User Guide Ahead Software AG
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Contents 1 Instructions in brief ........................................................................5 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2 About Nero Wave Editor ................................................................8 2.1 2.2 2.2.1 3 Specifying the view .................................................................... 15 How the audio files can be represented................................... 16 Zooming ......................................................................................
6 Recording gramophone records .................................................28 6.1 6.2 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 8 Nero Wave Editor Introduction ................................................................................ 31 Saving the effect settings .............................................................
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.
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).
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. Nero Wave Editor 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.
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.
2.2.1 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).
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.
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.
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 Nero Wave Editor button and selecting the appropriate directory.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Nero Wave Editor to zoom in on the section.
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.
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.
5.2.1 Saving the selection as a new audio file A selection within an audio file can be saved as a new file. 1. Open an audio file and highlight the section you want. 2. In the 'Edit' menu, select the 'Copy to File' command. 3. In the window that now opens, enter the name of your choice in the 'File name' field and click on the 'Save' button. 5.3 Inserting an audio file A saved audio file can also be inserted in an existing file. 1.
2. In the 'Edit' menu, select the command 'Insert File', highlight the file you require and click on the 'Open' button. The file will then be inserted and appears in the opened one as a marked selection. 5.4 Recording a new audio file Using the Nero Wave Editor, you can record your own audio files from a sound source (line-in, microphone or CD audio). One particular reason for (re)recording audio files is to capture the sound of vinyl records.
3. Click on the 'OK' button to take over these details. The recording console will appear. 4. Click on the button to start recording. In the adjacent fields you will see the recording time as well as the recording level display. 5. Click on the 'OK' button to stop recording. The audio file recorded will appear in the display area. 5.5 Converting an audio file If needed, existing audio files can be converted in order to improve their quality to a desired level.
3. Specify the sample format by selecting the desired sampling rate and the sampling resolution. To so this, click on the dropdown button and highlight the desired list box. The higher the sampling rate and the sampling resolution, the more memory the file will need. 4. If necessary, change the conversion settings by selecting the desired filter. 5. Click on the 'OK' button to make the changes to the file. 6.
5.6 Editing audio files One particular feature of Nero Wave Editor is its ability to edit audio files nondestructively. This means that changes to the audio file (e.g. as a result of using special effects or sound enhancement) can be checked immediately without having to perform a time-consuming recalculation of the audio data. The edited audio file is only computed while it is being saved. 5.6.1 Muting Muting removes all the signals in the section selected. 1.
pushing it down will result in a lower maximum level) then click on the 'OK' button. The altered volume is shown in the section selected. 5.6.3 Changing volume This section describes how to alter the volume of a selected section, for example because it is too quiet. 1. Open an audio file and highlight the section you want. 2. In the 'Volume' menu, select the 'Volume change' command.
The altered volume is shown in the section selected. 5.6.4 Fading in and out There are four different methods available for fade-in and fade-out effects. To fade in, the volume of the selected section is relatively intensely reduced at the beginning and then reduced less and less towards the end. Fading out is exactly the opposite; the volume of the selected section is reduced relatively little at the beginning but then diminishes more and more toward the end.
6 Recording gramophone records 6.1 Preparation There are many ways of reproducing the sound of records on a computer; the following example only describes the basic procedure for doing this. The signal received from the record player's magnetic sampling system cannot be directly fed into the soundcard's line-in input, as the signal is frequencydistorted for technical reasons.
6.2 Recording 1. Start Nero Wave Editor: Start > programs > Ahead Nero > Nero Wave Editor. 2. In the 'File' menu, select the 'New' command. 3. In the 'Audio' menu, select the 'Record' command and determine the desired sampling rate and sampling resolution. To so this, click on the dropdown button and highlight the desired list box. For a recording that is to be written on a CD, a sampling rate of 44100 Hz and a sampling resolution of 16 bit are recommended. 4.
7. Click on the button check the recording. You can best monitor the recording if you wear headphones. 8. Adjust the audio file as you wish, using a filter or optimize the sound. 9. Repeat the corresponding steps to record more tracks.
