Steinberg WaveLab 7 Operation Manual

							Chapter 4
WaveLab Concepts
WaveLab is an incredibly powerful tool and has many features which can be used for a wide
variety of audio editing, mastering and mixing purposes. This section provides you with links
to some of the main concepts used throughout WaveLab. Understanding these concepts
can help you to get the most out of WaveLab.
Related topics
Features Overview
Analysis
Authoring CDs and DVDs
Markers
Metering
Offline processing
Presets
Rendering
Scripting
The Spectrum display
Spectrum editor
About Regular Expressions
4.1 Features Overview
WaveLab 7 Pro - Audio Editing and Mastering Suite
WaveLab 7 Pro is the all-in-one solution for professional mastering, high resolution multi-
channel audio editing, audio restoration, sample design, radio broadcast and podcasting
work, right through to complete CD/DVD-A production. For some time, WaveLab has been
the standard application for digital audio editing and processing due to its outstanding flex-
ibility and pristine audio quality. Version 7 of the application adds a dazzling collection of 
						

							28 WaveLab Concepts
features to satisfy the needs of top professionals and audio enthusiasts.
ˆ Sample accurate time and spectrum audio editing
ˆ Now available for both the Mac and PC platforms, ideally suited to high performance
multi-screen setups
ˆ Excellent performance and outstanding audio quality with support for all common bit-
rates: 8-, 16-, 20-, 24- and 32-bit floating point resolution, at up to 384 kHz.
ˆ Powerful Audio Montage for simultaneous non-destructive editing across several tracks
ˆ Red Book-compatible CD mastering and Audio CD/DVD-A authoring and burning
ˆ Comprehensive suite of real-time metering and analysis tools, including global analy-
sis, 3D-spectrum analysis, VU meter, spectroscope, oscilloscope, phasescope and a
powerful Spectrum editor
ˆ A large library of plug-ins are provided, including the entire Steinberg collection, Sonnox
audio restoration and batch specific plug-ins.
ˆ An unlimited number of audio lanes, with unlimited file size (over 2GB)
ˆ Extensive batch file processing and full scripting for professional users
ˆ A totally flexible and customizable GUI: store master project custom file sets, save
multiple Workspace layouts and tabs. Menus, keyword commands and MIDI shortcuts
may all be customized.
ˆ Suite of offline processors provided, including effect morphing, pitch bend, error de-
tection and correction and high-end DIRAC ©time stretching and pitch correction
ˆ Full range of different marker types for looping, CD creation, tagging errors, etc.
ˆ Full range of tools: Auto split, Audio File comparison, signal generation, programming
utilities, etc.
ˆ Author and publish podcasts directly from within the application
ˆ All major Audio File formats are supported, including WAV, AIFF, AU, MP3, MP2, Og-
gVorbis, Windows Media 9, AES-3, RIFF64, Sony Wave64, Raw.
4.2 Analysis
WaveLab provides you with a comprehensive set of tools for analyzing your audio and di-
agnosing any errors. You can view your Audio File in many different ways using the suite of
audio meters, via its frequency spectrum, or even in three dimensions. There are also several
tools to interrogate any sample of your audio and find any errors or anomalies.In WaveLab
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you can even compare two Audio Files with the Audio file compare tool and view audio in a
Spectrum or Loudness view for greater precision when editing. Below you can find links to
some of these tools used in WaveLab. Most of them can be found in the Analysismenu. The
meters can be found in the Metersmenu or via the Workspace>Shared tool windows .
More specialized tools also exist as part of some offline processing dialogs, such as the "Find
current peak level" command in the Change level dialog, or the "Eliminate DC Offset" dialog,
for example.
Related topics
Global analysis
Audio file comparer
3D Frequency Analysis
Loudness distribution
Metering
The Spectrum display
Audio File editing
Offline processing
4.2.1 Global analysis
This dialog allows you to perform advanced analysis on your audio to identify areas with spec-
ified properties. It can be used to find problem areas such as glitches or clipped samples,
or just to check general information such as the pitch of a sound.
How it works When you analyze a section of an Audio File, WaveLab scans it and extracts
information which it displays in the dialog. It also "pin-points" sections of the file that meet
specific characteristics, for example, sections being very loud or almost silent. You can then
browse between these points, set markers or zoom in on them.
Types of analysis On most of the tabs, you will find settings determining exactly how the
analysis will be performed. Each tab focuses on a particular analysis area:
ˆ Peaks- this tab is for finding individual samples with very high decibel values.
