Export Format Reference: Technical Details

Export Your Data, Your Way

Interview Cue supports multiple export formats to integrate with your workflow—whether you're creating show notes, editing audio/video, or archiving your work.

This reference guide provides technical details for each format to help you choose the right one and use it effectively.

Format Comparison Table

Format	Best For	Human Readable	Machine Readable	Imports To
Markdown	Show notes, documentation	✅ Yes	⚠️ Partial	Any text editor, CMS
JSON	Custom tools, archiving	❌ No	✅ Yes	Custom scripts, APIs
CSV	Adobe Audition, spreadsheets	⚠️ Partial	✅ Yes	Audition, Excel, Sheets
EDL	Video editors (NLE)	❌ No	✅ Yes	Premiere, Resolve, FCP
PDF	Printing, sharing	✅ Yes	❌ No	View/print only
Logic MIDI	Logic Pro X markers	❌ No	✅ Yes	Logic Pro X
CUE Sheet	MP3 chapter markers	⚠️ Partial	✅ Yes	mp3chaps, players

Markdown Format

Purpose

Human-readable show notes and documentation in Markdown format.

Structure

# Interview: [Title]

**Guest:** [Guest Name]  
**Date:** [Date]  
**Duration:** [HH:MM:SS]  
**Status:** [Completed/In Progress]

---

## Questions

### 1. [Question Text]

**Asked at:** [HH:MM:SS]  
**Background:** [Background notes if present]

### 2. [Next Question]

...

---

## Events

### Highlights ⭐

- **[HH:MM:SS]** - [Event description]
- **[HH:MM:SS]** - [Event description]

### Audio Issues 🔊

- **[HH:MM:SS]** - [Event description]

### Segments 📍

- **[HH:MM:SS]** - [Event description]

---

## Links

- [Link Name](URL)
- [Link Name](URL)

---

## Timeline

| Time | Type | Description | Captured By |
|------|------|-------------|-------------|
| 00:00:00 | Started | Interview started | System |
| 00:02:15 | Question | First question | Host |
| 00:04:23 | Highlight | Great quote | Producer |
...

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Creating show notes (copy/paste/edit)
Website/blog post content
Email newsletters
Documentation
Quick reference

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Direct import to audio/video tools
Programmatic processing
Precise timestamp automation

Editing Tips

Copy to text editor for easy editing
Add missing context or details
Format for your CMS or platform
Add images or embeds
Link to episode audio/video

JSON Format

Purpose

Machine-readable data for custom tools, archiving, and programmatic access.

Structure

{
  "interview": {
    "id": "507f1f77bcf86cd799439011",
    "name": "Sarah Chen - Sustainable Tech Innovation",
    "created_date": "2025-01-15T10:00:00Z",
    "started_date": "2025-01-15T14:30:00Z",
    "recorded_date": "2025-01-15T15:15:00Z",
    "duration_seconds": 2700
  },
  "questions": [
    {
      "question_text": "What inspired you to focus on sustainable tech?",
      "background_info": "Mentioned Beijing childhood in TED talk",
      "order": 1,
      "asked_at_seconds": 135
    }
  ],
  "events": [
    {
      "time_in_seconds": 263,
      "action": "highlight",
      "text": "Beijing childhood story",
      "captured_by": "host",
      "created_date": "2025-01-15T14:34:23Z"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    {
      "url": "https://example.com",
      "name": "Guest Website",
      "added_date": "2025-01-15T10:30:00Z"
    }
  ]
}

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Custom automation scripts
Data analysis (Python, R, etc.)
Integration with other tools
Archival (complete data preservation)
API consumption
Database imports

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Human reading (verbose)
Direct audio/video tool import
Quick reference

Schema Details

Interview object:

id - MongoDB ObjectId (string)
name - Interview title
created_date - ISO 8601 timestamp
started_date - When recording started
recorded_date - When recording ended
duration_seconds - Total interview length

Question object:

question_text - The question
background_info - Private notes
order - Position in list (1-indexed)
asked_at_seconds - Timestamp when navigated to

Event object:

time_in_seconds - Timestamp (integer seconds)
action - Event type: audio_issue, flow, highlight, segment, note, link_added
text - Event description/notes
captured_by - User who captured it
created_date - When captured

Link object:

url - Full URL
name - Display name
added_date - When added

Parsing Example (Python)

import json

with open('interview_export.json', 'r') as f:
    data = json.load(f)

# Access interview details
interview_name = data['interview']['name']
duration = data['interview']['duration_seconds']

# Loop through highlights
for event in data['events']:
    if event['action'] == 'highlight':
        time = event['time_in_seconds']
        desc = event['text']
        print(f"{time}s: {desc}")

CSV Format (Adobe Audition)

Purpose

Import markers into Adobe Audition for audio editing.

