Nero SoundTrax Owner's manual

Manual

Nero SoundTrax

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Table of contents

Nero SoundTrax III

Table of contents

1 5 Start Successfully

1.1

5 About the manual

1.2

5 About Nero SoundTrax

2

6 Launching the program

3

7 Terminology

4

8 User interface

4.1

8 Nero SoundTrax templates

4.2

9 Main Screen

4.2.1

10 Menu bar

4.2.2

10 Toolbar

4.2.3

11 Mastertrack area

4.2.4

12 Assignable Effects area

4.2.5

12 Tracks area

4.2.6

12 Track display area

4.3

13 Project area

5

14 Configuration

5.1

14 Project settings

5.1.1

14 Audio Settings tab

5.1.2

15 General tab

5.1.3

15 Tempo and beat tab

5.2

15 Program settings

5.2.1

15 General tab

5.2.2

16 Save/Output Settings tab

5.2.3

17 View tab

5.2.4

17 Folders tab

5.2.5

17 VST Plug-Ins tab

5.2.6

18 DirectX Plug-ins tab

5.3

18 Device settings

5.4

18 Audio Format Settings

5.4.1

19 Decoder tab

5.4.2

19 Encoder tab

5.4.3

19 Converter tab

6

21 Import and Recording Audio Files

6.1

21 Recording from record or cassette

6.2

24 Importing an Audio CD

6.3

25 Capture audio file

7

27 Working wth tracks

7.1

27 Edit the available track

7.1.1

30 Adding a volume curve to the track

7.1.2

30 Adding a pan curve to the track

7.1.3

31 Adding an effect group curve to the track

Table of contents

Nero SoundTrax IV

7.2 32 Surround sound distribution

7.2.1

32 Changing the surround sound distribution

8

34 Effect chains

8.1

34 Plug-ins context menu

8.2

34 Toolbox context menu

8.3

35 Effects context menu

8.4

36 Enhancement context menu

8.5

36 Effect chains and effect groups

8.5.1

36 Editing an effect chain

8.5.2

37 Editing the effect chain template

8.5.3

38 Editing an effect group

9

39 Surround projects

10

40 Exporting

10.1

40 Export project in an audio file

10.2

40 Burning the project on an Audio CD

11

43 Nero SoundBox

11.1

43 Nero Soundbox main screen

11.1.1

43 General components

11.1.2

44 General settings

11.1.3

45 Beat editor area

11.1.4

45 Sequencer area

11.1.5

46 Bereich Text II Speech

11.1.6

47 Ambience area

11.2

47 Patterns

11.3

47 Inserting a SoundBox clip

12

48 Nero ScratchBox

12.1

48 Main screen - Nero ScratchBox

12.1.1

48 Turntables area

12.1.2

49 Peak file view

12.1.3

49 Mixing console area

12.1.4

50 File Selection

12.1.5

50 Tools area

12.2

51 Creating a ScratchBox clip

12.2.1

53 Scratch Editor

13

54 Technical Information

13.1

54 System requirements

13.2

54 Formats supported

13.2.1

54 Audio formats and codecs

14

55 Glossary

15

56 Index

16

59 Contact

Start Successfully

1 Start Successfully

1.1 About the manual

This manual is intended for all users who want to learn how to use Nero SoundTrax. It is

process-based and explains how to achieve a specific objective on a step-by-step basis.

To make best use of this documentation, please note the following conventions:

Indicates warnings, preconditions or instructions that have to be pre-

cisely followed.

Indicates additional information or advice.

1. Start …

The number at the beginning of a line indicates a prompt for action.

Carry out these actions in the order specified.

Indicates an intermediate result.

Indicates a result.

OK

Indicates text passages or buttons that appear in the program inter-

face. They are shown in boldface.

(see…)

Indicates references to other chapters. They are executed as links

and are shown in red and underlined.

[…]

Indicates keyboard shortcuts for entering commands.

