Apple Soundtrack Pro 3 Operating instructions

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Soundtrack Pro 3
User Manual
Copyright © 2009 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
Your rights to the software are governed by the
accompanying software license agreement. The owner or
authorized user of a valid copy of Final Cut Studio or
Logic Studio software may reproduce this publication for
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Note: Because Apple frequently releases new versions
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Apple
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Cupertino, CA 95014
408-996-1010
www.apple.com
Apple, the Apple logo, Apple Cinema Display, AppleScript,
Apple TV, DVD Studio Pro, Final Cut, Final Cut Pro,
Final Cut Studio, FireWire, iPhoto, iPod, iTunes, Logic,
Logic Studio, Mac, Macintosh, Mac OS, QuickTime, and
Soundtrack are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the
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registered in the U.S. and other countries.
“Dolby,” “Pro Logic,” and the double-D symbol are
trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. Confidential
Unpublished Works, © 1992–1997 Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
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regard to the performance or use of these products.
Production stills from the film “Koffee House Mayhem
provided courtesy of Jean-Paul Bonjour. “Koffee House
Mayhem” © 2004 Jean-Paul Bonjour. All rights reserved.
http://www.jeanpaulbonjour.com
Welcome to Soundtrack Pro11Preface
About Soundtrack Pro11
About the Soundtrack Pro Documentation12
Additional Resources12
Setting Up Your System15Chapter 1
System Considerations15
Connecting Equipment17
Example Hardware Setups21
The Soundtrack Pro Interface27Chapter 2
Soundtrack Pro Window Organization28
Project Pane35
Toolbar36
Transport Controls36
Timeline37
File Editor41
Mixer43
Multitake Editor45
Conform46
Bin46
Meters Tab48
Recording Tab49
Browser50
Search Tab51
Favorites Tab53
Video Tab54
Project Tab54
Details Tab58
Effects Tab62
Tracks Tab63
Actions Tab64
Analysis Tab65
3
Contents
HUDs66
Basics of Working in Soundtrack Pro69Chapter 3
About Multitrack and Audio File Projects69
Setting Up Your Workspace72
Using Keyboard Shortcuts and Shortcut Menus76
Undoing and Redoing Changes77
About Changing Values and Timecode Entries78
Locating and Adding Audio Files81
About the Bin89
Previewing Audio Files93
Playing Projects95
Using Snapping99
Reconnecting Media Files101
Soundtrack Pro Preferences103Chapter 4
Setting Soundtrack Pro Preferences103
General Preferences105
Project Preferences107
Recording Preferences108
Synchronization Preferences109
Control Surfaces Preferences110
Video Out Preferences111
Working with Multitrack Projects113Chapter 5
Creating, Opening, and Closing Multitrack Projects113
Creating a Multitrack Project from Final Cut Pro Clips or Sequences114
Setting Project Properties114
Setting the Project Length118
Setting Default Locations for Saving Media Files119
Saving Multitrack Projects120
Adding Files to a Multitrack Project121
Clip Properties123
Tracks, Busses, Submixes, and the Master Bus124
Working in the Timeline129Chapter 6
About the Timeline130
Using the Timeline Editing Tools130
Timeline Editing Tools HUD132
Moving Around in the Timeline133
Working with Tracks, Busses, and Submixes in the Timeline140
Selecting Audio Clips in the Timeline152
Selecting the Entire Contents of a Track153
4 Contents
Selecting Partial Contents of One or More Tracks154
Cutting, Copying, Pasting, and Removing Audio Clips155
Splitting and Joining Audio Clips157
Spotting Clips to the Timeline160
Moving Clips161
Snapping Clips to Clips on Other Tracks163
Resizing Audio Clips163
Changing the Offset of an Audio Clip166
Creating Fades and Crossfades in the Timeline167
Truncating Overlapping Audio Clips173
Working with Markers174
Transposing Tagged Audio Clips179
Replacing the Source Audio in a Clip179
Replacing Audio with Related Files181
Making Clip Channel Selections181
Combining Separate Clips to Create Multichannel Clips184
Editing Clip and Track Properties184
Editing Audio in the Multitrack Timeline189Chapter 7
How Selection Type Affects Actions189
Editing in Place191
How Clips Are Affected by Media File Editing192
How Source Audio File Editing Works in a Multitrack Project192
Making an Independent Copy of a Clip193
Using the Multitrack Timeline and the File Editor Together193
Editing with the Timeslice Tool196
Processing Audio Clips201
The Lift and Stamp Tools and the Sound Palette201
Working in the File Editor207Chapter 8
About the File Editor207
Opening Audio Files in the File Editor Tab209
Playing Audio Files in the File Editor210
Soloing an Audio File in the File Editor210
