iPad audio file upload and editing?

[EvanP]

Does anyone know how to archive and edit audio and video files on an iPad? I've got the connectors and have tried several apps, albeit unsuccessfully. I've figured out how to upload photos and video, but haven't been able to find a way to import audio files or edit audio or video files.

Thanks,
Evan

[michi]

Not quite sure what you want to achieve.

There are a number of recording applications with built-in editors. You record using the iPad and then you can edit the recording you made.

If you want to edit pre-existing recordings, the problem is the sandbox for applications. Even if you have an editor on the iPad, there is no way to get a recording from a recorder into the iPad, or pass a recording from, say, iTunes on the iPad to the editing application.

You can do this by moving files between applications via a computer, but then you might as well edit on the computer...

Basically, if you want to edit and tag field recordings on the go, say stuff you've recorded with a portable MP3 recorder, you really need to use a laptop. That allows you to do all the fancy stuff, such as editing with Audacity, importing into iTunes, tagging recordings there, and so on.

Cheers,

Michi.

[EvanP]

Michi,
I want to use my iPad to backup and edit files recorded using my PCM-M10 while traveling in W. Africa.

I'm taking a bunch of flash, but want to back up as I go so I don't lose anything. I'm trying to avoid taking my laptop and charger to minimize gear I have to carry. The iPad works fine for photos and video, and I figure there's got to be a way to get MP3 files from the recorder or micro SD into the iPad, but I haven't found one yet.

Thanks,
Evan

[michi]

The iPad works fine for photos and video, and I figure there's got to be a way to get MP3 files from the recorder or micro SD into the iPad, but I haven't found one yet.

That's because there isn't one. You cannot import files from an MP3 recorder into an iPad. And even if you could, you then couldn't access those files with an audio editing app.

To do what you want to do, you need to take your laptop, I'm afraid...

Cheers,

Michi.

[EvanP]

Michi,
Thanks. I confirmed this at the Apple store. There is some hope that the new OS being released in the next few weeks will allow it, but that's a long shot.

The more I think about it, I should be fine as long as I record with reasonable data rates and bit lengths. I just won't be able to archive anything without going to a cyber cafe. The photo and video files are much larger, and those I can port to the iPad with no problem.

Cheers,
E

[michi]

At 320kbit/sec, you get 27 hours of recording with 4GB of memory. Add extra memory cards as needed. One recommendation: take notes with the folder and file names, date, and rhythm name, plus anything else that seems relevant. Without this, it takes forever to sort through weeks worth of recordings later, trying to figure out what is what.

Cheers,

Michi.

[EvanP]

Michi,
Excellent advice on the notes. I've already got my notebook for keeping track of rhythms and dates, but hadn't thought about adding the file name. I'm using a 16GB card in addition to the 4GB memory in the recorder, so I should have no issue with having enough memory. Somehow I think it's still going to be a challenge to sort through several weeks of recordings.

Evan

[michi]

Somehow I think it's still going to be a challenge to sort through several weeks of recordings.

Definitely. I've done that twice now, once after a one-month trip, and once after a two-month trip. It's a lot of work, no matter what you do.

Tip: resist the temptation to record everything. Instead, be judicious about when and how much you record. Talk to your teachers and ask whether they are willing to spend some time at the end of a lesson to separately play all the parts and/or solos for you to record. If so, do that. Not only does this mean that you can focus on the lesson instead of fiddling with the recorder all the time, but it also means that you'll have a lot less boring material to wade through later. (Editing a recording of a whole two-hour class can be really tedious, considering that, often, there might be only three or four minutes in it that you actually want to keep.)

Cheers,

Michi.

[rachelnguyen]

True that. I once recorded a whole workshop with Wadaba and have NEVER listened to it. Now I know better.

My teacher, Sidy, actively discourages students from recording a whole class. He is always willing to play the pieces for them at the end. This has been true with all my teachers, come to think of it.

Evan, some of my recordings from my first trip to Mali are some of the most cherished things I have. I am so excited for you!

[EvanP]

Rachel,
Thanks. I'm pretty stoked myself! One of the things I'd hoped to do to make the lesson recordings more valuable is to edit them on the iPad so I could annotate the different parts, rhythm names, etc. to make them easier to locate when I get home. Even if I mark tracks and note the day/time, it's still easier if there's a file that has more description than "120102_1.mp3".

In addition to recording lessons, I'm also looking forward to video and audio recording parts of the performances we watch. As an aside, I was delighted to be able to record decent audio just using my Canon G12 camera for video and audio from about 12 feet back (far enough back to get the whole group in the frame--I was expecting distortion), so it's not quite so critical that I also make audio recordings of the performances since I'll at least have passable audio from the camera.

Of course I also want to keep in mind Michi's advice not to try to capture everything lest I lose the experience.

Evan