Manual Nero SoundTrax

Transcription

1 Manual Nero SoundTrax

2 Copyright and Trademark Information Copyright and trademark information This document, like the software described therein, is provided as a license and may only be used or reproduced in accordance with the licensing agreement. The contents of this document, as well as the associated software, is subject to change without prior notice. Nero AG rejects any responsibility for the correctness of the contents of this document and rejects any claims that transcend the clauses of the guarantee agreement. This document and all of its contents are protected by copyright and are the property of Nero AG. All rights reserved. In addition, this document contains material that is protected by internationally valid copyright. This document may not be reproduced, transmitted, or transcribed in whole or in part without the express written permission of Nero AG. Please keep in mind that existing graphics, pictures, videos, music titles, and other materials that you may wish to insert or transcribe into projects may be protected by copyright. The unauthorized use of this type of material in your projects may violate the rights of the owner of the copyright. Make sure that you obtain all necessary authorizations from the owner of the copyright. Unless you own the copyright, have permission from the copyright owner, or your actions fall under the "fair use" provisions of copyright law, you may be violating national or international copyright laws. The transcribing, duplication, modification or publication of copyright-protected material may lead to claims for damages and the enforcement of other legal measures against you. If you are unsure of your rights, you should contact your legal advisor. Some of the applications of the Nero Suite require technology developed by third-party manufacturers and may be included in Nero Suite as demo versions. These applications can be activated online free of charge or by sending an activation fax to enable unlimited use of the version. Nero will only transmit the data necessary for activation of the technology licensed from third parties. For unlimited use of Nero Suite, it is therefore necessary to have an Internet connection or a fax machine. Copyright Nero AG and its licensors. All rights reserved. Adobe, Acrobat, Acrobat Reader and Premiere are brands or protected trade names of Adobe Systems, Incorporated. AMD Athlon, AMD Opteron, AMD Sempron, AMD Turion, ATI Catalyst and ATI Radeon are brands or protected trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ASTC is a trademark of Advanced Television Committee. ICQ is a registered trademark of AOL, LLC. Apple, iphone, ipod, itunes, FireWire, and Mac are brands or registered trade names of Apple, Inc. ARM is a registered trademark of ARM, Ltd. AudibleReady is a registered trademark of Audible, Inc. BenQ is a trademark of the BenQ Corporation. Blu-ray Disc is a brand of Blu-ray Disc Association. CyberLink is a registered trademark of CyberLink Corp. DLNA is a registered trademark of Digital Living Network Alliance. DivX and DivX Certified are registered trademarks of DivX, Inc. Dolby, Pro Logic and the double-d symbol are brands or registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc. DTS and DTS Digital Surround are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc. DVB is a registered trademark of the DVB Project. Freescale is a brand of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. Google and YouTube are trademarks of Google, Inc. WinTV is a registered trademark of Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc. Intel, Intel XScale, Pentium and Intel Core 2 Duo are brands or registered trademarks of the Intel Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Memorex is a registered trademark of Memorex Products, Inc. ActiveX, ActiveSync, DirectX, DirectShow, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, HDI, MSN, Outlook, Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows NT, Windows Server, Windows Vista, Windows Media, Xbox, Xbox 360, the Start button of Microsoft Windows Vista and the Windows logos are brands or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. MySpace is a brand of MySpace, Inc. NVIDIA, GeForce and ForceWare are brands or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation. Nokia is a registered trademark of Nokia Corporation. CompactFlash is a registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation. Sony, Memory Stick, PlayStation, PLAYSTATION and PSP are brands or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. HDV is a brand of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC). UPnP is a registered trademark of the UPnP Implementers Corporation. Labelflash is a registered trademark of Yamaha Corporation. All brands are for information purposes only. All trade names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Nero AG, Im Stoeckmaedle 13-15, D Karlsbad, Germany Nero SoundTrax

3 Table of contents Table of contents 1 Start Successfully About the manual About Nero SoundTrax 5 2 Launching the program 6 3 Terminology 7 4 User interface Nero SoundTrax templates Main Screen Menu bar Toolbar Mastertrack area Assignable Effects area Tracks area Track display area Project area 13 5 Configuration Project settings Audio Settings tab General tab Tempo and beat tab Program settings General tab Save/Output Settings tab View tab Folders tab VST Plug-Ins tab DirectX Plug-ins tab Device settings Audio Format Settings Decoder tab Encoder tab Converter tab 19 6 Import and Recording Audio Files Recording from record or cassette Importing an Audio CD Capture audio file 25 7 Working wth tracks Edit the available track Adding a volume curve to the track Adding a pan curve to the track Adding an effect group curve to the track 31 Nero SoundTrax III

4 Table of contents 7.2 Surround sound distribution Changing the surround sound distribution 32 8 Effect chains Plug-ins context menu Toolbox context menu Effects context menu Enhancement context menu Effect chains and effect groups Editing an effect chain Editing the effect chain template Editing an effect group 38 9 Surround projects Exporting Export project in an audio file Burning the project on an Audio CD Nero SoundBox Nero Soundbox main screen General components General settings Beat editor area Sequencer area Bereich Text II Speech Ambience area Patterns Inserting a SoundBox clip Nero ScratchBox Main screen - Nero ScratchBox Turntables area Peak file view Mixing console area File Selection Tools area Creating a ScratchBox clip Scratch Editor Technical Information System requirements Formats supported Audio formats and codecs Glossary Index Contact 59 Nero SoundTrax IV

