How to open/convert Pro Tools files to be used elsewhere (eventually Ableton)

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vans11

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Hi Everyone,

A while back (7 years ago), I had a friend record my band's ep. He backed up all of the files and gave me a copy of the Audio Files, Mixes and Session File Backups, along with a whole bunch of other files. I believe he was using Pro Tools (I have absolutely no idea what version but I know it was on a Mac). Unfortunately the guy who recorded and produces the ep is now totally off my radar, so my question is this.

Given all the files I have, is there a way to convert these into WAVs so that I can load them into another program such as Ableton?
I want to get the raw vocals and lay them over some remixes I've done of the original tracks.

Thanks in advance for any comments :D

ps I am a newbie...
 
Your best bet will probably be to befriend someone here, that has Protools, and have them do it for you. :)
 
Hey.

A protools session is saved in a folder along side other folders such as 'audio files', 'fade files', 'session file backups' etc.
All of those things need to stay together if you're ever going to open that session with Protools.

If you just want raw files, the open the session folder and then the audio folder.
It'll all be in there. They'll be wav or aiff. (Same thing?)

Depending on how good or bad the guys naming system was, you might have to preview until you find what you're looking for.
Keep in mind, they are completely raw regions, so depending how tracking was done, there might be silence for ages at the start of some files.


If you want to hear the production that was done (effects etc), then Jimmy's right. Make a new friend. :)
I'm a PT user, so if you have a means of moving big folders online, and need some help, I wouldn't mind.

The good news is that modern Pro Tools will open outdated sessions. I'm sure there's a limit on how far back they'll go, but google's bound to know for sure.
 
Hi,

Thanks for getting in touch!!

None of the files have the .wav or .aiff extension... should I start messing with the extension names or is that going to cause problems?

See the screenshot of what I see...
Pro Tools Help.webp
 
Are you sure? Change the view (dropdown menu towards the top right). They gotta be audio files.
 
Looks strange, but first thing's first. I'd copy one (not move) to the desktop.
That way you can play with it non destructively.

At first look, That doesn't look very 'protoolsy' to me. Is that definitely what he used?


Try open with>media player one one of those files just to be sure, but honestly, I'd have expected .aiffs.


edit.
Better yet, attach vox2_01. It's only a few meg. Then Jimmy or I can take a look.
 
It's Windows 7. That is why it looks strange, Mac guy. lol.

Yeah, those are likely audio files. You should just be able to 'drag' them into your DAW. I'm not a user of Ableton, but I assume you should be able to just pull them directly into a new project. If it were Cubase, it would automatically open a track, and convert them to wav files.
 
It's windows 7?
Oh, abandon ship then OP. It just wont work. :p

You are shitting me though, right? I mean, 98se knew what a wav file was.
 
Hi,

I tried as suggested just importing them into a project in Ableton (Live 8). It doesn't even recognide the files as audio, hence won't show them, unless I'm not doing it correctly.

I have also just spent the last 10 minutes trying to sort out attaching the file, but it wont let me attach it... not even when zipped. Very very odd.

Thanks again for staying with me on this one guys... I am clueless...
 
Oh, damn..I didn't see your post count. I think you have to hit a limit before you can attach.

Email it over if you like. paul at steen audio d0t c0m with no spaces.
 
It's windows 7?
Oh, abandon ship then OP. It just wont work. :p

You are shitting me though, right? I mean, 98se knew what a wav file was.

lol! Naw, the view he posted, just doesn't show the file type. He just has to change the view to show what they are.
 
Hi,

I tried as suggested just importing them into a project in Ableton (Live 8). It doesn't even recognide the files as audio, hence won't show them, unless I'm not doing it correctly.

I have also just spent the last 10 minutes trying to sort out attaching the file, but it wont let me attach it... not even when zipped. Very very odd.

Thanks again for staying with me on this one guys... I am clueless...

It's possible that Ableton doesn't automatically convert. Try changing the view, or right click and view 'Properties'. See what the hell the files are.
 
Hi Paul,

Just tried to reach you at that address and it failed...?
 
Hi Paul,

Just tried to reach you at that address and it failed...?

I'm on j dot k dot davis 9 at hotmail dot com same rules apply...
 
lol! Naw, the view he posted, just doesn't show the file type. He just has to change the view to show what they are.

Hi,

I have the show file type on... that's why I am confused... the files have no extension :/
 
Yeh, stoopid mac.......Showing me extensions and what not.....pffffft.

:)
 
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