PUNCH AND ROLL????

[Rhett Samuel Price]

I know this question has been asked myriad times, but it would be NICE if Adobe added this feature to the next update.  While it may not seem important for general VO work, it is extremely important to those of us (Audiobook narrators, which is a booming industry) to have in the studio.  PnR allows the narrator to narrate smoothly, with minimal interruption after setting the start point.  I know the hybrid of PnR exists in the multitrack view, but it is not the same.  Especially when you need to "re-PnR" to get the take just right.

This is not "loop-recording" for multiple takes, or just the simple "punch-in" recording to correct mistakes and the recording stops at a predetermined location.  Punch and Roll, is the combination of "Punching in" at a predetermined location (with a pre-roll amount the operator can set from 2 seconds to 20 seconds), and having Audition continue to record until the "Stop" button is keyed.  You are also able to "loop record" but the recording does not "loop back" at the end.  Loop recording continues to record until the "Stop" button is again keyed, however, if a mistake is made during the initial "Punch in", or subsequent "Loop recording" the operator is able to hit the "loop" button, the recording stops, goes back to where the original "Pre-roll" began, starts playing, and again "Punches in" at the same location as previously recorded, and continues to record until the "Stop" button is keyed.  (There are a host of other things that happen, but a look at the 3rd party extension created by Travis Herbert, which is available on your extension site should give the engineers an idea of what's needed).

Why is this so greatly needed?  This simple function drastically cuts down the amount of time it takes to produce and audiobook.  In some cases, 5 to 10 fold.  I know with the 3rd party plugin created by Travis Herbert, my production time decreased by an average of 30 to 50 minutes per chapter.  With a 52 chapter or greater book, that is a HUGE amount of time saved.

Travis Herbert, an Adobe user and software engineer, programed a PnR third party plug-in for Audition that works well with 2017 and later versions, but now that 2018 is out, it will have to be updated. It would be easier if AA adopted this program and made it standard so an outside party doesn't have to deal with constant updates and revisions.

Does any forum moderator have any comments about this request?

Thanks,

Rhett

[SteveG_AudioMasters_ · Accepted solution]

TheVoiceofRhett  wrote

Travis Herbert, an Adobe user and software engineer, programed a PnR third party plug-in for Audition that works well with 2017 and later versions, but now that 2018 is out, it will have to be updated. It would be easier if AA adopted this program and made it standard so an outside party doesn't have to deal with constant updates and revisions.

One of the major reasons for Adobe offering the 'Extensions' option on the portal is so that they don't have to adopt any of these plugins - it's effectively the developer's job to maintain them. I believe that one of the principles behind this is that if apps were adopted and programmed directly into the software, the additional maintenance effort required for them would detract from programming effort being extended to future upgrades of the main software. So it's sort-of spreading the load, as it were.

[Rhett Samuel Price]

Thanks for the response.  Understood, but this isn't a "simple" plugin.  It's an essential function available on other DAW's.  Even "Fairlight" has it, and that's something not that commonly used.

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

You should understand that I'm not speaking officially for Adobe here, but my understanding from previous responses to questions like this is that whilst something might be 'essential' for one user, if enough of the corporate users don't identify it, it comes a lot lower down on the 'We Should Have It Built-In' list. And that list already has quite a lot of stuff on it (no I'm not guessing about this, but due to an NDA I can say nothing), and I bet there's other stuff I don't know about as well.

Also, I don't think that it would exactly be an act of good faith on Adobe's part to encourage end-users to put the effort into creating an extension, and then steal it from them. You could argue that there are even potential copyright implications, although this may all be in the small print (which I freely admit that I haven't looked at). However you look at it, it's murky waters. It's also just possible that you may get some developer comment on this as well - wait and see...

[qwerwqer]

Hey there, Travis Baldree here - I wrote the extension that Rhett is talking about.
And I'd LOVE it if Adobe would steal it and incorporate it so that I don't have to maintain it.

Rhett, is yours still working in 2018? I updated on one of my machines and it still seems to be ticking along (for now!)

[SteveG_AudioMasters_]

qwerwqer  wrote

And I'd LOVE it if Adobe would steal it and incorporate it so that I don't have to maintain it.

Then it wouldn't be stealing, as such - you'd have effectively given it to them. I suspect though that the maintenance issue might still apply...

[qwerwqer]

Sure, but the maintenance in this case isn't particularly complex if it is done natively in Audition.

The individual bits of functionality are honestly trivial - the fact that I have to bludgeon them into occurring through JavaScript and try to get them to happen synchronously when the interface wants you to do things asynchronously is the tough part.

This truly is not a complex feature when implemented natively. But it is complex to make it happen through the extension sdk.

[unauthorizedrob]

I enthusiastically support Travis Baldree’s offer to Adobe to “steal” his Punch & Roll plug-in and make it Native.  Audiobooks are a fast-growing market, and this feature is ESSENTIAL to efficient recording.  I am sure I speak for a growing contingent of loyal Audition users who, just because of the lack of this feature, have moved to other programs.   I have been working with Travis’ plug-in and encountered an elusive interface issue with Audition that frustratingly causes the extensión to fail a high percentage of time.  This can become exasperating, infuriating under the pressure if recording high-strung Talent in a medium that relies on a smooth, stable rhythm between them and the engineer/DAW.    Travis has gone to extraordinary lengths to work with me to try and solve this problem, and deserves high kudos from Adobe for his generous free offer of his work.  I have no doubt Adobe will find him a very cooperative colleague.  Meanwhile, he and I have not been able to solve my issues, and Adobe really needs to step up.

And it’s Baldree, not Herbert.

[Ron Broach]

I'll add my voice to the number of people who need this functionality. The lack of Punch-and-Roll is the single reason I use Studio One instead of Audition for recording. I like Audition's setup, and capabilities, effects, and visuals - but the lack of punch-and-roll is a game ender for anyone recording more than a few minutes of audio at a time. This really needs to be incorporated into the program as a native capability.

[ryclark]

The more 'feature requests' Adobe receives the higher up the list these requests may get. So if you would like a new feature do please put in an official request for it. Don't just complain on the U2U forums. 

[Rhett Samuel Price]

That’s understandable ryclark. But it would seem by now, this feature should be at the top of the list as it is requested year-in and year-out.

[ProDesignTools]

Well, there's only one ask for this functionality on Adobe's official feature request site for Audition, and it has 7 votes currently.

As Adobe prioritizes new feature work based in part on customer demand, it would be good to vote & comment on this feature if you desire it:

Native Functional Punch and Roll recording – Adobe video & audio apps