Synchronize projects between 2 computers: file structure?

[wysocki]

I have a notebook that I do field recording with and store the raw tracks in a project. When I get back to my desktop I want to synchronize both computers. Even though I store my projects in the same folder on each computer (d:audacity projects) the synchronization looks weird. It shows folders like .E00D01 which appear to be incremented by the program (?) and some files are deleted while others are added. I thought I could merely take the latest dated files from either computer, but it looks like I may have to do some deleting as well. How does Audacity manage its files, and what would be good rules to follow in the synchronization process?

[kozikowski]

<<<How does Audacity manage its files, and what would be good rules to follow in the synchronization process?>>>

I Export each live capture as a perfect quality WAV sound file and send it to wherever it needs to go. I don't use Projects for live capture work.

Linda_Voice_20100128.wav
John_Voice_20100128.wav

Projects are brittle, easily damaged, really difficult to move and sensitive to Audacity version. It isn't worth tempting fate. WAV files open up anywhere in the world on all three computer platforms. The only time this wouldn't work is for the people that are trying to record surveillance -- 9-hour recordings. Those people have other problems.

Audacity does default to 32-bit floating for the bit depth instead of the more standard 16-bit. Some machines have trouble with 32-bit floating WAV files. You can fix that in Audacity Preferences and you can convert your old files if you have any.

Koz

[billw58]

http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/File_Management_Tips

If you try to synchronize the projects by simply synchronizing the contents of the _data folder you will likely break your projects.

The .aup file is an XML document that lists all the little audio files in the _data folder and specifies where they are in the project. If one of those files is missing, the project is broken. If there is an audio file in the _data folder that is not listed in the .aup file, Audacity will ask you if you want to delete it.

Copying the .aup file and its associated _data folder from one computer to another should be safe.

-- Bill

[kozikowski]

This is a similar problem as two artists separated by multiple time zones who want to work on the same song. While that's not impossible, it's a lot harder than you think.

I think we told them to leave their projects alone and push individual sound files back and forth. This is me singing third harmony. This is the guitar part, etc. Both locations are likely to have different mixes, but they might not be too far off and they might find one performer is a lot better at mixing than the other.

Give two different cooks flour, salt, sugar, etc., and stand back.

Koz