1.2 About Nero SoundTrax

Nero SoundTrax is the professional application for the production of audio CDs. Instead of

simply compiling audio files into a playlist for a CD as before, you can now mix or change the

contents of the audio files. A number of wizards are provided to help you copy your records

or cassettes to your computer in just a few steps. Thanks to the many templates, even de-

manding projects are no longer a problem: 5.1. Surround, 7.1 Surround - simply select the

template and Nero SoundTrax opens along with the relevant tracks. In addition, the inte-

grated Nero ScratchBox provides user-friendly functions for mixing and scratching.

Nero SoundTrax 5

Launching the program

2 Launching the program

To start Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart, proceed as follows:

1. Click the StartSmart icon.

 The Nero StartSmart window opens.

2. Click the button.

 The list of Nero applications appears.

Nero StartSmart window

3. Select the Nero SoundTrax entry in the selection list.

4. The Nero SoundTrax window opens.

 You have launched Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart.

Nero SoundTrax 6

Terminology

Nero SoundTrax 7

ntain multiple clips in succession. Each

-

r they only contain links

se tracks in turn contain multiple clips in which audio is recorded in multiple

channels.

3 Terminology

The following terms are specific to Nero SoundTrax:



Clip refers to a single audio file.



Track refers to a single audio track. A track can co

track has its own settings for volume and effects.

Channel r



efers to audio information that is contained in a clip, e.g. the left and the right

channel.



Project refers to the process of adding existing audio files, editing these files, and export

ing them as a finished audio file. A project can be saved with all changes made in a pro-

ject file, and it can be re-opened later. The project file has the extension *.npf (Nero pro-

ject file). Project files themselves do not contain audio files, rathe

to the audio files used, as well as mix and effect settings.

In summary: A project has as its goal an edited audio compilation consisting of multiple

tracks. The

User interface

4 User interface

4.1 Nero SoundTrax templates

When starting Nero SoundTrax, a window opens where you can select project templates.

Selecting Nero SoundTrax tasks

The following selection options are available:

Menu icon

Templates

Offers templates for frequently used projects such as CD mix, ste-

reo, and surround projects.

Menu icon

User templates

Offers user-created templates for projects.

Menu icon

Wizards

Opens wizards for recording a record or cassette (see Recording

from a record or cassette 21).

Menu icon

Recently used fi-

les

Shows recently used files.

Menu icon

Open existing

project

Opens the Open dialog box that offers access to an e

xisting project.

See also:

 Surround projects 39

 Recording from record or cassette 21

Nero SoundTrax 8

User interface

4.2 Main Screen

The main screen appears when Nero SoundTrax is started. The main screen is divided into

the following sections:

Main screen with inserted audio file



Menu bar and toolbar (1)



Master track settings (2)

(3)



Project (6)

the starting point for all tasks that can be carried out with .

11

12

 Track display area 12

 Project area 13



Assignable effects



Tracks (4)



Track display (5)

The main

screen is

See also:

 Menu bar 10

 Toolbar 10

 Mastertrack area

 Assignable Effects area

 Tracks area 12

Nero SoundTrax 9

User interface

4.2.1 Menu bar

The menu bar offers the following setting possibilities:

Menu

File

Opens the File menu, containing file functions such as opening, saving, and

clo

sing that you are already familiar with from Windows. In addition tem-

plates can be inserted and called up and CD tracks and the tracks created in

Nero SoundTrax can be exported as audio files.

Menu

Edit

Opens the Edit menu, containing editing functions for the files in the selec-

tion screen such as cutting, copying, and deleting that you are already famil-

iar with from Windows. In addition you can chain the notes of the tracks cre-

ated in Nero SoundTrax.

Menu

View

Opens the View menu offering the possibility of individually adjusting the

menu bar and toolbar, and enlarging or reducing the view of the project. In

addition, you can change the time format of the project.

Menu

Insert

Opens the Insert menu that offers the possibility of inserting audio files, au-

dio loops, SoundBox and ScratchBox clips in tracks that have been created

in Nero SoundTrax. In addition you can import tracks from audio CDs, gen-

erate an automatic LFE track, add effects in effect chains and create as-

signable effect groups.

Menu

Audio

Opens the Audio menu that offers the possibility of recording, importing,

and playing audio files.