5 Start Successfully 1 Start Successfully 1.1 About the manual This manual is intended for all users who want to learn how to use Nero SoundTrax. It is process-based and explains how to achieve a specific objective on a step-by-step basis. To make best use of this documentation, please note the following conventions: Indicates warnings, preconditions or instructions that have to be precisely followed. Indicates additional information or advice. 1. Start The number at the beginning of a line indicates a prompt for action. Carry out these actions in the order specified. OK (see ) [ ] Indicates an intermediate result. Indicates a result. Indicates text passages or buttons that appear in the program interface. They are shown in boldface. Indicates references to other chapters. They are executed as links and are shown in red and underlined. Indicates keyboard shortcuts for entering commands. 1.2 About Nero SoundTrax Nero SoundTrax is the professional application for the production of audio CDs. Instead of simply compiling audio files into a playlist for a CD as before, you can now mix or change the contents of the audio files. A number of wizards are provided to help you copy your records or cassettes to your computer in just a few steps. Thanks to the many templates, even demanding projects are no longer a problem: 5.1. Surround, 7.1 Surround - simply select the template and Nero SoundTrax opens along with the relevant tracks. In addition, the integrated Nero ScratchBox provides user-friendly functions for mixing and scratching. Nero SoundTrax 5

6 Launching the program 2 Launching the program To start Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart, proceed as follows: 1. Click the StartSmart icon. The Nero StartSmart window opens. 2. Click the button. The list of Nero applications appears. Nero StartSmart window 3. Select the Nero SoundTrax entry in the selection list. 4. The Nero SoundTrax window opens. You have launched Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart. Nero SoundTrax 6

7 Terminology 3 Terminology The following terms are specific to Nero SoundTrax: Clip refers to a single audio file. Track refers to a single audio track. A track can contain multiple clips in succession. Each track has its own settings for volume and effects. Channel refers to audio information that is contained in a clip, e.g. the left and the right channel. Project refers to the process of adding existing audio files, editing these files, and export- ing them as a finished audio file. A project can be saved with all changes made in a project file, and it can be re-opened later. The project file has the extension *.npf (Nero project file). Project files themselves do not contain audio files, rather they only contain links to the audio files used, as well as mix and effect settings. In summary: A project has as its goal an edited audio compilation consisting of multiple tracks. These tracks in turn contain multiple clips in which audio is recorded in multiple channels. Nero SoundTrax 7

8 User interface 4 User interface 4.1 Nero SoundTrax templates When starting Nero SoundTrax, a window opens where you can select project templates. The following selection options are available: Selecting Nero SoundTrax tasks Menu icon Templates Menu icon User templates Menu icon Wizards Menu icon Recently used files Menu icon Open existing project Offers templates for frequently used projects such as CD mix, stereo, and surround projects. Offers user-created templates for projects. Opens wizards for recording a record or cassette (see Recording from a record or cassette 21). Shows recently used files. Opens the Open dialog box that offers access to an existing project. See also: Surround projects 39 Recording from record or cassette 21 Nero SoundTrax 8

9 4.2 Main Screen User interface The main screen appears when Nero SoundTrax is started. The main screen is divided into the following sections: Main screen with inserted audio file Menu bar and toolbar (1) Master track settings (2) (3) Assignable effects Tracks (4) Track display (5) Project (6) The main screen is the starting point for all tasks that can be carried out with. See also: Menu bar 10 Toolbar 10 Mastertrack area 11 Assignable Effects area Tracks area 12 Track display area 12 Project area Nero SoundTrax 9

10 User interface Menu bar The menu bar offers the following setting possibilities: Menu File Menu Edit Menu View Menu Insert Menu Audio Menu Tracks Menu Tools Menu Options Menu Help Opens the File menu, containing file functions such as opening, saving, and closing that you are already familiar with from Windows. In addition templates can be inserted and called up and CD tracks and the tracks created in Nero SoundTrax can be exported as audio files. Opens the Edit menu, containing editing functions for the files in the selection screen such as cutting, copying, and deleting that you are already familiar with from Windows. In addition you can chain the notes of the tracks created in Nero SoundTrax. Opens the View menu offering the possibility of individually adjusting the menu bar and toolbar, and enlarging or reducing the view of the project. In addition, you can change the time format of the project. Opens the Insert menu that offers the possibility of inserting audio files, audio loops, SoundBox and ScratchBox clips in tracks that have been created in Nero SoundTrax. In addition you can import tracks from audio CDs, generate an automatic LFE track, add effects in effect chains and create assignable effect groups. Opens the Audio menu that offers the possibility of recording, importing, and playing audio files. Opens the Tracks menu that offers the possibility of inserting and deleting tracks. You can also add different effect curves to a track and change the track properties. Opens the Toolbox menu that offers the possibility of burning a CD, opening other Nero applications and selecting wizards to record analog audio tracks. Opens the Options menu that offers the possibility of specifying general and special settings for the project, for the connected devices, and for the audio format. Opens the Help menu that offers the possibility of calling up online help and viewing the version number and other registration data Toolbar The toolbar offers the following setting possibilities: Creates a new project. Opens an existing project. Saves the project. Nero SoundTrax 10

