Non-destructive editing

[Duncan]

I think I already know the answer to this, judging by my failure to find anything about it on the site - I'm sure you would have mentioned it - but I would like confirmation.

I'm pitch-shifting a wav in a project. When I save the project, the wav will be irreversibly converted to the new pitch, so I must keep my originals safe and well away from the project folders. In short, Audacity doesn't do non-destructive editing like Cubase does?

Thanks (and good night!)
Swatcher

[steve]

Audacity doesn't do non-destructive editing

Correct. Audacity is more of a multi-track sample editor - almost all operations actually change the audio data.

However, if you are working on an existing audio file, then the 'file' is not changed at all. All changes to the audio data are made to Audacity's copy of the file data and not to the file itself.

The only time that Audacity makes changes to the one and only copy of the audio data is when the audio has been recorded (rather than opened or imported). This is why we always advise that the first thing that should be done after recording is to export the recorded data as an audio file - preferably in a non-lossy format such as WAV.

You should of course take care not to overwrite your original files when you export if you want to keep the unedited version.

[Duncan]

Thanks for getting back, Steve.

So when I clicked the box to keep the audio in the project it copied the file over and broke it up into those fragments stored in the various folders in the _data folder, rather than as a single entity with the same name. Don't worry, I'm not going to fiddle with it, I've read the articles on it.

I also read that the history only applies for the current session, so I will have to save out versions I might want to go back to and that will mean a whole new set of data files? Not a problem as I have a TB to play with.

So far so good?

Better go as my dinner's on and so's the footie..

Cheers,
Duncan

[kozikowski]

And we warn people that Audacity Projects do not save UNDO, and yes, I believe that's how the other production elves do it. Save projects under different names as you go.

My take on live recording is a little more severe. Capture a live performance, export as WAV, make a copy of the WAV on separate media and lock it up.

Hot rocks do not automatically fall from the sky if you manipulate your Audacity files outside of Audacity. You just have to know the rules. The chunks and fragments inside the _DATA folder aren't all sound files. the AUP file and the _DATA folder have to be together in the same folder, etc, etc.

They're a little daunting for the newbie, so we just usually say you can't move them.

Koz

[Duncan]

Other DAWs allow you to save several project versions in the same project folder, using the same data folder and audio files. In Audacity you'd have to have separate data folders too, effectively separate projects, if I understand correctly. This does sound like overkill so I kinda hope I'm wrong on that.

Like you say, a bit confusing for the newbie but I'm sure there's perfectly sensible logic behind this and once I've got it I'll be able to happily ignore it.

I'm even severer than you, K, I always sleep better with two backup DVDs hidden where the burglars won't think of looking. Of course, that doesn't help when the neighbours fall asleep with a fag going and burn the place to the ground. Now why did I have to say that? Now I'm going to have to go and buy some fireproof binliners...

[kozikowski]

FTP the work to one of the servers in our Kuala Lumpur office. I'm in LA.

Koz

[Duncan]

No comprendo

[steve]

Koz is suggesting that to ease your paranoia you could upload back-up files to web/ftp servers around the world.
My web space is located 4700 miles away in a data centre that uses hybrid servers (if part of the system fails it automatically switches to other hardware), is secured by armed guards, and has its own back-up power station and fire service.

Of course if you want the data to be private you may also want to encrypt the file with a strong password - but what if you loose the password
Best lock up the password in a bank vault.

Paranoia is too much like hard work - make your compromises where you feel comfortable

[Duncan]

Oh, I see. Sorry Koz and thanks Steve for explaining. I didn't mean to give the impression of paranoia, I'm happy with my arrangements but they can always be improved a bit. I don't like on-line backup servers, I prefer to handle my own security, but thanks for the tip anyway.