Steinberg WaveLab 7 Operation Manual

							11.1 Dialogs 257
11.1.36 Import Audio CD
This dialog allows you to import one or more tracks from an audio CD.
Once you have identified the source CD, you can select the track or tracks to import. You
must specify a folder location and file format before the file or files can be saved to disk.
Actions tab Specify the optical disk drive from the drop-down list, and the disk reading
speed. The title and track details are automatically completed. If no track names appear,
click
to refresh CD reading.
From this list you can select the tracks (or define the start and end points of a single track).
The "Rename tracks" menu option automatically adds the track order number to the name in
a range of different styles. You can select a track name for text editing by double-clicking.
In "Output", accept the default Folder location or choose another. Clicking
produces the
Audio File Format dialog for changing details of the Audio File's format.
Options tab This accesses a list of tickable options to refine how the tracks are read and
output to file.
You can access this dialog via Utilities>Import Audio CD tracks... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Audio File Format Dialog
11.1.37 Insert Audio Files
This dialog allows you to choose how imported Audio Files will be arranged in the active
audio montage.
It displays a list of the Audio Files you have selected to import and allows you to add or
remove files, rearrange their order, choose whether to create new tracks for each Clip or lay
them out on a single track, and where to insert the Clips. To adjust the spacing between
Clips that you import, see
Audio Montage Preferences .
This dialog appears when adding two or more Audio Files to a montage. You can access it
from the Montage Workspace via Insert context menu>Insert Audio Files... , or when
you drag Audio Files directly from your computer's file system.You can also access it from
the Montage Workspace via Workspace>Specific tool windows >Files >File >Add
Audio Files(s) at cursor... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Podcasts
File
Audio Montage Preferences
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11.1.38 Level envelope
This dialog allows you to create a volume envelope which can be applied to a selected range
or a whole Audio File. This could be useful if you need to even-out loud and quiet parts, for
example.
You can edit the envelope by:
ˆ Double clicking on the line to add a point: double click on a point to remove it.
ˆ Selecting multiple points (using [Shift]click) allows you to move the selection as a
group.
You can also use the controls to delete or reset points in the envelope. Use the envelope
smoothing button to toggle the envelope points between a straight (polygonal) line or a
curved path.
Click Apply to apply the envelope to the audio selection or file.
You can access this dialog in the Audio File Workspace via Process>Level envelope... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Audio File editing
Adjusting Envelopes
11.1.39 Loop Tone Uniformizer
This dialog allows you to create sounds that will loop, from audio that is seemingly "un-
loopable". These are normally sounds that constantly decay in level or continuously change
in timbre. The Loop Tone Uniformizer applies processing to the sound that evens out changes
in level and timbral characteristics in order for a sound to loop properly. For example, this
could be useful for creating looped samples for a softsynth or hardware sampler.
To use the Loop Tone Uniformizer you need to have a loop defined using a pair of loop markers
. The original length of the loop is not changed.
Uniformizers
This tab allows you to specify the method/s used to even out the sound you wish to loop.
Choose between "Slice mixing" and/or "Chorus smoothing". For a full explanation of how
each of these methods operate use the "What's this?" help function.
For slice mixing, you may need to experiment to see how many slices are needed. Generally
the more slices you use, the more natural the sound will be (up to a certain point).
Pre Cross fade
The Loop Tone Uniformizer also includes the option to cross fade the end of the loop with
the start of the newly processed section so that transition into the newly looped section is
smoother during playback. Use the envelope drag points or value sliders to adjust the cross
fade.
A note about Post Cross fading
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If you have used the Loop Tone Uniformizer within a region of an Audio File, the transition
from the end of the loop into the original file in many cases won't be very natural. This can
be fixed as follows:
1. Close the Loop Tone Uniformizer and open the Loop Tweaker.
2. Click on the Cross fade tab and deactivate the Cross fade option (the check box).
3. Click on the Post Cross fade tab and make sure Cross fade is activated.
4. Set up the post cross fade parameters and click Apply.
It can also be a useful tip to lock the loop markers after you use this command on a selection
within an Audio File. Once the loop is processed in place, moving the loop markers will upset
playback of the loop.
You can access this dialog in the Audio File Workspace via Process>Loop Tone Uni-
formizer... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Markers
Adjusting Envelopes
11.1.40 Loudness distribution
This dialog allows you to measure the most frequent loudness values found in an Audio File
(this is not the same as average loudness). The graphic peaks found by the analysis represent
these values.
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 second followed by a sine of -6 dB / 3
seconds. This means there are 3 times more -6 dB material than 0 dB material. You
will see a peak of about 33% at 0 dB, and another peak of 100% at -6 dB.
This analysis is useful for learning about how the loudness of your music is distributed.
You can access this dialog in the Wave File Workspace via Analysis>Loudness distri-
bution... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
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Related topics
Loudness
11.1.41 Loudness normalizer
This dialog allows you to adjust the loudness of a file. Because it relates to loudness as
opposed to maximum peak level, this tool works quite differently from the Level Normalizer. A
typical application is to specify a loudness, for example -12dB, and the Loudness Normalizer
processes the audio to match this level of loudness.
