Sony Acid 7 Manual

							CHP. 10WORKING WITH MIDI
149
Routing MIDI tracks to MIDI devices or soft synth controls
You can assign a soft synth control in the Mixer window to any DLS set, VST instrument, or ReWire panel 
application on your computer. You can then route a MIDI track to the soft synth control or ReWire 2.0 port. 
For more information, see Using soft synth controls on page 115. Alternately, you can route a track directly to an 
external MIDI device through a MIDI port. 
Tip: You can use   or   to select multiple MIDI 
tracks and change their soft synth routing all at once.
1.Click the Device Selection button ( ). A menu displays available MIDI devices and soft synth controls.
 
If a soft synth for a particular DLS set, VST instrument, or ReWire panel application does not appear in 
the menu, choose 
Insert Soft Synth to add a soft synth control to the project and route it to a DLS set, 
VST instrument, or ReWire panel application. For more information, see Adding soft synth controls to 
projects on page 116.
If a MIDI device does not appear in the menu, choose 
External MIDI Device Preferences to make MIDI 
devices available on the 
MIDI tab of the Preferences dialog. For more information, see Using the MIDI tab 
on page 182.
Note: Devices selected for generating MIDI timecode on the 
Sync tab of the Preferences dialog are unavailable as MIDI 
output devices. For more information, see Using the Sync tab 
on page 184.
2.Choose a device, soft synth control, or port from the menu to send the current track to that control.
The 
Device Selection button indicates whether the track is routed to a soft synth ( ) or MIDI device ( ).
Resetting MIDI ports
When a MIDI port is stuck playing a sustaining sound, ACID provides a quick method to turn off MIDI 
ports (much like the panic button on MIDI hardware devices). From the 
Tools menu, choose Reset All MIDI 
Ports
 to send a global Note Off command to all MIDI ports. 
Tip: Press   to reset all MIDI ports.
ShiftCtrl
Ctrl+Alt+F7 
						

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Rendering projects with MIDI tracks
To render projects that contain MIDI tracks, route the MIDI tracks to soft synths (DLS sets or VST 
instruments) rather than to external MIDI devices; MIDI tracks that are routed to external MIDI devices are 
not included in the rendered file. For more information, see Rendering projects on page 54.
Playing MIDI from external devices
You can set up ACID to receive MIDI input from an external device such as a MIDI keyboard. You can then 
use a soft synth control (with its DLS set or VST instrument) or external MIDI device to output the sound 
from the external device. 
Adding external devices as MIDI inputs
1.Verify that the Enable Real-Time MIDI command is selected in the Options menu.
2.From the Options menu, choose Preferences. The Preferences dialog appears.
3.Click the MIDI tab.
4.Select a device in the Make these devices available for MIDI input pane.
5.To enable MIDI thru for the selected input, right-click the entry in the MIDI Thru column and choose a 
MIDI thru device from the shortcut menu.
Note: The MIDI thru device must be selected in the Make 
these devices available for MIDI track playback and Generate 
MIDI Clock
 pane in order to appear in the menu. You can 
choose more than one MIDI device for MIDI thru output, if 
desired.
6.Click OK.
Assigning MIDI inputs to soft synth controls
You can route MIDI input from an external device to any soft synth control in your project. For more 
information, see Adding soft synth controls to projects on page 116.
You can assign both individual tracks and external MIDI 
devices to a single soft synth.
1.In the Mixer window, double-click the soft synth icon on a control ( ). The Soft Synth Properties 
window appears. 
2.Click the External MIDI Input Port button ( ) and select the MIDI input device from the menu.
When using VSTi soft synths, make sure the Enable button 
( ) is selected for real-time MIDI playback. 
						