11 User interface Cuts out the selected section and saves it on the clipboard Copies the selected section and saves it on the clipboard Pastes the contents of the clipboard at the selected point. Deletes the selected clips. Undoes the last action. Restores the last action that you have undone. Zooms into the project. Zooms out of the project. Zooms into the project so that the selected section is displayed in a manner that fills the screen. Zooms out of the project in such a manner that the entire project is displayed. Inserts a new track after the selected track. Opens the Open dialog box and inserts an audio file at the point selected. Burns the project to CD. This button is only available if the project contains at least one clip. Opens the selected clip for editing. If the clip is an audio file, then Nero WaveEditor will be opened. If the clip is a SoundBox or ScratchBox clip, then the respective application will open. This button is only available if a clip is selected. Aligns the selected clips at the same start position; the start position that is furthest to the left will be used. This button is only available if multiple clips are selected Mastertrack area The Mastertrack area is where settings that apply for all tracks that are inserted into the project are made. The Master track area offers the following possibilities for settings and buttons: Shows distribution of the surround sound. Adjusts the volume of all tracks in the project. Nero SoundTrax 11

12 User interface Opens the Effect Chain Editor - Master window. This is where you can create an effect chain that can be assigned to all tracks. Opens the Project settings window Assignable Effects area In the Assignable Effects area you can create effect chains that can later be assigned to specific tracks. The following setting can be carried out in the Assignable Effects area: Opens the Assignable Effect Groups window. Here you can create and edit the effect groups Tracks area The Tracks area is where the inserted tracks are shown. Track settings can also be edited here. The following settings can be made in the Tracks area: Changes the surround sound, i.e. volume distribution on the various channels/speakers. Adjusts the volume of the track. Visualizes the volume level. / Start/stops track playback. Opens the Effect Chain Editor - Track window. This is where you can create and edit an effect chain for the track. Opens the Track Settings window. Here you can edit the track settings Track display area The Track display area is where the channel frequencies of the inserted audio clips are displayed. The audio clips are displayed individually and in different colors. Open the context menu by clicking with the right mouse button within the track display. Nero SoundTrax 12

13 User interface Clicking on an audio clip opens the Clip context menu. Here you can delete, select, copy, and cut clips. In addition, you can open clips in, select the output channels, and group clips. Clicking on the Track opens the Track context menu. Here you can insert clips of various types, delete, copy, and deactivate them. In addition, you have the possibility of inserting effects and effect chains, track splits, CD indices and labels. 4.3 Project area The Project area is divided into the frequency area and the toolbar. In the frequency section the frequencies of all tracks are displayed in overlay. Here the depiction of the project can be altered with the aid of the red markings. The following buttons are available: Opens the Recording Settings dialog box. Records a clip. Plays the project back from the point where the cursor is located. Plays back the project from the beginning. Plays back the project or the selected section in an endless loop. Pauses playback of the project. Stops playback. Sets the cursor at the beginning of the project. Moves the cursor back quickly. Moves the cursor forward quickly. Sets the cursor at the end of the project. Adjusts the volume. Specifies the tempo in the BMP unit. Nero SoundTrax 13

14 Configuration 5 Configuration You can configure Nero SoundTrax to suit your needs. And for this purpose the following adjustable areas are available to you. Project settings General settings Device settings Audio Format Settings See also: Project settings 14 Program settings 15 Device settings 18 Audio Format Settings Project settings In the Nero SoundTrax project settings, audio and general settings such as project titles and the name of the artists can be made on various tabs. In addition it is possible to define the tempo and the beat of your music project. You reach this window via Options > Project Settings in the menu bar Audio Settings tab The Audio Settings tab offers the following setting options: Drop-down menu Rendering Sample Rate Drop-down menu Rendering Bit Depth Option button Channels Specifies the sampling rate. The scan rate is the frequency that a signal is scanned per time interval. The default rate is Determines the bit depth. Bit depth indicates the precision with which a vibration will be captured. The default setting is 16-bit (CD and DAT). Specifies the number of channels. Stereo: This entry is selected by default. 5.1 Channel Surround: 6-channel surround. 7.1 Channel Surround: 8-channel surround (see Surround projects 39). See also: Surround projects 39 Nero SoundTrax 14

15 Configuration General tab The General tab offers the following setting options: Input field Project length Input field Project title Input field Artist's name Input area Comments Check box Automatically add CD track splits Specifies the length of the project in minutes. Specifies the title of the project. Specifies the name of the artist. Specifies comments for the project. Adds a short stop between two audio clips in the same track Tempo and beat tab The Tempo and Meter tab offers the following setting options: Input field Beats per minute Input field Beats per measure Specifies the tempo of the project, i.e. the beats per minute. Specifies the beats per measure for the project. 5.2 Program settings In the Nero SoundTrax program settings, it is possible to make output and saving settings as well as determine aspects of display and plug-ins on various tabs. In addition general settings such as a standard export file format and folder in which the music files are saved can be made. You reach this window via the Options > Settings menu General tab The General tab offers the following setting options: Input field Maximum number of undo levels Limits the number of steps that can be undone to the specified value. Nero SoundTrax 15

