Naming Audio Files

[Peter Moretti]

I'm working with some footage and am renaming some of the audio files to make them easier to identify by only their name.

I am wondering if there is any file length limit from a postproduction perspective that I should be aware of? For example, are audio files normally limited to 8 characters to XMLs and AAFs work smoothly. Or is there really no concern in this regard?

I ask b/c I am used to seeing audio files with very short filenames, i.e. 8 characters or less.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Marc Wielage]

I think it's generally a very bad name to rename audio files if this is part of a film or TV production. You can always change metadata, but don't change the file name. (The same holds true for camera file names, even when they're weird and nonsensical. Just leave them alone and worry about the metadata, the creation date, and the timecode.)

There are sound recorders like the Sound Devices machines that actually name the file "Scene Number-Take Number" as part of the process, so you will get "41A-2.WAV" and stuff like that, automatically. But I think it's a bad idea to change file names after the fact.

I think 8-character file names went away with Windows98 and Mac OS9, so I wouldn't worry about it. I think reasonable choices should be made so that you don't wind up with incredibly long file names. This is a much bigger issue in the VFX business, particularly when versions, revisions, and different layers are involved.

I would point to John Purcell's Dialogue Editing for Motion Pictures: The Invisible Art as being a good resource on things like how file files are named throughout the process. Another good overview of workflow in general is Scott Arundale's Modern Post: Workflow & Techniques for Digital Filmmakers, which provides a good look at editing, sound, mixing, VFX, and color and how everything comes together in the post process. File naming is part of that whole process.

 

[Peter Moretti]

Thanks much Marc, I appreciate being pointed to these resources! BTW, a SoundDevices recorder was used. And they have a program called Wave Agent that can "safely" change file names and their associated metadata.

 

[Marc Wielage]

Thanks much Marc, I appreciate being pointed to these resources! BTW, a SoundDevices recorder was used. And they have a program called Wave Agent that can "safely" change file names and their associated metadata.

Yes, I've used Wave Agent for many years and it's a terrific program -- it would be worth $50-$60 if that's what they charged for it, but SD is kind enough to just give it away for free. And the SD recorders are also top-notch and actually do record filenames with Scene-Take info (if you designate it to do so).