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Soloing MIDI device inputs
External MIDI devices can be routed to multiple soft synths or MIDI thru devices. Soloing a MIDI device 
input prevents your device from playing through other soft synths and MIDI thru devices, soloing the input 
through the selected soft synth control. You can solo MIDI input on more than one soft synth control, if 
desired.
1.Double-click the soft synth icon on a control ( ). The Soft Synth Properties window appears. 
2.Click the Solo Listen to MIDI Input button ( ).
Synchronizing using MIDI timecode
ACID can generate MIDI timecode (MTC) and MIDI clock as well as trigger from MIDI timecode. These 
features allow ACID to be synchronized with other audio applications and external audio hardware.
Note: ACID cannot chase MTC or MIDI clock.
Generating MIDI timecode
MIDI timecode is a standard timecode that most applications and some hardware devices use to synchronize 
themselves. ACID generates stable MTC at all available frame rates for other applications to chase.
1.Specify a MIDI output device to which you will send timecode and a frame rate for the timecode. These 
options can be found on the
 Sync tab of the Preferences dialog. For more information, see Using the Sync tab 
on page 184.
2.From the Options menu, choose Timecode, and choose Generate MIDI Timecode from the submenu.
ACID begins generating MTC wherever you click the 
Play button ( ).
Generating MTC with an offset
In some cases, you may want to start sending timecode with an offset (e.g., 01:00:00:00) to allow time for 
multiple devices to synchronize. You can create an offset on the ACID time ruler to accomplish this. For 
more information, see Using the ruler offset on page 173.
Viewing outgoing timecode
You can view outgoing timecode in the time display located directly above the track list. Right-click the 
time display and choose 
MIDI Timecode Out from the shortcut menu to display outgoing MTC time. 
						

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Triggering from MIDI timecode
You can trigger ACID playback using MTC. This means that ACID initiates playback by receiving timecode 
from another device.
1.Connect a word clock signal between your computer and triggering device to lock synchronization.
Note: If the MIDI trigger device can output MIDI timecode, 
a timecode converter is not necessary; you can connect the 
trigger device directly to your computer.
2.Configure your triggering device to send MTC to your computer.
3.From the Options menu, choose Preferences and select the Sync tab to configure ACID to receive MTC.
From the 
Input device drop-down list, choose the port through which you receive MTC.
From the 
Frame rate drop-down list, choose the frame rate that your trigger device uses to send MTC to 
ACID.
4.From the Options menu, choose Timecode, and choose Trigger from MIDI Timecode from the submenu.
When ACID receives an incoming MTC signal, it begins playing from the position indicated by the 
timecode. If ACID is not receiving MTC, you can play and edit normally.
Viewing incoming timecode
You can view the incoming timecode in the time display located directly above the track list. Right-click the 
time display and choose 
MIDI Timecode In from the shortcut menu to show the incoming MTC time.
This display also shows status and error information. If 
Trigger from MIDI Timecode is enabled but no MTC is 
detected, the display reads Wai ting.. .; If the wrong frame rate of MTC is being detected, the display reads 
Wrong format.
Generating MIDI clock
MIDI clock differs from MTC in that it contains tempo as well as positional information. MIDI clock is 
essentially measured in ticks from the beginning of the project. MIDI clock sends 24 ticks per quarter note.
The advantage of using MIDI clock is that ACID can send its tempo changes to the chasing application and 
they will be preserved.
1.Specify a MIDI output device to which you will send the clock. This option can be found on the Sync tab 
of the Preferences dialog. For more information, see Using the Sync tab on page 184.
2.From the Options menu, choose Timecode, and choose Generate MIDI Clock from the submenu.
ACID generates MIDI clock when you click the 
Play button ( ).
Viewing outgoing MIDI clock
You can view the outgoing clock in the time display located directly above the track list. Right-click the 
time display and choose 
MIDI Clock Out from the shortcut menu to display the outgoing MIDI clock time. 
						

