Jonathan Hallstrom

Having now learned that Max5 doesn't support SD2 format, I need to 

convert a lot of files to aiff. I've been wandering around the internet 

trying to find something that will do batch conversion and can't find 

anything that accepts SD2 files as input! (perhaps a comment on why 

Max5 dropped SD2!) This includes what appear to be the most-used apps 

Does anyone know of an OSX batch converter (preferably cheap or free) 

Having now learned that Max5 doesn't support SD2 format, I need to 
convert a lot of files to aiff.  I've been wandering around the internet 
trying to find something that will do batch conversion and can't find 
anything that accepts SD2 files as input!  (perhaps a comment on why 
Max5 dropped SD2!) This includes what appear to be the most-used apps 
(Switch and Max)

Does anyone know of an OSX batch converter (preferably cheap or free) 
that accepts SD2 files as input?

-- 
Jon Hallstrom
Dept. of Music, Colby College
5674 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME  04901
207-859-5674


batch-file-conversion

On 04/06/2008 17:10, "Jon Hallstrom" wrote:

> Having now learned that Max5 doesn't support SD2 format, I need to

> convert a lot of files to aiff. I've been wandering around the internet

> trying to find something that will do batch conversion and can't find

> anything that accepts SD2 files as input! (perhaps a comment on why

> Max5 dropped SD2!) This includes what appear to be the most-used apps

> Does anyone know of an OSX batch converter (preferably cheap or free)

On 04/06/2008 17:10, "Jon Hallstrom"  wrote:

> Having now learned that Max5 doesn't support SD2 format, I need to
> convert a lot of files to aiff.  I've been wandering around the internet
> trying to find something that will do batch conversion and can't find
> anything that accepts SD2 files as input!  (perhaps a comment on why
> Max5 dropped SD2!) This includes what appear to be the most-used apps
> (Switch and Max)
>
> Does anyone know of an OSX batch converter (preferably cheap or free)
> that accepts SD2 files as input?
>

This may be be a stupid question, but if I import SD2 files into iTunes, 

they get compressed and turned into AAC (MPEG4) files. As near as I can 

tell, there's no way to export alternative file formats from iTunes. Am 

> On 04/06/2008 17:10, "Jon Hallstrom" wrote:

>> Having now learned that Max5 doesn't support SD2 format, I need to

>> convert a lot of files to aiff. I've been wandering around the internet

>> trying to find something that will do batch conversion and can't find

>> anything that accepts SD2 files as input! (perhaps a comment on why

>> Max5 dropped SD2!) This includes what appear to be the most-used apps

>> Does anyone know of an OSX batch converter (preferably cheap or free)

This may be be a stupid question, but if I import SD2 files into iTunes, 
they get compressed and turned into AAC (MPEG4) files.  As near as I can 
tell, there's no way to export alternative file formats from iTunes.  Am 
I missing something?

Roger Carruthers wrote:
> iTunes! 
> Cheers
> Roger
>
>
> On 04/06/2008 17:10, "Jon Hallstrom"  wrote:
>
>
>> Having now learned that Max5 doesn't support SD2 format, I need to
>> convert a lot of files to aiff.  I've been wandering around the internet
>> trying to find something that will do batch conversion and can't find
>> anything that accepts SD2 files as input!  (perhaps a comment on why
>> Max5 dropped SD2!) This includes what appear to be the most-used apps
>> (Switch and Max)
>>
>> Does anyone know of an OSX batch converter (preferably cheap or free)
>> that accepts SD2 files as input?
>>
>>
>
>
>
>

In preferences under advanced, importing, import using, you can choose between different formats.

Not sure what you consider cheap, but at 90 bucks this one is a pretty good deal. Nice feature set.

http://www.audiofile-engineering.com/samplemanager/index.php

Not sure what you consider cheap, but at 90 bucks this one is a pretty good deal. Nice feature set.
http://www.audiofile-engineering.com/samplemanager/index.php
cheers,
Jim


Not sure whether it's worth the server cycles to keep this thread going, 

but since it's possible that SD2-aiff batch conversion is something that 

may be useful to anyone who's stuck with a lot of SD2 files Max5 won't 

parse, I'll take the thread another iteration...

It seems to me that there must be a utility out there that doesn't cost 

a bundle that will do the job. iTunes doesn't convert the files upon 

import; you have to manually select them and choose "convert selection 

to aiff" once they've been imported. The conversion then makes copies 

of the originals, gives them the same name and puts them in the main 

library (whaaa?) ... You then have to find them within all the other 

tunes in the library and drag them out... rather convoluted and 

confusing if you're dealing with lots of files.

Matthias suggests Max (great name huh?), but like Switch it doesn't open 

SD2 files. AudiaHub ($19) does appear to accept SD2 but mysteriously 

refused to recognize about half the SD2 files I tried to open.

Not sure whether it's worth the server cycles to keep this thread going, 
but since it's possible that SD2-aiff batch conversion is something that 
may be useful to anyone who's stuck with a lot of SD2 files Max5 won't 
parse, I'll take the thread another iteration...

