EdiCue has been designed around storing ADR cue and department note data in a Pro Tools session. A separate audio track is created for each character and department, and the data for each cue is stored in a clip or empty clip-group. Data for specific fields are stored within 'tags' in the track names and clip names.

By storing the cue data in a Pro Tools session, the timing of each cue can easily be checked and cues can be re-conformed with our application EdiLoad when picture changes occur. These cue tracks can also be shared with other editors or mixers so they can see where ADR will be supplied, or see their supervisor's notes in the timeline as they work.

The EdiCue Session Interface window allows sound supervisors to prepare ADR cues with minimum fuss. Character lines can be copied from a shooting script with a single click (see Script Window below) and if required, the line can be amended while spelling is checked. Attributes like a reason, scene number, priority and notes can then be assigned along with styling the text of the cue before sending the cue data to a Pro Tools clip.

To save typing character dialog from scratch, line and scene data can be extracted from standard PDF shooting scripts. The filter controls are used to find a line within the production, or to show just the lines for a specific character and scene. Simply clicking any line arrow button will copy it into the Session Interface window where it can be amended while playing the reference pictures. This work-flow provides a fast and efficient way of creating cues.

When ADR cues have been created in a third-party application, EdiCue can import this data from either a tab, comma or semicolon delimited text file or an Excel file. When cue numbers are being imported, EdiCue checks that these are all present and unique.

If the imported data is ready for record, EdiCue can simply export the required files. If the cues need to be amended in some way, they can be exported as an AAF and manipulated in Pro Tools. This provides a valuable way of confirming all cues are correct and allows for cues to be re-conformed for picture updates. If the imported cue data only has a start time, EdiCue can create AAF clips with a default duration so that the end points for each cue can be found in Pro Tools.

Cues can be created in Avid Media Composer by creating a marker at each cue point. This provides a way of creating cue sheets for preliminary ADR during the picture edit, or flagging lines to be ADR'd before a spotting session. EdiCue allows for this information to be transferred to Pro Tools by converting this marker data into an ADR cue session.

The same tags that are used for Pro Tools are used to store data for specific fields in the Media Composer marker name and comment fields. When the markers are imported into EdiCue, those that have a specific colour or track assignment can be loaded to ignore non-ADR cue markers.

The configuration of cue numbers is a very important step in creating cue sheets as these link the generated paperwork with the associated recordings. With EdiCue, cue numbers can be customised to contain different elements and count by various methods, depending on the requirements of the production. For most counting methods, EdiCue will also save the last cue numbers generated, so any subsequent exports will create a unique number.

The cue numbers generated by EdiCue can contain the following production elements: Reel or Episode Number, Picture Version Number, Scene Number, Character ID, Cue counter and any alphanumeric character.

The cue counter can be assigned to a cue during each export so cues count sequentially, or a custom cue number can be assigned while logging cues so each cue retains the same number, even when cues are inserted or removed.

A range of preset PDF layouts are provided, each made up of several customisable band designs (see next feature). The title, orientation (portrait/landscape) and sort order can be set for each layout. In addition, the height of each cue in the exported PDF is automatically extended for cues with extra long lines and the ADR cue notes field is automatically hidden when empty. View sample cue sheets.

The cue data used to generate the PDFs is also embedded within each PDF. This data can be used by the studio recording the ADR if they require the data in a different format by loading the PDF into either EdiCue or EdiPrompt.

The Band Designer window allows you to customise the look and content of the PDFs. Select which fields are displayed; for example, show locations as timecodes, footages or both. Add a company or production logo to the header using the picture object. Tailor the look of each object using the color, font, text size, bold, italics, underline and alignment properties. A formula can be entered into the label object to display text differently depending on the value of a field.

All designs and images are stored in the EdiCue production settings file which can be stored locally, or on an external or network drive.

These windows provide a convenient way to export a movie or WAV file for every cue of a selection of characters. The movie files can be used by Todd-AO's Actors Mobile ADR to record the ADR cues with an iPhone or iPad. The WAV files can be loaded into a sampler to play the location dialogue of a cue to actors that prefer to parrot multiple takes in one record run. For more information and a demo video showing how both windows work, see this blog post.

NOTE: These windows are only available in the macOS version of EdiCue

EdiCue can generate an ADR summary in the form of a PDF, Text or Excel file. This file lists all actors and the amount of time required with each to record their cues. Calculate the time required by setting the number of minutes per cue and BVox (breaths and vocals) cue, along with a record setup time.

Additional detail can be added to the summary by selecting either Priority, Cue Status, Reason or Reason Category detail. The default Reason Category detail shows the number of cues required for technical reasons versus production requests.

Editable fields are special fields that allow data to be edited directly in a PDF using a PDF viewer app. The preset EdiCue TBW (to be written) PDF layout uses editable fields to allow a writer to update the lines directly in the PDF. The preset 'Eng Notes' PDF layout uses an editable label to allow supervisors to type recording notes directly into the PDF during the ADR record session.

In addition to allowing data to be changed, EdiCue can import the changes made in 'Line' and 'Note' editable fields to update the master cue session.

While exporting PDFs, EdiCue can also export a range of files for loading into various cueing systems or recording devices. It can also create a complete ADR cueing session as an AAF with the data stored within EdiCue tags.

It can create a separate file for each character in the following formats:

• MIDI files: used by EdiPrompt to display text and cues on-screen as well as automate the recording process
• XML/XLS/text files: formatted for ADR Studio, AV Media Pyxis, Colin Broad VS-1, ADR Manager, Sound Master and Euro Taker

It can also export all cues in a single tab/comma/semicolon delimited text file, XML file, XLS file or SubRip file. SubRip (.srt) files are used to subtitle movies stored as Quicktime files or YouTube movies.