Cymatic Audio uTrack 24 Manual - Manual (Page 10)

PRODUCT MANUAL PRODUCT MANUAL 19 18 UTRACK 24 FILE FORMATS UTRACK 24 FILE PLAYBACK MODES
13. UTRACK 24 FILE FORMATS
The uTrack24 is specifically designed for continuous capturing of audio over longer periods
of time. When recording, the uTrack24 stores data from multiple input channels into a single
multichannel wave file. Many audio editing programs (“DAWs”) can only handle a maximum file
size of 2GB . Since the length of your recording may often exceed the 2GB file size, the uTrack 24
incorporates an intelligent system for file-splitting: every time your recording reaches the critical
size of 2 GB, the uTrack 24 will automatically create a new multichannel wave file (“Chunk”). This
is done in a “gapless” fashion without losing a single sample of your recording. All the chunks are
stored in the current recording folder
The above process also allows you to record without limits in time or file size. The only limiting
factor would be your storage space (for instance, a 500 GB USB drive allows you to do a 70-hour
non-stop recording in CD quality).
When playing back a take, the uTrack 24 seamlessly transitions playback from the end of one
“chunk” of multichannel file to the beginning of the next one. The multiple chunks inside a take
are played back exactly the same as one long linear recording.
In order to easily import these multi-channel .wav files, Cymatic Audio offers a free download of
its WavTool and Playlist Editor application, which perform two functions:
• Convert uTrack multi-track wave files into separate mono wave files
• Automatically join together the separate chunks into a single linear file
uTrack 24 audio to DAW
Record on uTrack 24
connected hard drive.
Copy (with automatic conversion) to
computer hard drive, using the WavTool
or Playlist Editor
Drag and drop files into DAW
Track 01
Track 02
Track 02 Track 04
.......
Track 24
Track 01
Track 02
Track 02 Track 04
.......
Track 24
Track 01
Track 02
Track 02 Track 04
.......
Track 24
Time 00:00:00:00 ... Time: XX:XX:XX:XX
Multitrack Wave files
automatically separated
into 2GB chunks
Channel 01 .bwav file
Channel 02 .bwav file
......
Channel 23 .bwav file
Channel 24 .bwav file
Content on uTrack Storage: Take 0001
Output on External Hard Drive
Separate multi-track wave file chunks are converted
into standard linear mono wave files
Both applications, the WavTool and the Playlist Editor, perform these functions as they copy the
uTrack 24’s recordings from the external USB drive to your computer. As a result, you are left with
24 separate, standard mono wav files, each one running the length of your entire take.
The applications allow this process to work in reverse as well. If you have a collection of separate
mono wav files, they allow you to:
• Combine the separate channel wave files into a single multi-channel .wav file that the uTrack
24 is capable of playing back (for virtual sound checks or band expansion)
• Automatically split up the .wav file into 2 gigabyte chunks, as needed, and combine these
chunks into a single “take” that the uTrack 24 can select and play back
• Type a custom name for the take, that the uTrack 24 will display
DAW audio to uTrack 24
Export individual audio
tracks from DAW
Copy (with automatic conversion) to
external USB drive, using the
WavTool or Playlist Editor
Plug and Play USB drive
on uTrack 24
For more information please refer to the respective user manuals of the WavTool and the Playlist
Editor, downloadable at www.cymaticaudio.com
14. UTRACK 24 FILE PLAYBACK MODES
When playing back audio, the uTrack 24 offers different playback “modes”. The uTrack 24
switches to a given playback mode depending on what type of audio file is loaded for playback.
The different modes work as follows:
14.1. Multitrack Mode
When a USB drive is attached to the uTrack 24, a folder labelled “Multitrack” is automatically
created on the drive. Any time you load a song that resides within the multitrack folder, the uTrack
24 treats it as multitrack audio.
When in Multitrack Mode there is only one playback option, which is “Single Play”. When the
current take finished playing, the transport stops, and will not automatically begin playing a
different take
14.2. Stereo Mode
This is a different playback mode, intended for playback of stereo program material you may
wish to use for walk-in music, break music, walk-out music, etc. The uTrack 24 goes into stereo
mode any time you load an audio file that resides anywhere OUTSIDE the MultiTrack folder on
the attached USB drive.
When operating in stereo mode, the uTrack 24 offers different playback transport modes that
affect how the audio files are played. The modes are continuous, shuffle, repeat one, and repeat
all. For details, see “uTrack 24 System Menus/Playback menus”
14.3. Default Mode
When the uTrack 24 first powers up, the current folder is always the “MultiTrack” Folder. When
you use the BROWSE button to choose a song from any other folder outside the multitrack folder,
the system goes into stereo Mode. A prompt on the screen notifies you of the change.