It seems to me that there must be a utility out there that doesn't cost 
a bundle that will do the job. iTunes doesn't convert the files upon 
import; you have to manually select them and choose "convert selection 
to aiff" once they've been imported.  The conversion then makes copies 
of the originals, gives them the same name and puts them in the main 
library (whaaa?) ... You then have to find them within all the other 
tunes in the library and drag them out... rather convoluted and 
confusing if you're dealing with lots of files.

Matthias suggests Max (great name huh?), but like Switch it doesn't open 
SD2 files.  AudiaHub ($19) does appear to accept SD2 but mysteriously 
refused to recognize about half the SD2 files I tried to open.

If you just want to convert one file at a time, soundhack is free and 

will do it for you. Amadeus Pro for $40 will do batch conversions. I 

have Amadeus Pro but because I don't have any SD2 files I can't speak 

On 4-Jun-08, at 9:36 PM, Jon Hallstrom wrote:

> Not sure whether it's worth the server cycles to keep this thread 

> going, but since it's possible that SD2-aiff batch conversion is 

> something that may be useful to anyone who's stuck with a lot of SD2 

> files Max5 won't parse, I'll take the thread another iteration...

> It seems to me that there must be a utility out there that doesn't 

> cost a bundle that will do the job. iTunes doesn't convert the files 

> upon import; you have to manually select them and choose "convert 

> selection to aiff" once they've been imported. The conversion then 

> makes copies of the originals, gives them the same name and puts 

> them in the main library (whaaa?) ... You then have to find them 

> within all the other tunes in the library and drag them out... 

> rather convoluted and confusing if you're dealing with lots of files.

> Matthias suggests Max (great name huh?), but like Switch it doesn't 

> open SD2 files. AudiaHub ($19) does appear to accept SD2 but 

> mysteriously refused to recognize about half the SD2 files I tried 

If you just want to convert one file at a time, soundhack is free and  
will do it for you. Amadeus Pro for $40 will do batch conversions. I  
have Amadeus Pro but because I don't have any SD2 files I can't speak  
to how reliable the conversion might be.

> Not sure whether it's worth the server cycles to keep this thread  
> going, but since it's possible that SD2-aiff batch conversion is  
> something that may be useful to anyone who's stuck with a lot of SD2  
> files Max5 won't parse, I'll take the thread another iteration...
>
> It seems to me that there must be a utility out there that doesn't  
> cost a bundle that will do the job. iTunes doesn't convert the files  
> upon import; you have to manually select them and choose "convert  
> selection to aiff" once they've been imported.  The conversion then  
> makes copies of the originals, gives them the same name and puts  
> them in the main library (whaaa?) ... You then have to find them  
> within all the other tunes in the library and drag them out...  
> rather convoluted and confusing if you're dealing with lots of files.
>
> Matthias suggests Max (great name huh?), but like Switch it doesn't  
> open SD2 files.  AudiaHub ($19) does appear to accept SD2 but  
> mysteriously refused to recognize about half the SD2 files I tried  
> to open.
>
> Anyone else got any other suggestions?
>
>
> -- 
> Jon Hallstrom
> Dept. of Music, Colby College
> 5674 Mayflower Hill
> Waterville, ME  04901
> 207-859-5674
>


Also, with Itunes you can disable 'Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library' under Advanced -> General preferences.

This will cut down on the amount of files you have to deal with.

When I use iTunes for stuff like this (I try not to), I make a playlist for the tracks I'm importing. I bring them in, convert them and then ctrl+click on a file and use the 'show in finder' to locate it. Also sorting by Date Added will make it easy to keep track of the files.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a number of DAWs can handle these kinds of tasks, if you have one already. I know Pro Tools and Logic can both import a large number of files and then export in a different format.

Obviously this stuff is more work than just a drag and drop, but you get what you pay for. And don't forget to count the time you spend looking for a free app, as opposed to simply biting the bullet and using what you have.

Also look into AudioFinder. Not free, but great for a lot of different things.

Also, with Itunes you can disable 'Copy files to iTunes Music folder when adding to library' under Advanced -> General preferences.  

This will cut down on the amount of files you have to deal with.
When I use iTunes for stuff like this (I try not to), I make a playlist for the tracks I'm importing. I bring them in, convert them and then ctrl+click on a file and use the 'show in finder' to locate it. Also sorting by Date Added will make it easy to keep track of the files.

Another thing to keep in mind is that a number of DAWs can handle these kinds of tasks, if you have one already. I know Pro Tools and Logic can both import a large number of files and then export in a different format. 

Obviously this stuff is more work than just a drag and drop, but you get what you pay for. And don't forget to count the time you spend looking for a free app, as opposed to simply biting the bullet and using what you have. 

Also look into AudioFinder. Not free, but great for a lot of different things.


