in the box that appears select all your new Wav files
6. click "done" and they will all be imported into the region list, where you can drag and drop them onto the editing tracks
(B) Sadie:
BBC London's preferred system, and increasingly integrated with the VCS Digital Production System. Large numbers of producers getting cut-down Sadie system on their desktop computers. Entry level is the "BB2" interface with "Sadie Light" software at around £650 -- much more expensive and fewer facilities than Pro Tools LE.
(C) Adobe Audtion:
built up a very large and loyal following as "Cool Edit" but sadly the cheaper versions are no longer available. No dedicated hardware, and the software starts at around £250 incl VAT
To import audio files into Audition/Cool Edit:
1. connect up your recorder by USB cable, or remove compact flash card and insert into computer's card-reader
2. copy your sound-files across to a suitable folder in your computer (good idea to back up your audio files to CD/DVD at this point)
3. start Cool Edit/Audition, and open up the Wav files as needed
(D) Audacity
I've not used this enough to comment on it, but it's being touted as the ideal replacement for Cool Edit. It's free at the sourceforge website and comes in PC, Mac, Linux and other variants. Well worth a look!