Short film edited, mixed and mastered with Ardour

#1

Hey guys!

I’ve taken it as a challenge of mine to point out that you can in fact create a whole multichannel film soundtrack with Ardour from the beginning to the finished files. I’m going to even limit myself to only using the open source plugins.

I am currently working with my Linux laptop and what my university campus can provide. So far I’ve managed to get 12 channels out for 7.1.4 configuration to the Avid HDX and MTRX system using DiGiCo’s UB MADI. I even managed to get the Avid s3 and Dock working with Ardour. I’m currently writing a paper on the technical differences and compromises you have to make when working with Ardour instead of Pro Tools. Later this year I will write a thesis about how it is to edit, mix and master with Ardour and all open source plugins.

If you have any experience or know anyone who has created multichannel soundtracks for movies with Ardour please do let me know. Otherwise I’m happy to answer questions and share my experiences so far. The finished shortfilm will come out in the beginning of next year 2027.

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#2

Ardour is, as I think you know, an open source project, and we welcome feedback and input from our users. Rather than write these documents as if the state of Ardour is fixed in stone by some unresponsive corporation, it would be great if you’d let us read draft copies of these documents so we can assess if there are changes that we want to (and can) make to remove friction.

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#3

Wow, sounds like you has as much fun as I did 20 years ago. Short film soundtracks were the reason why I first got involved with Ardour.

I only did sound design, foley and basic stereo mixes though. Not the final mastering and 5.1. These days I’d probably use Ambisonics to do a multi-channel mix and then fold it down to 5.1 7.2.4 etc from there.

I am curious what approach you took.

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#4

I get what you are suggesting but that would not go well with how I’m writing the paper and would also question my objectivity as a writer if I let others read and directly influence the text. Also it is in Finnish so it would be bit of a hassle to translate it.

I do understand very well that Ardour isn’t set in stone but I have to select a version that I work with throughout the writing process. I am planning on publishing this paper I’m writing before the actual thesis so you’ll have a chance to read it before I fully start doing the short film. And I am not as forced to limit myself to just one version of Ardour whilst working with the short film, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bring forward the good and the greatness of the community!

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#5

20 years is a long time and a lot has changed since. I am currently trying to figure out if I will choose the ambisonics path or if I stay on plain channel based solutions. I would love to use IAMF for object based audio, but as for now it only works with Reaper, unless some magic happens :wink:

#6

My late night brain meant the ADM renderer, not the IAMF tools.

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#7

Update: Magic did in fact happen and I realized how the EAR plugins routing works in Ardour. Hello OBA!

#8

Did I understand correctly that you’re from Finland as well, like me? It would be really interesting to hear more about your project as it progresses!

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#9

We shall meet at the Tori! I will try to update my progress here as often as I can.

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#10

Also side note, I would love to hear how you have found it working with Linux based audio!

#11

The experience has been mostly very positive. I can’t really imagine wanting anything else anymore.

P.S. You can reach me through the website. I’m located roughly halfway between Tampere and Turku.

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