Live2Wav

V1.0
Split / Explode W/X-Live multi-channel WAV files from a recorded session into
individual, single channel WAV files

Introduction:

This utility creates standard files from multi-channel wave files found in WLive or XLive sessions; The typical
use would be to simplify the exporting of data from an WLive or XLive Session to DAW. Note that in general,
most DAW will support importing multi-channel wave files. Live2Wav simplifies the process in concatenating
the respective session pieces into single mono wave files directly importable into your DAW software.

The wave format used by W/X-Live is a multi-channel wave format called 32-bit PCM multi-channel WAV,
where all recorded samples are grouped across channels rather than by channels. For example, in a
standard 2-channel recording, you would have two separate wave files, each regrouping all audio samples of
each separate channels stored sequentially:

File 1: <header><ch1sample_1><ch1sample_2>…<ch1sample_n><eof>
File 2: <header><ch2sample_1><ch2sample_2>…<ch2sample_n><eof>

In the case of the W/X-Live expansion card, the data is stored in a single file, and the audio samples are
grouped cross-channels:
File:
<header><ch1sample_1><ch2sample_1><ch1sample_2><ch2sample_2>…<ch2sample_n><eof>

The format used by the W/X-Live expansion board has several advantages such as an optimal use of the SD
cards interfaces writing speeds and ensuring samples at a given time are always being kept together. There
are drawbacks Behringer has been addressing with the storage of their files, such as automatically filling
unused channels to a multiple of 8, 16 or 32 channels, automatically managing the maximum file size in
Live2Wav

creating multiple 4GB files seamlessly when necessary, and being able to jump from one SD card to the
next.

Launching the program.

The Live2Wav program opens a window and displays a panel such as shown above.

In the program panel, there are several buttons and fields, enabling great features.

The two top buttons are used to select a source directory containing an WLive or XLive Session, and select
a destination directory for the resulting mono-channel wave files, respectively.

Upon opening the Session Directory, the Session Name is displayed underneath, or is set to data and time if
the session has no name assigned to it (default behavior for X32). The program enables you to set a 16
chars max session name, meaningful to you and that will be recorded with the session.

In the example above, I replaced the blank field by “My New Name!”, and clicked on “Set Session Name” to
record my changes.

Live2Wav ver. 1.00 ©2018-23

Patrick-Gilles Maillot
Live2Wav

WLive or XLive Sessions are made of 8-channel, 16-channel or 32-channel wave files. Not all channels are
used and this results in files with sometimes plenty of “empty” data. The actual number of channels to extract
from the session can be selected in setting a number in the input line right of the “Nb of Channels” button.

You must click on the “Nb of Channels” button to set the number of channels (1 to n) to be extracted from
the session. This ensures Internal memory is allocated to enable storing and managing channel names
chosen by the user.

File names

There are three ways to set file names:

 Just set the number of channels as mentioned above; a default name is assigned to each channel:
WXLive_Wav_1.wav, WXLive_Wav_2.wav,,… WXLive_Wav_32.wav.

Live2Wav ver. 1.00 ©2018-23

Patrick-Gilles Maillot
Live2Wav

 By entering channel number and channel name one by one using the dedicated input areas right of
the “Get” and “Set” buttons, and clicking on the Set button to save the respective channel
information (see below, Editing names).

 By selecting an X32 scene file containing the channel config information you will want to use for your
wav files. The utility will try to match the source and channel names according to its best ability. In
most cases, this will correspond to the first n channel config information being used to set channel
names in the program, but if you change channel sources, the program will try to match sources with
the actual channel of the multi-channel wav file. For source numbers above 32, name will likely not
match correctly. If a channel is not set in the scene file, it will be set to WXLive_Wav_#.wav, with #
being the channel number.

Furthermore, setting the checkbox “Num” will automatically prepend a string 01_..32_ to the
channel file names. For example, “Chris Vox” below would become “01_Chris Vox.wav”.

Live2Wav ver. 1.00 ©2018-23

Patrick-Gilles Maillot
Live2Wav

Editing names
Once a channel name is set, the user can change it by first using the “Get” button (with the proper channel
number in the input line right to Ch:). The name is then retrieved from the internal memory and displayed in
the Name input line. That name can be modified, and then set as a new name for the program by clicking the
“Set” button.

Data Conversion

While WLive or XLive Sessions are always 24bit sampled data in 32bit containers, the Live2Wav program
enables converting the wave data to 32bit, 24bit (the default), 16bit or even 8bit sample data. The output file
will be optimized to limit the number of system calls and ensuring the file is as compact as possible
(container and samples are of the same size).

Explode!

With all parameters set to user choice, just click on the “Explode” button and be patient. Up to 32 Files will
be generated in the destination directory, with names as set by the program. Output files will be up to 4GB of
data which corresponds to more than 8 hours or 48kHz, 24bit sample recording data mono-channel wave
files.

Live2Wav ver. 1.00 ©2018-23

Patrick-Gilles Maillot
Live2Wav

Progress Bar (GUI mode only)

Be patient! Exploding large audio files takes time. The program will display the elapsed time at the end of the
process. An optional progress bar completes as the tool cycles through the WLive or XLive Session wave
files; you will cycle through a complete progress bar as many times as there are wav files in the session. You
can disable the progress bar by un-selecting the checkbox just left of the progress bar.

RESET

A “Reset” button is available as a convenience to erase and reset all fields and variables.

Note: when down-sampling from 24bit to 8bit samples, you should expect a lot of distortion in the resulting
file(s).

Command line mode

Starting with ver 0.42, a command line version is available for both Mac and Windows users. Run the program with -g 0
option. Option -h provides a usage page with all available arguments.

LIMITED WARRANTY AND DISCLAIMER

THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE AUTHOR DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL
OTHER WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. IN NO EVENT WILL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO YOU
FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY LOST PROFITS OR LOST
TIME, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY PARTY.

Pictures © of their respective brands when applicable

Live2Wav ver. 1.00 ©2018-23

Patrick-Gilles Maillot