Workflows

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Using Multiple Source Files With Channel Identifier Codes
Compressor includes the ability to automatically assign audio files to the surround sound
channels if they contain channel identifier codes in their filenames. The channel identifier
codes appear before the file extension (if present), as shown in the following example:
By dragging a set of files with the channel identifier codes to the Compressor Batch
window, you can create a single batch entry that automatically maps the files to the
proper channels for a surround sound encode.
Making AC-3 Files From Final Cut Pro Audio
When you need to encode audio from Final Cut Pro for use in a DVD, you can either
export the audio directly to Compressor or export AIFF audio files that you then open
in Compressor.
Exporting the audio directly to Compressor is the same process as exporting video
directly to Compressor. The difference is that you select an AC-3 preset in place of, or in
addition to, a video preset. This method only works when you use a single audio file for
the AC-3 audio and can rely on Compressor to assign the audio channels. See “Using
Compressor With Final Cut Pro” on page 27 for more information.
Exporting separate AIFF audio files is required when you need to be able to assign the
files to the audio channels, such as with surround sound (5.1) audio.
To export audio files suitable for encoding into a 5.1 surround sound file, you must go
through the export process multiple times. For example, you can export a stereo file
with the audio for the front left and right channels, a second file with the audio for the
rear left and right channels, a third file with the audio for the center channel, and a
fourth file with the audio for the Low-Frequency Effects (LFE) channel.
Example filenames Channel Indentifier
MyMovie-L.aif Left front -L
MyMovie-R.aif Right front -R
MyMovie-C.aif Center front -C
MyMovie-RL.aif Surround left -RL
MyMovie-RR.aif Surround right -RR
MyMovie-RC.aif Surround center -RC
MyMovie-LFE.aif Low-frequency effects
(subwoofer)
-LFE