Sony Acid Music Studio 9 Manual

							LEARNING THE ACID WINDOW | 5
Chapter 2Learning the ACID Window
Overview of ACID Music Studio software
ACID® Music Studio™ music creation software is designed to be powerful and flexible, yet easy to use. Many of the 
ACID Music Studio operations, commands, and shortcut keys are common to other Sony Creative Software Inc. 
applications.
The following sections provide a tour of the ACID Music Studio work area.
Main window
The ACID Music Studio workspace includes three main areas: the track list, the timeline, and the window docking 
area. The other parts of the interface are tools and features used while creating and working with your project. You 
can resize the track list, timeline, and window docking area by dragging the dividers between them.
Track l ist
Explorer and Plug-In Manager windowsDividers
To o l b a rTimeline
Transpor t barMarker bar
Mixing Console window
Window 
docking area 
						

							6 | CHAPTER 2
Toolbar
The toolbar allows you to quickly access commonly used functions and features in ACID Music Studio software.
New Opens a new project. You will be 
prompted to save any changes to the 
current project.Automatic Crossfades Allows you to 
automatically create crossfades when you 
overlap two events.
Open Displays the Open dialog. From this 
dialog, you can browse all of the available 
drives to select an ACID project or audio 
file to open.Lock Envelopes to Events Locks envelope 
points so they move with an event when it 
is moved along the timeline.
Save Saves any changes to the current 
project. The first time you save a project, 
the Save As dialog appears.Enable Inline MIDI Editing Allows editing 
of MIDI events directly on the timeline. In 
this mode, you can draw and erase notes 
in a piano roll or drum grid view.
Publish Opens the Publish wizard so you 
can share your ACID creation on the Web.Draw Tool Activates the Draw tool to add 
and edit events.
ACIDplanet Profile Opens your profile on 
the ACIDplant Web site.Selection Tool Activates the Selection 
tool to select multiple events.
Get Media from the Web Opens a dialog 
where you can download media from the 
Internet.Paint Tool Activates the Paint tool to 
insert events across multiple tracks. When 
used in conjunction with the Ctrl key, the 
Paint tool can paint an entire one-shot, 
MIDI, or Beatmapped media file to an 
event with one click.
Cut Clears the selected items from the 
timeline and places them on the ACID 
clipboard. You can then paste them to a 
new location.Erase Tool Activates the Erase tool to 
erase events or parts of events. When 
used in conjunction with the Ctrl key, the 
Erase tool can erase an entire one-shot, 
MIDI, or Beatmapped media file to an 
event with one click.
Copy Creates a copy of the selected items 
from the timeline on the ACID clipboard. 
You can then paste them to a new 
location.Envelope Tool Activates the Envelope 
tool to select and modify envelope points.
Paste Inserts the contents of the ACID 
clipboard at the current cursor position. 
The pasted items cover any existing 
events. To make room for pasted events, 
choose Paste Insert from the Edit menu.Time Selection Tool Activates the Time 
Selection tool to quickly select all events 
within a range of time.
Undo Reverses the last action performed. 
ACID supports unlimited undos, allowing 
you to restore the project to any state 
since the last save.Show Me How Starts an interactive guide 
that shows you each part of the ACID 
Music Studio interface and teaches you 
how to create a project.
Redo Reverses an undo.Context-Sensitive Help Activates context-
sensitive help to obtain information about 
a specific option, menu, or part of the 
ACID Music Studio window.
Enable Snapping Turns the snapping 
feature on or off. With snapping enabled, 
you can decide whether to snap to the 
grid or to all elements, such as markers 
and regions. 
						

							LEARNING THE ACID WINDOW | 7
Trac k  l i st
This list identifies the track order in your project and contains the track’s controls.
Audio tracks
MIDI tracks
Timeline
In the timeline, you can view and edit the events in a track.
Marker bar
The marker bar runs the length of your project and contains the tags for markers and regions positioned along the project’s 
timeline.
Beat ruler
The beat ruler allows you to place events in reference to the musical time of bars and beats. This ruler is fixed and is not updated 
when you change the tempo. This allows the events in the tracks to maintain their size when you adjust the tempo.
Track  name Tra ck  num ber
Pan sliderTrack FX
Mute
Solo
Volume sliderArm for Record
Paint Clip Selector
MIDI Input MIDI Output
Minimize Track Height
Maximize Track Height
Marker bar
Transport bar Time ruler (if displayed)Loop bar
Zoom 
controlsBeat ruler 
						