16 Configuration Input field Default duration of CD track splits Drop-down menu Default export file format Specifies the duration of the pause of new CD track splits. Specifies the file format in which Nero SoundTrax will export audio files in the default setting Save/Output Settings tab The Save/Output Settings tab offers the following setting possibilities: Check box Use noise shaping when converting to lower bit depths. Drop-down menu Noise Shaping Filter Drop-down menu Play surround audio as Activates noise shaping, which ensures higher audio quality when converting. Specifies the type of noise shaping. IIR filter (2nd order): Infinite Duration Impulse Response. Uses IIR filter. IIR filters can provide an infinitely long and continuous impulse response. In general they achieve a better subjective audio quality than FIR filters do, however they have higher levels of interference energy outside of the audible range. Second order means that sound is attenuated by 12 db. FIR filter (3 taps): Finite Impulse Response filter. Uses FIR filters. FIR filters possess a pulse response with guaranteed finite length. This entry is selected by default. Specifies how surround audio is played back. Multichannel audio (true surround sound): Plays back surround audio with all channels. Stereo using Nero HeadPhone (Virtual Surround): Plays back surround audio filtered down as stereo, with a virtual surround effect generated for headphones. Stereo with Nero VirtualSpeakers (virtual surround): Plays surround audio filtered down as stereo, whereby a virtual sound effect is generated for speakers. Nero SoundTrax 16

17 Configuration View tab The View tab offers the following setting options: Check box Automatically scale track heights to fill the main window Check box Show path name in audio clips Automatically enlarges the display of the track so that its height fills the main window. Shows the clip path in the track display in addition to the file name Folders tab The Folders tab offers the following setting options: Input field Temporary folder Input field Peak file folder Input field "My Music" folder Check box Always start the File Open dialog in the "My Music" folder. Defines the folder in which temporary files are stored. The folder should be located on a drive with plenty of storage space. Specifies the folder where peak files are stored. Peak files are cache files that Nero uses to more quickly open Nero SoundTrax audio files. The folder should be located on a drive with ample storage space. Specifies the My Music folder. Opens a dialog box where the folder can be selected for the respective files. When calling the Open dialog box, the system will always first show the folder that is specified in the My Music folder text box VST Plug-Ins tab The VST Plug-Ins tab offers the following setting possibilities: Display area Installed VST Plug-ins Button Delete Button Add Plug-in Shows the currently installed VST plug-ins. Deletes the selected VST plug-in Opens the Open dialog box. Installs a new VST plug-in Nero SoundTrax 17

18 Configuration Button Scan folder Opens the Open dialog box. Searches for new VST plug-ins in the specified folder DirectX Plug-ins tab The DirectX Plug-ins tabthe following settings can be made: Display area Installed DirectX Plug-ins Button Disable Plug-in Button Scan DirectX Plug-ins Shows the currently installed DirectX plug-ins Disables the marked DirectX Plug-in Carries out an intensive search for DirectX Plug-ins. 5.3 Device settings In the device settings of Nero SoundTrax it is possible to make determinations for the audio input and output. You reach this window via Options > Device Settings in the menu bar. The following settings can be made in the Device Settings window. Audio input area: Drop-down menu Device Specifies the audio device for the audio input. Audio output area: Drop-down menu Device Input field Latency Specifies the audio device for the audio output. Specifies the delay time of the sound card, in order to convert an audio signal from the input of the card to the output of the card. 5.4 Audio Format Settings In the audio format settings from Nero SoundTrax it is possible to undertake various definitions for decoder, encoder and converters on different tabs. You reach this window via the menu Options > Audio Format Settings in the menu bar. Nero SoundTrax 18

19 Configuration Decoder tab On the Decoder tabthe following settings can be made: Button Configure Button Info Button Move Up Button Move Down Button Artist/Title Information Source Opens a dialog box where additional settings can be made for the selected decoder. This button is not available for all decoders. Opens the About dialog box where information about the selected encoder is displayed. This button is not available for all decoders. Moves the decoder up one entry. Moves the decoder down one entry. Opens the Fetch Artist / Title Information dialog box where you can specify the source from which information relative to artist and title will be read Encoder tab The Encoder tabthe following settings can be made: Button Configure Button Info Button Artist/Title Information Source Opens a dialog box where additional settings can be made for the selected encoder. This button is not available for all encoders. Opens the About dialog box where you can view information about the selected encoder. This button is not available for all encoders. Opens the Get Artist / Title Information dialog box where you can specify the source from which information about artist and title will be read Converter tab The Converter tabthe following settings can be made: Button Configure Opens a dialog box where you can make additional settings for the selected converter. This button is not available for all converters. Nero SoundTrax 19

