MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab User guide

2 Copyright

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Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right

of duplication, circulation, and translation, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies,

microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used

for machines, especially data processing machines, without the

express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding

manufacturers. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as

program modifications reserved.

MAGIX and Cleaning Lab are registered trademarks of MAGIX AG.

VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies

GmbH.

MAGIX Audio Cleaning Lab uses patent-pending technology.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the

respective manufacturer.

MAGIX licensing conditions are included in the installation and also at

www.magix.com under EULA

Legal notice: Copyrights and laws against exploitation of

accomplishments of artists and publishers shall be observed.

Preface 3

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Preface

Congratulations on purchasing MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab!

You are now the proud owner of an efficient tool that was developed

specifically for improving the quality of your video's audio tracks.

Camera hiss, wind noise and incomprehensible voices can make a

video appear cheap and amateurish. Up until now, you had no other

choice but to rely on the limited options offered by your video editing

software. With MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab you've purchased a

program that tackles these typical audio track problems with the help

of professional tools.

Problems are solved on the basis of the highly efficient MAGIX Audio

Cleaning Lab algorithms which have been revised specifically for

editing the audio tracks of videos. Elements of the award-winning

MAGIX Movie Edit Pro video engine have also been included in the

program.

As a video filmmaker, there's no need for you to familiarize yourself

with the complex field of audio editing. The program's task-oriented

workflow guarantees direct and quick results. Simply select your

problem and, if required, fine tune your settings.

This manual provides you with a short introduction to MAGIX Video

Sound Cleaning Lab. A detailed description of the program is

available in the program's Help file ("Help" Menu > Help) or in the

PDF manual.

Have fun using MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab and removing

irritating noise!

Your MAGIX team.

