OT: Cui Bono EDL Convert support

[Dave Labrecque]

Anyone know how to go about getting a new unlock code for the old EDL Convert program? I'm trying to unlock it on my new computer, and the email I sent to the last good email address I have for Axel Gutzler at Cui Bono Soft is apparently no longer valid. I communicated with him in February 2008, when he said they'd continue to try to help old customers if problems came up.

I could just keep reinstalling it every 30 days, but... :(

[TotalSonic]

Anyone know how to go about getting a new unlock code for the old EDL Convert program? I'm trying to unlock it on my new computer, and the email I sent to the last good email address I have for Axel Gutzler at Cui Bono Soft is apparently no longer valid. I communicated with him in February 2008, when he said they'd continue to try to help old customers if problems came up.

I could just keep reinstalling it every 30 days, but... :(

Dave - unfortunately afaik you are out of luck. Cuibono sold all of it's assets to SSL and is out of business itself. So afaik there is no company out there that can actually provide you an activation code - short of repurchasing the software (now known as SSL Pro Convert, and featuring a number of updates from the Cuibono version) from SSL. It's possible SSL will give you a discount on your purchase based on your Cuibono serial number - but I'm not sure about this. Seems worth inquiring on this though. http://www.solid-state-logic.com/post/pro-convert/

Anyway - scenarios like this are just one more reason why I'm extremely grateful that Bob has never used a copy protection scheme on any of his products.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Dave Labrecque]

Dave - unfortunately afaik you are out of luck. Cuibono sold all of it's assets to SSL and is out of business itself. So afaik there is no company out there that can actually provide you an activation code - short of repurchasing the software (now known as SSL Pro Convert, and featuring a number of updates from the Cuibono version) from SSL. It's possible SSL will give you a discount on your purchase based on your Cuibono serial number - but I'm not sure about this. Seems worth inquiring on this though. http://www.solid-state-logic.com/post/pro-convert/

Anyway - scenarios like this are just one more reason why I'm extremely grateful that Bob has never used a copy protection scheme on any of his products.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

Well, I knew they'd sold to SSL, but I had the impression that they'd still provide some basic support to 'legacy' users. Of course, that was the impression I got three years ago. :o

I think I'd rather re-install every 30 days than pay more money. I only use it for OMF-to-SAWStudio conversions these days. I'm also going to look into using PT to import OMFs, then I could always consolidate for SS import. As it is, EDL Convert doesn't preserve any mix info, let alone automation info, in the converted SSL EDL, so it's not doing a whole lot more than providing multi-channel sync audio transfer.

UPDATE: BTW -- I'd used the register@ email address that the software tells you to use in attaining an unlock code, but I just found a different (support@) email address -- the one I'd used to correspond with Axel in early 2008. I'm trying that one, now. I'm not optimistic, but what the hey...

[TotalSonic]

Well, I knew they'd sold to SSL, but I had the impression that they'd still provide some basic support to 'legacy' users. Of course, that was the impression I got three years ago. :o

I think I'd rather re-install every 30 days than pay more money. I only use it for OMF-to-SAWStudio conversions these days. I'm also going to look into using PT to import OMFs, then I could always consolidate for SS import. As it is, EDL Convert doesn't preserve any mix info, let alone automation info, in the converted SSL EDL, so it's not doing a whole lot more than providing multi-channel sync audio transfer.

UPDATE: BTW -- I'd used the register@ email address that the software tells you to use in attaining an unlock code, but I just found a different (support@) email address -- the one I'd used to correspond with Axel in early 2008. I'm trying that one, now. I'm not optimistic, but what the hey...

If you are sending these to the old cuibono-soft.com url be aware that there's just a generic domain place holder page on there now!

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Dave Labrecque]

If you are sending these to the old cuibono-soft.com url be aware that there's just a generic domain place holder page on there now!

Best regards,
Steve Berson

Hmmm... I think I knew that. I guess that pretty much guarantees the email addresses to that domain are no good no mo'. :(

[Richard Rupert]

....and should you want to get a fully functioning program (or, at least a promised to be soon fully functioning in SAWStudio) you could consider the very reasonably priced AA Translator. http://www.aatranslator.com.au/

[Runaway]

....and should you want to get a fully functioning program (or, at least a promised to be soon fully functioning in SAWStudio) you could consider the very reasonably priced AA Translator. http://www.aatranslator.com.au/

Thanks Richard. Contrary to popular belief work has progressed on the 'export to saw studio' functionality in AATranslator.

We have just been so flat out with support, new formats and quite frankly stupid PT idiosyncracies - we lost about a week (or maybe it just felt like it when there is no sleep) trying to debug PT's crazy pre/post xfades.
sigh....