20 Configuration Button Info Button Artist/Title Information Source Opens the About dialog box where you can view information about the selected converter. This button is not available for all converters. Opens the Get Artist / Title Information dialog box where you can specify the source from which information about artist and title will be read. Nero SoundTrax 20

21 Import and Recording Audio Files 6 Import and Recording Audio Files The Nero SoundTrax wizards allow you to take music from records (LP ) and cassettes and burn it quickly and easily onto CD. The wizards offer filters that you can use to equalize disturbances such as scratches, and thus obtain optimal recording quality. 6.1 Recording from record or cassette In order to edit audio files in Nero SoundTrax you must first either import them or record them directly. The following requirement must be fulfilled: A record player or cassette recorder must be connected to the input on the sound card. To record from record or cassette, proceed as follows: 1. If you want to record from a record, then click the menu Toolbox > Wizards > LP to CD Wizard. 2. If you want to record from a cassette, then click the menu Toolbox > Wizards > Cassette to CD Wizard. The LP to CD Wizard or Cassette to CD Wizard window will then open with the Recording Console screen. Recording console screen 3. In the Audio input line menu select the input of the sound card. 4. If you want to hear how the sound quality is modified by changing the recording volume then check the Digital monitoring box. Nero SoundTrax 21

22 Import and Recording Audio Files 5. Start playback on the capture device. 6. Move the Record level slider until the display in the Level meter is primarily in the yellow range. If the level meters are predominantly in the red range then the audio quality will be reduced. 7. If you want to pause recording until a signal is detected at the recording input then check the Pause recording until signal detected box. 8. If you want to pause recording if a signal has not been detected at the recording input after 20 seconds, for instance because the cassette has reached the end of one side, then check the Pause recording after 20 seconds of silence box. 9. If you want to change the target file: 1. Click on the Change Target File button. The Save As dialog box is opened. 2. In the Save menu select the folder where you want to save the audio file. 3. Enter the desired file name in the File Name input field. 4. Click the Save button. 10. Click the button. The system will start recording. 11. Click the button to stop capturing. 12. Click the Next button. The Automatic Track Detection screen is displayed. Auto Track Detection screen Nero SoundTrax 22

23 Import and Recording Audio Files 13. Turn the Silence Threshold controller until the value whose volume level indicates a pause is reached. 14. Enter the minimum duration of a pause in the Minimum duration of pause text box. Nero SoundTrax detects passages in the audio file and will automatically inserts a pause. 15. Enter the minimum duration that a track should have in the Minimum duration of track text box. 16. Click on the Detect button. The tracks in the recording will be detected automatically. The detected tracks will be displayed in the appropriate screen. 17. Click the Next button. The Noise Reduction screen is displayed. Noise suppression screen. 18. Move the Denoiser Level slider until the desired threshold value for removing background noise such as hissing, crackling, and humming is reached. 19. Move the DeRumble Level slider until the desired threshold value for removing low fre- signals that occur when recording LPs is quency reached. The derumble filter can also erase bass frequencies that are part of the re- Consequently do not set the threshold value of the slider too cording. high. 20. Move the Declicker Level slider until the desired threshold value for removing clicks that occur when recording LPs is reached. 21. Move the DeCrackler level until the desired threshold value for removing background crackle that occurs when recording LPs is reached. 22. Click on the Preview button. Nero SoundTrax 23

24 Import and Recording Audio Files The recording will be played with noise suppression. 23. Click on the Stop button to stop the preview. 24. Click the Next button. The CD Compilation screen is displayed. CD Compilation screen 25. If you want to burn the project immediately then check the Burn project immediately box 26. If you want to launch Nero CoverDesigner then check the Launch Nero CoverDesigner box. 27. If you want pauses between the individual tracks then select the Pause option button. 28. If you want to have the tracks run into each other then select the Crossfade option button. 29. Enter the duration in seconds and milliseconds in the appropriate text boxes. 30. Click the Finish button. You have recorded or imported an LP or cassette. See also: Burning the project on an Audio CD Importing an Audio CD To import CD tracks from an audio CD, proceed as follows: 1. Insert the audio CD in a CD drive. 2. Click on Audio > Import from Audio CD. Nero SoundTrax 24

25 Import and Recording Audio Files The Audio CD Import dialog box is displayed. Audio CD Import dialog box 3. In the CD-ROM device drop-down menu, select the drive in which you have inserted the audio CD. 4. To specify the folder where the imported audio files will be stored click on the button. 5. In the directory tree, click on the folder in which you want to store the imported CD tracks. 6. In the list box, select all CD tracks that you want to import. You can select multiple entries in a selection list by keeping the shift key depressed while clicking. 7. Click the OK button. You have imported CD tracks from an audio CD. 6.3 Capture audio file The following requirement must be fulfilled: A capture device, e.g. a microphone, is connected to the input of the sound card. To record proceed as follows: 1. Click the button. Nero SoundTrax 25

