----
-layout: default
-title: Copying versus Linking
----
-
-<p>
- <dfn>Copying</dfn> and <dfn>linking</dfn> are two different methods of
- using existing audio files on your computer (or network file system)
- within a session. They differ in one key aspect:
-</p>
-
-<h2>Copying</h2>
-
-<p>
- An existing media file is copied to the session's audio folder, and
- if necessary converted into the session's native format.
-</p>
-
-<p>
- For audio files, you can control the choice of this format (eg. WAVE
- or Broadcast WAVE). Audio files will also be converted to the session
- sample rate if necessary (which can take several minutes for larger
- files).
-</p>
-
-<p>
- MIDI files will already be in SMF format, and are simply copied into
- the session's MIDI folder.
-</p>
-
-<h2>Linking</h2>
-
-<p>
- A link to an existing media file somewhere on the disk is used as a the
- source for a region, but the data is <strong>not copied or modified</strong>
- in any way.
-</p>
-
-<p class="warning">
- While linking is handy to conserve disk space, it means that your session
- is <dfn>no longer self-contained</dfn>. If the external file moves, it
- will become unavailable, and any changes to it from elsewhere will affect
- the session. A backup of the session directory will miss linked files.
-</p>
-
-<p>
- You can choose to copy or link files into your session with the
- <kbd class="option">Copy file to session</kbd> option in the Import
- dialog window.
-</p>
-
-<p>
- <img class="left" src="/images/225-ARDOUR_1_2_1.png" />
- ← This file will be imported in the audio/MIDI folder of your session.
-</p>
-
-<p>
- <img class="left" src="/images/226-ARDOUR_1_2_1.png" />
- ← This file won't be copied.
-</p>
-
-<p class="note">
- There is a global preference <kbd class="menu">Edit > Preferences > Misc > Session Management > Always copy imported files</kbd>. If it is enabled, you will not be able to link a file.
-</p>
-