							11
CHP. 11WORKING WITH VIDEO
CHAPTER153
Working with Video
By adding a video track to your ACID project, you can use ACID as a scoring tool.
Video is always added to the top track in the track list. Depending on your horizontal zoom level, each frame 
displayed in the video track may represent multiple frames from the source video. As you zoom in, marks 
display to represent each frame, and you can zoom further to view individual frames.
Managing video
ACID makes it easy to add video to a project and work with the video track.
Adding or replacing video files
Use the Explorer window to find the file you want to use, and then add it to the project by double-clicking it 
or dragging it into the track view. ACID places the video file in the top track, and if the file has an audio 
stream, ACID places it as a separate, one-shot track in the track view. 
If your project already contains a video track, ACID prompts you to replace the existing video if you open 
another video file.
Tip: You can also add a still image (such as a BMP, JPEG, 
PSD, GIF, PNG, or TGA file) to the video track.
Removing the video track
Right-click anywhere in the video track and choose Remove Video from the shortcut menu.
Hiding and showing the video track
By default, video displays in the track view when you add it to a project. You can hide or show the video 
track at any time by choosing 
Show Video Track from the View menu. A check mark next to the command 
indicates that the video track displays.
Synchronizing audio and video
Editing the audio associated with a video file can cause it to become out of sync with the video. To 
resynchronize the audio and video, right-click the audio file and choose 
Synchronize with Video from the 
shortcut menu.
Note: This does not work if you have changed the audio 
track to a loop.
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Removing the video’s audio
Right-click the audio track in the track list and choose Delete Track from the shortcut menu. The audio track 
is removed, but the video remains.
Changing frame numbering
ACID numbers each frame in the video track. You can change the numbering format or turn off frame 
numbering altogether.
1.From the Options menu, choose Preferences. The Preferences dialog appears.
2.Click the Video tab.
3.Choose a setting from the Show source frame numbers on video thumbnails as drop-down list.
Editing video events
ACID provides several video editing options to help you score your video.
Moving video events
Drag the event to a new location along the video track.
Trimming video events
Drag either end of the video event. The video event stays in place, but the beginning or end of the video 
moves.
You cannot trim the beginning or end of the event past the event’s original end. You cannot trim an event 
earlier than its starting point unless the event has been trimmed previously.
Slipping and sliding video events
To help you picture what happens when you slip and slide events, think of an event as a window to a media 
file. The window can display the entire media file or a small section. When the window displays only a 
portion of the media file, you can move either the window or the underlying media to adjust the media 
played by an event:
When you slip an event, your event maintains its place on the timeline, but the media file moves in the 
direction you drag.
When you slide an event, the media file maintains its place on the timeline, but the event moves in the 
direction you drag.
Shifting the contents of video events (slipping)
Hold   while dragging the video event to move the position of the video within the event. The event itself 
does not move.
Slip-trimming video events
Hold   while dragging the beginning or end of a video event. The video moves with the event edge, and 
the opposite edge of the event remains fixed.
Sliding video events
Hold   while dragging the video event to move the event while leaving the video in place. The 
relative position of the video changes as when you slip an event. 
Alt 
Alt 
Ctrl+Alt 
						

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Using the Video window
The Video window is used to view the video as it plays or to view the frame at the cursor position. To display 
the Video window, choose 
Video from the View menu, or press  .
Using toolbar buttons
The toolbar allows you to access two commonly used functions of the Video window.
Using the shortcut menu
Right-click anywhere in the Video window to display a shortcut menu with Video window options.
Viewing the status bar
Right-click the Video window and choose Show Status Bar from the shortcut menu to view the status bar. 
The status bar shows the video’s frame size, frame rate, and display size.
Button Description
Copies the current frame to the Windows 
clipboard.
Sends the preview to an external 
monitor.
Item Description
Copy Frame Copies the current frame to the Windows clipboard.
Default Background Sets the background color of the Video window to the default color.
Black Background Sets the background color of the Video window to black.
White Background Sets the background color of the Video window to white.
External Monitor Sends the preview to an external monitor.
Display Square Pixels Compensates for any spatial distortions due to non-square pixel aspect ratios.
Display at Media Size Displays video at the native resolution, clipping if necessary.
Show Toolbar Toggles the display of the Video window toolbar.
Show Status Bar Toggles the display of the Video window status bar.
Alt + 4
Toolbar buttons
Shortcut menu
Background
Status bar 
						

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Previewing on external monitors
ACID allows you to use your system’s external monitor for previewing video playback. You must have an 
OHCI IEEE-1394 adapter and a device to convert the DV signal to video, such as a DV camcorder, deck, or 
media converter.
To specify an external monitor, click the 
External Monitor button ( ) on the Video window, or choose 
Preferences from the Options menu and click the Video tab.
Other settings for the external monitor can also be found on the 
Video tab. For more information, see Using the 
Video tab on page 183.
Scoring video with ACID
ACID provides tools that allow you to adjust the tempo of a project to easily synchronize audio with specific 
video frames.
1.Add your audio track(s) and video to your project.
2.If the Video window is not displayed, choose Video from the View menu.
3.Click the Play button ( ) to begin playback.
4.Press   each time you want to place a time marker at a frame you want to emphasize (where an explosion 
is heard, for example).
5.Click the Stop button ( ) to stop playback.
6.Return to the leftmost time marker and fine tune its placement so it coincides exactly with the desired 
video frame.
Tip: Holding   while pressing the right or left arrow keys 
allows you to step the cursor through your video by individual 
frames. You may need to drag your time marker to the cursor 
to get it on the desired frame.
7.Place the cursor at the point to which you want to synchronize your time marker. For example, you might 
want the frame that you marked in step six to coincide with a downbeat.
8.Right-click the time marker and select Adjust Tempo to Match Marker to Cursor from the shortcut menu. 
The new tempo appears in the track list.
9.Press   to insert a tempo change marker. ACID detects the adjusted tempo and inserts it in the tempo 
marker’s box. The tempo change marker preserves synchronization between the time marker and location 
on the beat ruler as you perform editing further down the timeline. For more information, see Adding tempo/
key/time signature change markers on page 81.
10 .Repeat steps six through nine to synchronize the rest of your video.
H
Alt 
T 
						