26 Import and Recording Audio Files The Recording Settings dialog box is opened. 2. Select the desired bit depth in the Resolution menu. 3. If you just want to record in mono, uncheck the Stereo recording box. 4. If you want to change the folder in which the recorded file will be stored: 1. Click the button. The Save As dialog box is opened. 2. In the Save in drop-down menu, select the folder where you want to save the audio file. 3. Enter the desired file name in the File name text box. 4. Click the Save button. The Save As dialog box is closed. 5. Click the OK button. The Recording Console window is opened. 6. Select the recording input in the Audio input line drop-down menu. 7. If you want to hear how the sound quality is modified by changing the recording volume then check the Digital monitoring box. 8. Start playback on the capture device. 9. Move the Record level slider until the display in the Level meter is primarily in the yellow range. 10. If you want to pause recording until a signal is detected at the recording input then check the Pause recording until signal detected box. 11. If you want to pause recording if a signal has not been detected at the recording input after 20 seconds then check the Pause recording after 20 seconds of silence box. 12. If you want to change the target file: 1. Click on the Change Target File button. The Save As dialog box is opened. 2. In the Save in drop-down menu, select the folder where you want to save the audio file. 3. Enter the desired file name in the File name text box. 4. Click the Save button. 13. Click the button. The system will start recording. 14. Click the button to stop capturing. 15. Click on the Keep button. You have recorded a track. See also: Recording from record or cassette 21 Nero SoundTrax 26

27 Working wth tracks 7 Working wth tracks If you have recorded or imported an audio file then this file will be shown in the track as a peak file. You can now edit the tracks containing the audio files. 7.1 Edit the available track To edit a track, proceed as follows: 1. Click the menu Tracks > Add Track. A track will be inserted in the Tracks area. 2. If you want to change the track properties: 1. Click the menu Tracks > Track Properties. The Track Properties window is opened. 2. Change the track properties as desired. 3. If you want to insert an audio clip in the track: 1. In the Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Add audio file(s) entry. 2. In the Open window that is displayed, select the audio file that you want to insert. The audio file will be inserted in the track as a peak file. 4. If you want to insert an audio loop: 1. In Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Insert audio loop(s) entry. The Open window appears. 2. In the file system select the audio file that you want to insert. The audio file will be inserted in the track as a peak file. 5. If you want to insert a ScratchBox clip: 1. In Track view, call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Insert ScratchBox Clip entry. The ScratchBox program is opened. 2. Create the ScratchBox Clip in the ScratchBox (see Create ScratchBox Clip 51). 3. Close the ScratchBox. The ScratchBox clip will be inserted in the track automatically. 6. If you want to insert a SoundBox clip: 1. In Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Insert SoundBox clip entry. The SoundBox program will open. 2. Create the SoundBox Clip in the SoundBox (see Insert SoundBox Clip 47). 3. Close the SoundBox. The SoundBox clip will be automatically inserted in the track. Nero SoundTrax 27

28 Working wth tracks 7. If you want to capture an audio clip and immediately insert it in the track as an audio file: 1. In Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Insert audio clip entry. The Recording Settings window is opened. 2. Enter the storage location in the file system where you want to save the recording. The Recording Console window is opened. 3. Record the audio clip (see Audio recording 25). 4. After recording click on the Keep button. The audio clip will be inserted in the track. 8. If you want to edit the effect chain for the track: 1. In Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button track effect chain entry. The Effect Chain Editor - Track window is opened. 2. Edit the effect chain for the track. and click the Edit 9. If you want to insert a CD track split: 1. Call the context menu in the track view with the right mouse button and click on the Insert CD track split entry. The CD track split will be inserted in the track. 2. To change the properties of the CD track split, click the right mouse button to call up the context menu of the icon. and click the Properties entry. The Track Split Properties window is opened. 3. Enter the position and the length of the CD track split, the title of the audio clip, and name of the artist. 10. If you want to insert a CD index: 1. In Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Insert CD index entry. The CD index will be inserted in the track. 2. To change the properties of the CD index, click the right mouse button to call up the context menu of the icon. and click the Properties entry. The Index Properties window is opened. 3. Enter the position of the index. 11. If you want to insert a label: 1. Call the context menu in the track view with the right mouse button and click on the Insert label entry. The label will be inserted in the track. 2. To edit the properties of the label, right-click to call th e context menu of the icon. The Label Properties window is opened. 3. Enter the position and the title of the label. Nero SoundTrax 28

29 Working wth tracks 12. If you want to insert a volume curve in the track. 1. Click the menu Tracks > Insert volume curve. The volume curve will be inserted in the track. 2. Continue to edit the volume curve (see Insert volume curve for track 30). 13. If you want to insert a pan curve in the track: 1. Click the menu Tracks > Add Pan Curve. The pan curve will be inserted in the track. 2. Continue to edit the pan curve (see Insert pan curve for track 30). 14. If you want to insert a sound change in the track: 1. In the Track area click the Edit Effect Chain button. The Effect Chain Editor window is opened. 2. Add the desired sound change from the categories tools, effects, or enhancement to the effect chain. 15. If you want to add an assignable effect group curve to the track: 1. In Track view call up the context menu with the right mouse button and click the Insert assignable effect curve entry. The Add Eff ect Group Curve window is opened. 2. Select one of the effect group curves and click on the OK button. The effect group curve will be inserted in track 31). the track (see Insert effect group curve for 16. If you want to disable the track, call the context menu in the track view with the right mouse button and click on the Deactivate track entry. The track will be disabled. The peak file will be hidden. 17. If you want to edit a crossfade of two overlapping audio tracks: 1. In the Track view right click to call up the context menu of the crossfade that is displayed in red. 2. Click on the desired crossfade type. 3. If you want to match the tempos of the audio clips, click on the Match Tempos entry. The Crossfade Tempo window is opened. 4. Make the desired settings. 5. Click the OK button. You have edited the track. See also: Creating a ScratchBox clip 51 Inserting a SoundBox clip 47 Adding a volume curve t Adding a pan curve to Adding an effect group Capture audio file o the track 30 the track 30 curve to the track Nero SoundTrax 29

