Steinberg WaveLab Elements 7 Operation Manual

							3.7 Dragging operations 13
ˆ Modify a selection - drag left or right to change the extent of the selection.
ˆ Move the waveform - drag anywhere above the time ruler to move it horizontally.
ˆ Create a marker from selected text - drop text that you have selected in an external
application onto the time ruler to create a generic marker there. The text becomes the
marker's name.
ˆ Scroll the waveform - drag the cursor to the left or right sides of the waveform area
to display the region before or after.
ˆ Mix to Mono - by holding down [Control + Alt]/[Command + Alt] while dragging the
file to a new tab, you can quickly mix a stereo file to mono.
ˆ Convert from Mono to Stereo - by holding down [Control + Alt]/[Command + Alt]
while dragging the file to a new tab, you can quickly convert a mono file to stereo .
Tip: When aligning some objects in the waveform area, labeled prompts will help you to
snap to other locations in the waveform (for example, the end points of Audio Files, markers
or cursors).
Audio Montage Workspace
Drag objects within the Audio Montage Workspace to perform the following functions:
ˆ Paste an Audio File - drag a document's title bar tab or document button
onto
the Montage area of another file, to copy and paste its audio content. You can also drag
a compatible file directly from the File Browser, the operating system's file browser, or
from another application.
ˆ Delete/Move a marker - drag the marker along the time ruler to change its position.
Drag while pressing the [Shift]key to create a copy of this marker. Drag above the
time ruler to delete the marker.
ˆ Create a marker from selected text - drop text that you have selected in an external
application onto the time ruler to create a generic marker there. The text becomes the
marker's name.
ˆ Scroll the Montage - drag the cursor to the left and right sides of the Montage to
display what comes before or after.
ˆ Paste a Clip - drag a document's title bar tab or document button
onto the Montage
area to copy and paste its audio content. You can also drag a compatible file directly
from the File Browser, the operating system's file browser, or from another application.
Within the Podcast Workspace
You can drag episodes in the Episodes list to reorder them.
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							14 Using the interface
Within the Master Section
You can drag effects between different Effects slots to change the order of processing (which
takes place from top to bottom).
Related topics
Docking windows
Switcher window
3.8 Playback shortcuts
Playing back audio is a common repetitive task in WaveLab Elements. In addition to the
playback command buttons in the
Transport controls , there are a few extra commands that
can only be accessed via special keyboard shortcuts. These shortcuts can be used even
when the audio window is not the active window. These special keyboard shortcuts cannot
be customized. They are:
ˆ Space bar - Start/Stop
ˆ 0or F7 - Stop. When pressed while already stopped, the cursor jumps to the previous
playback start position. A further "0" returns the cursor to the start of the file.
ˆ Enter (Numeric Pad) orF8 - Start
ˆ [Ctrl]/[Command] + F6 - Plays from the beginning to the end of the selection, if any.
Where there are markers it plays between them. If there are no markers it plays from
the beginning to the end of the Audio File.
ˆ [Win]/[Ctrl] + F6 - As above, but playback starts with a preroll beforethe region and
stops at its end.
ˆ [Shift] + F6 - As above, but playback ends with a postroll afterthe region.
ˆ [Win]/[Ctrl] + [Shift] + F6 - As above, but playback starts with a preroll beforethe
region and ends with a postroll afterthe region.
Related topics
Transport controls
3.9 Select-clicking
Select-clicking is the act of selecting an object with the mouse and while it is selected,
clicking again. This is a common interface interaction when renaming a file or folder in your
computer's native file browser.
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							3.10 Shortcut system 15
Throughout WaveLab Elements there are places where you need to select-click fields to edit
values. In some lists such as the Basic Audio CD window, you need to select-click cells to
edit a track name or ISRC code. Generally if a value can be edited, a double click selects all
characters in that cell and allows you to begin editing; if not, then try select-clicking the cell
instead.
Related topics
Tab Groups
Double clicking
3.10 Shortcut system
Throughout WaveLab Elements there are many predefined shortcuts and custom commands
that can be used to speed up your workflow. The offline process "Fade-in", for example
can be triggered from its menu entry, from its command bar icon, using a custom key se-
quence. Each shortcut is restricted to its specific Workspace, which means you can re-use
the same shortcut in different Workspaces. When a command is available from more than
one Workspace, then the shortcut applies to all Workspaces and cannot be reused.
