Operation Manual
Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Lillie Harris, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Matthias Obrecht, Sabine Pfeifer, Benjamin Schütte, Marita Sladek This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images. The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Table of Contents 4 4 4 5 Introduction Platform-Independent Documentation Conventions How You Can Reach Us 6 6 7 7 10 10 Setting Up Nuendo Live Setting Up Nuendo Live for Recording Setting Up Nuendo Live for Playback Audio Settings Switching the Program Language Key Commands 11 11 12 12 13 14 Project Handling Project Files Projects Dialog Creating a Project Project Settings Project-Related Information 15 15 16 17 20 Project Window Toolbar Info Line Track View Meter View 22 22 22 23 23 25 27 28 28 2
Introduction Nuendo Live is a quick and easy-to-use solution for live-recording engineers. Platform-Independent Documentation The documentation applies to the operating systems Windows and macOS. Features and settings that are specific to one of these platforms are clearly indicated. In all other cases, the descriptions and procedures in the documentation are valid for Windows and macOS. Some points to consider: ● The screenshots are taken from Windows.
Introduction How You Can Reach Us RELATED LINKS Lists related topics that you can find in this documentation. Markup Bold text indicates the name of a menu, option, function, dialog, window, etc. EXAMPLE To record with the Record panel, click RECORD. If bold text is separated by a greater-than symbol, this indicates a sequence of different menus to open. EXAMPLE Select Project > Show Marker Track.
Setting Up Nuendo Live To be able to record and play back a performance, you must first establish all physical connections between Nuendo Live and the other components of your system, set up the audio interface, and select the playback output mode. IMPORTANT Make sure that all equipment is turned off before making any connections. Setting Up Nuendo Live for Recording PREREQUISITE You have set up the physical connections between the components of your system.
Setting Up Nuendo Live Setting Up Nuendo Live for Playback Setting Up Nuendo Live for Playback The options in the Output Mode section of the Settings dialog determine how your recording is played back. PROCEDURE 1. On the toolbar, click Settings . 2. In the Output Mode section of the Settings dialog, do one of the following: ● Select Multi Track Mode. In this mode, the recorded audio tracks are played back via their corresponding output ports.
Setting Up Nuendo Live Audio Settings RELATED LINKS Audio System on page 8 Output Mode on page 9 Audio Ports on page 9 Audio System In the Audio System section of the Settings dialog, you can select the ASIO driver for your recording and make settings for it. ASIO Driver Allows you to select the ASIO driver that you want to use. Control Panel Opens the control panel for the selected ASIO driver. The available options depend on your audio hardware.
Setting Up Nuendo Live Audio Settings Pre-Record Time When you record-enable a track, all incoming audio is automatically recorded to a pre-record buffer. This parameter defines the size of the buffer. RELATED LINKS Pre-Record Buffer on page 28 Output Mode In the Output Mode section of the Settings dialog, you can select an output mode for your recording. Multi Track Mode If this option is activated, each audio track is sent to a separate output on your audio card.
Setting Up Nuendo Live Switching the Program Language Switching the Program Language You can switch the program language via the File menu. PROCEDURE 1. On the File menu, select another language from the Language submenu. 2. Restart the program for the change to take effect. Key Commands You can control many of the functions in Nuendo Live by using key commands. The available commands are listed in the Key Commands dialog. NOTE You cannot add or change key commands.
Project Handling The recordings that you make with Nuendo Live are saved as projects. RELATED LINKS Project Files on page 11 Projects Dialog on page 12 Project Files Project files contain all data that is created during a recording. A project is opened in the Project window, which is the main window in Nuendo Live. For project files, the following applies: ● The file name extension is .nlpr. ● Only one project can be open at a time. ● Project files from Nuendo Live can be opened in Nuendo 5.5.
Project Handling Projects Dialog Projects Dialog The Projects dialog is displayed when you open Nuendo Live. It allows you to open an existing project or to create a new project. Open Selection Opens the project that is selected in the list on the left. Select New Project to open a new empty project. Open Other Opens a file dialog where you can navigate to a project. Settings Opens the Settings dialog. Quit Closes the program.
Project Handling Project Settings RESULT A project file and the required record folders are created inside the project folder. The folder name is used as the project name. The project is opened in Nuendo Live. For each active input port, one track is created. AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK You can change the file path of the record folders, even to a location outside the project folder. This can be useful, for example, if your current project location is running out of disk space.
Project Handling Project-Related Information The following file types are available: ● Broadcast Wave File is the most commonly used format. It can store metadata, such as timecode position or artist, without loss in quality. ● Select Wave File if you want to use the recorded files in a system that does not support Broadcast Wave files. Note that in this format, you cannot record files that exceed 4 hours at 48 kHz. ● Wave 64 File supports recordings larger than 4 GB.
Project Window The Project window provides an overview of the project. It allows you to navigate to specific positions, to monitor the level of your input channels, and to perform editing operations. The Project window features a toolbar and an info line, and allows you to toggle between two tabs, Track View and Meter View. When you open or create a new project, the Track View tab is shown per default. NOTE You can toggle between the Track View and the Meter View tabs by pressing Alt-V.