Menu

Tracks

Opens the Tracks menu that offers the possibility of inserting and deleting

tracks. You can also add different effect curves to a track and change the

track properties.

Menu

Tools

Opens the Toolbox menu that offers the possibility of burning a CD, open-

ing other Nero applications and selecting wizards to record analog audio

tracks.

Menu

Options

Opens the Options menu that offers the possibility of specifying general and

special settings for the project, for the connected devices, and for the audio

format.

Menu

Help

Opens the Help menu that offers the possibility of calling up online help and

viewing the version number and other registration data.

4.2.2 Toolbar

The toolbar offers the following setting possibilities:

Creates a new project.

Opens an existing project.

Saves the project.

Nero SoundTrax 10

User interface

Cuts out the selected section and saves it on the clipboard

Copies the selected section and saves it on the clipboard

Pastes the contents of the clipboard at the selected point.

Deletes the selected clips.

Undoes the last action.

Restores the last action that you have undone.

Zooms into the project.

Zooms out of the project.

Zooms into the project so that the selected section is displayed in a manner that fills

the screen.

Zooms out of the project in such a manner that the entire project is displayed.

Inserts a new track after the selected track.

Opens the Open dialog box and inserts an audio file at the point selected.

Burns the project to CD.

This button is only available if the project contains at least one clip.

Opens the selected clip for editing.

If the clip is an audio file, then Nero WaveEditor will be opened. If the clip is a

SoundBox or ScratchBox clip, then the respective application will open.

This button is only available if a clip is selected.

Aligns the selected clips at the same start position; the start position that is furthest

to the left will be used.

This button is only available if multiple clips are selected.

4.2.3 Mastertrack area

The Mastertrack area is where settings that apply for all tracks that are inserted into the pro-

ject are made.

The Master track area offers the following possibilities for settings and buttons:

Shows distribution of the surround sound.

Adjusts the volume of all tracks in the project.

Nero SoundTrax 11

User interface

Opens the Effect Chain Editor - Master window. This is where you can

cre

ate an effect chain that can be assigned to all tracks.

Opens the Project settings window.

4.2.4 Assignable Effects area

In the Assignable Effects area you can create effect chains that can later be assigned to

specific tracks.

The following setting can be carried out in the Assignable Effects area:

Opens the Assignable Effect Groups window. Here you can create and edit the

effect gro

ups.

4.2.5 Tracks area

The Tracks area is where the inserted tracks are shown. Track settings can also be edited

here.

The following settings can be made in the Tracks area:

Changes the surround sound, i.e. volume distribution on the various chan-

nels/speakers.

Adjusts the volume of the track.

Visualizes the volume level.

/

Start/stops track playback.

Opens the Effect Chain Editor - Track window. This is where you can

cre

ate and edit an effect chain for the track.

Opens the Track Settings window. Here you can edit the track settings.

4.2.6 Track display area

The Track display area is where the channel frequencies of the inserted audio clips are dis-

played. The audio clips are displayed individually and in different colors.

Open the context menu by clicking with the right mouse button within the track display.

Nero SoundTrax 12

User interface

Clicking on an audio clip opens the Clip context menu. Here you can delete, select, copy,

and cut clip

s. In addition, you can open clips in , select the output channels, and group clips.

Clicking on the Track opens the Track context menu. Here you can insert clips of various

types, delete,

copy, and deactivate them. In addition, you have the possibility of inserting ef-

fects and effect chains, track splits, CD indices and labels.

4.3 Project area

The Project area is divided into the frequency area and the toolbar.

In the frequency section the frequencies

of all tracks are displayed in overlay. Here the de-

piction of the project can be altered with the aid of the red markings.

The following buttons are available:

Opens the Recording Settings dialog box. Records a clip.

Plays the project back from the point where the cursor is located.

Plays back the project from the beginning.

Plays back the project or the selected section in an endless loop.

Pauses playback of the project.

Stops playback.

Sets the cursor at the beginning of the project.

Moves the cursor back quickly.

Moves the cursor forward quickly.

Sets the cursor at the end of the project.

Adjusts the volume.

Specifies the tempo in the BMP unit.

