User manual NERO NERO WAVE EDITOR 2

User Guide Ahead Software AG Information on copyright and trade marks The Nero Wave Editor user manual and all its contents are protected by copyright and are the property of Ahead Software. All rights reserved. This user manual contains material that is protected by internationally valid copyright. This manual may not - in whole or in part - be copied, transmitted or otherwise reproduced without the express written permission of Ahead Software AG. All trade names and trademarks are the property of the respective owners. Ahead Software rejects any claims that transcend the legal guarantee rights. Ahead Software AG does not undertake any liability for the correctness of the content of the Nero Wave Editor user manual. The contents of the software supplied, as well as of the Nero Wave Editor user manual, may be changed without prior warning. The trademarks mentioned here are only listed for information purposes. Copyright © 2003 Ahead Software AG REV 1.1 Contents 1 Instructions in brief ........................................................................5 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 What's new in Nero Wave Editor? .............................................. 5 Introduction .................................................................................. 6 How this information is organized.............................................. 6 Notes for the user......................................................................... 6 Important terms ............................................................................ 7 2 About Nero Wave Editor ................................................................8 2.1 2.2 2.2.1 Introduction .................................................................................. 8 Structure of the program ............................................................. 8 Workspace ..................................................................................... 9 3 Settings .........................................................................................10 3.1 3.2 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 Selecting the input and output devices ................................... 10 Setting the editor options.......................................................... 10 Setting the display features.......................................................... 11 Specifying the directories used .................................................... 12 Audio output ................................................................................. 13 VST Plug-ins ................................................................................ 14 4 View ...............................................................................................15 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.3.1 4.3.2 Specifying the view .................................................................... 15 How the audio files can be represented................................... 16 Zooming ...................................................................................... 17 Vertical zoom ............................................................................... 17 Horizontal zoom ........................................................................... 18 5 Audio files .....................................................................................19 5.1 5.2 5.2.1 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.6.1 5.6.2 5.6.3 5.6.4 Loading and playing back audio files ...................................... 19 Selecting sections of audio files............................................... 20 Saving the selection as a new audio file ...................................... 21 Inserting an audio file ................................................................ 21 Recording a new audio file........................................................ 22 Converting an audio file ............................................................ 23 Editing audio files ...................................................................... 25 Muting .......................................................................................... 25 Normalization ............................................................................... 25 Changing volume ......................................................................... 26 Fading in and out ......................................................................... 27 Contents · 3 Nero Wave Editor 6 Recording gramophone records .................................................28 6.1 6.2 Preparation ................................................................................. 28 Recording ................................................................................... 29 7 Effects ...........................................................................................31 7.1 7.1.1 7.1.2 7.1.3 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 Introduction ................................................................................ 31 Saving the effect settings ............................................................. 31 Loading the effect settings ........................................................... 32 Deleting the effect settings........................................................... 32 Equalizer ..................................................................................... 33 Transposing................................................................................ 34 Dynamics .................................................................................... 35 Time correction .......................................................................... 36 Delay............................................................................................ 37 Flanger ........................................................................................ 37 Chorus......................................................................................... 38 Reverberation ............................................................................. 39 Wah-Wah ..................................................................................... 40 Phaser ......................................................................................... 41 Voice modification ..................................................................... 42 Pitch tuning................................................................................. 43 Karaoke filter .............................................................................. 44 8 Enhancement................................................................................45 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 Introduction ................................................................................ 