ˆ Loudness - this tab is for finding sections that are perceived by the human ear as
louder or weaker in volume. WaveLab uses an accurate method (RMS - Root Mean
Square), to measure a consecutive section of samples and then average their value.
ˆ Pitch- this tab is used for finding the exact average pitch of a section of audio. The
method works best on monophonic material (single notes, without chords or harmonies)
and assumes the analyzed section has a relatively stable pitch. As a general rule try to
analyze the sustain portion of a sound, rather than the attack.
ˆ Extras- this tab is for informing you about DC offsets and the significant bit resolution
of the file. This can be useful, for example, if you wanted to check whether a 16 bit
file really uses 16 bits (or if it was actually recorded with only 8 bit resolution and then
upscaled to 16 bits).
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ˆ Errors- this tab is to help you find glitches and sections where the audio has clipped
(gone beyond 0 dB).For more control over the analysis, use
Error detection and cor-
rection
.Checking and browsing the results Checking the results on the Pitch and
Extra tabs is simple, since only one value is returned for the whole section of analyzed
audio. For all the other tabs, the analysis methods returns a series of exact points ("hot
points") in the file or section of audio. Use the relevant buttons in each tab to select the
"hot points" you wish to look at in more detail. Using the slider you can then browse
or skip between these points, adding markers or focusing the waveform display at that
particular point in the file.
You can access this dialog in the Audio File Workspace via Analysis>Global Analysis... .
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
Error detection and correction
3D Frequency Analysis
4.2.2 Audio file comparer
This analysis tool allows you to compare two Audio Files for differences between them. It
can create a "delta file" that contains these differences. It can also drop markers at positions
where differences are found.
This can be useful for:
ˆ Judging the effect of using an equalizer by comparing the file before and after. The delta
file will show what was added or removed.
ˆ Check the noise added by a processor.
ˆ Compare two digitally recorded files to check for dropouts.
Note - Make sure that the two documents you want to compare are open.
You can access this dialog via Analysis>File comparator... .
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
4.2.3 3D Frequency Analysis
This function in WaveLab allows you to view a wave file in both the frequency and time
domains. Although a wave display (time domain) tells you a lot about where one sound
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
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							4.2 Analysis 31
vocal notes in a song, for example. The graph used in WaveLab is sometimes called a 3D-
Spectrogram.
Displaying and viewing the graph
You can choose to analyze a selection of audio or an entire file. If you select a stereo record-
ing, a mix of the two channels will be analyzed. Once you have your region selected or no
region (in the case you wish to analyze the whole file) choose Analysis>3D Frequency
Analysis... . The graph window will appear.
There is a scrub wheel that allows you to rotate the view around and a settings button that
displays the range of frequencies currently displayed. Click on this button to open the
set-
tings dialog
and edit the frequency range displayed, as well as to access other options.
Tip: The length of the selection affects the accuracy of the analysis. For short selections
the result will be very detailed. For longer selections (over a minute or so) the results are
generally less detailed as the harmonic content may vary between "measuring points", and
as such are not included in the graph. You might for example make a separate analysis of
the attack (beginning) of a sound, since the most drastic variations usually occur there.
Some example uses for 3D Frequency Analysis
The 3d Frequency Analysis graph in WaveLab can be used for many purposes, for example:
ˆ to see how the frequency spectrum is distributed in a mix.
ˆ as a basis for EQ-ing, so that you know which frequencies to reduce or boost.
ˆ to see which parts of the audio spectrum a certain background noise occupies (for
removing by filtering).
ˆ for educational purposes - these graphs tell you a lot about how different sounds are
"built".
For detailed spectrum analysis, the 2D Spectrometer remains the best choice, as it provides
more accurate viewing and more options.
Related topics
Frequency range
Metering
4.2.4 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:
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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
Related topics
Loudness
4.3 Authoring CDs and DVDs
WaveLab provides extensive tools for authoring all types of audio and data CDs or DVDs.
Depending on your connected optical hardware you can burn CD-R, CD-RW and DVD-
R/DVD+R disks. WaveLab allows you to author professional audio CD and DVD-Audio
disks with full control over track indexes, CD-Text, PQ and ISRC/EAN codes etc. You can
validate your disks before burning to make sure they conform to valid CD standards (such
as the Red Book standard) or choose to author using newer formats with CD-Text support
or gapless tracks. When it comes to outputting your final disk you can choose to output
your audio CD as a DDP image or burn it straight to optical media. If you are creating a
DVD-A, you can output to AUDIO
TS and VIDEO TS folders or burn a DVD straight from
within WaveLab. You can also burn a data CD or DVD directly from the application or save
them as ISO disk images.