Not all commands are restricted to a Workspace, for example, all Master Section commands
are global to the application, and Record commands (Record dialog) are active only when
the Record dialog has focus. In addition, a few specific Global shortcuts can be defined
from Preferences... >Global Preferences >Global shortcuts tab .
Shortcuts are defined and can be edited in the
Customize commands dialog . There are
various places where you can access this dialog, and each dialog restricts editing of the
shortcut to the related context. You can generate a summary of custom commands in a Print
preview or HTML format from the dialog's "Summary" button.
There are several types of shortcuts available in WaveLab Elements:
Key sequences
You can define a sequence of up to four keys to trigger a desired action. Note that these
keys must be pressed/released one after the other, and the action is performed when the last
key has been pressed. Key stroke sequences give you a very large choice of combinations,
which is useful in an application with a large feature set. There are however possible pitfalls,
if for example:
Shortcut #1 is defined with the sequence: Control+D, Control+E
Shortcut #2 is defined with the sequence: Control+D
The application watches for key strokes, and when Control+D is pressed, Shortcut #2 won't
be triggered because Control+D is also used in a longer sequence (the application can't
know if it should wait for Control+E or not).
Note: A few very basic shortcuts cannot be redefined. If this is the case, the relevant edit
field is disabled. On the Mac, only the first key of native menus can be displayed.
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							16 Using the interface
Other shortcuts
There are many other shortcuts in WaveLab Elements that are accessed using the mouse.
These are described in
Double clicking , Dragging operations and Tab Groups . Clicking the
right button on the mouse in certain places will produce a Context menu which offers quick
access to relevant commands.
Related topics
Customize Commands
Definition of shortcut(s)
Double clicking
Dragging operations
Tab Groups
Context menus
3.11 Sliders
At various places in WaveLab Elements, slider controls are available to change parameters.
There are a number of ways to change a slider's value:
ˆ Turn the mouse wheel over the slider (no click is required). Press [Ctrl]/[Command]
simultaneously to scroll faster. This modifier also applies to the zoom wheels.
ˆ Left click on the button to move it.
ˆ Left click outside the button to move the button directly to that position.
ˆ Right click before or after the button, to move the button step by step. Keep the mouse
button pressed to automatically step to the next value.
ˆ Middle click anywhere to reset the slider to the default value (if a default is available).
ˆ Left click and press [Ctrl]/[Command] anywhere to reset the default value (if a default
value is available).
ˆ Double click on the button to reset the default value (if a default value is available).
Related topics
Adjusting Envelopes
WaveLab Elements 7 
						

							3.12 Status Bar 17
3.12 Status Bar
The Status bar is normally displayed at the bottom of the screen and shows information about
the active window using the units specified in the rulers.
The Wave and Mouse cursor time positions are shown using the same units of time as in the
rulers and dialog boxes. Level positions are always shown in dB. This information is updated
depending on the cursor position and whether you have a region of audio selected. In the
case of the Audio File Workspace it gives the following information about the Audio File.
From left to right:
ˆ Time/Level (dB) - at the mouse cursor position.
ˆ Wave cursor Time - displays the time at the position of the Wave cursor. This infor-
mation changes when you click to reposition the cursor. Click on this status bar field to
show the Cursor position dialog, which you can use to accurately position the cursor.
ˆ Audio selection indicator - displays the length of the current selection, or the total
length of the Audio File if there is no selection. Right-click on this to display the entire
audio range.
ˆ Zoom indicator - displays the current zoom factor. Click this to edit the zoom factor;
right-click to display a pop-up menu (equivalent to selecting View>Zoom ).
ˆ File format details - displays the number of audio channels, bit resolution and sample
rate; Click to display
Audio properties dialog .
ˆ Document button -
allows you to click and drag the current Audio File into an-
other document (for example, in the Audio Montage Workspace). This is equivalent to
dragging the file Tab.
ˆ Sample Key indicator - indicates the key of the current Audio File (if defined) and
opens the
Sample Attributes window. The status bar also indicates the progress
of some background operations, such as rendering an effect. The operation can be
paused or canceled using the buttons provided.