30 Working wth tracks Nero SoundBox 43 Nero ScratchBox 48 Effect chains Adding a volume curve to the track A volume curve allows you to vary the volume over the length of the track. To create a volume curve, proceed as follows: 1. Select the track whose volume you want to change. 2. Click the menu Tracks > Insert volume curve. The volume curve will be displayed in the track. On the left border of the track a percentage scale from 0 to 100 is displayed for the volume. 3. Move the starting point of the curve, i.e. the square box at the left corner, to the desired initial volume. 4. Click on the point in the volume curve where you want a volume change and move the box up or down. 5. Repeat the previous step until you have specified all desired points of the volume curve. 6. If you want to delete a specific curve point, right-click on the curve point and select the Re- move curve point entry in the context menu that is displayed. 7. If you want to define the settings for a curve point more precisely: 1. Right-click on the curve point and select the Edit curve point entry in the context menu that is displayed. The Edit Curve Point dialog box is opened. 2. In the Time Line Position area enter the desired position of the curve point in the input fields Min. and Sec. 3. In the Value area, enter the desired volume in decibels in the Volume text box. 4. Click the OK button. You have added a volume curve to the track Adding a pan curve to the track A pan curve allows you to vary the volume in the individual channels over the length of the track. For example, for stereo you can initially make the left channel louder than the right channel and thus simulate a movement. To create a pan curve, proceed as follows: 1. Select the track whose volume distribution you want to change. 2. Click the menu Tracks > Add Pan Curve. The pan curves are displayed in the track. On the left border of the track a percentage scale from -100 to 100 is displayed for the volume. The starting point of the curve is at 0, which represents uniform volume allocation. Nero SoundTrax 30

31 Working wth tracks 3. Move the starting point of the curve, i.e. the square box at the left corner, to the desired initial distribution. 4. Click on the point in the volume curve where you want a volume distribution and move the box up or down. 5. Repeat the previous step until you have specified all desired points of the pan curve. 6. If you want to delete a specific curve point, right-click on the curve point and select the Remove curve point entry in the context menu that is displayed. 7. If you want to define the settings for a curve point more precisely: 1. Right-click on the curve point and select the Edit curve point entry in the context menu that is displayed. The Edit Curve Point dialog box is opened. 2. In the Time Line Position area enter the desired position of the curve point in the Min. and Sec. input fields. 3. In the Value area, enter the desired pan in percent in the Pan text box. 4. Click the OK button. You have added a pan curve to the track Adding an effect group curve to the track The following requirement has to be fulfilled: An effect group must already be created. In order to add an effect group, proceed as follows: 1. Select the track to which you want to assign the effect group curve. 2. Click the menu Tracks > Add Assignable Effect Curve. The Add Effect Group Curve dialog box is opened. 3. Select the desired effect group. 4. Click the OK button. The effect group curve will be displayed in the track. A percentage scale from 0 to 100 will be displayed for the volume at the left margin of the track. 5. Move the starting point of the curve, i.e. the square box at the left corner, to the desired initial distribution. 6. Click on the point in the effect group curve where you want an effect change and move the box up or down to the desired intensity. 7. Repeat the preceding step until you have specified all desired points of the effect group cur- curve point, right-click on the curve point and select the Re- ve. 8. If you want to delete a specific move curve point entry in the context menu that is displayed. 9. If you want to define the settings for a curve point more precisely: 1. Right-click on the curve point and select the Edit curve point entry in the context menu that is displayed. Nero SoundTrax 31

32 Working wth tracks The Edit Curve Point dialog box is opened. 2. In the Time Line Position area enter the desired position of the curve point in the Min. and Sec. input fields. 3. In the Value area, enter the desired volume in decibels in the Volume text box. 4. Click the OK button. You have added an effect group curve to the track. See also: Effect chains Surround sound distribution Nero SoundTrax allows you to allocate different output levels to the speakers during play- back of a track; this changes the sound center of the room so that the sound "migrates". For this key points are created in the track so that the movement of sound can be re-used in subsequent playbacks. Changed surround sound distribution with key points Changing the surround sound distribution In order to change the surround sound distribution, proceed as follows: In general: The farther you move the dot away from a speaker the softer the sound in that speaker will be. The nearer you move the green dot to the speaker the louder the sound will be. The sound from the right speaker becomes louder when the dot is moved to the right; the sound from the left speaker becomes louder when the dot is moved to the left. If you place the dot in the corner above one of the speakers then only that par- ticular speaker will provide sound; the other speaker will be completely muted. You can achieve the same effect by double-clicking on one of the speakers to turn it yellow. 1. In the Surround Sound Distribution field located in the Track section, click the green dot, keep the mouse button depressed, and move the dot. The dot movement is marked by key points in the track view. These key points consist of a dotted line and a diamond at the top of the line. 2. If you want to move a key point in the track, click on the diamond at the top of the key point and move it to the right or left. Nero SoundTrax 32

