For current information about product updates, tips and techniques, and qualified third-party devices, visit the Soundtrack website at
http://www.apple.com/soundtrack.
Exporting Projects and Tracks
When exporting a project mix or a track, the length of the export file runs from the beginning of the playback region to the end of the playback region if a playback region exists. If no playback region exists, the export file runs from the beginning of the project to the end of the last audio clip in the project. If the project contains effects that produce sound beyond the end of the last audio clip, the export file will extend beyond the last audio clip until the effects stop generating sound. When exporting tracks, the lengths of all the audio files are the same and are based on the length of the longest track.
Duration of Exported QuickTime Files
When exporting a project to a QuickTime movie file, the export file runs from the beginning of the project to either the end of the video file or the end of the last audio clip in the project, whichever is later. The complete video is exported. If the project contains effects that produce sound beyond the end of the last audio clip, the export file will extend beyond the last audio clip until the effects stop generating sound. Projects exported to QuickTime are exported at a bit depth of 16 bits, whether the Export Bit Depth setting in the Project pane of the Preferences window is set to a bit depth of 16 bits or 24 bits. QuickTime is limited to an export bit depth of 16 bits. Some video files with a .mov extension, particularly video files created using some versions of iMovie 3 and movies exported from iMovie as Full Quality DV, may not be in a standard QuickTime movie format. If you try to export a project with a video file, and see an alert that the video is not a standard QuickTime movie, export the video from another application such as Final Cut Pro or QuickTime Pro to create a standard QuickTime movie of the file before exporting to QuickTime in Soundtrack. Note that Soundtrack cannot export a QuickTime file when the sample rate is 96 kHz.
Deleting Files in a Project
When a media file has been added to the Timeline of a project, and you move the file to the Trash, and then close the project, the file cannot be deleted from the Trash. An alert appears, saying that the file is still in use. To delete the file, quit Soundtrack, and then empty the Trash.
Similarly, when an audio file has been opened in Soundtrack Loop Utility, and you move the file to the Trash and then close the Soundtrack Loop Utility window, the file cannot be deleted from the Trash. An alert appears, saying that the file is still in use. To delete the file, quit Soundtrack Loop Utility, and then empty the Trash.
Placing Beat, Time, and Scoring Markers
If a beat marker or a time marker is placed at the same position as a Final Cut Pro scoring marker, the beat or time marker cannot be moved or deleted.
Video Files Located on a Server May Lose Synchronization During Recording
When you record audio in a project that contains a video file, if the video file is located on a server, the video's audio may not be synchronized with the project while recording. You may also experience Write errors while recording. To eliminate the problem, download the video file to your computer's hard disk. Similarly, you should not use a network-based device or server as the recording sessions location, as specified in the Recording Sessions Location field in the Recording pane of Soundtrack Preferences.
Importing a Video File With Audio Tracks
When you import a video file into a Soundtrack project, and the video file contains multiple audio tracks, only the first audio track is imported into the project.
Using Small Screen Resolutions
Soundtrack is intended to be used at a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels or higher. If your computer is set to a screen resolution smaller than 1024 x 768, layouts may not display correctly, and changing the layout may cause unpredictable screen behavior.
Mute Always Overrides Solo
When both the Mute and the Solo buttons are selected simultaneously, Mute always overrides Solo. For instance, if you have multiple percussion tracks soloed, you can mute one track or multiple tracks to hear individual volume levels in relation to each other. As you unmute each track, those percussion tracks are still soloed.
Solo Doesn't Affect Preview
If you solo a track, Preview still plays. This allows you to preview different drum loops with a soloed guitar, for example.
Using Undo in Soundtrack Loop Utility
When you choose Edit > Undo in Soundtrack Loop Utility, the text is removed from the current and previously selected text fields.
Splitting a Clip
To split a clip into segments, set the playhead at the point where you want to make the split and then choose Edit > Split, or press S. (The Soundtrack User's Manual on page 95 incorrectly says to press K.)
New Apple Applications Page for Pro Apps Developers
The Apple Developer Connection website has launched a new page, Apple Applications, that is a one-stop destination for developers creating content or extensions for Pro Applications such as Soundtrack. On this page, developers can find late-breaking news of interest and technical resources, including developer documentation, special articles, and SDKs. Developers can also sign up for a new Pro Apps Developer mailing list. The URL is
http://developer.apple.com/appleapplications.