Sync problem with export multiple

[steve]

if a global export preference is too "undiscoverable",

It's not only that in preferences is too "undiscoverable", but that user's may need to frequently change the option depending on the job.
It is appropriate for options that are essentially "set once" to be in preferences - for example I almost always want the "import faster" option.
On the other hand, it is far more convenient for options that are likely to change frequently (such as export format) to be within the relevant GUI element rather than "buried" in preferences.

I generally prefer to export the entire track when making an initial (straight after recording) back-up WAV file, but when working with multi-track projects, any subsequent track export needs to be without "before zero" audio so as to avoid losing track sync.

As all export methods are now, the white space between zero and the start of the audio will be disregarded. If you want that space preserved in the export, you must select from the start of the recording to time zero and generate silence.

Specifically, you must generate "some" silence starting at time zero. It does not need to go all the way up to the start of the recording. As long as there is some audio (that may be silence) at time zero, then any white space within the audio track will be rendered as silence.
I think this is another feature that "sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't", so would be better located in the export screen than in the global preferences.

Perhaps the export screens could have a "selection options" button (or some such name) that opens a dialogue for setting exactly what gets exported (the options discussed in this forum topic).

An alternative approach would be an easy way to pad/trim tracks so that they start at time zero, though I think that this approach would be less flexible.

[Gale Andrews]

if a global export preference is too "undiscoverable",

It's not only that in preferences is too "undiscoverable", but that users may need to frequently change the option depending on the job.
It is appropriate for options that are essentially "set once" to be in preferences - for example I almost always want the "import faster" option.
On the other hand, it is far more convenient for options that are likely to change frequently (such as export format) to be within the relevant GUI element rather than "buried" in preferences.

Yes, depending on the assessment of how often users would want to toggle a feature off and on. The Export Multiple dialogue is already fairly complex and we seem to be considering two new checkboxes here (one for "export behind zero" and one for "export leading white space"). Do we agree that the default for both these should be "off" (as straight export is now)?

As all export methods are now, the white space between zero and the start of the audio will be disregarded. If you want that space preserved in the export, you must select from the start of the recording to time zero and generate silence.

Specifically, you must generate "some" silence starting at time zero. It does not need to go all the way up to the start of the recording.

Yes, a good point - that's an easier task for keyboard users (though a bit more complex to explain why it works).

Perhaps the export screens could have a "selection options" button (or some such name) that opens a dialogue for setting exactly what gets exported (the options discussed in this forum topic).

Or at least, a separate static box. The main Export dialogue already has a problem with the (format) "Options" button not being seen, though I assume that is mainly a problem of its position.

If we had a button to another dialogue, we could even choose what tracks to export there, irrespective of Solo/Mute status

An alternative approach would be an easy way to pad/trim tracks so that they start at time zero, though I think that this approach would be less flexible.

I'm a bit less enthused with that Idea than I was, due to sync changes and possible confusion with the "Align" commands.



Gale

[steve]

I agree that the Export Multiple dialogue is quite complex already, which is why I would favour "advanced options" to be in a secondary dialogue (I'm not sure what a "static box" is) rather than as additional check boxes.

The main Export dialogue already has a problem with the (format) "Options" button not being seen, though I assume that is mainly a problem of its position.

Would it help if the current "Options" button was labelled as "File Format Options" or some such?

[Gale Andrews]

I'm not sure what a "static box" is

It is a box with a title and faint border containing the checkboxes or other controls, like "Split files based on" in Export Multiple.

The main Export dialogue already has a problem with the (format) "Options" button not being seen, though I assume that is mainly a problem of its position.

Would it help if the current "Options" button was labelled as "File Format Options" or some such?

That would probably be deemed "too long", but a rename and moving the button (on Windows) underneath the two dropdown boxes would likely help.


Gale

[steve]

That would probably be deemed "too long", but a rename and moving the button (on Windows) underneath the two dropdown boxes would likely help.

If you mean, in the "Export Audio" dialogue, moving the Options button under the "Save as Type:" drop down menu, then there's plenty of room there (on Windows) for it to be labelled as "File Options", "Format Options", "File Format Options" or similar. (I'm +1 for move and rename).


In the Export Multiple dialogue it would probably need to be a little shorter than "File Format Options", but could occupy the same amount of room as the two buttons below ("Choose" and "Create").

[Gale Andrews]

That would probably be deemed "too long", but a rename and moving the button (on Windows) underneath the two dropdown boxes would likely help.

If you mean, in the "Export Audio" dialogue, moving the Options button under the "Save as Type:" drop down menu, then there's plenty of room there (on Windows) for it to be labelled as "File Options", "Format Options", "File Format Options" or similar. (I'm +1 for move and rename).

I meant the main export dialogue (Export FIle) as in the original text. I'll gather together the feature request votes to make the "Options" more findable, including both our votes.

There is "room" in the Export File dialogue at the moment for a longish label, but developers don't like buttons with long label text, and to be unambiguous I think whatever the wording is should be the same in the Export File and Export Multiple dialogues. Moreover that current room could be used for text giving the properties that the options are set to (which would be considerably better than having to click "Options" to see what it is actually set to). If we want that idea, the Export Multiple dialogue would have to accommodate it too.

Another solution for Export File would be to follow the same idea as in Export Multiple - move the "Save" and "Cancel" buttons down ("Save" to left of "Cancel") which lets "Options" be positioned to right of the "Save as type" dropdown. I think I like that idea best, on reflection. It's more "standard", and still leaves space for text underneath "Save as type" giving the current options.


Gale

[waxcylinder]

You can also add my vote for making Options more discoverable - many folk do soom to miss it.

Can I please further request that we make Signed 32-bit PCM WAV one of the "standard" selections available from the Save as type: dropdown rather tha hiding it away in the options.

I ask this as we often recommend making a 32-bit WAV as a security backup copy (after capture for example) - and it's not always easy for folk to find how to do that.

Also I have a personal use case: I export a post capture of an LP as 32-bit WAV to pass through ClickRepair. Because there is no visual cue as to what actual format has been selected in the Specify Uncompressed Options dialog box - I usually find myself clicking the Options button just to ensure I have the correct output format selected. If it were one of the "standard" options it would display clearly in the Save as type: display.

Thanks,
Peter

[steve]

Because there is no visual cue as to what actual format has been selected in the Specify Uncompressed Options dialog box - I usually find myself clicking the Options button just to ensure I have the correct output format selected.

Me too.