							12
CHP. 12WORKING WITH 5.1 SURROUND
CHAPTER157
Working with 5.1 
Surround
ACID allows you to create 5.1-channel mixes to wrap a listener in your remixes or prepare audio for cinema, 
DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, or DTS 5.1 Music projects. 
Note: ACID plays and mixes uncompressed 5.1-channel 
audio. Authoring software such as the Sonic Foundry 
5.1 Surround Plug-In Pack is required to encode 5.1-channel 
audio for compressed delivery formats.
What is 5.1 surround?
5.1 surround is a standard format consisting of three speakers across the front and two speakers in the rear. 
The “.1” is a sixth channel called low frequency effects (LFE) that enhances the bass levels in the mix.
The LFE channel is commonly used in motion pictures to enhance low audio frequencies for effects such as 
explosions or crashes. Audio in this channel is commonly limited to a range from about 25 Hz to 120 Hz. 
Unlike the five primary channels, the LFE channel adds no directional information. Depending on the 
speaker setup and audio levels, the sound assigned to the LFE channel may be routed among the five main 
speakers or to an additional subwoofer.
Left Center Right LFE
Right
Surround Left
Surround
5.1 surround includes five main channels... ...and a sixth channel for low frequency effects.
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Setting up surround hardware
Before you create surround projects in ACID, you should set up your system to provide 5.1 surround 
playback. To play a 5.1 surround project, you must have an appropriate speaker setup such as:
Six powered speakers
Six passive speakers with a six-channel amplifier
Your system must also have an appropriate sound card setup such as:
5.1-compatible sound card
Sound card with three stereo outputs
Three stereo sound cards
There are several ways to set up your system, depending on the sound card and speaker setup you are using.
Setting up surround projects
You can configure an ACID project to use 5.1 surround in the Project Properties dialog. You can also choose 
to apply a low-pass filter for the LFE channel. Applying a low-pass filter approximates the bass-management 
system in a 5.1 decoder and ensures that you’re sending only low-frequency audio to the LFE channel.
1.From the File menu, choose Properties.
2.Click the Audio tab.
3.From the Master bus mode drop-down list, choose 5.1 surround.
4.To limit the audio sent to the LFE channel, do the following:
Select the 
Enable low-pass filter on LFE check box and enter a value in the Cutoff frequency for low-pass filter 
box. The low-pass filter isolates the audio sent to the LFE channel by limiting it to frequencies lower 
than the value entered in the 
Cutoff frequency for low-pass filter box. 
Choose a setting from the 
Low-pass filter quality drop-down list to determine the sharpness of the filter’s 
rolloff curve. 
Best produces the sharpest curve. 
Note: Before rendering your surround project, check your 
surround authoring application’s documentation to determine 
its required audio format. Some encoders require a specific 
cutoff frequency and rolloff, while other encoders require that 
no filter be applied before encoding.
5.Click OK.
Six powered speakers Six passive speakers with a six-channel amplifier
5.1-compatible 
sound cardConnect powered speakers to your sound card’s 
outputs as indicated by your sound card’s 
documentation.Connect your sound card’s front, rear, and center/subwoofer 
outputs to the appropriate inputs on a six-channel amplifier/
home theater receiver. Connect front, rear, center, and LFE 
speakers to the amplifier.
Sound card with 
three stereo 
outputsConnect powered speakers to your sound card’s 
outputs where you have routed each of the pairs of 
channels. The left channel of the Center/LFE pair is the 
center channel; the right channel is the LFE channel.Connect your sound card’s outputs to the appropriate inputs on 
a six-channel amplifier/home theater receiver. Connect front, 
rear, center, and LFE speakers to the amplifier.
Three stereo 
sound cardsConnect powered speakers to your sound cards’ 
outputs where you have routed each of the pairs of 
channels. The left channel of the Center/LFE pair is the 
center channel; the right channel is the LFE channel.Connect your sound card’s outputs to the appropriate inputs on 
a six-channel amplifier/home theater receiver. Connect front, 
rear, center, and LFE speakers to the amplifier.