Audio Convert

 

The AudioCvt program is an Audio Converter that allows one to convert from one audio format to another. In addition to format conversion, sample rate, bit rate and normalization are also available.  

This program is a purchase option and is listed as Audio Conversion on the ENCO Security Key.

NOTE: Converting to MPEG Layer 3 requires "MP3 Encode" support on the ENCO Security Key in addition to the "Audio Conversion" option.

AudioCvt is also commonly called MPEG Convert. It can be used as a standalone application or can be used in conjunction with DAD or Gateway.

  •         When installed as Audio Convert (MPEG Convert) the application will be installed and run from the C:\DAD\AudioCvt directory.

  •         When installed with DAD the application will be installed and run from the C:\DAD\AudioCvt directory.

  •         When installed with Gateway the application will be installed and run from C:\Gateway\Transfer directory  
Users can right click on a cut within the DAD Library screen and select ‘Send to AudioCvt’. The selected cut will then be converted based upon the settings within AudioCvt.  
One can also have the DAD Ripper send the ripped files through the AudioCvt program. This allows one to change the Sample Rate for the audio files. As with the Library conversion, the convert will be based upon the settings within the AudioCvt program.   
Users of Gateway / Dist can also benefit from the AudioCvt application. The Cut Range , Playlist and User setup rules offer a check box option to Convert Format. Checking this will force the audio files to be converted before sending them to another location.

 

 

The AudioCvt application has many options available to the user. An overview of these options and buttons are listed .

 

 

 

Source Button

Pressing the Source button will open the ‘Select Source File’ screen. From here one can select a specific audio file to be loaded and converted.

 
Users also have the ability to Drag and Drop audio files into the Source field. When more than one cut is dropped into the Source field, a message will display asking the user to confirm that they wish to convert the multiple files.

 
The Check Format button will display the current format of the cut loaded into the Source field.

Destination Button

The Destination button will only become active when both the Convert In Place and Add to DAD Library options are unchecked. This allows the one to have the converted audio files be placed in a specific directory.

 
Convert in Place will simply convert and replace the original source audio file. Using this option will not update the DAD Library.
Add to DAD Library will add the Source file into the DAD Library.

When using this option one should verify that path information within the Active DAD Library screen is correct.

Pressing the DAD Settings button will display current settings.

The Data Drive should be set to the drive mapping of the DAD Library (Cuts.DBF).

Generally this is F:\DAD\FILES.

The Library Name field allows one to select another DAD5 Library. By default CUTS is selected for normal DAD operation.

The Audio Drive and Location field should be set accordingly. The Audio Drive is the drive mapping to CUTS directory. The Location field should be the Drive Letter a DAD workstation will use to access the audio files.

Cut Range Low and High limits the imported audio files to the specified range.

NOTE: If one is converting or normalizing cuts within the DAD Library, make sure the Add to DAD Library option is checked.

Users should press Save Defaults after any changes to the DAD Settings to save the changes.
The Normalize option will normalize the audio file to the decibel value entered (-n.nn or n.nn value).

Users set the desired format via the Destination Format options.  

Here one can select the Sample Rate, Mode (Mono, Stereo or Auto) and the Format (PCM16, MPEG or Dolby-AC). If MPEG is chosen, one should select the desired Layer and Bit Rate along with File Extension.  

Users should press Save Defaults after any changes to the Destination Format options to save the changes.
Convert button

Once a cut has been manually entered into the Source field pressing the Convert button will start the process. If the Normalize has been selected, one will see a Normalize process screen display.  

When an audio file has been passed to AudioCvt from DAD or from Gateway, one will see the application display followed by the Convert process screen.  

NOTE: Users can call AudioCvt via a command line.

Audiocvt <sourcefile> [destinationfile]

If only <sourcefile> is specified, that file is converted in place, otherwise [destinationfile is created. The default conversion settings will be used.  
Range Convert button

Range Convert allows one to convert a range of cuts that presently exist in the DAD Library. Enter the starting and ending cut for the range. When Convert is pressed, the application will automatically convert the audio files along with changing any necessary database information such as Format or Sample Rate.  

 NOTE: If using the Range Convert option, one should uncheck the Popup DAD Library option within the Program Options screen. Leaving this checked will cause the Cut Properties screen to display for every cut converted.

Cancel All Jobs

Pressing this will cancel all of the pending conversions. The number of pending conversions is displayed via: Queued Jobs.  

Help

Opens the help screen
The Program Options screen contains several checkboxes and fields which can affect how the application operates. These items are described below.  

Default Destination Directory

Users can enter the path of a directory they wish the audio files to be sent to if they are not going to be added to DAD. The path entered will display within the Destination field of the main screen. One must have the ‘Add to DAD Library’ and ‘Convert in Place’ options unchecked.

NOTE: This field works in conjunction with the Autocomplete destination filename checkbox option.

Skip Same Format

If the source audio file is the same format as the destination format settings, then AudioCvt will add the file to the DAD database and copy it to the \Cuts directory.

 

Popup DAD Library  

Selecting this option will display the Cut Properties screen allowing the user to make any last minute changes. One can change the cut number along with any other field. Once the changes have been made, pressing Continue Convert will resume the process.

NOTE: If using the Range Convert option, one should uncheck the Popup DAD Library option within the Program Options screen. Leaving this checked will cause the Cut Properties screen to display for every cut converted.

 

Persist Cart Chunk

Checking this option will ensure that Cart Chunk data is preserved thought the conversion process.

Log File field and Reset

When one enters a filename within the Log File field, a file with the name given will be created within the directory AudioCvt runs from. Users can enter a specific path if desired. Checking the Reset box will purge the Log File.

Autocomplete destination filename

Checking this will ensure that the path entered in the Default Destination Directory field will be used. One must have the ‘Add to DAD Library’ and ‘Convert in Place’ options unchecked.

Specify temp directory for multi-step file conversions

When checked, AudioCvt will use the path entered into the accompanying field. When some formats are converted to other formats, they must be converted to PCM16 first before being converted to another format. Using this option allows the work to be performed on a temporary file in the directory specified. This prevents unnecessary network bandwidth. This option should be used whenever using Dolby-AC formats.

MP3 support

Users should select the appropriate option for importing MP3 audio files.

 

Save Defaults Button

Saves any changes made to the application.  

Exit Button

Exits the application.