Important note for Mac OSX users
When using the CD-R/DVD-R drive on Apple OSX computers for importing or burning it is
important to note the following. If you insert a optical CD or DVD disk in the drive while the
drive is not selected in WaveLab for import or burning, WaveLab will not be able to "see" the
drive. The disk drive is "taken over" by other applications under Mac OSX and is not seen by
WaveLab when this happens. To avoid this occurring, make sure there is no disk in the drive
when opening any CD window within WaveLab.
Audio CD authoring basics
You can author an audio CD from within both the Audio Files and the Audio Montage
Workspaces. From the Audio Montage Workspace you can additionally create DVD-Audio
disks and you have a more comprehensive set of tools for creating audio CDs and DVDs.
Many of the tools provided in WaveLab also work together in conjunction to enable you to
create your own workflow for audio CD authoring.
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Track markers and CD authoring
In WaveLab one of the main concepts to understand about audio CDs is the use of markers to
define tracks, and the breaks between tracks. Each track must at least have a track start and
track end marker. Some of the various authoring tools provided by WaveLab will generate
these track markers for you automatically but you can also manually define, modify and edit
them using the marker window or directly in the main editing window. You can also use other
marker types to determine where track indexes are and to cross fade two tracks together
seamlessly to create a gapless CD. See "CD/DVD-A authoring markers" in
Marker types for
more information on the specific function of different markers.
Authoring in the Audio Montage Workspace
In the Audio Montage Workspace you can use the following tools to author your audio disks:
ˆ CD window - this window contains a variety of tools for authoring and burning CDs
with a great deal of precision and control. It even has a
CD Wizard to create CD tracks
quickly from your montage Clips. This window provides full control over your audio CD.
See
CD window for more details.
ˆ DVD Audio window - use this window for authoring and burning DVD-Audio disks.
It uses Audio Montage files to create tracks for your DVD-A disk. See
DVD-Audio
window for more details.
ˆ Marker window - use this window in conjunction with the CD window to edit CD track
names and times. You can also drag markers in the main Audio Montage editing window
to adjust start/end times and double-click on a marker's name to edit its marker/track
name.
Authoring in the Audio File Workspace
In the Audio File Workspace there are also some tools to allow you to create and author
audio CDs, these include:
ˆ Basic Audio CD - use this window to quickly create an audio CD from individual Audio
Files. Any track markers you have previously created will be used to define tracks or
WaveLab will automatically define track markers for you for each Audio File if you haven't
created any. If you wish to have more control over your audio CD, you can export your
Basic Audio CD session to the Audio Montage Workspace. You could do this for
example, if you wanted to create a DVD-Audio disk or wanted to add and adjust cross
fading between tracks. See
Basic Audio CD window for more details.
ˆ Marker window - use this window to add and edit CD track names and times to an
Audio File. You can also drag markers in the main Audio Files editing window to adjust
start/end times and double-click on a marker's name to edit its marker/track name.
Your markers are saved along with Audio Files (unless you deactivate this option in
preferences) and are used by WaveLab for example, if you import the file later to create
a Basic Audio CD.
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Authoring a data disk
You can also burn data CDs and DVDs using the
Data CD/DVD window throughout Wave-
Lab (if you wish to back up all your session files, for example). You can access this window
via Utilities >Data CD/DVD... . You can add any file to a new data CD or dvd at anytime
via the File>Special >Add to DATA CD/DVD function in both the Audio File and Audio
Montage Workspaces. Note that all files referenced by the data disk must be saved before
attempting to create a data CD/DVD. For more information see
Data CD/DVD .
Burning your CD/DVD
Once you have compiled an audio CD using any of the tools mentioned you can burn it by
choosing the
button which opens the Write Audio CD dialog. Here you can choose
either the device you wish to burn with or to save the disk as a
DDP image . This dialog also
allows you to choose standard options as to how the disk will be burnt. For more information
see
Write Audio CD .
As well as saving DDP images you can also burn them from within WaveLab. To burn a DDP
image simply select Utilities>Burn Audio CD form DDP Image... . For more information
see
Burn Audio CD from DDP Image .
CD burning preferences
Some preferences for CD burning and DDP image creation are set in Global Preferences.