45 Band extrapolation..................................................................... 45 DC Offset Correction.................................................................. 46 Filter toolbox............................................................................... 46 Declicker ..................................................................................... 47 Noise Reduction ......................................................................... 48 Noise Analysis............................................................................ 49 9 Index ..............................................................................................51 Nero Wave Editor Contents · 4 1 Instructions in brief 1.1 What's new in Nero Wave Editor? In comparison with the first version of the software, Nero Wave Editor has a number of new and enhanced features, such as support for DirectX and VST plug-ins. In addition, an overview of the existing processing steps allows you to return quickly to any stage of the process, and crossfading allows you to create professional recordings without pauses and hissing noises. The high quality Declicker which suppresses the individual hissing and clicking noises from records and the Decrackler which removes constant background crackling are just two of the great new features. Of course, Nero Wave Editor is non-destructive, which means that the original file is not modified. As well as protecting the original file, this also speeds up the work, as the changes do not need to be saved individually and are implemented in real time. You only save your new audio file once you are happy with the results of your editing. If Nero Wave Editor should crash before you have saved your file, you can use the crash restore function to restore the most recent version of your work when you restart the program. Another new feature is the automatic separation of tracks which can then be stored in new files. Nero Audio Plug-in-Manager 6.0 reads and writes files in the following formats: 'wav', 'mp3', 'wma' and 'aiff'. You need an additional license to be able to create an unlimited number of MP3 files, which you can obtain from Ahead Software AG. Nero Wave Editor's new effects include a wah-wah filter (a bandpass filter which allows the center frequency to be changed over time), a phaser which allows a signal to be combined with a phase-shifted version of itself, voice modification with which you can modify vocals to create interesting results and pitch tuning, which corrects the intonation of vocal or instrumental recordings. Another new feature is band extrapolation, which makes old and dull sounding recordings seem fresher by generating high frequencies and corresponding basses to extend the frequency spectrum. Band extrapolation can also be used to improve MP3 recordings with a very low bit rate. Using the filter toolbox allows interference frequencies can be filtered out. The Karaoke filter removes the human voice from stereo recordings in which the voice has been mixed in the center of the stereo field, which allows the original song to be saved without the vocals. With the stereo processor the stereo field can be corrected and the stereo effect artificially amplified. Nero Wave Editor Instructions in brief · 5 1.2 Introduction These brief instructions are aimed at putting you in the position where you can quickly create your own audio files or to edit existing ones. Because this is a sizeable and powerful program, only the main points are dealt with here and some parts of the program are not explained in detail (or at all). You can find more detailed information on Nero Wave Editor in the online help feature that you can call up at any time (press the F1 key). You can also find the latest information on Nero Wave Editor at the www.nero.com Internet site. 1.3 How this information is organized These instructions contain practical examples of how to create and edit audio files as well as details for reference. The individual sections offer the following information: Section 1 explains how the manual is organized and the symbols used. Section 2 introduces Nero Wave Editor and its features and describes the structure of the program. Section 3 explains how you can set the input and output device and specify the different program options. Section 4 describes, how you can change the appearance of Nero Wave Editor and work with the zoom function. Section 5 shows how you can easily work with audio files including editing them. Section 6 explains, how analog gramophone recordings can be saved as digital audio files. Section 7 shows you how to alter audio files by using special effects. Section 8 shows you how to alter the sound of audio files by optimization. Section 9 helps you find the Information you need with the aid of the index. 1.4 Notes for the user The following symbols are used in these instructions: This symbol stands for 'warning' or 'danger'. Hints that bear this symbol are very important and the program may behave incorrectly if you ignore them. This symbol stands for 'useful tip' or 'worth knowing'. Information marked this way is important and instructive. Nero Wave Editor Instructions in brief · 6 1.5 Important terms A number of important terms relating to audio files are explained below. The choice of sampling rate and bit depth has a significant influence on the quality of the recording. Bit depth / resolution In principle, audio data is made up of periodic vibrations, which can be illustrated by a curve. The resolution shows exactly how the sampling value of a curve should be determined. The higher the resolution, the more exactly this can be done. The sampling rate indicates how often an analog-digital converter determines the sample value from an analog signal. This is measured in sample values per second (Hertz, often abbreviated as Hz). In this case it is also true that the higher the sampling rate, the more accurate the results. Sampling rate Nero Wave Editor Instructions in brief · 7 2 About Nero Wave Editor 2.1 Introduction Nero Wave Editor is a user-friendly program for editing and recording audio files, which may be of the 'wav', 'mp3', 'vqf' or 'aiff' format. The other types of format that can also be read by Nero Wave Editor depend on the plug-ins that have been installed. Individual audio-files can be created quickly and easily using the various filters and sound optimization methods. Nero Wave Editor is started by: Start > Programs > Ahead Nero > Nero Wave Editor. 