Audio is but isn't there after AAF import from Avid

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Hi,

I have an issue after importing an AAF file from Avid, and in particular lost audio.

To begin, a timeline was first created in Avid working with the PXL files (captured from a mobile phone), and this absolutely includes audio.  All this was exported within Avid to an AAF file; from the screenshot you can now see this within PP and looking to the "Mobile Phone" bin within the Project panel.  In the Source monitor there is video but no audio playing.  And on the timeline, corresponding with the Record monitor, you can see a Video track but nothing on the Audio track (there is also no Audio on the timeline corresponding to the Source).

I have no idea what is going on here because, again, there absolutely is audio.  Also, double-checking with Avid and the AAF file was exported with the audio tracks switched on (and this wouldn't affect the original PXL file anyway, currently showing up in PP's Source monitor with no audio).

Please advise,

DC

[R Neil Haugen]

What's the format/codec of the audio? I am guessing it is something Premiere doesn't work with.

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Attached is the media info for the file...

[Kevin-Monahan]

Hi,

Thanks for the message. It's an odd problem since this codec should be supported. Can you import these files directly into Premiere Pro? If those work, the problem may be related to how the AAF references or packages the audio—not the codec itself. Let me know the results of that test. 

Thanks,
Kevin

[Daniel30810352o94k]

I can import the media file directly into PP, but when then importing the AAF file (and as previously), it's the audio track the does not show.  In other words, on the timeline there is no audio track reference for this to then find the original audio when relinking/connecting with the original media file that's in the project panel/source monitor.  Pecuilar issue ???

[Daniel30810352o94k]

I've tried every combo I can think of, and have no idea.

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Anyone, please?

[R Neil Haugen]

@Warren Heaton or @John V Knowles ? 

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Hi,

This newly-attached screenshot explains the issue.

The Source monitor represents the original file imported into PP as referenced by the AAF import from Avid.  The Record monitor is the timeline imported into PP from the AAF import from Avid.  In theory, therefore, while the latter does reference the former, they are not the same thing (albeit ultimately they are).  However, neither monitor is playing audio; plus no audio is showing up at all on the timeline, which refers to the Record monitor.  However, simply playing the original file in any normal media player (VLC in the highlighted case) and the audio most definitly plays, while the Media Info analysis details the original media file's properties.  I suppose this could be an issue with the AAF exported from Avid (somehow not translating fully as shown by the lack of audio in the timeline information); but since the original file in PP also is not playing the audio, then this would suggest the problem is here.

I don't know... very weird.  Please advise,

DC

[John V Knowles]

Any chance you can share a short clip in the PXL format? I can see if I can replicate the issue between Avid and Pr. 

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Hi John, thank you for your offer to help. Please find 2x links below, one to the PXL file and the other to its corresponding AAF. I work with someone who's putting together a documentary on this set of music jam nights, and I have a ton of like-footage, often with two cameras and edited together, meaning other timelines have 2x video tracks and 4x audio tracks. I've set up in Avid, and my colleague is in PP. These links are for the first effort recording, so relatively simple. If you can figure this out, then very much appreciated.  DC

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xre2890obt10phzwjfxor/PXL_20230808_204006626.mp4?rlkey=cen888plbh4m1u... 

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/txorfero7wrg5muirs6h4/2023-08-08-1.aaf?rlkey=2e5dhn7lrelbo8x0yvvohihu... 

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Hi John,

Any luck?

D.

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Hello ...?

[John V Knowles]

Hi there! Sorry for the delay; we just wrapped up the Adobe MAX convention and everybody was tied up with that. I just downloaded the clips, will report back soon...

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Thank you, looking forward to your hopefully cracking this one, D.

[John V Knowles]

Quick update: I opened your AAF in Premiere and indeed there was no audio on the timeline, just the video of the clip. In this scenario the Premiere editor could go through a sequence and match frame+overcut to get the audio but that's obviously not ideal.

However: when I brought the AAF into Davinci Resolve the opposite happened -- the audio was there but the video was offline. That tells me this still may be an issue with the AAF itself.

[Daniel30810352o94k]

John, thank you so far. My Avid subscription has run out, so I won't be able to drum up new AAFs (even with tinkered settings, albeit I tried as many variations as I could think of, and you presently have a copy of the original).  This is weird; but if one system [PP] has one half of the story, and another system [Resolve] has the other half, then logically this says that all the information is in the AAF.  Logically further, either there is a tinkering in settings needed during the Avid output, or on input within PP there must be a tinkering required?  Dunno, just thinking out loud?  D. 

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Hi John, have you a further update on this issue?  I did respond to your feedback re: results in PP and Resolve.  Thank you, DC

[John V Knowles]

HI there,

I just did a series of tests using Avid MC 2025.6 and Premiere 25.5. Starting with a fresh project, I was able to duplicate your AAF issue with your clip; using only the default "Link media" settings in the AAF resulted in no audio track in Premiere.

However, I tested an AAF with a known "good" clip I have (Canon camera, ProRes, standard 23.98 frame rate) and it imported the sound correctly when opened in Premiere. 

That tells me it may be the CLIP that's causing the issue. Looking at the file I see it's a non-standard, variable  frame rate (29.86) which I assume was shot on a phone. I know Avid in particular is very picky about standard frame rates so if I had to put my finger on a culprit here it would that Avid is not conforming the audio properly to fit the project frame rate and therefore it's not including it in the AAF. 

If I knew more about Avid I might have a solution for you on that side of things, but alas my knowledge of that NLE is limited. I would ping some folks on the Avid support boards and see if they can help you there!

[Daniel30810352o94k]

Thank you, John.  I'll check in on the Avid forum with your responses.  I'll come back with what they say.

D.