Select Preferences... >Global preferences >CD Burning tab and use "What's this?"
to get more detailed information on the options available.
Related topics
DDP files
Audio CD Report
Write Audio CD
CD Wizard
Data CD/DVD
CD Text Editor
CD
4.4 Markers
Markers are visible indicators that can be used to save and name specific time positions in an
audio or audio montage file. In WaveLab, markers can be used for adding comments, editing,
synchronizing, defining loops, and defining CD/DVD-A tracks. Markers can be used in pairs
as well as individually to mark regions or places for future reference. Once you have defined
some markers in your file you can quickly move the playhead to a marker during editing, or
select the audio between two markers. Markers can also be used to identify an audio cue,
or the beginning or end of a filter or effect.
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About marker types
There are many types of markers, all of which, in addition to visually marking locations in a
file, can be used to assist editing and playback. Some like the Loop and CD Track markers
have a unique function. For information on each type and how to use them see
Marker types .
Adding markers
The most common way to create markers is from the
Marker window . If this is not visible
make sure that "Markers" is ticked in the menu Workspace>Specific tool windows >
Markers . Add markers by:
Placing a single marker
Play back the wave. When the cursor is at the position where you want a marker:
ˆ Press [Insert] on the PC or 'M' on the Mac (there is no Insert key on the Mac) to insert
a generic marker.
ˆ Click a marker button on the Marker window toolbar. Tooltips for each type of marker
are shown when hovering the cursor over its button.
ˆ Select a marker of a specific type from the Marker Window Insert menu.
Placing a pair of markers
Some markers come in pairs. To create a pair of markers make a selection around the audio
region where you wish to define a start and end:
ˆ Click a marker pair button on the Marker window toolbar. The types of marker are shown
when hovering the cursor over each button.
ˆ Select "Create region type from selection" from the Marker Window Insert menu, choos-
ing the type of marker pair you wish to use. You need to specify a region for these marker
types to become available.
Some types of markers can be added during recording via the recording dialog. You can
also create a marker by dragging a selection of text from a text application to a Time Ruler.
Moving markers
Once placed, markers can be dragged into a new position in the Waveform windows. If you
hover the mouse cursor over a marker, the exact time position is displayed. Dragging the
marker with the left mouse button held down causes the time display to be updated as you
drag. You can also move a marker by editing its time entry in the Marker window.
Removing markers
In the Waveform window, click on the head of the marker you want to delete. Drag the marker
vertically out of the wave window - a delete symbol is shown as confirmation. You can also
use the "Delete selected markers" function from the Marker Window Functions menu.
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Using markers for editing and playback
Once you have defined one or more markers in an audio montage or Audio File you can use
them to:
ˆ Control playback - you can access various commands to start at, stop at, loop be-
tween and skip markers during playback via the Transport menu. These can also be
accessed from the Transport toolbar.
ˆ Define a selection - you can use markers to help you make selections in a waveform.
These can be accessed by various selection commands in the Edit >Select menu.You
can also access it from the
Audio Range dialog.
About importing and saving loop markers
There is an important point to consider when importing files with loops into WaveLab. Both
Wave and AIFF file formats can store limited information about markers (e.g. loop points)
in the Audio File, but WaveLab can store much more information (such as extended marker
types and comments) in external ".mrk" files that are independent of file formats. Because
loop markers may be stored in two ways, there is a potential risk for conflict:
ˆ When you import a file that has never been used in WaveLab before, and which contains
loops, the loops are "imported" and displayed as loop markers.
ˆ When you then save the file in AIFF or Wave format, the loop points are stored, both
as part of the actual file (so that other applications can read them) and in the ".mrk" file
(for WaveLab).
ˆ When you open a file that has been used in WaveLab before, loop tags that were orig-
inally in the file, (before you used it in WaveLab) are ignored. Only the loop information
in the ".mrk" file is used.
Using markers in the Audio Montage Workspace
There are some additional marker functions that are specific to the Audio Montage
Workspace which allow you to bind selected markers to individual Clips. These functions
are useful as they allow you to freely move Clips about and perform editing functions without
fear of loosing the exact position of a marker. These additional marker functions are located
in the
Marker Window when editing in the Audio Montage Workspace:
ˆ Bind selected marker to start of focused clip
ˆ Bind selected marker to end of focused clip
ˆ Detach selected marker from its associated clip
ˆ Bind selected marker to audio samples of focused clip -
Related topics
Marker types
Marker Window
WaveLab 7