4 Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

Copyright 2

Preface 3

Support 9

Serial number 10

More about MAGIX 12

MAGIX Online World 12

magix.info 12

Introduction 13

What is MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab? 13

Features 13

Quick Start 14

Overview of the program screen 29

Track window and constant control elements 30

Upper buttons 30

MAGIX News Center 31

The master track 31

Transport control 35

Monitor 37

Zoom 39

Zoom settings 40

Mouse mode 41

Volume controller/auto button 43

Status Line 44

Import 45

Audio files 45

Video files 46

Recording dialog 47

Cut sound – Working with objects 50

Project 50

Split objects 50

Change object volume 51

Reducing and increasing the length of objects 51

Fading objects in and out 52

Fading objects 52

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Object FX page 53

Quick zoom 54

Draw volume curve 55

Voice over 56

Remove 58

Using the effect modules 58

Parametric Equalizer 59

Graphic Equalizer 60

Sound Cloner 61

DeNoiser 64

Dehisser 67

Artefacts 68

Remove DC offset 69

Spectral Cleaning 69

Enhance 74

Using the effect modules 74

Declipper 74

Dynamics 75

Stereo FX 76

Plug-ins 78

Multimax 80

Reverb/Echo (object FX only) 81

Export 85

Audio files 85

Video files 87

Save and Exit 91

File Menu 92

New Project 92

Load project 92

Save Project 92

Save project as 92

Load audio file 92

Load video file 93

Record 93

Export audio 93

Export video 93

Delete old projects 93

Exit 94

Edit Menu 94

Undo 94

Redo 95

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Undo Lists 95

Set marker 95

Delete marker 95

Remove all markers 95

Split 95

Remove object beginning 96

Remove object end 96

Cut 96

Copy 96

Paste 96

Delete 97

Voice-Over 97

Remove pauses 97

Object FX Editor 98

Apply all realtime effects 98

Effects Menu 98

Normalize object volume 99

Isolate Stereo Channels 100

Acoustics simulator 101

Switch channels 102

Plug-ins 102

Options menu 103

Standard mouse mode 103

Cut mouse mode 103

Zoom mode 104

"Delete objects" mode 104

Draw volume curve mouse mode 104

2 tracks 104

Stereo display 105

Comparisonics waveform display 105

Activate Volume Curves 105

Overview track 106

Lock all objects 106

Play parameter 106

Units of measurement 108

Mouse Grid Active 108

Auto crossfade mode active 108

Display values scale 108

Path settings 108

Tasks menu 109

Online menu 109

Catooh – the Online Content Library 109

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MAGIX Online Album 109

magix.info 110

More online services 111

Screen transfer - MAGIX Screenshare 113

Online login details 114

Help menu 115

Help 115

Display tips 115

Show tutorial videos 115

System information 115

About MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab 115

Register online 115

Update check 116

Restore original program settings 116

Keyboard layout and mouse-wheel support 117

Keyboard layout 117

Mouse-wheel support 118

Activate additional functions 119

Free activation (MPEG-2, MPEG-4, Dolby Digital 2.0 & 5.1) 119

Activation problems 120

Appendix: MPEG Encoder Settings 122

General settings 122

Video settings 123

Advanced video settings 124

Audio settings 125

MPEG glossary 128

Motion estimation 128

Bit rate 128

Block 129

Chroma format 129

Field 129

Frame 130

GOP 130

I frames 131

Interlace 131

P frames and B frames 132

Prediction 133

Quantization scaling 134

MPEG-4 encoder settings 136

MPEG-4 136

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AVC / H.264 142

AMR 148

AAC 148

Multiplexer 149

Index 151

Support 9

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Support

If you experience any problems with your software, then please get in

touch with our support team:

Support website: http://support.magix.net

This website will lead you to the MAGIX user service page which,

among other things, contains the following free offers:

• FAQs (frequently asked questions) and general tricks and tips. In

most cases you’ll find the solution to your problem here. If not, then

please use the email support form.

• Email support form: You can tell our support staff about your

system via the email support form. This information is used to solve

your problems quickly and competently. Simply fill it out and send it

with a mouse click!

• Support forum: You are not alone. Perhaps other users had a similar

problem and can help you solve yours. Our support staff are also

regular contributors.

• Download section: Updates, improvements, and patches are

likewise offered free of charge via download. Many problems you

may experience are well known to us and can be solved by

downloading the latest patch. Besides patches, there are also

wizards for checking and optimizing your system.

• Links: In the links list, you will find the contact addresses of the most

popular hardware manufacturers.

Please note: To be able to use the support, you have to register your

product using the serial number provided. This number can be found

on the CD case of your installation CD or on the inside of the DVD

box.

You can also reach our support team by telephone:

UK:

0905 118 0888 (25p/min)

(open Monday to Friday 9:00 - 16:00 GMT)

Denmark:

077345695

(open Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00 CET)

10 Support

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Finland:

0942597819

(open Monday to Friday 11:00 - 18:00 EET)

Norway:

021543223

(open Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00 CET)

Sweden:

0852507027

(open Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00 CET)

Please have the following information at hand:

• Program version

• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard

drive, etc.)

• Sound card configuration (type, driver)

• Information regarding other audio software installed

Serial number

A serial number is included with each product, and although it is not

required for the installation of the software, it does enable access to

additional bonus services. Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do?

A serial number ensures that your copy of MAGIX Video Sound

Cleaning Lab is clearly assigned to you and only you, and it makes

improved and more targeted customer service possible. Abuse of the

software can be prevented with a serial number, since it ensures that

the optimum price/performance ratio continues to be offered by

MAGIX.

Where can the serial number be found?

The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD

case. If your product, for example, is packed in a DVD box, then

you'll find the serial number on the inside.

For versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet

(download versions), you'll receive your serial number for activating

the software directly after purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number?

Support 11

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The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Video

Sound Cleaning Lab for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product, since only

then are you entitled to get program updates and contact MAGIX

Support. Entering the serial number is also required for activating

codecs (view page 118).

12 More about MAGIX

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More about MAGIX

MAGIX Online World

Well-connected: Products and services online from MAGIX

Discover the possibilities offered by the MAGIX Online World. Every

MAGIX product offers a direct and easy-to-use gateway to the world

of online multimedia:

• Present your photos, videos, and music directly

in your Online Album or in worldwide Internet

communities.

• Find professional templates & content for

enhancing your personal projects.

• Design your own personalized website using professional Flash

®

design with photos, videos, music & impressive animations.

• Order brilliant photo prints to be sent directly to your doorstep. It's

quick, easy, and well-priced.