Linking the File Editor Selection and the Cycle Region211
Scrubbing Audio Files211
Selecting All or Parts of an Audio File212
Cutting, Copying, and Pasting in the File Editor216
Zooming In and Out in the File Editor218
Editing Audio Files Graphically with Waveform Editing Tools219
Choosing the Sample Units in the File Editor223
Editing Multichannel Files224
Using Frequency Spectrum View226
5Contents
Working with Actions231
Overview of Analyzing and Fixing Problems in an Audio File237
Analyzing and Fixing Problems in an Audio File238
Using the File Editor Project View242
Processing Audio Files251Chapter 9
Choosing Processing Effects252
Fade In253
Fade Out253
Normalize253
Adjust Amplitude254
Silence254
Invert254
Reverse255
Insert255
Time Stretch257
Noise Reduction258
Adding Ambient Noise262
Equalization Matching263
Convert to Mono263
Resample264
Swap Channels264
Edit Channels264
Render to Action266
Working with Audio Effects267Chapter 10
Processing Effects and Realtime Effects267
Working with Effect Presets269
Audio Effects Included with Soundtrack Pro270
Working with Realtime Effects283
Working with Processing Effects293
Using the Multitake Editor295Chapter 11
What Is Automatic Dialogue Replacement?296
Multitake Clips296
Creating Multitake Clips296
Overview of the Multitake Editor297
Editing in the Multitake Editor298
Slipping Take Regions300
Adding and Deleting Takes300
Renaming Takes301
Reordering Takes301
Example: A Multitake Editing Workflow302
6 Contents
Basic Mixing in Soundtrack Pro305Chapter 12
Steps in Mixing306
Structuring an Audio Post-Production Project306
Using the Mixer316
Mixing Surround Sound335Chapter 13
What Is 5.1 Surround?335
Creating a Surround Project336
Setting Up Soundtrack Pro for Surround336
Using Surround Panners to Create a Surround Mix341
Surround Mixing Strategies347
Exporting and Delivering 5.1 Surround Projects353
Working with Video in Soundtrack Pro355Chapter 14
Supported Video File Formats356
Adding a Video to a Project356
Playing the Video357
Viewing Video Details360
Working with a Videos Audio361
Using the Time Display and Time Ruler with Video361
Scrubbing and Spotting with the Multipoint Video HUD362
Removing a Video from a Project365
Working with Automation367Chapter 15
Working with Envelopes367
Recording Automation Data376
Recording Audio in Soundtrack Pro379Chapter 16
Getting Ready to Record379
Recording Audio in the Timeline380
Recording Audio in the Mixer387
Recording Audio in the File Editor Project View387
Creating Podcasts in Soundtrack Pro389Chapter 17
About Podcasts389
Podcasting Media Production390
Displaying the Podcast Track and the Details Tab391
Podcast Marker Information in the Details Tab392
Adding Markers to a Podcast393
Adding Images to a Podcast396
Exporting Podcasts399
7Contents
Using Control Surfaces with Soundtrack Pro403Chapter 18
Connecting Control Surfaces403
Adding and Deleting Control Surfaces404
Premapped Controls406
Mapping Commands to Control Surface Buttons407
Recording Control Surface Automation408
Using Soundtrack Pro with Other Applications409Chapter 19
Using Soundtrack Pro with Final Cut Pro409
Using Soundtrack Pro with DVD Studio Pro421
Using Soundtrack Pro with Motion423
Using Soundtrack Pro with Logic Pro424
Using Soundtrack Pro with Third-Party Applications425
Exporting Multitrack Projects429Chapter 20
About Exporting430
Export File Formats Available in Soundtrack Pro430
About Export Options430
General Export Options432
About Export Options for AIFF, WAVE, and Other Formats434
About MP3 Export Options435
About AAC/Podcast Export Options436
About Dolby Digital Professional (AC-3) Export Options439
About Export Options Using Compressor444
Exporting Part of a Multitrack Project445
Exporting a Master Mix446
Exporting Tracks, Busses, and Submixes Separately454
About Exporting Multiple Mono Files455
Exporting to AAF456
Using Post-Export Actions457
Using Export Presets458
Distributing a Multitrack Project and Its Media Files Together460
Using Conform with Final Cut Pro463Chapter 21
About Conforming Manually463
About Soundtrack Pro Conform463
Conforming a Soundtrack Pro Multitrack Project464
Reviewing and Approving Changes in a Conform Result Project468
Soundtrack Pro Keyboard Shortcuts473Appendix A
General and File474
Layouts, Tabs, and HUDs474
Navigating the Timeline475
8 Contents
Project Playback476
Cycle Region476
General Editing477
Editing Audio Clips in the Timeline477
Moving Audio Clips and Envelope Points478
Viewing the Timeline479
Timeline Tools480
File Editor Project View Tools and Commands480
Processing and Editing Audio Files481
Tracks, Busses, and Submixes482
Markers482
Selecting Audio Clips in the Timeline483
Video Out484
Recording484
Using Arrow Keys to Move the Playhead484
Working with Timeslices485
Audio Fundamentals487Appendix B