Structure

Name,Start,Duration,Time Format,Type,Description
Interview Started,0.000,0.000,decimal,Cue,
Question 1,135.000,0.000,decimal,Cue,"What inspired you?"
Highlight,263.000,0.000,decimal,Cue,"Beijing story"
Audio Issue,354.000,0.000,decimal,Cue,"Cough"

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Adobe Audition marker import
Spreadsheet analysis (Excel, Google Sheets)
Simple data processing

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Video editors (use EDL instead)
Complex nested data
Preserving relationships

Importing to Adobe Audition

Steps:

Open your interview audio in Audition
Window → Markers (or Ctrl+8 / Cmd+8)
Markers panel → Click hamburger menu (☰)
Import Markers...
Select CSV file from InterviewCue
Import
All events appear as markers on timeline

Navigate: Use markers panel or M key to jump between markers.

Column Details

Name - Event type + description
Start - Timestamp in seconds (decimal)
Duration - Always 0 (point markers, not regions)
Time Format - Always "decimal"
Type - Always "Cue" (Audition marker type)
Description - Full event text

EDL Format (Edit Decision List)

Purpose

Import events as markers in video/audio editing software.

Structure

TITLE: Sarah Chen Interview

001  001      V     C        00:00:00:00 00:00:00:01 00:00:00:00 00:00:00:01
* Interview Started

002  002      V     C        00:02:15:00 00:02:15:01 00:02:15:00 00:02:15:01
* Question: What inspired you?

003  003      V     C        00:04:23:00 00:04:23:01 00:04:23:00 00:04:23:01
* Highlight: Beijing childhood story

004  004      V     C        00:05:54:00 00:05:54:01 00:05:54:00 00:05:54:01
* Audio Issue: Cough

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Adobe Premiere Pro
DaVinci Resolve
Final Cut Pro (with conversion)
Avid Media Composer
Any NLE supporting EDL

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Audio-only workflows (use CSV)
Human reading
Data analysis

Importing to Premiere Pro

Steps:

File → Import
Select EDL file (.edl)
Choose settings:
- Frame rate: Match your project
- Video/Audio tracks: As needed
Import
Markers appear on timeline as sequence markers

Alternative:

Import interview video/audio first
Right-click timeline → Import Markers
Select EDL file

Importing to DaVinci Resolve

Steps:

File → Import → Timeline Markers from EDL
Select EDL file
Markers appear in timeline
Navigate with M key

Format Details

Timecode format: HH:MM:SS:FF (frames at 30fps)

Line structure:

Event number (001, 002, etc.)
Reel numbers
Track (V = video, A = audio)
Edit type (C = cut)
Source in/out timecodes
Record in/out timecodes
Comment line (starts with *)

PDF Format

Purpose

Printable, shareable timeline document.

Structure

Page 1: Header

Interview title
Guest name
Date and duration
Summary statistics

Page 2+: Timeline

Table format with all events
Columns: Time, Type, Description, Captured By
Grouped by event type
Page numbers and headers

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Printing for reference
Sharing with non-technical people
Archival (universal format)
Email attachments
Guest copies

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Editing (read-only)
Import to tools
Programmatic processing

Viewing & Printing

Opens in any PDF reader
Print from browser or Adobe Reader
Archive to cloud storage
Share via email

Logic Pro MIDI Format

Purpose

Import markers into Logic Pro X as MIDI data.

Structure

Binary MIDI file with marker events at precise timestamps.

