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Create

Creates an audio segment from a file or generates silent/empty audio segments for processing.

Common Properties

  • Name - The custom name of the node.
  • Color - The custom color of the node.
  • Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node.
  • Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node.
  • Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false.
info

If the ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed, even if a Catch node is used.

Inputs

  • In File Path - Path to the input audio file to create a segment from (required for file-based formats).

Options

  • Format - The audio format or type to create:
    • MP3 - Load from MP3 file
    • WAV - Load from WAV file
    • MP4 - Load from MP4 audio file
    • OGG - Load from OGG file
    • WMA - Load from WMA file
    • ACC - Load from ACC file
    • Silent - Create a silent audio segment
    • Empty - Create an empty audio segment (default)
  • Silence Duration (ms) - Duration in milliseconds for silent audio segments (required when Format is "Silent").

Output

  • segment_id - The unique ID of the created audio segment. Use this ID with other audio processing nodes.

How It Works

The Create node is the starting point for audio processing workflows. When executed, the node:

  1. Checks the selected format type
  2. For file-based formats (MP3, WAV, etc.):
    • Validates the file path
    • Loads the audio file into memory
    • Creates a segment with a unique ID
  3. For Silent format:
    • Creates a silent audio segment with the specified duration
    • Generates a segment ID
  4. For Empty format:
    • Creates an empty audio segment (0 duration)
    • Generates a segment ID
  5. Stores the segment in memory for use by other nodes
  6. Returns the segment ID for reference

Requirements

  • For file-based formats: Valid file path to an existing audio file
  • For Silent format: Duration value in milliseconds
  • For Empty format: No additional requirements

Error Handling

The node will return specific errors in the following cases:

  • File path is empty for file-based formats (MP3, WAV, etc.)
  • File does not exist at the specified path
  • Invalid audio format specified
  • Invalid duration value for silent segments
  • File format doesn't match the selected format option

Usage Examples

Example 1: Load Audio File

Load an MP3 file for processing:

  1. Set Format to MP3
  2. Set In File Path to C:\audio\input.mp3
  3. Node outputs segment_id for use in other nodes

Example 2: Create Silent Segment

Create 5 seconds of silence:

  1. Set Format to Silent
  2. Set Silence Duration to 5000 (5000 milliseconds = 5 seconds)
  3. Leave In File Path empty
  4. Use the output segment_id to add silence to your audio

Example 3: Empty Segment as Starting Point

Create an empty segment for building audio:

  1. Set Format to Empty
  2. Leave other fields empty
  3. Use Concatenate to add audio to this segment

Example 4: Process Multiple Audio Files

Load different audio files in a flow:

  1. Create segment for intro.mp3
  2. Create segment for content.wav
  3. Create segment for outro.mp3
  4. Use Concatenate nodes to combine them

Usage Notes

  • The Create node is typically the first node in an audio processing workflow
  • Each created segment is assigned a unique ID (GUID)
  • Segments are stored in memory until explicitly deleted
  • The same audio file can be loaded multiple times, creating separate segments
  • Empty segments are useful as placeholders in complex audio building scenarios
  • Silent segments are commonly used for:
    • Adding pauses between audio clips
    • Creating intro/outro silence
    • Timing control in automated announcements
    • Padding audio to specific durations

Memory Management

  • Each segment consumes memory proportional to its audio data
  • Large audio files require more memory
  • Use the Delete node to free memory when segments are no longer needed
  • Consider processing large files in smaller chunks if memory is limited

Format-Specific Notes

MP3

  • Widely supported compressed format
  • Good for music and speech
  • Smaller file sizes

WAV

  • Uncompressed format
  • High quality
  • Larger file sizes
  • Good for professional audio work

OGG

  • Open-source compressed format
  • Alternative to MP3
  • Good compression with quality

Silent Segments

  • Zero audio data (complete silence)
  • Useful for timing and spacing
  • Very memory efficient
  • Duration is specified in milliseconds

Empty Segments

  • Zero duration placeholder
  • Starting point for building audio programmatically
  • Minimal memory footprint

Common Use Cases

  • Loading audio files for editing or analysis
  • Creating silent pauses between audio clips
  • Building complex audio from multiple files
  • Adding intro/outro music to recordings
  • Creating timed announcements with silence
  • Processing batches of audio files
  • Generating silence for alignment purposes
  • Starting point for programmatic audio creation

Best Practices

  • Always validate file paths before creating segments
  • Use appropriate formats for your needs:
    • WAV for quality and editing
    • MP3 for distribution and storage
    • Silent for timing control
  • Delete unused segments to free memory
  • Name your Create nodes descriptively (intro, outro, main, etc.)
  • Plan your audio workflow before creating segments
  • Use variables for file paths to make flows more flexible
  • Consider using loops for batch processing multiple files
  • Store segment IDs in message variables for complex workflows

Integration with Other Nodes

The Create node works seamlessly with:

  • Concatenate - Combine multiple created segments
  • Slice - Extract portions of created audio
  • Speedup - Adjust playback speed
  • GetMetadata - Analyze audio properties
  • Export - Save processed segments to files
  • Delete - Free memory when done