The "Play through Master Section" buttons
and allow you to completely bypass the
Master Section for playback, or not, with a setting for each file (Audio File and Montage).
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
Time Format dialog
Zoom factor
Audio properties dialog
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							18 Using the interface
3.13 Switcher window
This small floating window allows you to switch between each of the main Workspaces in
WaveLab Elements, and also to open and create documents.
It is visible at all times and floats above all other windows. You can choose which Workspace
buttons are visible and adjust its transparency in
Global Preferences . You can resize, rotate
and move the Switcher window anywhere on your monitor(s).
ˆ It is useful to use a file in a different Workspace. For example, you can drag an Audio File
from the Audio File Workspace over the Audio Montage icon in the Switcher window
and wait until the Audio Montage Workspace becomes active before inserting the file
in a montage.
ˆ To switch between Workspaces: click on a Workspace button and if the Workspace is
not already open, a menu opens and offers several options.
ˆ To create a new document in any Workspace: click + [Ctrl]/[Command]on a
Workspace button.
ˆ To open a document in any Workspace: click + [Shift]on a Workspace button.
ˆ To display a menu listing the files used recently in a particular Workspace, click on any
Workspace icon and hold the button down. This means that with just one click you can
access the history of a document from any Workspace. From the same menu, you can
also create a new document or open the file selector box. If you click on the icon of the
active workspace, you don't need to hold the button down. Alternatively, you can right
click to show a menu instantly.
Related topics
Workspaces
Docking windows
3.14 Tab Groups
A tab group is a region within a Workspace that contains windows that can be activated by
a tab, each with its own content and title bar. Only one tab can be active at a time.
In an editing Workspace, a tab group contains one or more documents (e.g. Audio Files).To
activate a tab, simply click on the title bar of the tab you wish to work on.
Using Tabs for editing audio
Tabs have a variety of useful behaviors depending on the type of window contained by the
tab group.Tabs that contain Audio Files (in the Audio File Workspace) symbolize a whole
Audio File and where applicable allow you to perform many other useful functions:
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							3.14 Tab Groups 19
ˆ Reorder the tab bar - by dragging and dropping the tab at a new position on the tab
bar.
ˆ Paste it into an Audio File - by dragging and dropping the tab onto the waveform
display at the cursor position you want to insert the copied audio.
ˆ Paste it into another application - by dropping the tab into the relevant window of
the other application. The result depends on the target aplication.
Tip: You can also achieve the same actions by dragging the Audio File from the document
button
on the status bar at the bottom right of each window.
Other useful functions can be accessed using tab groups:
ˆ Create a new empty document - by double clicking on an empty part of the tab bar
(on the right normally). The new file is created by using the active file as template (for
example, Sample rate).
ˆ Display the document file path - by keeping the mouse over a tab for a small mo-
ment. This displays a popup that indicates the full file path of the associated document.
ˆ Access additional tab functions - by right clicking on a tab.
ˆ Access the Recent file list - by Right-clicking in the empty tab area.
ˆ Move a file between tab groups - by dragging a tab from one tab group to another.
ˆ Copy a file - by holding down [Ctrl]/[Command] to create a copy by dragging the
file elsewhere in the tab area.
ˆ Mix to Mono - (Audio File Workspace) by holding down [Control + Alt]/[Command +
Alt] to mix a stereo file to mono while dragging the file to a new tab.
ˆ Convert from Mono to Stereo - (Audio File Workspace) by holding down [Control
+ Alt]/[Command + Alt] to convert a mono file from mono to stereo while dragging the
file to a new tab.
ˆ Quickly switch between tabs - by moving the mouse wheel while over the tab bar.
This switches the focus between the different tabs.
Tip: An option in global preferences allows you to hide the title bar if there is only one tab
open Global preferences >User Interface >Show tab if there is a single window .
Related topics
About Tool Windows
Docking windows
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							20 Using the interface
3.15 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 transport toolbar.
The Transport toolbar gives quick access to most of these functions. If the toolbar is hid-
den, select Workspace >Command bars >Transport commands . Transport functions
operate on the current Audio File.
The basic transport functions are:
ˆ Loop On/Off
- Toggles looping on/off for the currently selected Audio File or montage.
ˆ Start of file / End of File
- Move the cursor to the beginning or end of the currently selected Audio File.
