Exporting OMF files

OMF (Open Media Format) files are designed for cross-platform compatibility. For more information about the OMF format, see Importing OMF projects.

If you plan to export a SONAR project to another program that can read OMF files, it pays to consider three things before you start your SONAR project:

Sample rate and audio bit depth of the target system

Number of tracks the target system can handle

SONAR and most other audio programs do not include video in the OMF file

To export a project as an OMF file

1.	Select File > Export > OMF.

The Export OMF dialog box appears.

2.	Enter a File Name (maximum 64 characters—SONAR limits name length for ISO CDR compatibility), and in the Save As Type field, choose OMF Version 1 or 2. Most applications expect Version 2, but check with your engineer.

3.	Audio Packaging: usually you should choose Embed Audio Within OMF, which includes the audio data in the OMF file. But you should check with your engineer.

4.	Split Stereo Tracks Into Dual Mono. See what your engineer wants. If exporting a 24-bit project to a Pro Tools system, enable Split Stereo Tracks Into Dual Mono, as some Pro Tools systems do not support 24-bit interleaved stereo files.

5.	Include Archived Tracks. You can choose to include archived tracks in your exported file.

6.

Mix Each Groove Clip As A Separate Clip. If you have several Groove Clips in a track SONAR exports them as one clip unless you check this option. If you check this option, SONAR has to do a separate export operation for each Groove Clip in the track, which is very time-consuming. If you only have one Groove Clip in a track, and you have rolled out numerous repetitions of the clip, SONAR exports a single clip that is the length of the original clip and all the repetitions, which is not a time-consuming operation.

7.	Audio Format. Ask your engineer what format the studio uses, Windows (RIFF Wave) or Mac (AIFC).

8.	Click the Save button.

9.	SONAR exports the project as an OMF file. In the Save as Type field, select the OMF version you want to save the project as. Version 1 is compatible with older applications. See your target application’s documentation for information on which version it supports.

Note: OMF files save the following: Tracks Clip positions Slip edits Fades and crossfades (as destructive edits) The following information is discarded: Volume Pan Automation Effects