Nero SoundTrax 13

Configuration

Nero SoundTrax 14

rmat Settings

 Audio Format Settings  18

5.1 Proje

ble to define the

You reach this window via Options > Project Settings in the menu bar.

5.1.1

T tab off

dering Sample Ra-

5 Configuration

You can configure Nero SoundTrax to suit your needs. And for this purpose the following ad-

justable areas are available to you.



Project settings



General settings



Device settings



Audio Fo

See also:

 Project settings 14

 Program settings 15

 Device settings  18

ct settings

In the Nero SoundTrax project settings, audio and general settings such as project titles and

the name of the artists can be made on various tabs. In addition it is possi

tempo and the beat of your music project.

Audio Settings tab

he Audio Settings ers the following setting options:

Specifies the sampling rateDrop-down menu

Ren

te

. The scan rate is the frequency that

e interval. a signal is scanned per tim

The default rate is 44100.

Drop-down menu

Rendering Bit Depth

Determines the bit depth. Bit depth indicates the pre

which a vibration will be captured.

cision with

d DAT). The default setting is 16-bit (CD an

Option button

Channels

: 8-channel surround (see Surround pro-

Specifies the number of channels.

Stereo: This entry is selected by default.

5.1 Channel Surround: 6-channel surround.

7.1 Channel Surround

jects 39).

See also:

 Surround projects 39

Configuration

Nero SoundTrax 15

5.1.2 General tab

The General tab offers the following setting options:

Input field

Project length

Specifies the length of the project in minutes.

Input field

Project title

Specifies the title of the project.

Input field

Artist's name

Specifies the name of the artist.

Input area

Comments

Specifies comments for the project.

Check box

Automatically add CD

track splits

Adds a short stop between two audio clips in the same track.

5.1.3 Tempo and beat tab

The Tempo and Meter tab offers the following setting options:

Input field

Bea

ts per minute

Specifies the tempo of the project, i.e. the beats per minute.

Input field

Beats per measure

Specifies the beats per measure for the project.

5.2 Program settings

In the Nero SoundTrax program settings, it is possible to make output and saving settings as

well as determine aspects of display and plug-ins on various tabs. In addition general set-

tings such as a standard export file format and folder in which the music files are saved can

be made.

You reach this window via the Options > Settings menu.

5.2.1 General tab

The General tab offers the following setting options:

Input field

Maximum number of undo

levels

Limits the number of steps that can be undone to the speci-

fied value.

Configuration

Nero SoundTrax 16

Input field

Default duration of CD

track splits

Specifies the duration of the pause of new CD track splits.

Drop-down menu

Default export file format

Specifies the file format in which Nero SoundTrax will ex-

port audio files in the default setting.

5.2.2 Save/Output Settings tab

The Save/Output Settings tab offers the following setting possibilities:

Check box

Use noise shaping when con-

verting to lower bit depths

.

Activates noise shaping

, which ensures higher audio

quality when converting.

Drop-down menu

Noise Shaping Filter

Specifies the type of noise shaping.

IIR filter (2nd order): Infinite Duration Impulse Re-

spo

nse. Uses IIR filter

. IIR filters can provide an infi-

nitely long and continuous impulse response. In gen-

eral they achieve a better subjective audio quality

than FIR filters

do, however they have higher levels

of interference energy outside of the audible range.

Second order means that sound is attenuated by 12

dB.

FIR filter (3 taps): Finite Impulse Response filter.

Us

es FIR filters. FIR filters possess a pulse response

with guaranteed finite length.

This entry is selected by default.

Drop-down menu

Play surround audio as

Specifies how surround audio is played back.

Multichannel audio (true surround sound): Plays

back surrou

nd audio with all channels.

Stereo using Nero HeadPhone (Virtual Surround):

Plays back surroun

d audio filtered down as stereo,

with a virtual surround effect generated for head-

phones.

Stereo with Nero VirtualSpeakers (virtual sur-

round): Plays surround audio filtered down as ste-

reo, wh

ereby a virtual sound effect is generated for

speakers.

