Author Topic: conductor import w/ audio preview?  (Read 4031 times)

Offline johno123

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conductor import w/ audio preview?
« on: September 17, 2014, 09:19:28 PM »
Hi all,


i could be a little spoiled, but it looks like there is no way to preview imported/converted conductor files with the associated audio like you can with a new musical sequence. 

Basically I have created shows in LSP with normal AC effects AND some full-house wipes and fades with my RGB channels.  I've created models for all my static and RGB elements and the show looks great with my preview once converted - BUT I wish that I could see the music sync in the preview tab once I start overwriting the RGB effects with my custom effects in nutcracker. 

Anyone run into this before?  Or is the capability there somewhere and I'm just missing it?

Thanks!

Offline rando1957

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2014, 03:17:19 PM »
Not sure I understand the problem. Are you saying you can't run the preview with the song?  After converting file, open file in the NC tab.** Save it (I assume you can do that without adding an RGB model). If not, add a model and don't add any effects.  After saving, open the file in the preview tab. Make sure the music file is in the Show Directory folder.

** note: I have always created a new XL sequence and assign the music file to it. THen add my RGB models, saved it. Both the converted file and the saved XL file must be the same file name.  Then reopen it in Preview tab and the joined effects should display.
Randy McMasters
Graham, NC

Offline johno123

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2014, 12:08:14 AM »
Yes, that is exactly the problem.

So here was my exact order of events:
  • Saved conductor file out of LSP into show folder (12.seq).  Saved audio file to XL show folder(12.mp3)
  • Created models for everything in XL
  • Went to Convert tab, imported conductor file with no timing imports, exported as .xseq
  • Opened in Preview tab - all effects look great but no music
  • Went to Nutcracker tab, created new audio show with audio file.  Added all my models and added a new row. Saved to 12.xseq
  • Went to preview tab and reopened - now the music works but the show is blank (I assume because I just overwrote the show)
Same thing happened when I tried importing the converted file and only adding one or two models - either I get no music when opening the original converted file, or I have all my effects wiped out if I create a new file with the same name. 

Sounds like I'm missing something here to get the 'joined' effects that you mentioned - I'll go back through some of the videos again, but if someone else can let me know if I'm missing a step I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

Offline rando1957

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2014, 05:20:23 PM »
Try this.  Re-open the file in NC that has your models and just save it - same name as the file you converted earlier.  Then go to Preview tab and open the file again.  When you open it, there is a pop-up message "reset my display...", I choose 'no' because I want to see my LOR models I created and the NC models. 
I know I had some problems and even went and re-converted the file, but I really don't think that did anything.  My mistake was that pop-up message - I responded as 'yes' and never got to see my LOR models.  Hope that helps.
OH - one other thing, in your models you set up, be sure and check the box 'part of my display'.
Randy McMasters
Graham, NC

Offline johno123

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #4 on: September 24, 2014, 08:15:39 PM »
Hmmm - still not working.  However, I do know that I have effects on those channels for my RGB models that were in LSP in other areas of the show.  I am going to delete the controllers alltogether in a version of an LSP file and then re-export and try all over again to see if that helps.

Offline johno123

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2014, 10:46:20 PM »
Wow I seem to be having significant issues with this.  I'll check with you all one more time and then I may just wait to see if my timing is good until I export to conductor...

Here are the two main processes that I've tried, and both result in the same issues...

  • Export Conductor file out of LSP for ONLY the channels that are non-RGB (thought I'd keep it simple)  We'll call this 12.seq
  • Open XLights 3.4.17.  Go to Convert Tab.  Select 12.seq in my show directory.  Click All Channels off at end.  Convert.  Created 12.xseq
  • Go to Preview Tab.  Open 12.xseq.  Click play and all non-RGB effects show up correctly but no music.  Click pause and go to NC tab
  • Click Open- select 12.xseq.  Modal pops up asking which models.  I select all nonRGB items that were in the original file.  Click Save.  No grid rows error pops up but I ignore it.  Display at the bottom of the screen says Updated 12.xseq.
  • Go back to Preview and click open, and select 12.xseq.  Modal asks for reset of element models.  I say NO.  Click play and All effects still show up correctly but still without music.  Click Pause
  • Go back to NC tab. Click Open and select new musical sequence with 12.mp3 with no timing marks.  Modal pops up saying created empty sequence with 8192 channels
  • Click display models in NC and add all RGB items but did NOT select any non RGB items (I assume this is to ensure that things merge and not overwrite).  Click save, ignore no grid rows error and enter '12' in the file name popup.  Display at the bottom of the screen says Updated 12.xseq.
  • Go back to Preview and reopen 12.xseq.  Said NO to the reset display flags to match sequence prompt.
  • Clicked play and NO effects show anymore, but the music plays.  Not even the non-RGB items show (I assume something got overridden there somewhere

Then I tried again with the same approach, except when I did my first save of the converted file I didn't add ANY models to the grid.  Then when I created the new music file and saved, I only added the RBG items.  Same net result....

Offline sean

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2014, 11:17:09 PM »
I don't think we get a music file from the seq export from lsp.

Do this
1) make sure SETUPS tab has enough channels defined
2) create new musical sequence, give your MP3 file name
3) insert at least one row
4) click "display elements" and add in your models
5) click save. At this point an Xseq file and a xml file are created. The name of the music file is stored into the Xseq file.

6) now go to CONVERTS tab and convert your seq file. Be sure your seq file name matches the name u used in the above steps.

Make sure all models that u want to see have "part of my display" checked.

7) play sequence in PREVIEW

Sean
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Offline johno123

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Re: conductor import w/ audio preview?
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2014, 11:32:35 PM »
Well.... I sure feel like a dummy.

I still couldn't get your steps to work Sean.  However, I finally actually read the prompts in the convert tab....

For Conductor files, all you need to do is select the conductor file and click convert.  There is a modal that pops up asking you to select a file. I always thought that was a save as function for naming of the new Xlights file.  However, it looks like it actually says 'select the media file for use with this sequence'!!!

I selected my 12.mp3 and converted, then jumped over to the Preview tab and it all works now.... I sure feel like a dummy!!!   :o