							8 | CHAPTER 2
Time ruler
The time ruler provides a timeline for your project. This ruler can show real time in many different formats. The ruler changes with 
tempo, because the number of beats and beats per second of real time changes with tempo.
Tra n sp or t  ba r
The transport bar contains the playback and cursor positioning buttons frequently used while working on your project.
Zoom controls
To the right of the horizontal scroll bar are the time zoom controls. Clicking the Zoom In Time button () increases the horizontal 
magnification of the project. To decrease the level of magnification, click the Zoom Out Time button ().
Directly below the vertical scroll bar are the dedicated track height zoom controls. Clicking the Zoom In Track Height button () 
increases the vertical magnification of the project. To decrease the level of magnification, click the Zoom Out Track Height button 
(
).
Click the Zoom Tool button () in the corner of the timeline to temporarily change the cursor into the Zoom tool. After you select 
an area of the timeline to magnify, the cursor reverts to the previously active tool.
Window docking area
This area allows you to keep frequently used windows available while working on a project. Windows can be docked side by side or 
in stacks in the window docking area.
The default windows are displayed in the window docking area when you start ACID Music Studio for the first time. Additional 
windows can be displayed by clicking the window’s tab or by choosing the desired window from the View menu.
The available windows can be docked anywhere at the bottom of the ACID window or floated over the ACID window or on a 
secondary monitor (this setup requires a dual-monitor video card). You can also create floating docks anywhere by dragging more 
than one window to the same area.
Note: Double-clicking the horizontal or vertical scroll bars adjusts the magnification so that as much of the project (either 
horizontally or vertically) is displayed as possible.
Note: Double-clicking the Zoom tool adjusts both the horizontal and vertical magnification so that as much of the project is 
displayed as possible.
Tip: You can quickly hide or show the window docking area by pressing F11.
Click a tab to view 
a window.
Click the handle to drag a 
window to a different 
location or dock. Click the Maximize/
Minimize button to 
control the size of the 
window in the window 
docking area. Click the Close button to 
remove a window from a 
floating dock or the 
window docking area. 
						

							LEARNING THE ACID WINDOW | 9
Explorer
The Explorer window works similarly to the Windows® Explorer. You can use the Explorer window to locate, preview and select 
media files to be added to your project. You can also use the Explorer window to perform common file management tasks, such as 
renaming files or creating folders. Display the Explorer by choosing Explorer from the View menu or pressing Alt+1. 
For more 
information, see Getting media files on page 13.
Chopper
The Chopper™ isolates audio events so that you can dissect them and reinsert them into a project to produce elaborate slice-n-dice 
effects with minimal effort. Display the Chopper by choosing Chopper from the View menu or pressing Alt+2.
Mixing Console
The Mixing Console provides an integrated view of all tracks and busses in your project using the appearance of a traditional 
hardware-based mixer. Display the Mixing Console window by choosing Mixing Console from the View menu or pressing Alt+3. 
For 
more information, see Using the Mixing Console on page 26.
Video Preview
This window displays prerendered video files that can be imported and synchronized with an ACID project. The video file displays 
during project playback and can be rendered with the project to an appropriate format. Display the Video Preview window by 
choosing Video Preview from the View menu or pressing Alt+4.
Track Properties
This window allows you to change track attributes. Display the Track Properties window by double-clicking a track’s icon or by 
pressing Alt+6.
Soft Synth Properties
This window allows you to change the attributes of soft synth controls in the Mixer window. Display the Soft Synth Properties 
window by double-clicking a soft synth control’s icon or by pressing Alt+8.
Audio Plug-In
This window displays plug-ins and settings for track, assignable, bus, and soft synth effects chains. Display the Audio Plug-In 
window by clicking a track’s Track FX button (
), by choosing Audio Plug-In from the View menu, or by pressing Alt+9. 
Plug-In Manager
This window allows you to view and choose effects plug-ins to be added to a track, bus, or assignable effects chain. Display the 
Plug-In Manager window by choosing Plug-In Manager from the View menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+1.
Clip Properties
For audio (non-MIDI) clips, this window allows the user to change clip types (loop, one-shot, and Beatmapped), and adjust time 
stretching, pitch, root notes, tempo, and downbeat.
For MIDI clips, you can use the Clip Properties window to edit data using the OPT list editor or piano roll.
Display the Clip Properties window by choosing Clip Properties from the View menu or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+3. 
						

							10 | CHAPTER 2 
						

							STARTING PROJECTS | 11
Chapter 3Starting Projects
Now that you have a basic understanding of the interface and controls found in the software, you are ready to begin 
creating an ACID® Music Studio™ project.
Getting started
Double-clicking the ACID Music Studio icon on the desktop starts the software.
You can immediately begin building your ACID project using the application’s default project properties. However, 
you may prefer to customize the project properties prior to beginning the project.
Setting project properties
ACID Music Studio software allows you to configure project properties and add summary information prior to 
beginning a project. Choosing New from the File menu displays the New Project dialog. This dialog contains two 
tabs: Summary and Audio. Selecting the Start all new projects with these settings check box configures the 
software to use the parameters and information in both tabs as defaults when starting all subsequent projects.
Using the Summary tab
This tab allows you to enter information about the project. These boxes can be left blank or if information exists, you 
can change it at any time.
Note: You can edit project audio properties and summary information at any time. Choose Properties from the File 
menu to display the Project Properties dialog, which contains the identical tabs and parameters as the New Project 
dialog.
ItemDescription
TitleEnter the name or title of the project.
ArtistEnter the name of the narrator, band, or artist(s) being recorded into the project.
EngineerEnter the name(s) of the people who mixed and edited the project.
CopyrightEnter the date and ownership rights of the project.
CommentsEnter information that identifies and describes the project.
Universal Product Code/Media 
Catalog NumberEnter the Universal Product Code (UPC) and the Media Catalog Number (MCN) to be 
written to your CD for identification purposes.
Start all new projects with 
these settingsSelect this check box if your projects’ requirements do not change or you want 
consistent settings for future projects. 
						