Project Window Info Line The fields on the right show the locator positions. You can modify these values to change the locator positions. Transport buttons The transport buttons allow you to move the project cursor to marker positions, to play back a section of the project in a loop, or to start and stop playback or recording. Time display Shows the position of the project cursor in the selected time format. To select another time format, click the arrow icon on the right.
Project Window Track View Track View The Track View tab shows the track list and the event display. Its meter bridge allows you to monitor the levels of your channels. Object Selection/Range Selection You can use these tools to select either one or several events or a time range in the event display. Select Colors Allows you to select different colors for the tracks or events in your projects. Auto-Scroll Allows you to keep the project cursor visible during playback.
Project Window Track View In Stereo Mode, you can set the volume and the pan position for the track in the stereo mix. Event display The event display to the right of the track list shows the audio events. If the marker track is displayed, the markers are also shown. A ruler, zoom controls, and the project cursor help you to navigate within your project. Ruler The ruler above the display shows the timeline. The two triangular markers on the ruler are the locators. They define the cycle area.
Project Window Track View NOTE During recording, the project cursor cannot be moved. In stop mode, you can set the cursor by clicking on the timeline. Double-clicking starts/stops playback. Zoom controls The horizontal and vertical zoom sliders in the lower right of the event display allow you to zoom within the main display. When you click the triangle above the vertical zoom slider , the zoom pop-up menu opens, from which you can select a zoom preset.
Project Window Meter View Meter View The Meter View tab shows the meters for all tracks of your project, allowing you to monitor the levels of the input channels. The panel on the left combines all recording-related parameters and controls. Record panel Provides the same parameters and controls as the Record panel that opens in a separate window. Meter section Shows the meters for all tracks of your project. Depending on the meter size, numerical peak values and level scales are shown.
Project Window Meter View NOTE You can also scroll through the meter pages by pressing Alt-P. Reset Resets all peak hold values. RELATED LINKS Record Panel on page 25 Resetting Meters on page 21 Resetting Meters You can reset the peak values for all meters on the Track View and the Meter View tab. PROCEDURE ● Do one of the following: ● Click Reset. ● Right-click a meter. ● Press Alt-S.
Recording Nuendo Live allows you to start recording on all tracks instantly. If needed, you can also make detailed settings such as specifying file format, record location, and pre-record buffer length, excluding tracks from recording, or saving metadata and timecode information in the files. IMPORTANT To avoid performance issues and to keep the computer from going into sleep mode during long recordings, deactivate any power saving options on your computer before starting a recording.
Recording Performing a More Complex Recording ● On the Record panel or in the record section of the Meter View tab in the Project window, click Easy Record. ● Press Ctrl/Cmd-Return or Ctrl/Cmd-Num-*. The following happens: 2. ● All tracks are record-enabled. ● Recording starts. ● Lock Recording is activated, which means that all functions and buttons are locked to prevent unintended operations by key commands or mouse clicks. To stop recording, deactivate Lock Recording and click RECORD.
Recording Recording with the Record Panel ● 3. To select single tracks for recording, use the corresponding track control on the Track View tab. Optional: On the Record panel, click Locate End. This moves the project cursor to the end of the last recording. 4. Optional: Fill out the metadata section. NOTE The recorded files and the folders in which they are saved are named based on these settings. You can change the metadata during a recording session.
Recording Record Panel Record Panel The Record panel provides all recording-related parameters and controls. Metadata Section The metadata information in the section at the top left is saved in Broadcast Wave files. NOTE ● You can change the metadata during a recording session, even if Lock Recording is activated. The folder and file names are changed when you pause the recording. Date/Time Shows the current date and time. Production Allows you to enter the name of the production.
Recording Record Panel Engineer Allows you to enter the name of the sound engineer of the project. Director Allows you to enter the name of the director of the project. Record Section Record Folder Displays the name of the folder in which your recordings are saved. Click Select Record Folder to modify the record location. Arm All Tracks Enables/Disables recording for all audio tracks that are assigned to an audio input. Locate End Positions the project cursor at the end of the last recording.
Recording Changing the Record Location Marker List The markers are listed according to their time positions. ● In the first column, a greater-than symbol indicates which marker is active. ● The ID column shows the marker ID. ● The Position column shows the marker position. You can change this value to move the marker. ● In the Description column, you can enter a name or description for the marker.
Recording Consecutive File Numbering Consecutive File Numbering The audio files of a project are numbered consecutively, even if you change the record location. This is useful if you want to transfer files from different folders to one single folder at a later stage. Recording takes of a project are numbered globally. Tracks that are not record-enabled are numbered in the background. This means, if these tracks are record-enabled for a later take, the global take number is applied.
