i work in movie post pro and new to nuendo system. for everybody who do the same thing as me must know that we create sfx through layering multiple clips in multiple tracks. when it come to panning session, should i pan one by one every track? for example a single gunshot consist many layer clip to build (recoil, gun fire, gun shake,etc. it will take so long if i must record all the automaton one by one. can you explain the panning session workflow?
My template uses several sets of sound effects tracks grouped in Folder tracks (e.g. SFX A-F; each one typically 12 mono or stereo tracks to start). Within each folder group is a stereo Group track specifically used for panning automation (each of the 12 audio tracks in the group feeds into this Group track). From there, they head off to another Group track that I use for FX sends (typically delay and reverb). This way I only have to write the panning automation once per SFX group. So, SFX A is panned one way, and B or C each use different panning automation, for different things moving around in the scene.
Another reason I use separate panning-only Group tracks is because writing the automation on the same Group tracks that have the FX sends ends up panning those delay and reverb effects as well, which I don’t want - the delay and reverb FX should just be BE the space with only the SFX content panning through them (unless panned FX are the effect you’re going for).
Hope this helps!
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As always: “It depends”
I will try to explain how I like to do it, but keep in mind, that this is by no means an optimized “standard” workflow. I love learning from others too, so I’d like to share my workflow.
I like to have different Groups of HFX, like Gunshots, Vehicles, Crowd/Walla, Doors etc. In total usually around 4-6 different Subgroups separated by VCAs and Group Tracks (depending on project scale). This way I can just automate the given Subgroup if there are no overlaps. If there are overlaps, I like to have them cut at least A/Bed on different “Trackgroups”, so I can “Quicklink” all channels during Automation.
You will have to communicate with the Sound Designer to think forward to mixing these things. That’s what I always tell my sound designers. “How would you like to have the track layed out if you would have to mix it later”.
Nothing is more frustrating like having to go through a lot of scrambled clips and not being able to see whats going on on first sight.
Regarding Verbs:
I have sends off of single tracks and also off of those SubGrouped FX Groups all feeding into an overall HFX or FX Group. So similar to Rodneys Workflow.
Yep, also if it is a bigger project, postproduction manager ( or what ever it is called these days) should coordinate aaf files (or whatever file format you use for transfer between sound departments).
If sxf designer created a 5.1 automation for a specific sound, try to use that, if it is not good, unpack the file and write your own, simple as that