7 Effects 7.1 Introduction One particular feature of Nero Wave Editor is its ability to nondestructively edit audio files. This means that changes to the audio file (e.g. as a result of using special effects or sound enhancement) can be checked immediately without having to perform a time-consuming recalculation of the audio data. The edited audio file is only computed during saving. Click on the button to play back the audio file with the changes stated.
7.1.2 Loading the effect settings You can load your own effect settings and those supplied with Nero Wave Editor as easily as you can save them. 1. In the dialog concerned, click on the dropdown button and, in the list box field, highlight the name of the desired setting. 2. Click on the button to check the setting. 7.1.3 Deleting the effect settings It goes without saying that effect settings can also be deleted. 1. In the dialog concerned, click on the dropdown button.
7.2 Equalizer With Nero Wave Editor's 6-band equalizer, you can amplify or reset any frequency bands you want. This means that you can selectively modify these frequency ranges. 1. Open the desired file. 2. Select the 'Equalizer' command in the 'Tools' menu. 3. Push the slider in the direction required – if you push it upward there will be amplification; pushing it down will have the opposite effect. button to play back the audio file with the changes stated.
7.3 Transposing With the transposing tool, the key (tonality) of an audio file (or a selected section of one) can be changed. Transposing is particularly important when creating files that are composed of loops. For instance, if you raise the frequency of the human voice by four semitones, it sounds as if the person speaking has helium in his or her lungs (i.e. ridiculously high-pitched). If the frequency is lowered by four semitones, voices sound very much deeper. 1. Open the desired file. 2.
7.4 Dynamics The dynamic processor changes the amplitude, i.e. the dynamic part of an audio file. This is then limited, compressed or increased. This setting is made via curve control; if the line runs from the lower left corner to the upper right-hand corner, the amplitudes of the input (X) and output signals (Y) are the same at each point. Editing this line will change the output in relation to the input. 1. Open the desired file. 2. Select the 'Dynamic Processor' command in the 'Tools' menu. 3.
button to play back the audio file with the changes stated. This Click on the allows you to check straightaway that you are happy with the results. 4. Click on the 'OK' button to take over the changes. 7.5 Time correction An audio file can be shortened or extended by means of time correction. When sampling files that are made up of loops, time correction is particularly important - in order that all the audio elements have the same length.
7.6 Delay Delay generates echo effects by repeating the sound with an interval. The combination of delay and feedback creates an effect like that of an echo from a distant mountain. 1. Open the desired file. 2. Select the 'Delay' command in the 'Effects' menu. 3. Choose a presetting by clicking on the dropdown button and highlighting the desired list box field or determine the delay or feedback yourself by turning the appropriate knob and change the signal and the effect with the sliders.
3. Choose a presetting by clicking on the dropdown button and highlighting the desired list box field or determine the depth or frequency yourself by turning the appropriate knob and change the signal and the effect with the sliders. button to play back the audio file with the changes stated. This Click on the allows you to check straightaway that you are happy with the results. 4. Click on the 'OK' button to take over the changes. 7.
7.9 Reverberation The reverberation effect simulates the reflections of a real room, allowing the impression to arise that the recording was made in another environment, e.g. in a concert hall. 1. Open the desired file. 2. Select the 'Reverb' command in the 'Effects' menu. 3.
7.10 Wah-Wah The 'wah-wah' effect is generated by a bandpass filter which is mixed with the direct signal. The filter allows the center frequency to be changed over time. The modifications to the center frequency can be proportional to the volume level of the input signal or they can follow a predefined function such as a sine or triangle function. 1. Choose 'Wah-Wah' from the 'Effects' menu. 2. In the 'Modulation' area, choose a function to determine how the modulation will be implemented.
7.11 Phaser The phaser is a notch filter with several notches in its frequency band. The notch filter alternately strengthens and weakens the harmonic components of the audio input signal and produces an output signal with a 'floating effect'. 1. Choose 'Phaser' from the 'Effects' menu. 2. In the 'Modulation' area, choose a function to determine how the modulation will be implemented. Choose a modulation frequency and enter the upper and lower limits of the modulation range. 3.