Recording MIDI Timecode MIDI Timecode Productions that contain video usually also contain timecode information. Nuendo Live allows you to save MIDI timecode (MTC) in your recordings to make it easy to match up the timelines of video and audio during postproduction. For using MIDI timecode information in Nuendo Live, the following applies: ● Incoming MIDI timecode is automatically recognized and displayed on the toolbar.
Recording Excluding Ranges from Playback 2. Click at the position where you want the loop to start and drag to the right to define the cycle range. RESULT The selected range is played back in a loop if Transport Cycle On/Off is activated on the toolbar. Excluding Ranges from Playback You can use the locators to exclude a range of your recording from playback. PROCEDURE 1. Move the mouse pointer over the top section of the ruler. 2.
Recording Exporting Your Recording Defining a Cycle Range for Looped Playback on page 29 Exporting to AAF If you want to edit your recordings in DAW software other than Nuendo, you can export the project as an AAF file. PREREQUISITE In the Project settings, Broadcast Wave File is selected as Record File Type. PROCEDURE ● Select File > Export AAF File. RESULT The project is exported to the project folder as a single AAF file.
Markers Markers identify specific positions within your project. You can add markers to determine the start and end of a passage in a longer recording or mark a position for editing, for example. You can add and edit markers using the Record panel or the marker track. RELATED LINKS Record Panel on page 25 Showing the Marker Track on page 32 Showing the Marker Track The marker track can be shown or hidden. This does not have any impact on the marker functions.
Markers Naming Markers RESULT A marker is inserted at the cursor position. RELATED LINKS Recording with the Record Panel on page 23 Showing the Marker Track on page 32 Naming Markers on page 33 Naming Markers You can name and rename markers using the Record panel. PROCEDURE 1. In the marker section of the Record panel, select the marker that you want to name or rename. 2. Click in the Description field and enter a new name for the marker.
Markers Moving to Markers Moving to Markers Nuendo Live offers several methods to move the project cursor to a marker position. PROCEDURE ● Do one of the following: ● On the marker track, click Locate and select a marker from the list. ● Double-click on a marker on the marker track. ● On the toolbar, click Locate Markers and select a marker from the list. NOTE If the list of markers is very long, you can use the text search to narrow down the list.
Track Handling Tracks allow you to record and edit audio. They are listed from top to bottom in the track list and extend horizontally across the Track View tab. RELATED LINKS Track View on page 17 Selecting Tracks on page 35 Renaming Tracks on page 35 Coloring Tracks and Events on page 36 Adding Tracks on page 36 Changing the Track Routing on page 36 Selecting Tracks One track is always selected in the Project window. You can use several methods to select tracks.
Track Handling Coloring Tracks and Events Coloring Tracks and Events Colors can help you to identify tracks and events that belong together. PROCEDURE 1. 2. On the Track View tab, do one of the following: ● To color a track, select the track and make sure that no event is selected. ● To color an event, select the event. Click Select Colors above the track list and select a color. RESULT Tracks and events are shown in the selected color. Meters show the color of the corresponding track.
Editing Audio Events Before moving your project to a different DAW for further editing, consider cleaning up your recording. Nuendo Live provides editing options and tools that allow you to make your project more manageable. You can then perform detailed editing in your preferred DAW.
Editing Audio Events Splitting Events RESULT All audio events and markers that are touched by the cursor are selected. RELATED LINKS Track View on page 17 Splitting Events You can split one audio event or all audio events. ● To split an audio event, press Alt, position the mouse over the split position in the event, and click. ● To split all audio events at the same time position, place the project cursor at this position, and select Edit > Split at Cursor.
Editing Audio Events Moving Events and Range Selections AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK ● You can drag the borders of a selected range to expand or to reduce it, or to include more or fewer tracks. ● You can move a selected range to another position by dragging. NOTE If the range includes sections of events, these events are cut at the range selection borders.
Index A M AAF 31 ASIO driver 8 Audio events Coloring 36 Copying 39 Duplicating 39 Editing 37 Global editing 37 Moving 39 Selecting 37 Selecting all events at cursor position 37 Splitting 38 Trimming 38 Audio Mixdown 30 Audio ports Activating 9 Inputs 9 Outputs 9 Audio System 8 Marker Track 32 Markers 32 Adding 32 Deleting 33 Locating 34 Marker Track 32 Moving 33 Naming 33 Metadata 25 Notepad 14 Record panel 25 Meter View 20 Meters 20 MIDI timecode 29 MTC 29 Multi Track Mode 9 N Notepad 14 C O Cycle
Index R Ranges Copying 39 Creating 38 Duplicating 39 Moving 38, 39 Selecting 38 Trimming 38 Record panel 25 Recording 22 Changing the record location 27 Easy Record 22 File numbering 28 MIDI timecode 29 MTC 29 Record folder 25 Record folders 27 Record panel 25 Setting up 6 S Settings Audio connections 7 Projects 13 Stereo Mode 9 System Setting up 6 T Timecode 29 Track View 17 Tracks Adding 36 Coloring 36 Global editing 37 Renaming 35 Routing 36 Selecting 35 41