Configuration

5.2.3 View tab

The View tab offers the following setting options:

Check box

Automatically scale track

heights to fill the main window

Automatically enlarges the display of the track so

that its height fills the main window.

Check box

Show path name in audio clips

Shows the clip path in the track display in addition to

the file name.

5.2.4 Folders tab

The Folders tab offers the following setting options:

Input field

Temporary

folder

Defines the folder in which temporary files are sto-

red. The folder should be located on a drive with

plenty of storage space.

Input field

Peak file folder

Specifies the folder where peak files are stored.

Peak files are cache files that Nero uses to more

quickly open Nero SoundTrax audio files. The folder

should be located on a drive with ample storage

space.

Input field

"My Music" folder

Specifies the My Music folder.

Opens a dialog box where the folder can be selected

for the respective files.

Check box

Always start the File Open dia-

log in the "My Music" folder.

When calling the Open dialog box, the system will

alway

s first show the folder that is specified in the My

Music folder text box.

5.2.5 VST Plug-Ins tab

The VST Plug-Ins tab offers the following setting possibilities:

Display area

Installed VST Plug-ins

Shows the currently installed VST plug-ins.

Button

Delete

Deletes the selected VST plug-in

Button

Add Plug-in

Opens the Open dialog box. Installs a new VST plug-in

Nero SoundTrax 17

Configuration

Nero SoundTrax 18

Button

Scan folder

Opens the Open dialog box. Searches for new VST plug-ins

in the specified folder.

5.2.6 DirectX Plug-ins tab

The DirectX Plug-ins tabThe following settings can be made:

Display area

Installed DirectX Plug-ins

Shows the currently installed DirectX plug-ins

Button

Disable Plug-in

Disables the marked DirectX Plug-in

Button

Scan DirectX Plug-ins

Carries out an intensive search for DirectX Plug-ins.

5.3 Device settings

In the device settings of Nero SoundTrax it is possible to make determinations for the audio

input and output.

You reach this window via Options > Device Settings in the menu bar.

The followi

ng settings can be made in the Device Settings window.

Audio input area:

D

rop-down me-

nu

Device

Specifies the audio device for the audio input.

Audio output area:

Drop-down me-

nu

Device

Specifies the audio device for the audio output.

Input field

Latency

Specifies the delay time of the sound card, in order to convert an audio

signal from the input of the card to the output of the card.

5.4 Audio Format Settings

In the audio format settings from Nero SoundTrax it is possible to undertake various defini-

tions for decoder, encoder and converters on different tabs.

You reach this window via the menu Options > Audio Format Settings in the menu bar.

Configuration

Nero SoundTrax 19

5.4.1 Decoder tab

On the Decoder tabThe following settings can be made:

Button

Configure

Opens a dialog box where additional settings can be made

for the selected decoder.

This button is not available for all decoders.

Button

Info

Opens the About dialog box where information about the se-

lected encoder is displayed.

This button is not available for all decoders.

Button

Move Up

Moves the decoder up one entry.

Button

Move Down

Moves the decoder down one entry.

Button

Artist/Title Information

Source

Opens the Fetch Artist / Title Information dialog box where

you can

specify the source from which information relative to

artist and title will be read.

5.4.2 Encoder tab

The Encoder tabThe following settings can be made:

Button

Con

figure

Opens a dialog box where additional settings can be made for the se-

lected encoder.

This button is not available for all encoders.

Button

Info

Opens the About dialog box where you can view information about the

selected encoder.

This button is not available for all encoders.

Button

Artist/Title In-

formation

Source

Opens the Get Artist / Title Information dialog box where you can

spe

cify the source from which information about artist and title will be

read.

5.4.3 Converter tab

The Converter tabThe following settings can be made:

Button

Configure

Opens a dialog box where you can make additional settings for the se-

lected converter.

This button is not available for all converters.

Configuration

Nero SoundTrax 20

Button

Info

Opens the About dialog box where you can view information about the

selected converter.

This button is not available for all converters.

Button

Artist/Title

Information

Source

Opens the Get Artist / Title Information dialog box where you can spec-

ify the source

from which information about artist and title will be read.

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