Like Gain Change, increasing the loudness to a certain value can introduce clipping. To avoid
this occurring, a peak limiter (the Peak Master plug-in) can be used as part of the process.
The Loudness Normalizer raises the loudness and limits peaks in the signal at the same time
(if needed), to achieve the target loudness.
In the case of stereo files, both channels are processed independently. This process happens
over several stages; analysis precedes the final rendering. The Loudness Normalizer dialog
gives access to useful statistics about the file and the
Loudness distribution tool, and you
can choose to remove any DC offset in the file.
You can access this dialog from the Audio File Workspace via Process>Loudness nor-
malizer... .
This function is also available as a batch processing plug-in. You can access it from Batch
Processing Workspace >Plug-ins window >Multipass Plug-ins >Loudness Nor-
malizer .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Loudness
DC Offset
Loudness distribution
11.1.42 Global Preferences
This dialog allows you to view and change options that are common throughout the applica-
tion's Workspaces.
You can adjust the following settings:
ˆ General - this tab allows you to change the location of WaveLab's settings files and
the user interface language. You need to restart the application for changes to take
effect.
ˆ Display- this tab allows you change many aspects of the user interface that apply
across the whole application. These options provide useful information and usability
functions but can be deactivated to streamline the interface. "Use Window Switcher"
is an import panel that controls the appearance of the Window Switcher panel and
whether you want particular Workspaces to appear.
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ˆ Formats - this tab allows you to adjust settings for some of the audio formats and units
that WaveLab uses.
ˆ CD Burning - this tab allows you to set a number of parameters for CD burning.
ˆ Options - this tab allows you to control application-wide start-up options and transport
settings. You can also reset default answers. This can be useful for example, if you
deactivated any "Don't show this message again" warning messages that you now wish
to restore.
ˆ Global shortcuts - this tab allows you edit key sequences for shortcuts available
across all Workspaces.
You can access this dialog via WaveLab>Preferences... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Workspaces
11.1.43 Convert marker type
This dialog allows you to convert marker types in the current file. You can choose to convert
all markers in the file or only those within a current waveform selection.
You can convert up to three different types of markers to other types. There is also the ability
to set conditions that a marker's name must match in order for it to be converted. These
conditions can be expressed as text matches or regular expressions. A regular expression is
a precise way of matching strings of text. When you choose to use regular expressions for
your conditionals an additional pop-up menu allows you to access a list of common regular
expressions. You can also save presets of common conversions you make using the standard
presets control.
You can access this dialog from the Marker window via Functions>Convert marker
types... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Marker Window
Markers
About Regular Expressions
11.1.44 Load Master Section Preset
This dialog allows you to choose whether plug-ins, dithering, and master level settings are
overwritten or used (the default action) when loading an existing Master Section preset.
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This can be useful if you wish to keep some/all of the current plug-ins and level settings you
have in the Master Section when you load another preset. For example, you may wish to
maintain the current master level and dithering settings but replace the effects chain that you
have set up with one you commonly use from another preset. You can use the checkboxes
provided to adjust which settings from the new Master Section preset are used or ignored.
You can access this dialog from the Master Section by opening any Master Section preset
from the preset menu
when you have the "Open option box when selecting preset" option
selected. You can also access it from the
Status Bar .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Master Section
11.1.45 Save Master Section Preset
This dialog allows you to save the current settings of the Master Section as a preset.
You can choose whether plug-ins, dithering, and master levels are saved or ignored. This
can be useful for example, for saving chains of effects plug-ins (and their settings) that you
commonly use.
You can access this dialog from the Master Section by choosing
Master Section preset
menu >Save as... . You can also access it from the
Status Bar .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Master Section
Audio Plug-ins
11.1.46 Audio Montage Clone
This dialog allows you to clone your active Audio Montage and its associated Audio Files.
You can choose a number of options that determine how WaveLab will consolidate the mon-
tage and its related audio Clips when making the clone.
You can access this dialog from the Audio Montage Workspace via File>Save special >
Clone completely... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
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Related topics
11.1.47 Write Audio CD
This dialog allows you to define some options when creating a new audio montage from
an Audio File that is open in the Audio File Workspace. You can choose whether to use
a selection or the whole Audio File to create a new Montage file, and how to interpret any
markers that are present.
You can access this dialog in the Audio File Workspace via Edit>Create Montage from
Audio File... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Audio Montages
11.1.48 Meta-normalizer
This dialog allows you to adjust the loudness of each Clip so that they get the same loudness.
You can use it to equalize the volume of all the Clips within a montage, either by peak level
or loudness. This can be an easy way to ensure that all Clips playback at a similar volume.
You can choose to only equalize the volume of selected Clips, and effects can be excluded
if you wish.