Technical details:

Format: Standard MIDI File (SMF) Type 1
Markers: MIDI Marker Meta Events (FF 06)
Tempo: 120 BPM default
Resolution: 480 PPQN

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Logic Pro X users
Professional audio production
Multi-track podcast editing
Music production with interviews

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Other DAWs (use CSV or EDL)
Non-audio workflows

Importing to Logic Pro X

Steps:

Open your Logic project
File → Import → MIDI File
Select .mid file from InterviewCue
Choose import settings:
- "MIDI Instrument Tracks" (recommended)
- Or "Software Instrument Tracks"
Import
Markers appear in Marker List and timeline

Viewing markers:

Option+M - Show/hide marker list
Jump to marker: Click in list or use key commands

Workflow Tips

Import markers first, then audio
Or import into existing project
Markers sync with project tempo
Delete marker track after import (markers persist)

CUE Sheet Format

Purpose

Create MP3 chapter markers for podcast players.

Structure

PERFORMER "Your Podcast Name"
TITLE "Sarah Chen - Sustainable Tech Innovation"
REM DATE 2025
FILE "sarah-chen-interview.mp3" MP3
  TRACK 01 AUDIO
    TITLE "Introduction"
    INDEX 01 00:00:00
  TRACK 02 AUDIO
    TITLE "The Beijing Story"
    INDEX 01 02:15:00
  TRACK 03 AUDIO
    TITLE "GreenCircuit's Recycling Approach"
    INDEX 01 08:30:00
  TRACK 04 AUDIO
    TITLE "Biggest Misconceptions"
    INDEX 01 15:42:00

Use Cases

✅ Perfect for:

Podcast chapter markers
MP3 file chapters
Audiobook chapters
Enhanced podcast experience
Competitive advantage (most podcasts lack chapters)

⚠️ Not ideal for:

Video (use EDL)
Data analysis
Human-readable show notes (use Markdown)

Format Details

Header:

PERFORMER - Your podcast name
TITLE - Episode title
REM DATE - Year (metadata)
FILE - Audio filename with MP3 extension

Tracks:

TRACK ## - Sequential numbering (01, 02, ...)
TITLE - Chapter name (from Segment events)
INDEX 01 - Timestamp in MM:SS:FF (75 frames/sec)

What's exported:

Only Segment events (key 4) become chapters
Only events that were actually asked/navigated to
Sorted by chronological order (when asked, not list order)

Embedding Chapters in MP3

Option 1: mp3chaps (Command-line)

Install:

# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install mp3chaps

# Linux (apt)
sudo apt install mp3chaps

Usage:

mp3chaps -i episode.mp3

This reads episode.cue (same directory) and embeds chapters into episode.mp3.

Option 2: Forecast (Mac GUI)

Download from forecast.fm
Import MP3
Import CUE file
Export with embedded chapters

Option 3: Podcast Chapters (Web App)

Visit podcast-chapters.app
Upload MP3
Paste chapter list (can copy from CUE)
Download with embedded chapters

Option 4: foobar2000 (Windows)

Install foobar2000
Open MP3
Edit → Rebuild MP3 stream
Add chapters from CUE
Save

Verification

Test in podcast apps:

Apple Podcasts (iOS/Mac)
Overcast (iOS)
Pocket Casts
Castro
Podcast Addict

Look for: Chapter list in player, ability to skip between chapters.

Choosing the Right Format

Decision Matrix

I want to...

→ Create show notes

Use: Markdown
Edit in text editor, publish to website/newsletter

→ Edit audio in Audition

Use: CSV (Adobe Audition)
Import markers directly

→ Edit video in Premiere/Resolve

Use: EDL
Import as sequence markers

→ Edit in Logic Pro X

Use: Logic Pro MIDI
Import as Logic markers

→ Add podcast chapters

Use: CUE Sheet
Embed in MP3 with mp3chaps or tools

→ Build custom tools

Use: JSON
Parse programmatically

→ Print or share with non-technical people

Use: PDF
Universal, read-only

→ Analyze in spreadsheet

Use: CSV
Open in Excel or Google Sheets

Export Best Practices

Multiple Formats

Don't choose just one! Export multiple formats:

Typical workflow:

Markdown - For show notes
CUE Sheet - For podcast chapters
CSV or EDL - For your editor
JSON - For archival backup

Time cost: < 2 minutes total. Benefit: Maximum flexibility.

