Logic Auto-Merging Mono OH Tracks Upon Import

[mits5k]

So, this is weird and I can't find any posts anywhere online about it.

 

I'm working with a drummer who records in ProTools. In his newest batch of takes, whenever I import (either through File > Import or by drag-and-drop) one of his mono OH (overhead) tracks, Logic automatically pulls in the other and creates a stereo track of them. Not only that, but it also creates a brand new stereo track in the folder from which I'm importing the tracks.

 

So, what happens is, I have a file folder that contains the drum tracks, including mono wav tracks "OVERHEADS L" and "OVERHEADS R." Upon importing OVERHEADS L into Logic, Logic then creates the stereo track and a new wav file called "OVERHEADS" appears in the file folder.

 

I'm guessing what's happened is that the tracks are somehow linked in ProTools in a way that Logic can read, but I'm not familiar with ProTools, so I'm not sure. I want these tracks in my DAW in mono and cannot figure out how to import them without it turning into a stereo track. The only workaround I can think of here is balance-panning the track hard L, bouncing mono, hard R, bouncing mono. I'm not 100% confident that will give me a clean mono signal of just the mono mic line I want, though, without any other processing or bullshit getting in the way. Anybody got any ideas?

[triplets]

Some ProTools users like to do Split Stereo files.

What is the problem with Logic making it stereo? Overheads are always stereo.

And you can always manipulate the balance of the track in Logic with the Balance tool.

[mits5k]

Some ProTools users like to do Split Stereo files.

What is the problem with Logic making it stereo? Overheads are always stereo.

And you can always manipulate the balance of the track in Logic with the Balance tool.

I want to separate them for phase correction and for the simplicity of my workflow should I want to automate the tracks separately. I know that one can go dual mono and automate the L and R channels there, but I find it more confusing and unwieldy than automation already often is. If I were to face this issue often I would adapt to a new system. As of now, this is the first time I've ever seen it happen, and adapting to a one-time event rather than making it adapt to me will cost me more time in the end.

[triplets]

You can always convert the stereo file to split in the Audio Files window using the local Convert Files option.

[David Nahmani]

The files are not merged at the file level, they're just displayed as one stereo audio region (not file) in Logic Pro for ease of use (most users in most cases prefer a single stereo track over a pair of mono left and mono right tracks).

 

The easiest way to separate them into two tracks (and that's how split stereo files are supposed to work in Logic) is to duplicate the audio region to another track (Option-drag). Name the first track for example OH Left and the second OH Right. Now on OH Left click-hold the input format button at the top left of the channel strip and when the pop-up menu appears choose Left. Repeat on OH Right and choose Right.

 

If you truly want two mono regions to appear in the Tracks area, there are many different techniques: How do you split a stereo file in Logic ?

[mits5k]

The files are not merged at the file level, they're just displayed as one stereo audio region (not file) in Logic Pro for ease of use (most users in most cases prefer a single stereo track over a pair of mono left and mono right tracks).

 

The easiest way to separate them into two tracks (and that's how split stereo files are supposed to work in Logic) is to duplicate the audio region to another track (Option-drag). Name the first track for example OH Left and the second OH Right. Now on OH Left click-hold the input format button at the top left of the channel strip and when the pop-up menu appears choose Left. Repeat on OH Right and choose Right.

 

If you truly want two mono regions to appear in the Tracks area, there are many different techniques: How do you split a stereo file in Logic ?

This was helpful. Thank you so much, internet stranger who owes me nothing– I really appreciate it!

[David Nahmani]

 

You're welcome. This here is my website and I'm just happy to have you be a part of it.

[valve]

I actually want the opposite thing. Dragging split mono audio files into a session doesn't create a merged stereo track for me. Does anyone know would cause the different behavior between my system and OP?

 

And for that matter, if you want to merge existing split mono tracks into a single stereo track, is the Join command the only way, or is this possible to do without creating a new audio file?

[triplets]

if you want to merge existing split mono tracks into a single stereo track, is the Join command the only way, or is this possible to do without creating a new audio file?

 

You can use the Convert Files option in the local menu of the Project files window.

Join only merges regions on the same track, not on separate tracks.

[valve]

Thanks for the tip. I must be doing something wrong though. Are these the right steps?

• Select two split mono files in the Project audio browser

• Audio File (local menu) > Copy/Convet Files...

• Stereo Conversion: Split to Interleaved

 

This just creates two new mono audio files.

 

Edit: I found this support article on this topic. Kind of weird, it's not in the Logic Pro User guide, it's just a random support article. Anyway, it explains that the naming scheme determines if Logic will automatically interleave split mono files. I changed mine to ".L" and ".R" and they're importing as interleaved stereo now.

 

Still not sure about converting existing split mono files in Logic to interleaved stereo though.