Experience these and many more online services on

www.magix.com

magix.info

Help and get help - Directly from within the program, you'll be able to

access magix.info, the new MAGIX Multimedia Knowledge

Community (view page 110). In the Multimedia Knowledge

Community, you'll find answers to all of the most frequently asked

questions about MAGIX products and multimedia in general. Couldn't

find an answer to your particular question? No problem, just ask the

question yourself.

You can go to magix.info in the "Online" menu, or via this

button.

Introduction 13

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Introduction

What is MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab?

MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab is a specialized audio program

that was designed specifically to improve the quality of audio tracks

of videos. The program's audio editing options go far beyond the

functions offered by conventional video editing programs. For this

reason, MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab is especially suitable as a

companion to MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, but also any other video

software.

The workflow is based on three steps: You import your file, remove all

bothersome noise and export it, either to do further editing in another

video program or to watch the video on your computer.

MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab features many preset tasks such

as the removal of wind noise, sibilants or camera hiss. Simply select a

preset and the program solves the problem!

Features

Import

You can load video as well as audio files in the "Import" section.

Remove & Enhance

The "Cleaning" section is the key function of MAGIX Video Sound

Cleaning Lab. It is divided into two areas: "Remove" and "Enhance".

The workflow is task-based and requires no previous knowledge at

all. Simply select the task that applies to you. If desired, you can also

make individual settings.

For example:

• Remove wind noise: With the parametric EQ located in the

"Remove" section.

• Remove camera noise or power humming: Use the presets in the

DeNoiser and FFT filter located in the "Remove" section.

• Optimize the stereo picture: Use the stereo panorama editing

feature "Stereo FX" located in the "Enhance" section.

• Create a more balanced or powerful sound pattern with the

14 Introduction

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dynamics module or the Multimax located in the "Enhance" section.

• Remove hissing S sounds with the DeEsser plug-in located in the

"Enhance" section.

• Remove popping sounds with the integrated 10-band EQ located in

the "Remove" section.

• Remove single coughs, clapping or noises: Use the very powerful

"Spectral Cleaning" tool in the "Remove" section.

• In addition: Simulate rooms (e.g. the sound of a cathedral), add

echo, automatic noise reduction and much more

Export

The "Export" section is where you export your project as a video file

in different formats. Alternatively, you can create an audio file or save

and exit the project.

Supported formats

• Video: (DV-)AVI, MPEG-2

1

, MPEG-4 (incl. AVCHD)

1

, QuickTime

TM

MOV, WMV, MXV

• Audio: WAV, MP3

2

, WMA, AIF, OGG, FLAC

1

MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 must first be activated online for free.

2

MP3 export requires Windows Media installation version 10 or

higher.

Quick Start

In this chapter, we will guide you through all of the important

functions in MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab step-by-step. You

don't need to have any previous experience; just some space on your

hard drive.

• Open MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab from the Windows Start

menu.

Load a video file into MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab and play

it.

After starting the program, MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab

displays an empty project window.

You are in the "Import" section, which is recognizable by the lit button

below the project window.

Introduction 15

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The workflow in this section is very easy: Use the "Audio files" button

to load audio files and the "Video files" button to load video files.

In most cases you will load a video file with an audio track that needs

to be edited. Of course, you can also import video sound only

(without video). To do so, simply deactivate the "Show video image"

option in the Import dialog. Alternatively, you can load an audio file

directly or enter comments via the recording function.

After import, a waveform display of the audio track appears in the

main window. If you imported video as well, the video monitor located

in the lower right hand corner of the screen will display the first frame

of the image track.

The waveform display gives you an idea of the audio track's

progression. It displays where in the video sound is audible. It's also

possible to estimate the type of sound. Crackling, for example,

creates a clearly identifiable peak in the waveform.

16 Introduction

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Below to the right, you'll find the transport controls for playback, stop

and winding. You'll be familiar with these functions from other

playback devices.

Use the mouse for quicker navigation: If you click into the waveform

display with the mouse, the playback marker will be moved exactly to

this position. Use the space bar on your keyboard to start and stop.