We also have a huge unrelated audio conversion app that has been consuming resources like there is no tomorrow.

But we continue to chip away.

[Richard Rupert]

Thanks Richard. Contrary to popular belief work has progressed on the 'export to saw studio' functionality in AATranslator.

We have just been so flat out with support, new formats and quite frankly stupid PT idiosyncracies - we lost about a week (or maybe it just felt like it when there is no sleep) trying to debug PT's crazy pre/post xfades.
sigh....

We also have a huge unrelated audio conversion app that has been consuming resources like there is no tomorrow.

But we continue to chip away.
Good to hear (the part about progress on the SAWStudio front, not the PT issues :))

@Dave: did you look at this program?

[Dave Labrecque]

Good to hear (the part about progress on the SAWStudio front, not the PT issues :))

@Dave: did you look at this program?

A little. Hard to tell what kind of parameters will be importable to SAW from OMF. That's what I'm all about. Do you know the skinny?

[Richard Rupert]

A little. Hard to tell what kind of parameters will be importable to SAW from OMF. That's what I'm all about. Do you know the skinny?
My understanding is that not many of the conversions from SAWStudio to other formats are yet implemented, but plans are definitely in place to do so. As for as the other way, I don't think they're very far along, but working on it.

You can e-mail Michael at the company (through the link on the website-- the URL is in my earlier post) and he is very good at responding. I have a feeling it's going to be a company that is service based, much like SAWStudio. I'm sure he will address any specific questions you have.

[Runaway]

A little. Hard to tell what kind of parameters will be importable to SAW from OMF. That's what I'm all about. Do you know the skinny?

Despite what Avid/Didgy say and what most people think about OMF IMO its is the worst format and the most convoluted one at that - well not mentioning AAF that is.

So going from SAW to OMF you really only get what OMF is capable of which is pretty well just the basics and that really depends on which DAW is reading it.

If it was me I would go via a format which had a bit more substance eg going to PT I would choose PT5 - sure its old but it will do BPM, all the track envelopes, fades, markers and heaps more than OMF was ever designed to do.

BTW I have allocated the writing of the SAW format to the same team member who produced our OMF format. I have handed over the current code that has been developed so far and that is now his priority.

More soon.

[Runaway]

My understanding is that not many of the conversions from SAWStudio to other formats are yet implemented, but plans are definitely in place to do so. As for as the other way, I don't think they're very far along, but working on it.

You can e-mail Michael at the company (through the link on the website-- the URL is in my earlier post) and he is very good at responding. I have a feeling it's going to be a company that is service based, much like SAWStudio. I'm sure he will address any specific questions you have.


Thats not quite right.

The way it works is that if we implement a format ie if we have that format as one that can be imported than it can be exported (ie converted) to any of our currently supported export formats.

So currently you can convert a SAW Studio session to Reaper, PT, Samplitude, Cubase, Audition, Logic, OMF, etc etc etc.
Now that we have got the new Audition CS5.5 format implemented an export to SAW Studio session format is now a priority.

BTW Sorry I haven't had a chance to reply earlier - sometimes we miss these posts but by all means don't hesitate to ask - the only stupid question is the one not asked - LOL

[Sean McCoy]

So currently you can convert a SAW Studio session to Reaper, PT, Samplitude, Cubase, Audition, Logic, OMF, etc etc etc.
Really? Logic? I don't see that on your list outside of the OMF options. Does the software really export a SAWStudio EDL directly to a Logic file? My needs usually involve going the other direction, but this still makes the program more attractive to me (I have the full SSL program).

[Runaway]

Really? Logic? I don't see that on your list outside of the OMF options. Does the software really export a SAWStudio EDL directly to a Logic file? My needs usually involve going the other direction, but this still makes the program more attractive to me (I have the full SSL program).

As I recall Logic will import both OpenTL & OMF files.

If you want to send me a SAW Studio session I'd be happy to convert it for you.
Only catch is that in order for an optimal conversion AAT needs access to the audio as the OpenTL format will expect the audio to be in certain sub folders and AAT will copy it to those folders.

Anyway - email me directly if I can be of more help

Edit: There is a conversion chart which you can download from the web site

Download Session Capabilities Conversion Table (XLS) (http://www.aatranslator.com.au/ccount/click.php?id=7)

[Dave Labrecque]

Despite what Avid/Didgy say and what most people think about OMF IMO its is the worst format and the most convoluted one at that - well not mentioning AAF that is.

So going from SAW to OMF you really only get what OMF is capable of which is pretty well just the basics and that really depends on which DAW is reading it.

If it was me I would go via a format which had a bit more substance eg going to PT I would choose PT5 - sure its old but it will do BPM, all the track envelopes, fades, markers and heaps more than OMF was ever designed to do.

