Steinberg WaveLab 7 Operation Manual

5.2 Analysis 107
starts or ends in a file, for example, it doesn't tell you anything about the timbral contents
of the file. A frequency graph (frequency domain) allows you to investigate the individual
frequency components of an Audio File. With the addition of the time dimension you can
follow these frequencies in your Audio File over time and pick out individual snare hits or
vocal notes in a song, for example. The graph used in WaveLab is sometimes called a 3D-
Spectrogram.
Displaying and viewing...

108 Audio File editing
The tool gives an answer to the question: "How often does a given loudness (vertical scale,
in dB) appear in the whole file?". The percentage figure is relative to other peaks. Some
simple examples:
ˆ 1. If, for instance, you have a sine of 0 dB / 2 second followed by a sine of -6 dB /
2 seconds. This means the global audio material has as much 0 dB material as - 6dB
material: you will see 2 peaks (0 / -6 dB), each at 100%.
ˆ 2. If, for instance, uou have a sine of 0 dB / 1...

5.3 Metering 109
ˆ Monitor Edit cursor position - the meters display static information about the
audio beneath the edit cursor. Note that the Master Section settings are not taken into
account in this mode.
ˆ Analyze audio selection - this allows you to make a selection and have the
meters display the average values over the selected range as a static display. The
Master Section settings are not taken into account in this mode. When you change the
selection, you need to update the meter displays by...

110 Audio File editing
file.
The upper part of the level/pan meter window shows the peak level and average loudness,
in the following way:
ˆ The Peak Level meters display the peak levels of each channel, graphically and numeri-
cally. By default, the meter segments and numerical peak values are displayed in green
for low levels, yellow for levels between -6dB and -2dB, and red for levels above -2dB.
You can change both the colors and the range boundaries if you wish via the Level/Pan
Meter Settings...

5.3 Metering 111
5.3.2 Spectroscope
The Spectroscope shows a continuous graphical representation of the frequency spectrum,
analyzed into 60 separate frequency bands, represented as vertical bars. Peak levels are
shown as a short horizontal lines above the corresponding band, indicating recent peak/-
maximum values. The Spectroscope offers a quick spectrum overview. For a more detailed
analysis of the audio spectrum, use the
Spectrometer . The Spectroscope can be found in
the Meters menu of the Audio...

112 Audio File editing
As soon as you perform any kind of real-time processing on an Audio File, the audio data is
treated at a much higher resolution (32 bit floating point), to allow for pristine audio quality.
Examples of such processing include level adjustments, effects, the mixing of two or more
files, etc. In fact, the only time when a 16 bit file is played back at 16 bit resolution is if
you play it without any fades or effects, and with the Master Faders set to 0.00 (no level
adjustment). You can...

5.3 Metering 113
Related topics
Metering
Dithering
5.3.5 Phasescope
The Phasescope indicates the phase and amplitude relationship between two stereo chan-
nels. It is only really relevant when monitoring stereo audio material.
Reading the Phasescope
It can be interpreted as follows:
ˆ A vertical line indicates a perfect mono signal (the left and right channels are the same).
ˆ A horizontal line indicates that the left channel is the same as the right, but with an
inverse phase.
ˆ A random but roughly...

114 Audio File editing
Changing settings
You can define display colors, peak hold time, and the resolution or number of samples to
display from the Functions>Settings... menu.
The Phasescope meter can be found in the Metersmenu of the Audio Files and Audio Mon-
tage Workspaces. It can be used either as a floating window, or docked in the Workspace
or the
Control Window .
Related topics
Metering
5.3.6 Spectrometer
The Spectrometer uses FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) techniques to display a continuous...

5.3 Metering 115
If you want to store your settings for later use (or assign them to a Preset button), select "Save
as..." from the pop-up menu in the lower part of the dialog, and specify a name for the preset
in the file dialog that appears. Now, you can choose to make the settings instantly available
for selection in the FFT Meter window, by using the "Assign to preset button" submenu on
the pop-up menu.
ˆ When you are finished, click OK to close the dialog.
Selecting Spectrometer...

116 Audio File editing
It can be used either as a floating window, or docked in the Workspace or the Control Win-
dow
.
Related topics
Metering
5.4 Transport controls
The transport controls allow you to control playback within an Audio File or montage, and to
open the record window. It can be accessed via the Transport menu or the Transport toolbar.
See
Command bars for more information.
The Transport menu gives access to (and shows keyboard shortcuts to) the same functions
that are available in the...