2.2 Structure of the program Nero Wave Editor's structure corresponds to that of the usual Windows elements: a menu bar, various toolbars and a status bar. The Nero Wave Editor workspace shows the selected audio file. The individual elements of the window are arranged clearly and understandably, making Nero Wave Editor very easy to use. Nero Wave Editor About Nero Wave Editor · 8 2.2.1 Workspace The Nero Wave Editor workspace comprises three separate elements: the 'Sound Display', the 'Level Meter' and 'Spectrum Analyzer'. The 'Sound Display' shows a graphic image of the audio file that is currently open. The 'Level Meter' regulates how the open audio file is played. The 'Spectrum Analyzer' displays the bandwidth of the open audio file (in decibels - dB). Nero Wave Editor About Nero Wave Editor · 9 3 Settings 3.1 Selecting the input and output devices To be able to record and reproduce audio files, a soundcard is needed. If a number of components that can play audio files have been installed, select the desired device. 1. In the 'Options' menu, select the 'Device Settings' command. The standard devices set in the control panel will be selected. If you wish to specify another device, click on the corresponding dropdown button and highlight the desired device. 2. Click on the 'OK' button to save the devices chosen. 3.2 Setting the editor options A number of various general 'Editor Options' can be configured. This area comprises four 'tab' (index) cards. By clicking with the mouse you can bring one of the index cards to the forefront and edit the settings. Click on the 'OK' button to save the and close the dialog. 'Cancel' closes the dialog without saving the changes. 'Apply' saves the changes, though without closing the dialog so that additional changes can be made to the settings on other index cards. 'Help' starts the online help feature. Nero Wave Editor Settings · 10 3.2.1 Setting the display features The display options for the sound display can be changed on this index card. 1. In the 'Options' menu, select the 'Editor Options' command. 2. Click on the 'View' index card and specify whether the following control fields should be activated or disabled: Show axis to the left of the audio visualization Show time rules above the audio visualization Always keep the playback position in the window whilst playing Nero Wave Editor Settings · 11 3.2.2 Specifying the directories used The directories relevant for Nero Wave Editor can be specified on this index card. 1. In the 'Options' menu, select the 'Editor Options' command. 2. Click on the 'Directories' index card and specify: The directory for the intermediate storage of the temporary files The directory in which the presettings are located The directory in which the plug-in files are located by clicking on the button and selecting the appropriate directory. Nero Wave Editor Settings · 12 3.2.3 Audio output The settings for audio output can be specified on this index card. 1. In the 'Options' menu, select the 'Editor Options' command. 2. Click on the 'Audio Output Settings' index card and specify whether the following control fields should be activated or disabled: Use noise shaping when converting to lower bit depths Use dithering when converting to lower bit depths 1. Specify the bit resolution on the dropdown button and highlight the number of bits wanted. Dithering and noise shaping are used to minimize noise disturbance at low resolutions. Noise shaping shifts the disturbance to bandwidths that the human ear cannot hear particularly well. Dithering adds a quiet noise signal so that there is no longer any correlation between the desired signal and the noise signal causing the disturbance. Nero Wave Editor Settings · 13 3.2.4 VST Plug-ins On the `VST Plug-ins' tab you will see the installed VST Plug-ins, if available. To add VST-Plug-ins click on the `Add Plug-in' button, select the directory containing the plug-in, highlight and click on the `Open' button. To delete a VST-Plug-in, highlight the unwanted plug-in and click on the `Delete' button. Nero Wave Editor Settings · 14 4 View 4.1 Specifying the view The nature of the Nero Wave Editor display can be altered using the 'View' menu. Selecting (check mark in front of the command) of the respective command will open the corresponding Nero Wave Editor element. Disabling this command (no check mark before the command) will ensure that the element concerned is not displayed. Standard toolbar Level meters Vertical zoom bar Status bar Spectrum analyzer Nero Wave Editor View · 15 4.2 How the audio files can be represented There are three different ways of displaying audio files. You can change them at any time. Wave display Spectrogram display Wavelet display Nero Wave Editor View · 16 4.3 Zooming With Nero Wave Editor, audio files can be both horizontally and vertically zoomed, so that special parts of the audio files or marked elements within them can be viewed in more detail. 4.3.1 Vertical zoom The vertical zoom determines the height of the curve progression displayed and can be changed by selecting the desired zoom setting. The vertical zoom setting can only be changed if the vertical zoom bar is displayed. If it is not visible, it can be displayed via the 'View' menu and the 'vertical zoom bar' command. The following example shows the 100% zoom, i.e. levels from ­100% to +100% of the maximum levels. Selecting the 200% zoom reduces the displayed levels to ­50% to +50% of the maximum levels. Nero Wave Editor View · 17 4.3.2 Horizontal zoom The horizontal zoom determines the size of the audio file that is visible in the audio display. The size of the zoom determines how accurately the curve progression can be recognized. It can be set using the appropriate button on the standard menu bar (or via the 'View' menu). The following example shows a complete audio file. Click on the button to zoom in on the section. Nero Wave Editor View · 18 5 Audio files 5.1 Loading and playing back audio files Stored audio data can be quickly and easily loaded and played back. 1. In the 'File' menu select the command 'Open', highlight the audio file you require and click on the 'Open' button. to play the whole audio file. While playing, the level 2. Click on the button meter will graphically display the level control for the left and right-hand audio channels. Parallel to this, the current playback time appears in the lower border of the window. Nero Wave Editor Audio files · 19 5.2 Selecting sections of audio files With Nero Wave Editor, you can quickly and easily select a specific section of an audio file. 1. Open an audio file. 2. With the mouse, click in the 'Wave' section on the point that is to mark the beginning of the selection and (keeping the mouse button pressed) drag the mouse to the right until you have marked the section you want. Then release your finger from the mouse button. The section selected is now highlighted in white. The exact times of the selected section can now be seen in the status bar. 3. Click on the button to play the selected section of the audio file. While playing, the level meter will graphically display the level control for the left and right-hand audio channels. 4. Click on the gray area to the left of the 'Wave' window to revoke the selection. Nero Wave Editor Audio files · 20