What Is Sound?487
Digital Audio497
Working with Professional Video and Audio Equipment501Appendix C
Video Interfaces501
Video Signals and Connectors504
Setting Up an Audio Interface508
Audio Connectors, Cables, and Signal Formats514
About Balanced Audio Signals518
Tips for Choosing Speakers and an Amplifier519
Connecting Professional Video Devices521
Connecting Professional Audio Devices525
Working with Apogee Hardware in Soundtrack Pro531Appendix D
Using Apogee Hardware with Soundtrack Pro531
Creating and Saving a New Apogee Configuration531
Specifying Global Parameters in the Apogee Setup Dialog532
Specifying Units Parameters in the Apogee Setup Dialog533
Using a Previously Saved Configuration537
Choosing a Configuration Saved with a Project538
Solving Problems539Appendix E
Resources for Solving Problems539
Solutions to Common Problems539
Contacting AppleCare Support541
9Contents
Most experienced film and television producers know that “audio is more than half the
picture.” The art and techniques of sound recording, dialogue editing, sound effect
recording and placement, mixing, and sound design play a substantial role in how
audiences perceive the (visual) quality of a film or video. Soundtrack Pro is designed to
serve the art of motion picture sound post-production. Like the other applications in
Final Cut Studio, Soundtrack Pro was created for the film and video industry. Soundtrack Pro
gives you many specialized tools and powerful features that you can use to create
high-quality audio.
Most audio applications focus on multitrack editing or waveform editing, but not both.
Furthermore, most waveform editing applications handle media destructively—making
permanent changes to your media files. Soundtrack Pro provides the best of both worlds:
nondestructive waveform editing while working in a multitrack project.
This preface covers the following:
About Soundtrack Pro (p. 11)
About the Soundtrack Pro Documentation (p. 12)
Additional Resources (p. 12)
About Soundtrack Pro
Soundtrack Pro provides film and video professionals streamlined workflows for editing
everything from individual audio files to large multitrack sound projects, including
synchronizing audio and video, editing sound in place, working with automatic dialogue
replacement (ADR), analyzing and fixing common audio problems like clicks and pops,
and creating stereo and surround sound design. Add interoperability with the other
applications in Final Cut Studio to this list of features, and you have a professional-quality
audio application designed to meet the needs of the most discerning audio editors and
mixers.
11
Welcome to Soundtrack Pro
Preface
Soundtrack Pro features two types of projects: audio file projects and multitrack projects.
You use audio file projects to edit individual audio files. This is sometimes known as
waveform editing. However, unlike most waveform editing applications, Soundtrack Pro
allows you to edit your audio files nondestructively by keeping track of the actions you
have performed on your audio file. You can edit down to the files individual sample level
and perform tasks ranging from audio repair to sound design. You can perform edits
nondestructively using actions, which include processing effects and other operations.
You can analyze audio files for a range of common audio problems, including clicks and
pops, hum, and phase issues, and automatically fix problems that are found.
Multitrack projects look and function similarly to Final Cut Pro projects. You arrange a
multitrack project’s audio clips on the tracks in the Timeline. Multitrack projects contain
the features you expect from a high-performance and professional-quality audio editor,
including features to synchronize audio and video, work with ADR and multitake editing,
and automate volume, pan, and other changes over time using envelopes. You can record
over multiple channels to the Timeline or the File Editor or to multiple tracks in the
Timeline.
About the Soundtrack Pro Documentation
Soundtrack Pro comes with various documentation that will help you get started as well
as provide detailed information about the application.
Soundtrack Pro User Manual: This is a comprehensive document that describes the
Soundtrack Pro interface, commands, and menus, and gives step-by-step instructions
for creating Soundtrack Pro projects and for accomplishing specific tasks. It is written
for users of all levels of experience.
Soundtrack Pro Effects Reference: Soundtrack Pro includes a comprehensive collection
of powerful effect plug-ins. This document introduces you to the individual effects and
their parameters.
Additional Resources
Along with the documentation that comes with Soundtrack Pro, there are a variety of
other resources you can use to find out more about Soundtrack Pro.