							12 | CHAPTER 3
Using the Audio tab
This tab allows you to set the sample rate, bit depth, and recording folder for your project’s audio.
Opening existing projects
1.From the File menu, choose Open. The Open dialog is displayed.
2.Choose a drive and folder from the Look in drop-down list.
3.Select a file in the browse window or type a name in the File name box. Detailed information about the selected file appears at 
the bottom of the dialog box.
4.Choose a file type from the Files of type drop-down list to limit the files displayed in the dialog box.
5.Click Open.
Opening ACID projects with embedded media
When you open an .acd-zip project, the project file and all media files are copied to the temporary files folder.
Any changes you make to the project are saved to the files in this temporary folder until you save the .acd-zip file again. For more 
information, see Saving a project on page 35.
ItemDescription
Sample rateChoose a sample rate from the drop-down list or enter your own rate. The sample rate 
range is 2,000 Hz to 192,000 Hz. Higher sample rates result in better quality sound, but 
also mean larger audio files.
Bit depthChoose a bit depth from the drop-down list. A higher bit depth results in better 
quality sound, but also means larger audio files.
Recorded files folderThis box displays the path to the folder that will be used when you record new audio 
or MIDI tracks. Choose  to save recorded files in the same folder as your 
ACID project file, or click the Browse button to choose a different folder.
The recorded files folder from the Folder tab of the Preferences dialog is used by 
default unless you choose a project-specific location. If you select the Start all new 
projects with these settings check box, the setting on the Folder tab of the 
Preferences dialog will be updated to use the folder specified in the Project Properties 
dialog.
Start all new projects with 
these settingsSelect this check box if your project requirements do not change or you want 
consistent settings for future projects.
Note: If one of the media files cannot be located when you open an ACID project, you can choose to leave the media offline and 
continue to edit events on the track. The events point to the location of the source media file. If you restore the source media file at a 
later time, the project opens normally. 
						

							STARTING PROJECTS | 13
Getting media files
Now that you’ve created a new project or opened an existing project, the next step is to add media to the project. You can use the 
Explorer window to locate, preview and add media to your project. You can also extract audio from a CD or download media from 
the Web.
Previewing media from the Explorer window
The Explorer window allows you to preview files in looped playback at the current project tempo before adding them to your 
project. You can also preview files in the Explorer in conjunction with playing your project, thereby allowing you to preview how a 
file will sound in the project.
To preview files, use the Start Preview (), Stop Preview (), and Auto Preview () buttons at the top of the Explorer window.
Previewing a media file
1.Select the media file in the Explorer window that you want to preview.
2.Click the Start Preview button (). The media file begins looped playback. You can monitor its levels on the preview bus.
3.Click the Stop Preview button () to end playback.
Previewing multiple media files
You can also use the Explorer’s multiple-selection preview feature to preview a group of files in the order that you select them.
Using Auto Preview
Click the Auto Preview button () to toggle automatic playback of media files when you select them in the Explorer. If your project 
is currently playing when you select a new file, the new file plays back along with your project. This feature allows you to listen to 
the media file in the context of your project.
Adding media to the project
You must add media files to a project before you can paint, arrange, and process them. When you add a file to a project, a new track 
is created to accommodate it. New tracks are added at the current volume of the Preview fader in the Mixer window, unless you 
have set a default track volume level.
There are several methods of adding media files to a project.
Note: Before using long Beatmapped or long one-shot files from CDs or shared network folders, copy the media to your local drive 
for the best possible performance.
Preview your projects with 
these buttons 
						

							14 | CHAPTER 3
Adding media files from the Explorer window
You can use the Explorer window, which operates similarly to the Windows® Explorer, to locate media files for use in projects. 
Display the Explorer, if needed, by choosing Explorer from the View menu, or by pressing Alt+1.
There are three ways to add media files from the Explorer window:
• Double-click the desired file.
• Drag the file from the Explorer to the timeline or track list. Dragging a file from the Explorer to the track name of an existing 
track allows you to replace the original file with the new file, while all events remain in place.
• Right-click and drag a file to the timeline or track list to specify the type of media or clip to be created. When you drop the file, 
a shortcut menu appears that allows you to choose whether to treat the file as a loop, one-shot, Beatmapped track, or as an 
autodetected type.
Adding media files from the Open dialog
There are three ways to add media files from the Open dialog:
• Select the desired file and click Open.
• Right-click the selected file and choose Select from the shortcut menu.
• Double-click the selected file.
Adding media files from outside the application
You can also add a media file to a project by dragging it from Windows Explorer to the timeline.
Adding multiple media files simultaneously
To add multiple media files to the project, Ctrl+click (or Shift+click) to select the files and drag them to the timeline or the track list.
Selected media in 
Explorer window
Selected media in Open dialog