BTW I have allocated the writing of the SAW format to the same team member who produced our OMF format. I have handed over the current code that has been developed so far and that is now his priority.

More soon.

Thanks for the update. Looking good.

My need, though, is OMF to SAW. I work with video folks using Final Cut. They send me OMFs of their audio, and I take it from there. It'd be nice if I could start with their preliminary mix settings, but instead I have to re-do all that work from scratch. My current work flow is to take the OMF and convert it to a SAWStudio EDL using Cui Bono's EDL Convert. But all the mix info is lost and even the inter-region crossfades don't translate correctly. :( All I really get is the sync and editing.

For this reason I'm looking at moving audio post work for such projects over to another program, which, hopefully, will import more OMF info.

[Sean McCoy]

As I recall Logic will import both OpenTL & OMF files.

If you want to send me a SAW Studio session I'd be happy to convert it for you.
Only catch is that in order for an optimal conversion AAT needs access to the audio as the OpenTL format will expect the audio to be in certain sub folders and AAT will copy it to those folders.

Anyway - email me directly if I can be of more help

Edit: There is a conversion chart which you can download from the web site


Download Session Capabilities Conversion Table (XLS) (http://www.aatranslator.com.au/ccount/click.php?id=7)

Thanks, I already have Pro Convert so I can do the conversion-of-a-conversion thing. Your specific mention of Logic just piqued my interest as a direct Logic-to-SAWStudio conversion would be pretty cool. Not something that would be in high demand, though, I'm sure.

[Runaway]

Thanks for the update. Looking good.

But all the mix info is lost and even the inter-region crossfades don't translate correctly. :( All I really get is the sync and editing.

For this reason I'm looking at moving audio post work for such projects over to another program, which, hopefully, will import more OMF info.
If you will still be getting your work via OMF then you will have the same problem - its the OMF format and the implementation of both the writing and reading daw. With OMF it is best not to expect too much in order to avoid disappointment ;-)

Welcome to the perpetual Avid/Dodgy/PT con game - LOL

[Dave Labrecque]

If you will still be getting your work via OMF then you will have the same problem - its the OMF format and the implementation of both the writing and reading daw. With OMF it is best not to expect too much in order to avoid disappointment ;-)

Welcome to the perpetual Avid/Dodgy/PT con game - LOL

Are you saying that Final Cut > OMF > PT (for example) won't deliver volume and pan info any better than Final Cut > OMF > Cui Bono > SAWStudio?

How do folks get pan and volume info from Final Cut into a DAW, typically?

[Runaway]

Are you saying that Final Cut > OMF > PT (for example) won't deliver volume and pan info any better than Final Cut > OMF > Cui Bono > SAWStudio?

How do folks get pan and volume info from Final Cut into a DAW, typically?

FCP is probably one of the better implementations - FCP can give the usual clip sync info and fades as well as clip & pan envelope. No track pan or track volume.

Now just because this info may present in this omf that doesn't mean that it will be read by all daws - you may get far less than that. And of course the reverse is the same.

You may get better results using FCP XML - some tests might prove fruitful?

This conversion chart on our web site might be useful.

http://www.aatranslator.com.au/ccount/click.php?id=7

[Dave Labrecque]

FCP is probably one of the better implementations - FCP can give the usual clip sync info and fades as well as clip & pan envelope. No track pan or track volume.

Now just because this info may present in this omf that doesn't mean that it will be read by all daws - you may get far less than that. And of course the reverse is the same.

You may get better results using FCP XML - some tests might prove fruitful?

This conversion chart on our web site might be useful.

http://www.aatranslator.com.au/ccount/click.php?id=7

OK, thanks. I guess experimentation is the key. If only the FCC would regulate this OMF thing, we could rest assured. ;)

[Runaway]

Just an update.

We have only recently finished a huge conversion app called Ses2Sesx (yes I know - all the good names were already taken) which converts all CEP & Audition SES files (including vsts and internal fx) to Audition CS5.5. This has taken us months but has at last been released.

Finally we added Audition CS5.5 to our next release due out within the week. In the meantime we have been working on a SAW export function unfortunately when we add an export function it has to work for every other possible import function that we currently support.

Unfortunately work of this nature takes a fair while but it is steadily progressing.

As to what will get converted to a SAW EDL will depend entirely on what the source session file (eg OMF) contains and as we know OMF is probably the worst format you could use for import but thats another story.

So once finished if you were importing from say a PT7, 8 or 9 session file you would at least get track names, clips/regions in their correct location, fades, markers, bpm and whatever else was compatible with a SAW EDL.

More later.

[Richard Rupert]

Thanks for continuing to support SAW... will keep watching your progress with interest! :)