On Jun 4, 2008, at 8:36 PM, Jon Hallstrom wrote:

Chris Muir
cbm@well.com	
http://www.xfade.com

If you have access to a Classic machine, SoundApp was

Iirc, you don't actually have to boot into OS9 to run

it for simple batch conversions, it will work under

If you have access to a Classic machine, SoundApp was
always great for this sort of thing.
 Iirc, you don't actually have to boot into OS9 to run
it for simple batch conversions, it will work under
Classic,
cheers
Roger


> This may be be a stupid question, but if I import SD2 files into iTunes, 

> they get compressed and turned into AAC (MPEG4) files. As near as I can 

> tell, there's no way to export alternative file formats from iTunes. Am 

yes, the preferences. Its hidden under advanced-import or something. You 

can convert to aiff, to mp3, to aac etc....

Jon Hallstrom schrieb:
> This may be be a stupid question, but if I import SD2 files into iTunes, 
> they get compressed and turned into AAC (MPEG4) files.  As near as I can 
> tell, there's no way to export alternative file formats from iTunes.  Am 
> I missing something?

yes, the preferences. Its hidden under advanced-import or something. You 
can convert to aiff, to mp3, to aac etc....

-- 
Stefan Tiedje------------x-------
--_____-----------|--------------
--(_|_ ----|-----|-----()-------
-- _|_)----|-----()--------------
----------()--------www.ccmix.com


You can build your own batch processor in Max 4.6.3. Might be patched 

together faster than looking for a ready to go solution and learn it...

(import message to a buffer~ and save it...)

Jon Hallstrom schrieb:
> Anyone else got any other suggestions?

You can build your own batch processor in Max 4.6.3. Might be patched 
together faster than looking for a ready to go solution and learn it...
(import message to a buffer~ and save it...)

Hi, you might try my miTunes which can be used as a batch converter.

A bit flakey and old now and I'm not maintaining it but it worked for 

me when I used to use it, though I was not sure that quicktime is all 

that great at file conversion. Seemed to leave bits and bobs in the 

On 10 Jun 2008, at 17:55, Stefan Tiedje wrote:

>> This may be be a stupid question, but if I import SD2 files into 

>> iTunes, they get compressed and turned into AAC (MPEG4) files. As 

>> near as I can tell, there's no way to export alternative file 

>> formats from iTunes. Am I missing something?

> yes, the preferences. Its hidden under advanced-import or 

> something. You can convert to aiff, to mp3, to aac etc....

Hi, you might try my miTunes which can be used as a batch converter.
A bit flakey and old now and I'm not maintaining it but it worked for  
me when I used to use it, though I was not sure that quicktime is all  
that great at file conversion. Seemed to leave bits and bobs in the  
sound files sometimes;
http://tinpark.com/miTunes
Cheers
Martin~

> Jon Hallstrom schrieb:
>> This may be be a stupid question, but if I import SD2 files into  
>> iTunes, they get compressed and turned into AAC (MPEG4) files.  As  
>> near as I can tell, there's no way to export alternative file  
>> formats from iTunes.  Am I missing something?
>
> yes, the preferences. Its hidden under advanced-import or  
> something. You can convert to aiff, to mp3, to aac etc....
>
> -- 
> Stefan Tiedje------------x-------
> --_____-----------|--------------
> --(_|_ ----|-----|-----()-------
> -- _|_)----|-----()--------------
> ----------()--------www.ccmix.com
>


Thanks for your suggestion. Silly that I didn't think of it myself. As 

it turns out, I got a copy of a program called AudioFinder (recommended 

by another Maxer) that does batch conversion of sound files and also 

allows sophisticated searching and organizing specifically directed at 

sound files. I'm replying with this info primarily because others with 

lots of sound files (who, like me, might well have forgotten where they 

put them!) might be interested in an application that helps find and 

>> Anyone else got any other suggestions?

> You can build your own batch processor in Max 4.6.3. Might be patched 

> together faster than looking for a ready to go solution and learn it...

> (import message to a buffer~ and save it...)

Thanks for your suggestion.  Silly that I didn't think of it myself.  As 
it turns out, I got a copy of a program called AudioFinder (recommended 
by another Maxer) that does batch conversion of sound files and also 
allows sophisticated searching and organizing specifically directed at 
sound files.  I'm replying with this info primarily because others with 
lots of sound files (who, like me, might well have forgotten where they 
put them!) might be interested in an application that helps find and 
organize them.

Stefan Tiedje wrote:
> Jon Hallstrom schrieb:
>> Anyone else got any other suggestions?
>
> You can build your own batch processor in Max 4.6.3. Might be patched 
> together faster than looking for a ready to go solution and learn it...
> (import message to a buffer~ and save it...)
>
> Stefan
>

Just received some spam from macheist.com and i notice that they're including SoundStudio in their latest bundle, which makes the price pretty attractive. 

Never used it myself, but i have a colleague who likes it a lot, and i notice it claims to be able to do batch conversions.

Just received some spam from macheist.com and i notice that they're including SoundStudio in their latest bundle, which makes the price pretty attractive. 
Never used it myself, but i have a colleague who likes it a lot, and i notice it claims to be able to do batch conversions.
cheers
Roger


Batch file conversion