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Recording
Audio recording specifics
Selecting a recording file format
The format for recorded files is set in the Project Setup dia-
log on the Project menu. There are three settings: sample
rate, record format (bit depth) and record file type. While
the sample rate is set once and for all when you start work-
ing on a new project, the bit depth and file type can be
changed at any time.
Record file type
The Record File Type setting determines which type of
files will be created when you record:
Record format (bit depth)
The available options are 16 bit and 24 bit. Use the follow-
ing guidelines:
• Normally, select the record format according to the bit
depth delivered by your audio hardware.
For example, if your audio hardware has 20 bit A/D converters (inputs),
you may want to record at 24 bit resolution to capture the full bit depth.
On the other hand, if your hardware has 16 bit inputs, it is pointless to
record with a higher bit depth – this will only make the audio files larger,
with no difference in audio quality.
• The higher the bit depth, the larger the files and the
more strain is put on the disk system.
If this is an issue, you may want to lower the record format setting.
Setting up the track
Creating a track and selecting the channel configuration
Audio tracks can be configured as mono or stereo tracks.
This allows you to record or import a file containing multi-
ple channels and treat it as one entity, with no need to split
it up into several mono files etc. The signal path for an au-
dio track maintains its channel configuration all the way
from the input bus, via EQ, level and other mixer settings
to the output bus.
You specify the channel configuration for a track when you
create it:
1. Select “Add Audio Track” from the Track list context
menu or the Project menu (or, if an audio track is already
selected, double-click in an empty area of the Track list).
A dialog appears with a channel configuration pop-up menu.
2. Select the desired format from the pop-up menu.
You can choose between mono and stereo.
• The Browse item in this dialog allows you to browse
your disk(s) for created Track Presets, which can be used
as a basis (or template) for tracks.
This is described in detail in the chapter “Working with Track Presets” on
page 155.
3. Click OK.
A track appears, set to the specified channel configuration. In the mixer,
a corresponding channel strip appears. You cannot change the channel
configuration for a track.
File type Description
Wave File Wave files have the extension “.wav” and are a common
file format on the PC platform.
AIFF File Audio Interchange File Format, a standard defined by Ap-
ple Inc. AIFF files have the extension “.aif” and are used
on most computer platforms. AIFF files can contain em-
bedded text strings (see below).
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For further information on the options in the Project
Setup dialog, see “The Project Setup dialog” on
page 22.