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Export

Exports an audio segment to a file in the specified format, or exports a PNG visualization of the audio processing graph.

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

  • Audio Segment ID - The ID of the audio segment to export.
  • Out File Path - Path where the exported audio file or graph visualization will be saved.

Options

  • Format - The output format for export:
    • MP3 - Export as MP3 audio file (default)
    • WAV - Export as WAV audio file
    • MP4 - Export as MP4 audio file
    • OGG - Export as OGG audio file
    • WMA - Export as WMA audio file
    • ACC - Export as ACC audio file
    • PNG - Export a visual graph showing the audio processing workflow

Output

This node does not produce output variables. The audio or graph is saved directly to the specified file path.

How It Works

The Export node saves audio segments to files or creates visualizations. When executed, the node:

  1. Validates the segment ID and file path
  2. Retrieves the audio segment from memory
  3. For audio formats (MP3, WAV, etc.):
    • Converts the segment to the specified format
    • Exports the audio data to the file path
    • Closes the export stream
  4. For PNG format:
    • Generates a backward dependency graph from the segment
    • Creates a visual representation showing how the segment was created
    • Saves the graph as a PNG image

Requirements

  • Valid audio segment ID (from Create, Slice, Concatenate, etc.)
  • Output file path must be writable
  • Sufficient disk space for the output file

Supported Audio Formats

MP3

  • Compressed format, good balance of quality and size
  • Best for: Music, podcasts, general distribution
  • File size: Small to medium

WAV

  • Uncompressed format, highest quality
  • Best for: Professional audio work, editing, archival
  • File size: Large

MP4

  • Compressed container format
  • Best for: Video soundtracks, modern applications
  • File size: Small to medium

OGG

  • Open-source compressed format
  • Best for: Web applications, open-source projects
  • File size: Small to medium

WMA

  • Windows Media Audio format
  • Best for: Windows ecosystem
  • File size: Small to medium

ACC

  • Advanced Audio Coding
  • Best for: High-quality compressed audio
  • File size: Small

PNG (Graph Visualization)

  • Creates a visual diagram of the audio processing workflow
  • Shows how the segment was created from original sources
  • Useful for debugging and documentation

Error Handling

The node will return specific errors in the following cases:

  • Audio segment ID is empty or null
  • File path is empty or null
  • Audio segment with the specified ID does not exist
  • Output path is not writable
  • Insufficient disk space
  • Invalid format specified

Usage Examples

Example 1: Export Processed Audio

Save a processed audio segment as MP3:

  1. Process audio through Create, Slice, Concatenate, etc.
  2. Use Export node with the final segment_id
  3. Set Out File Path to C:\output\final.mp3
  4. Set Format to MP3

Example 2: Export High-Quality WAV

Export uncompressed audio for professional use:

  1. Process audio segment
  2. Set Out File Path to C:\output\professional.wav
  3. Set Format to WAV
  4. Audio is saved in lossless quality

Example 3: Multiple Format Export

Export the same audio in different formats:

  1. Create and process audio segment (segment_id_1)
  2. Export as MP3 to output.mp3
  3. Export same segment_id_1 as WAV to output.wav
  4. Export same segment_id_1 as OGG to output.ogg

Example 4: Visualize Processing Workflow

Create a diagram showing how audio was processed:

  1. Process audio through multiple nodes
  2. Use Export with the final segment_id
  3. Set Out File Path to C:\output\workflow.png
  4. Set Format to PNG
  5. Opens workflow.png to see the processing graph

Example 5: Batch Export

Export multiple segments in a loop:

  1. Loop through audio files
  2. Create segment for each file
  3. Process segment
  4. Export with dynamic file path using variables
  5. Delete segment

Usage Notes

  • The output format is determined by the Format option, not the file extension
  • However, it's best practice to match file extension with format (e.g., .mp3 for MP3)
  • Export does not delete the segment - use Delete node for cleanup
  • The same segment can be exported multiple times to different files/formats
  • PNG export is useful for understanding complex audio processing workflows
  • PNG graphs show all predecessor segments that contributed to the final result

PNG Graph Visualization

The PNG export creates a visual representation showing:

  • Each audio segment as a node
  • Connections showing dependencies
  • Names of processing steps
  • The complete transformation chain

This is useful for:

  • Debugging complex workflows
  • Documentation
  • Understanding audio processing history
  • Quality assurance
  • Training and education

Performance Considerations

  • Export time depends on:
    • Audio segment length
    • Output format (compressed formats take longer)
    • Disk write speed
    • System resources
  • WAV export is fastest (no compression)
  • MP3/OGG export requires compression (slower)
  • PNG export is very fast (small graph files)
  • Large audio files may take several seconds to export

File Size Comparison

For a typical 3-minute audio file:

  • WAV: ~30 MB (uncompressed)
  • MP3: ~3 MB (compressed)
  • OGG: ~3 MB (compressed)
  • ACC: ~2.5 MB (compressed)
  • PNG: Less than 1 MB (graph visualization)

Common Use Cases

  • Saving final processed audio to disk
  • Creating distribution versions in multiple formats
  • Archiving audio in lossless format
  • Exporting for web applications (OGG, MP3)
  • Creating podcasts and audio content
  • Batch exporting processed files
  • Documenting audio processing workflows
  • Debugging complex audio transformations
  • Creating professional deliverables
  • Generating audio for video production

Best Practices

  • Match file extension with format for clarity (.mp3 for MP3, etc.)
  • Use WAV for intermediate files you'll process further
  • Use MP3 or OGG for final distribution
  • Export PNG graphs for complex workflows to document processing
  • Check available disk space before exporting large files
  • Use meaningful file names that indicate content and format
  • Store exports in organized directory structures
  • Back up original files before overwriting
  • Test export with small files first in batch operations
  • Consider format compatibility with target platforms

Format Selection Guide

Choose your format based on use case:

For Distribution

  • MP3 - Universal compatibility
  • OGG - Web and open-source applications
  • ACC - iOS and Apple platforms

For Quality

  • WAV - Lossless quality
  • FLAC - Lossless with compression (via Convert node)

For Specific Platforms

  • MP4 - Video applications
  • WMA - Windows ecosystem
  • ACC - Apple ecosystem

For Documentation

  • PNG - Visual workflow representation

Integration with Other Nodes

The Export node is typically used after:

  • Create - Export original or created segments
  • Concatenate - Export combined audio
  • Slice - Export extracted portions
  • Speedup - Export speed-adjusted audio
  • GetMetadata - Export after analyzing properties

Typically followed by:

  • Delete - Clean up memory after export

Error Recovery

If export fails:

  1. Check file path is valid and writable
  2. Verify sufficient disk space
  3. Ensure segment ID is still valid (not deleted)
  4. Check file permissions
  5. Try a different output location
  6. Verify format is supported

Example Workflow

Complete audio processing pipeline:

1. Create node - Load input.mp3 (outputs segment_id_1)
2. Slice node - Extract 30-60 seconds (outputs segment_id_2)
3. Speedup node - Speed up 1.5x (outputs segment_id_3)
4. Export node - Save as final.mp3 (Format: MP3)
5. Export node - Save workflow.png (Format: PNG)
6. Delete node - Clean up segment_id_3

This creates both the processed audio and a visual representation of the workflow.