-<img class="right" src="/images/import-window.png" alt="The import window">
+<figure class="right">
+ <img src="/images/import-window.png" alt="The import window" width="50%">
+ <figcaption>
+ The import window.
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
<p>
Many sessions will require the use of <dfn>existing material</dfn>,
whether it consists of audio and/or MIDI data. Using existing samples,
- loops and riffs from files stored on your system can be the basis for
+ loops and riffs from files stored on the system can be the basis for
a new session, or a way to deepen and improve one that is already
underway.
</p>
<p>
Importing audio and MIDI data into the session is done with the
- <dfn>Add Existing Media</dfn> dialog, accessed by the <kbd class="menu">
- Session > Import</kbd> menu.
+ <dfn>Add Existing Media</dfn> dialog, accessed either by the
+ <kbd class="menu"> Session > Import</kbd> menu or, if any tracks have
+ already been added, by right-clicking on the canvas of the <dfn>Editor</dfn>
+ window and choosing <kbd class="menu">Insert Existing Media</kbd>.
</p>
<h2>The Soundfile Information Box</h2>
<li>length,</li>
<li>embedded timestamp (applies to some professional formats such as
Broadcast WAVE), and</li>
- <li><a href="/adding-pre-existing-material/searching-for-files-using-tags/">tags</a> (attached metadata to help categorize files in a library).</li>
+ <li><a href="@@searching-for-files-using-tags">tags</a> (attached metadata to help categorize files in a library).</li>
</ul>
<p>
If the sample rate differs from the current session rate, it is displayed
<h2>Auditioner</h2>
<p>
Files can be auditioned before importing. The slider under the play and
- stop buttons allows you to scrub around, a fader on the right side allows
+ stop buttons allows to scrub around, a fader on the right side allows
to control the playback volume.
</p>
<p>
- Auditionning MIDI files requires a MIDI instrument to be chosen in the <kbd class="menu">
+ Auditioning MIDI files requires a MIDI instrument to be chosen in the <kbd class="menu">
Instrument</kbd> dropdown list.
</p>
<p>
Through the <kbd class="menu">Add files…</kbd> option, imported files can be inserted in the session:
</p>
-<dl>
- <dt>as new tracks</dt><dd>automatically creates new tracks and import the files in it</dd>
- <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>
- <dt>as new tape tracks</dt><dd>adds the files as <a href="/working-with-tracks/track-types/">Tape tracks.</a></dd>
-</dl>
+<table class="dl">
+ <tr><th>as new tracks</th><td>automatically creates new tracks and import the files in it</td></tr>
+ <tr><th>to region list</th><td>adds the files to the <a href="@@the-region-list">region list</a>, from where then can be manually dragged into a track</td></tr>
+ <tr><th>as new tape tracks</th><td>adds the files as <a href="@@track-types">Tape tracks.</a></td></tr>
+</table>
<p>
The <kbd class="menu">Insert at</kbd> option chooses where in time the file will be imported, amongst:
</p>
-</ul>
+<ul>
<li>the <dfn>file timestamp</dfn> (if available, zero by default)</li>
- <li>at the <a href="/ardours-interface/the-edit-point-control/"><dfn>edit point</dfn></a></li>
+ <li>at the <a href="@@edit-point-control"><dfn>edit point</dfn></a></li>
<li>at the <dfn>playhead</dfn></li>
<li>at the <dfn>session start</dfn>.</li>
</ul>
The Channel <kbd class="menu">Mapping</kbd> option is only available for
multi-channel files (i.e. all but mono ones). It is either
</p>
-<dl>
- <dt>one track/region per file</dt><dd>Creates a multi channel track for each imported file</dd>
- <dt>one track/region per channel</dt><dd>Creates only mono channels, as many as there are channels in the imported files</dd>
- <dt>sequence files</dt><dd>If multiple files are imported, they can be sequenced into a single track in the order of selection</dd>
-</dl>
+<table class="dl">
+ <tr><th>one track/region per file</th><td>Creates a multi channel track for each imported file</td></tr>
+ <tr><th>one track/region per channel</th><td>Creates only mono channels, as many as there are channels in the imported files</td></tr>
+ <tr><th>sequence files</th><td>If multiple files are imported, they can be sequenced into a single track in the order of selection</td></tr>
+</table>
<p>
The <kbd class="menu">Conversion quality</kbd> drop-down controls the
quality of the resampling process, if the sampling rate of the source file
differs from the session rate.
</p>
<p>
- Finally, and most importantly, the the files can be linked or copied to the session
+ There are three MIDI-specific options as well. First off, you can set a track
+ naming scheme:
+</p>
+<table class="dl">
+ <tr><th>by track number</th><td>will automatically assign every track a name that consists of the imported file name and a track number</td></tr>
+ <tr><th>by track name</th><td>will</td></tr>
+ <tr><th>by instrument name</th><td>will</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+<p>
+<p>
+ You can also optionally import a tempo map from a MIDI file.
+ The <kbd class="menu">Use MIDI Tempo Map (if defined)</kbd> option appears
+ when a MIDI file is selected in the file selection dialog.
+<p>
+<p>
+ The last MIDI-specific option is <kbd class="menu">Import MIDI Markers
+ (if any)</kbd>. If those are present in a MIDI file, they will be rendered
+ right above MIDI clips on the canvas. Editing the MIDI markers is currently
+ unavailable.
+</p>
+<figure class="right">
+ <img src="/images/imported-midi-markers.png" alt="MIDI markers imported from a .mid file" width="75%">
+ <figcaption>
+ MIDI markers imported from a .mid file
+ </figcaption>
+</figure>
+</p>
+<p>
+ Finally, and most importantly, the files can be linked or copied to the session
with the <kbd class="option">Copy files to session</kbd> checkbox. Please read
- <a href="/adding-pre-existing-material/copying-versus-linking/">Copying
+ <a href="@@copying-versus-linking">Copying
versus Linking</a> for details.
</p>
projects / ardour-manual / blobdiff