Batch processing destroys files stereo to mono

[Mark Estdale]

I'm doing simple stereo to mono conversions. same sample rate and bit depth (48kHz 24bit) and mixing 100% left and 0% right. I've got 750,000 files to do but I did a test to see what Audition could do so I loaded in 5,000 and ran the batch. It ran smoothly BUT it actually just gave me an output of 5,000 empty files.

There is a technical term called 'deep joy' that comes from using vaporware.

Have I just been conned by Adobe to buy buggy nonsense?

I know the Audition team keep trying to make things better by adding bloat and removing and changing really useful features they don't really understand but that's the corporate stupidity and reality inherent in tools designed by people trying to serve the mass market and bigger profits rather than the real experts who need good tools.

Oh, they sure do listen to customers and ask for features and ideas  but there is no real filter on the quality of what they are guided by (it' obvious by the outcome). Then they act upon statistical feedback. An act which is a pure example of spineless corporate idiocy, an act that is behind every death of true creative innovation.

So come one Adobe please get your — together and do something courageous and magical for a change. Revive the pioneering spirit guys as there still is magic within the tool. Don't let Audition limp on into obscurity.

I've been a fan and supporter of David Johnston's work ever since he created Cool Edit but watching his innovation bloat into mediocrity has been the saddest 25 year  journey I've ever witnessed or invested in so far.

Mod Warning: Kindly avoid profanity in these forums. We have minors reading here.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

Please bear in mind that this is a U2U forum where we attempt to help people, and that Adobe won't read your rhetoric. Nevertheless...

https://forums.adobe.com/people/Mark+Estdale  wrote

I'm doing simple stereo to mono conversions. same sample rate and bit depth (48kHz 24bit) and mixing 100% left and 0% right. I've got 750,000 files to do but I did a test to see what Audition could do so I loaded in 5,000 and ran the batch. It ran smoothly BUT it actually just gave me an output of 5,000 empty files. 

How exactly have you set this up? If you have stereo files to start with, do you actually want single-channel mono files, or as you've indicated, files where there's only the left channel and the right channel obliterated? What process have you used? Last time I tried this, it worked fine after I'd set up an appropriate favourite and ran it. This involved the 'convert sample type' tool...

[ryclark · Accepted solution]

Also it is probably a good idea to test out your batch convert settings on a much smaller batch of files to make that it does do what you want first.

[Mark Estdale]

did a smaller test too. that works fine. but it's as useful as a chocolate spoon if it can't do large quantities.

[Mark Estdale]

Normal - drag stereo files to batch process window, click export settings, select change sample type and  change output channels to mono in advance set Left mix to 100% and Right Mix to 0%. Then click run.

Files are small 2 seconds to 20 seconds of length.