Thread: What is an OMF file?

What does it mean if someone says they "can transfer or save a file to omf," and what are the advantages . . . is there a specific program or platform that it operates under?

Thanks!

OMF files are generated by video editors that work on the Avid platforms or Final Cut Pro software. (There might be others) It gives them the opportunity to send the audio editing they made to Pro Tools user in a convenient 1 file package.
Pro Tools users then convert the OMF file into a Pro Tools session using a simple free software.
The audio tracks are recovered with the whole audio material (even if it has been edited), clip names, fade ins and outs, and original sync. The audio engineer can then decide to keep the editor's work or make alterations according to what is needed. Very useful in the audio post production world and much faster than re conforming EDLs...

So I'm assuming it's a lossless format ? . . . and the individual audio tracks aren't going to suffer any from any sort of data compression?

I apologize for being stuck in the ice ages on this stuff. :D Yea, did you hear the Titanic sunk?

. . . But this sounds really convenient.

Thanks for the explanation.

Hey,
I would add that it's not totally "lossless" because of a few things. When saving the OMF file, one can alter the handle length saved. In the Pro Tools world, when you grab the end of an audio file and extend it to see what's beyond the edit point, that would be a "handle". You can't always save the OMF's without setting a specific handle lenght maximum because of storage issues. Thus, it is not technicly "lossy" data compression but still, data can be lost. (or lopped off if you will!) Also, if you use any plugins on the original video edit's audio files that do not exist in your protools session, you will lose the plugin data as well. You can save the actual audio files in .wav or .aiff format, ussually with 16-24 bit dynamic range as well as maintaining the session sample rate so that will not hamper the audio quality.
Regards,
mIchAEl