7.12 Voice modification Voice modification allows the voice components of audio files to be modified by changing the smoothed frequency band. If the smooth frequency band is scaled, for example, the voice will sound lighter (the resonances are higher) or darker (the resonances are deeper). As well as scaling, it is also possible to enter a curve with the input and output values of your choice. This allows you to modify the voice until it becomes unrecognizable. 1.
7.13 Pitch tuning Pitch tuning allows you to correct the intonation of vocal or instrumental recordings. The algorithm continuously analyses the pitch and corrects it, where necessary, in order to ensure that the intonation remains correct. 1. Choose 'Pitch Tuning' from the 'Effects' menu. 2. Check the box in the 'Correction' area if you want to make corrections and choose a scale to determine how pitch tuning will be carried out.
7.14 Karaoke filter The Karaoke filter filters the human voice out of audio files, so that the original song can be saved without the vocals. The filter removes those parts of the song which are the same in both stereo channels. This is generally the vocals. Because of the way in which the filter works, the original file must be a stereo file. Also, there is no guarantee that the voice can be removed successfully. The success of the filtering depends on the mixing during the production of the recording. 1.
8 Enhancement 8.1 Introduction The sound of audio files can be improved with the enhancement commands. 8.2 Band extrapolation Band extrapolation improves the sound of dull recordings. This is done by synthesizing the higher frequencies to produce artificial harmonics. Low frequencies are also generated to produce powerful bass tones. 1. Open the audio file. 2. Choose 'Band Extrapolation' from the 'Enhancement' menu. 3.
8.3 DC Offset Correction DC offset correction improves recordings from poorly calibrated equipment (not centered around the zero point). The subsonic frequencies are removed and with them the DC errors. 1. Open the file of your choice and select the appropriate area. 2. Select the 'DC Offset Correction' command in the 'Enhancement' menu. The correction is made to the selected part of the audio file.
allows you to check immediately whether you are happy with the results. 5. Click on the 'OK' button to accept the changes. 8.5 Declicker The Declicker effectively removes the clicks which are often heard on records. The Decrackler is aimed at very short, impulse-type interference with small amplitudes which occurs frequently (and sounds like crackling). 1. Choose 'Declicker' from the 'Enhancement' menu. 2. Check the box in the 'Declicker' area if you want to remove clicks.
8.6 Noise Reduction Noise reduction improves recordings where noise disturbs the sound of the audio file by removing undesired noises (background noise, buzzing, etc.) in a particular bandwidth. 1. Open the desired file. 2. In the 'Enhancement' menu, select the 'Noise Reduction' command. 3. Choose an existing setting by clicking on the button on the drop-down list and highlighting an item from the list, or select the subtraction profile by choosing the required mode.
8.7 Noise Analysis Noise analysis helps in analyzing undesired noises such as background noises, buzzing, etc. The results obtained by analyzing the frequency characteristics of the noise can be used to filter this noise out of the recording. 'Noise analysis' does not itself alter the audio file. However it enables 'Noise Reduction' to be made. 1. Open an audio file and highlight the section concerned (which should consist of noise only). 2. In the ‘Enhancement’ menu select the command ‘Noise Analysis’.
3. Highlight the whole field you want to enhance (normally the whole audio file), and select the command ‘Noise Reduction’ on the ‘Enhancement’ menu. The ‘Noise Print’ option is active during noise reduction in the noise analysis process. If you select another option, ‘Noise Print’ is no longer available and noise analysis must be re-started. 4. Set the reduction level to the required position using the slider. 5. Click on the 'OK' button to run noise reduction.
9 Index Efffects Chorus 38 Reverberation 39 Enhancement DC Offset Correction 46 Noise Analysis 49 Noise Reduction 48 F Fade in 27 Fade out 27 I A Audio files Converting 23 Editing 25 Inserting 21 Loading 19 Playing 19 Recording 22, 29 Saving section 21 Selecting section 20 Audio Output Settings 13 B Bit depth 7 Bitrate 7 C Changing volume 26 D Directories Specifying 12 Display Spectrogram 16 Wave 16 Wavelet 16 E Effects Deleting 32 Dynamics 35 Echo 37 Equalizer 33 Flanger 37 Loading 32 Saving 31 Nero Wav
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