33 Working wth tracks key point in the track, click on the diamond at the top of the key point key on your keyboard. 3. If you want to delete a and press the Delete You have changed the surround sound distribution of the track. Nero SoundTrax 33

34 Effect chains 8 Effect chains You can assign effect chains that consist of multiple effects to a specific track or to the mas- ter track. It is also possible to define effect chains and to assign them to the tracks as an efeffect group curve you can adjust the intensity of the effect group fect group curve. With the over the length of the track. When putting an effect chain together you can choose from the following categories. Plug-ins Tools Effects Enhancements 8.1 Plug-ins conte xt menu The Plug-ins context menu offers the following possibilities for selection: DirectX settings VST Settings Opens the Settings window with the DirectX Plug-Ins tab. Opens the Settings window with the VST-Plug-ins tab. See also: DirectX Plug-ins tab 18 VST Plug-In s tab Toolbox context menu The Toolbox context menu offers the following selection possibilities: Deesser Auto matically lowers the sibilance level in a voice or song recording. Dynamic Processor Equalizer Karaoke filter Corresponds to the physical term of loudness (loudness perception). Equalizes sound frequencies and allows sound quality of bases and high notes to be modified (sound design). Filters out frequencies that are exactly the same on both tracks. Frequently in songs the vocal is the same on both tracks and is thus removed. Noise Gate Suppresses soft segments in the signal transmission. It is used to suppress background noise for example. Pitch Tuning Amo ng other things pitch tuning is used to change the playback speed and the pitch. Nero SoundTrax 34

35 Effect chains Stereo Processor Time Correction Transpose Specifies settings for the left and right audio channel and generates artificial stereo. Specifies settings for the playback speed. Changes the pitch of music passages and their playback speed. 8.3 Effects context menu The following setting options are available: Chorus Adds several slightly distorted signals to the original signal. Convolution Reverb Uses convolution to convert depictions of real sounds into audio signals by A computer system. Delay Outputs one or more delayed copies of the input signal and thus achieves an echo-like sound. Distortion Distorts the signal. Frequently used for electric guitars. Flanger Volume Low Fidelity Modulation Multi-Tap Delay Phaser Pseudo Reverse Re-analogue Reverb Stutter Copies the input signal and returns the copy (phase shifted) to the original. The main difference to the similar phaser effect is the feeding back of the copied signal to the input. The feedback can be finely adjusted. Describes the hearing-based volume. With this effect the perived volume can be increased without exceeding the maximum ce permissible amplitude. Simulates a low sampling rate and thus generates a lesser sound quality. Modulates the signal with a freely selectable control signal. Supports amplitude modulation as well as frequency modulation. Generates individual echoes or a single reflection and describes the number of simultaneously possible echoes. This is a delay effect based on taps. Copies and filters the input signal with a varying band-stop filter. Then the signal reproduced is phase-displaced to the original signal. It is similar to the flanger effect. Produces the impression that the file is being played backwards by reversing only fragments; in reality, however, the file is being played in the correct direction. Offers several effect options by inserting interference effects, such as artificial aging through noise. Gives a reverb effect to the file. Produces a stuttering effect though cut outs or repetitions. Nero SoundTrax 35

36 Effect chains Surround Reverb Voice Modification Wah-Wah Changes the room sound. A different environment can be artifipossible to specify the room cially assigned to the music file. It is depth, width, and height, the finish of room surfaces, as well as other parameters. Modifies the voice in a piece of music. For example you can change the pitch. Is primarily used to influence the sound of electric guitars. The term wah-wah approximates the sound of the induced effect. 8.4 Enhancement context menu The enhancement context menu offers the following selection possibilities: Band Extrapolation Camera Denoiser DC Offset Correction Declicker Declipper DeHum Filter Toolbox Noise Reduction Enables generation of high and low frequency harmonies. Removes (or reduces) the humming noises that frequently occur with video cameras with graphic view. Automatically removes DC components that can be harmful to speakers. Removes pops. The intensity can be adjusted manually. Removes parasitic noise and distortion that result from digital as well as analog saturation. Removes hum. Set of filters that suppress feedback and irregularities. Reduces undesired noise when saving analog signals. 8.5 Effect chains and effect groups In Nero SoundTrax effects are organized in an effect chain; its effects are applied sequentially, for example first noise reduction, then volume change, and a reverb effect. Once an effect chain is created you can save it as an effect chain template. The second way of assigning effects to tracks is to form an effect group and then assign it to the track as an effect group curve. See also: Adding an effect group curve to the track Editing an effect chain To create an effect chain for all tracks, proceed as follows: 1. If you want to create an effect chain for all tracks: Nero SoundTrax 36