This tool is to achieve the samelevel of loudness in all Clips (the highest loudness found, if
possible), while ensuring that no Clip will cause sample clipping.
For each Clip, a specific gain is computed by the algorithm after allClips have been analyzed
(and prior to changing the Clip gain to achieve the common loudness). If it is not possible to
match the highest found loudness, the level of the Clip with the highest loudness is reduced,
so that other Clips can achieve the same loudness.
To avoid clipping the Master Section you can also normalize the mixdown output of the mon-
tage (before it goes into the Master Section), and/or the Master Section output.
You can access this dialog from the Audio Montage Workspace by choosing Tools>Meta-
normalizer... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Master Section
11.1.49 Audio Montage Preferences
This dialog allows you to define settings for working in the Audio Montage Workspace.
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Using the two tabs you can define settings for both the active audio montage and for all
audio montages. You can adjust default settings for how WaveLab works with audio Clips
and effects plug-ins in an audio montage, as well as to define backup and display options.
You can access this dialog from the Audio Montage Workspace via Options>Audio Mon-
tage preferences... .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Workspaces
11.1.50 MP2 encoding
This dialog allows you to specify the encoding options when you save an MP2 Audio File.
You can select the bit rate and stereo encoding format, as well as define other options.
You can access this dialog via Save as...>Output Format (select type MPEG-1 Layer
2) >Encoding >Edit... , and from most places where you can select an output file format,
such as the Render dialog.
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
MP2 files
11.1.51 MP3 attributes
This dialog allows you to enter/edit the meta-tags (ID3 tags) for an MPEG 3 encoded file.
You can access this dialog via Edit>File attributes... when you have an MP3 file open in
the Audio File Workspace.
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
MP3 files
11.1.52 MP3 encoding
This dialog allows you to specify the encoding options when you save an MP3 Audio File.
You can select which encoder to use and adjust the bit rate and quality of the file. You can
also choose the format and method the encoder uses to output the file, as well as select
other advanced options.
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You can access this dialog by choosing Save as...>Output Format (select type MPEG-
1 Layer 3) >Encoding >Edit... , and from most places where you can select an output file
format, such as the Render dialog.
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
MP3 files
11.1.53 Normalize Level
This dialog allows you to change the peak level of your Audio File.
Enter the desired peak level (in dB) that you wish the audio selection to have. You can also
use "Find current peak level" to obtain a report on the peak level of the current audio selection
(or the peak level in the whole file, if "Process whole file if there is no selection" is selected
in the preferences). You can choose to apply the same gain to both stereo channels (Stereo
Link) or mix down to a mono file (Mix to Mono) with the assurance that no clipping will occur
when both channels are mixed together.
To normalize the selected audio, enter the desired peak level and click Apply.
You can access this dialog by choosing Process>Level Normalizer... in the Audio File
Workspace.
This function is also available as a batch processing plug-in. You can access it from Batch
Processing Workspace >Plug-ins window >Multipass Plug-ins >Normalizer .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
Audio File editing
Value editing
11.1.54 OGG encoding
This dialog allows you to specify the encoding options when you save an Ogg Vorbis Audio
File.
You can choose between using an average or variable bit rate to adjust the size and quality
of the file.
You can access this dialog via Save as...>Output Format (select type Ogg Vorbis) >
Encoding >Edit... , and from most places where you can select an output file format, such
as the Render dialog.
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
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Related topics
Ogg Vorbis files
11.1.55 Open files list
This dialog allows you to view a list of all currently open files and documents in WaveLab.
Documents from all the different Workspaces are displayed and can be open, closed, re-
named, saved and in the case of Audio Files, auditioned. The list can also be filtered to only
display the files you are interested in.
When accessed by a shortcut key, this dialog is a quick way to jump from one file to another if
you have many of them open and spread across various Workspaces. This dialog is designed
for productivity.
Keeping this dialog open means that it will automatically be updated if any document is
closed/opened, saved or edited.
You can navigate the list using the arrow keys, or by using a-z on your keyboard.
You can access this dialog via Global>List of all open files...
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
11.1.56 Pan Normalizer
This dialog allows you to ensure that both channels of a stereo file have the same level or
loudness. Since loudnesss is more important than peak volume in the perception of sound,
this is a powerful tool to get the best possible stereo balance.
This process uses two passes to first analyze the audio and then render any level changes
required.
You must have a stereo selection in a stereo file to apply this process.
You can access this dialog from the Audio File Workspace via Process>Pan Normalizer... .
This function is also available as a batch processing plug-in. You can access it from the Batch
Processor Workspace via Plug-ins window>Multipass Plug-ins >Pan Normalizer .
For an explanation of each parameter and interface feature, click on , or the 'What's this?'
question mark icon. For more information see
Getting Help
Related topics
11.1.57 Mix dialog
This dialog allows you to specify a change in gain while pasting audio.
You can adjust the gain of the copy of audio contained in the clipboard, and/or the audio at
the destination so you can control how the two components mix together.
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