6 <img class="right" src="/images/import-window.png" alt="The import window">
9 Many sessions will require the use of <dfn>existing material</dfn>,
10 whether it consists of audio and/or MIDI data. Using existing samples,
11 loops and riffs from files stored on your system can be the basis for
12 a new session, or a way to deepen and improve one that is already
16 Importing audio and MIDI data into the session is done with the
17 <dfn>Add Existing Media</dfn> dialog, accessed by the <kbd class="menu">
18 Session > Import</kbd> menu.
21 <h2>The Soundfile Information Box</h2>
23 This box will display information about the currently selected file:
26 <li>number of channels,</li>
30 <li>embedded timestamp (applies to some professional formats such as
31 Broadcast WAVE), and</li>
32 <li><a href="/adding-pre-existing-material/searching-for-files-using-tags/">tags</a> (attached metadata to help categorize files in a library).</li>
35 If the sample rate differs from the current session rate, it is displayed
36 in red, which indicates that the file must be resampled before
40 Resampling is controlled by the <kbd class="menu">Conversion quality</kbd>
41 option described below.
49 Files can be auditioned before importing. The slider under the play and
50 stop buttons allows you to scrub around, a fader on the right side allows
51 to control the playback volume.
54 Auditionning MIDI files requires a MIDI instrument to be chosen in the <kbd class="menu">
55 Instrument</kbd> dropdown list.
58 <h2>Importing options</h2>
60 Through the <kbd class="menu">Add files...</kbd> option, imported files can be inserted in the session:
63 <dt>as new tracks</dt><dd>automatically creates new tracks and import the files in it</dd>
64 <dt>to region list</dt><dd>adds the files to the <a href="/ardours-interface/editor-lists/region-list/">region list</a>, from where then can be manually dragged into a track</dd>
65 <dt>as new tape tracks</dt><dd>adds the files as <a href="/working-with-tracks/track-types/">Tape tracks.</a></dd>
68 The <kbd class="menu">Insert at</kbd> option chooses where in time the file will be imported, amongst:
71 <li>the <dfn>file timestamp</dfn> (if available, zero by default)</li>
72 <li>at the <a href="/ardours-interface/the-edit-point-control/"><dfn>edit point</dfn></a></li>
73 <li>at the <dfn>playhead</dfn></li>
74 <li>at the <dfn>session start</dfn>.</li>
77 The Channel <kbd class="menu">Mapping</kbd> option is only available for
78 multi-channel files (i.e. all but mono ones). It is either
81 <dt>one track/region per file</dt><dd>Creates a multi channel track for each imported file</dd>
82 <dt>one track/region per channel</dt><dd>Creates only mono channels, as many as there are channels in the imported files</dd>
83 <dt>sequence files</dt><dd>If multiple files are imported, they can be sequenced into a single track in the order of selection</dd>
86 The <kbd class="menu">Conversion quality</kbd> drop-down controls the
87 quality of the resampling process, if the sampling rate of the source file
88 differs from the session rate.
91 Finally, and most importantly, the the files can be linked or copied to the session
92 with the <kbd class="option">Copy files to session</kbd> checkbox. Please read
93 <a href="/adding-pre-existing-material/copying-versus-linking/">Copying
94 versus Linking</a> for details.