The preview monitor helps you orient yourself within the material. You

can see where in the video you are currently working.

It also serves to detect audio disturbances, because not every

rumbling or crackling noise is superfluous. Rule of thumb: If

something in the picture falls on the ground, the corresponding

sound should be audible. If, on the other hand, nothing happens in

the picture and everything is quiet, but you can hear something falling

on the ground, it's likely to be an audio disturbance. Unless, of

course, it's a dramaturgical trick and the image that matches the

sound will appear in the next scene.

Remove constant noise such as power humming or hissing

There are many types of noise. Let's start with the easiest ones:

constant humming or irritating hissing. This kind of noise is usually

caused by cameras, microphones or other electronic devices and are

present on the entire audio track. Find out how to get rid of these

irritating distortions:

Introduction 17

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• Switch to the "Remove" section.

Most of the elements that are displayed here are identical to the ones

in the "Import" section, but the function area in the lower left hand

corner has changed decisively. Six different functions for removing

audio disturbances are available here: "Reduce popping sounds",

"Remove power humming", "Auto noise reduction", "Remove wind

noise", "Remove weak hissing" and "Spectral Cleaning".

Thanks to their names, you know right away which noise is removed

by the different functions.

• The slider lets you regulate the strength of all of the "cleaning"

effects (except for the parametric EQ, DeEsser and Spectral

Cleaning, which we will deal with later):

• The triangle opens a selection menu, which provides access to more

presets of the effect:

18 Introduction

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• To get an idea of the how the selected effect affects your audio

material, you can turn it on and off by clicking on the symbol in the

left hand corner:

• Click on the symbol in the bottom right hand corner to open a user

interface where you can set all of the available parameters for the

effect.

In a way, this symbol represents the effect's engine hood. The

interface located behind it was designed to simulate professional

audio editing devices.

Depending on the effect device, you can specify very effective audio

editing settings here. To do so, it's necessary to know a bit about

audio editing though. Usually, however, you will not need these

special functions, but they can be useful in complex cases. If you

need them or if you're interested, please read the complete

documentation (either the PDF manual or the program's Help file).

Introduction 19

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Optimize volume and speech comprehensibility

The second effects area "Enhance" aims at optimizing the audio

material.

• Click on the "Enhance" button.

You'll find the following effects modules here: "Remove

overmodulation", "Level automation", "Optimize the stereo picture for

speech", "Remove hissing S sounds (DeEsser)", "Stronger volume

boost" and "Simulate room".

The functionality of the optimization effects is the same in principle:

Adjust the strength of the effect via the slider, switch the effect on

and off to compare the original with the edited audio material and

access the actual operation console by clicking on the symbol in the

bottom right hand corner.

Remove individual distortions such as crackling

Up until now, the workflow was extremely easy: Load your video,

select a suitable cleaning effect, make changes, if necessary –

finished. Now, let's take a look at some applications that require a bit

more preparation, but are able to solve complicated problems. Above

all, this includes filtering out specific audio disturbances.

20 Introduction

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Spectral Cleaning

Spectral Cleaning in the "Remove" section can be useful for editing

video recordings of concerts or theater plays, for example, where a

single cough in the audience threatens to ruin an otherwise beautiful

effect. Spectral Cleaning can be used to remove short distortions

such as coughing, passing cars, a whistle, crackling or short drop

outs.

Here's how it works: The clearly audible noise has a different acoustic

signature than the rest of the material, otherwise it wouldn't be clearly

audible. Based on this signature, the noise can be identified and

filtered. After it has been identified, the audio material's frequency

spectrum is analyzed before and after the disturbance. Based on this

"acoustic environment", frequencies are calculated that can be used

to fill the gap that was created after filtering out the disruptive

signature. Ideally, a simulation of the "normal" background acoustics

replaces the cough, almost as if it were removed magically.

Let's start:

• First, set the play cursor roughly to the position of the distortion.

• Open the Spectral Cleaning Editor.

• Try to select the distortion using the marking tool in the Editor.

• Once you've marked the distortion, click on "Play". The algorithm

becomes active immediately: The selected area is filtered out and

replaced with frequency material from the surrounding "acoustic

environment".

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MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab User guide

MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab User guide

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