ˆ Skip forward / Skip backward
- Skip the cursor forwards or backwards within the currently selected Audio File.
ˆ Play
- Begin playback of the current Audio File.
ˆ Stop
- Stop playback of the current Audio File. A second click moves the cursor to the
beginning of the last start position. A further click returns the cursor to the start of the
file.
ˆ Record
- Opens the recording window from which you can start recording.
Additional transport functions such as start, skip and stopping playback options are also
available from the transport command bar. In WaveLab Elements additional playback speed
and jog/shuttle shortcuts are also provided.
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
Recording Dialog
Command bars
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							3.16 Value editing 21
3.16 Value editing
At various places in WaveLab Elements, numerical values can be edited using a combination
of text fields and spin controls.
These values are sometimes made of several parts, for example, 12 mn 30 sec 120 ms. Each
value can be edited using the following methods:
ˆ With the value selected, type a new value.
ˆ Use the up and down arrow keys to change the value by one unit at a time.
ˆ Use the page up and page down keys to change the value by several units.
ˆ Use the home and end keys to jump to the maximum and minimum values.
ˆ Use the left and right arrow keys to move from one part to another.
ˆ Click on the small button arrows (the spin controls), to change the value.
ˆ Move the mouse cursor over the desired section. Now use the mouse wheel to change
the value, withoutclicking. The hovered section will be highlighted when the wheel
spins.
ˆ Move the mouse cursor over the part you wish to change. Click and drag up and down
to change the value.
Tip: Right clicking on the edit control may display a context menu, where additional functions
are available.
Related topics
Sliders
3.17 Workspaces
A Workspace is a window that provides an editing and playback environment for a particular
audio document type. Each type of Workspace presents the functions related to the specific
file types it is made for; this reduces clutter in the user interface.
In WaveLab Elements there is a Workspace for each main type of file to edit:
ˆ Audio File Workspace - for viewing and editing Audio Files. See
Audio File editing
ˆ Audio Montage Workspace - for assembling and editing audio montages. See
Audio Montages
ˆ Podcast Workspace - for preparing and uploading Podcasts. See
Podcasts
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							22 Using the interface
A Workspace is highly customizable, to match your workflow, experience and screen setups
(which may vary from a studio-based multi-screen DAW to a single-screen laptop on the
road). A Workspace can appear in a wide variety of styles, from a simple window with a single
menu in its most uncluttered form, to a sophisticated arrangement of Command bars, tool
windows, Tab groups and active meters. When a file is opened from a given Workspace, it is
added to the active tab group of this Workspace. You can drag files between Workspaces if
they both share compatible formats. For example, you can drag an Audio File from the Audio
File Workspace and drop it into the Audio Montage Workspace by using its tab bar or its
document button
(this is located on the status bar at the bottom right of the Workspace).
For more information on using shortcuts to speed up your workflow in different Workspaces
see
Dragging operations and Tab Groups .
Elements of a Workspace
Each Workspace is comprised of:
ˆ AMenu bar . Each Workspace has a different Menu bar, but certain menus are
shared among all Workspaces and each menu can be customized in various ways.
The Workspace menu has a sub-menu to show/hide the available Command bars and
tool windows. Alternatively, you can right-click in the menu (Windows) or caption bar
(Mac) area to access the Peripheral Windows Context menu.
ˆ One or more Command bars , for quick access to functions via buttons. Command
bars can be customized extensively. See
Customize Commands .
ˆ Tab groups , to host the document(s) to edit. This is a central part of the Workspace:
you can reorder the tab bar, move it to another Workspace, create a new empty docu-
ment, display the document filepath and access other functions by right-clicking. See
Tab Groups .
ˆ A set ofSpecific tool windows . The specific tools offered vary according to the
Workspace; their display can be turned on or off individually, and the windows can float
or be docked. See
Specific tool windows .
ˆ A set of Shared tool windows . The shared tools offered vary according to the
Workspace; their display can be turned on or off individually, and the windows can
float or be docked. See
Shared tool windows .
Tip: To switch easily between different Workspaces use the floating
Switcher window .
Related topics
Audio File editing
Audio Montages
Podcasts
Customize Commands
Specific tool windows
Shared tool windows
WaveLab Elements 7