We would be DEAD (or at least wasting several hours per day) if we did not have AES31 import-export available.
The average length of our production is 6-15 seconds long. Average order by client=12 cuts, with 5-8 mixes per cut = 96 mixes per client. We record and mix in Nuendo, export mixes via AES31. Import AES31 into Wavelab. Do this 2 to 3 times per day (we can produce several clients per day)
Why AES31?
If you try to cut and paste, or AAF, OMF, WAV import. The mixes would be imported in Alphabetical order, not mix order. If you had an edit between 2 mixes, WL would create 2 separate mixes out of it. You would spend quite a bit of time ordering your mixes the way you intended.
With AES31, it imports the mixes in the correct order, treats edits properly AND it imports markers that give us yet MORE information. AND with AES31 you are not Copying files (creating more unneeded drive usage) you are simply creating a audio decision list (no bulky audio files) just pointers on where to access the files.
And all of this great benefit takes 10 seconds to export in Nuendo, and 10 seconds to import into Wavelab.
I feel like I have only scratched the surface of why AES31 is useful to us, and perhaps explained it badly, but …
Time saver, labor saver, Priceless !!!
Yes people out there use this feature.
Later,
Brain