File Naming

Good naming convention:

[Episode-Number]_[Guest-Name]_[Format].[ext]

Examples:
142_sarah-chen_timeline.md
142_sarah-chen_chapters.cue
142_sarah-chen_markers.csv
142_sarah-chen_full.json

Benefits:

Easy to find
Clear purpose
Sortable
Professional

Storage & Backup

Recommended structure:

/interviews/
  /142-sarah-chen/
    audio/
      142_raw.wav
      142_edited.mp3
    interviewcue/
      142_timeline.md
      142_chapters.cue
      142_markers.csv
      142_full.json
    notes/
      142_show-notes.md

Backup: Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud)

Technical Specifications

Timestamp Formats

Seconds (integer):

Used in: JSON
Format: 263
Example: 263 seconds = 4:23

Seconds (decimal):

Used in: CSV
Format: 263.450
Example: 263.450 seconds = 4:23.45

MM:SS:

Used in: Markdown (human-readable)
Format: 04:23
Example: 4 minutes, 23 seconds

HH:MM:SS:

Used in: Markdown (human-readable, longer interviews)
Format: 01:04:23
Example: 1 hour, 4 minutes, 23 seconds

MM:SS:FF (CUE format):

Used in: CUE sheets
Format: 04:23:56
Example: 4 minutes, 23 seconds, 56 frames (at 75fps)

HH:MM:SS:FF (EDL format):

Used in: EDL
Format: 00:04:23:15
Example: 4 minutes, 23 seconds, 15 frames (at 30fps)

Character Encoding

All text exports use UTF-8 encoding.

Special characters: Fully supported (é, ñ, 中, emoji, etc.)

Compatibility: Universal across platforms and tools

File Size Estimates

Typical 45-minute interview with 20 events:

Format	Typical Size
Markdown	5-10 KB
JSON	15-30 KB
CSV	2-5 KB
EDL	2-5 KB
PDF	50-100 KB
Logic MIDI	5-10 KB
CUE Sheet	1-2 KB

All very small! Network and storage not a concern.

Troubleshooting

Export File Won't Open

Possible causes:

Wrong application
File extension incorrect
Download incomplete

Solutions:

Try different application
Re-download file
Check file extension matches format
Use text editor to inspect (for text formats)

Imported Markers Are Wrong

Check:

Frame rate matches (EDL)
Timestamp format correct
File wasn't corrupted during download
Tool expects correct format

Solution: Re-export and re-import.

CUE Chapters Don't Appear

Verify:

CUE file in same directory as MP3
CUE references correct filename
Chapters actually embedded (not just CUE file)
Podcast player supports chapters

Tools: Use mp3chaps or similar to properly embed.

Quick Reference

Most Common Exports:

Task	Format	Tool
Show notes	Markdown	Any text editor
Podcast chapters	CUE Sheet	mp3chaps, Forecast
Audio editing (Audition)	CSV	Adobe Audition
Video editing (Premiere)	EDL	Adobe Premiere
Video editing (Resolve)	EDL	DaVinci Resolve
Logic Pro X	MIDI	Logic Pro X
Archival	JSON	Any JSON viewer
Printing/Sharing	PDF	Any PDF reader

Export all formats. Store organized. Use as needed. 📁✨

Export Format Reference: Technical Details

Export Your Data, Your Way

Format Comparison Table

Markdown Format

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Editing Tips

JSON Format

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Schema Details

Parsing Example (Python)

CSV Format (Adobe Audition)

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Importing to Adobe Audition

Column Details

EDL Format (Edit Decision List)

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Importing to Premiere Pro

Importing to DaVinci Resolve

Format Details

PDF Format

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Viewing & Printing

Logic Pro MIDI Format

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Importing to Logic Pro X

Workflow Tips

CUE Sheet Format

Purpose

Structure

Use Cases

Format Details

Embedding Chapters in MP3

Verification

Choosing the Right Format

Decision Matrix

Export Best Practices

Multiple Formats

File Naming

Storage & Backup

Technical Specifications

Timestamp Formats

Character Encoding

File Size Estimates

Troubleshooting

Export File Won't Open

Imported Markers Are Wrong

CUE Chapters Don't Appear

Related Documentation

Quick Reference