Soundtrack Pro Website
For general information and updates, as well as the latest news on Soundtrack Pro, go
to:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/soundtrackpro
12 Preface Welcome to Soundtrack Pro
Apple Service and Support Websites
For software updates and answers to the most frequently asked questions for all Apple
products, go to the general Apple Support web page. You’ll also have access to product
specifications, reference documentation, and Apple and third-party product technical
articles.
http://www.apple.com/support
For software updates, documentation, discussion forums, and answers to the most
frequently asked questions for Soundtrack Pro, go to:
http://www.apple.com/support/soundtrackpro
For discussions forums for all Apple products from around the world, where you can
search for an answer, post your question, or answer other users’ questions, go to:
http://discussions.apple.com
13Preface Welcome to Soundtrack Pro
The way you set up your system depends on the audio equipment you plan to use. You
can use your computer’s speaker or headphone jack to monitor the audio output from
Soundtrack Pro. For better results, you may want to connect external monitors or speakers
to your system, so that you can monitor the audio output at a higher level of quality. You
may want to connect other external audio equipment such as an audio interface or a
mixer, particularly if you plan to record your own audio in Soundtrack Pro.
For information on system and hardware requirements, see the Read Before You Install
document on the installation DVD.
For information on installing the software, see the Installing Your Software booklet.
This chapter covers the following:
System Considerations (p. 15)
Connecting Equipment (p. 17)
Example Hardware Setups (p. 21)
System Considerations
To achieve the most effective results, you should consider the following issues when
setting up your system:
Editing and managing digital audio files can require intensive processing by your
computer. For more information, see Processor Speed and RAM.
Storing digital audio files can require a large amount of hard disk space. For more
information, see Hard Disks.
To make the most of Soundtrack Pro, you may wish to use a variety of audio input and
output devices. For more information, see Setting the Audio Input and Output and
Audio MIDI Setup.
Audio units plug-ins from other manufacturers can extend the capabilities of
Soundtrack Pro. For more information, see Adding Audio Units Plug-ins to Your
Computer.
15
Setting Up Your System
1
Processor Speed and RAM
Digital audio files require intensive processing by your computer. If you plan to work on
longer or more complex projects, or use multiple effects plug-ins in your projects, a
computer with a faster processor can facilitate your productivity.
Soundtrack Pro is optimized for use with computers that have a multiprocessor
architecture. Working with Soundtrack Pro projects on a multiprocessor-equipped
computer can make your workflow more efficient, especially when creating longer or
more complex projects.
If you plan to work on large projects, it’s useful to have extra random-access memory, or
RAM, installed in your computer. Additional RAM allows you to play back more files
simultaneously, use a greater number of effects plug-ins, and keep several multimedia
applications open at the same time.
Hard Disks
In addition to having a computer with a fast processor and a lot of extra RAM, it’s also a
good idea to have a large hard disk with plenty of available space to store the media
(audio and video) files you use with Soundtrack Pro. As you work with the application,
you’ll likely want to acquire a large collection of sounds to use in your Soundtrack Pro
projects. Hard disk performance is a critical aspect of your editing system: the storage
capacity and data rate of your disks must match or exceed the requirements of the audio
(and video) formats you are using.
If you store media files on an external hard disk, make sure the disk has a fast enough
seek time and a high enough sustained data transfer rate for use with video and audio
files. Consult the manufacturers specifications.
Important: Every minute of stereo digital audio (recorded using a 44.1 kHz sample rate
and 16-bit depth) requires roughly 10 MB of hard disk space. If you plan to record large
amounts of audio in Soundtrack Pro, you may want to record to a hard disk dedicated to
storage for your Soundtrack Pro projects.
Setting the Audio Input and Output
You can set the default input and output devices for Soundtrack Pro with the Audio MIDI
Setup utility.
To select a default output device
Do one of the following:
µ
Double-click Audio MIDI Setup in the Utilities folder, then choose the device from the
Default Output pop-up menu.
µ
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Output. Select the
audio interface in the list that appears.
16 Chapter 1 Setting Up Your System
To select a default input device
Do one of the following:
µ
Double-click Audio MIDI Setup in the Utilities folder, then choose the device from the
Default Input pop-up menu.
µ
Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Input. Select the audio
interface in the list that appears.
Audio MIDI Setup
The Audio MIDI Setup utility is a program that comes with Mac OS X for adjusting a
computer’s audio input and output settings and managing MIDI devices. You can select
audio channel input and output devices, configure output speakers, set clock rates, and
control levels. You may also be able to open a configuration utility provided by your audio
device.
For more information, go to http://developer.apple.com/audio/overview.html.
Adding Audio Units Plug-ins to Your Computer
Soundtrack Pro includes an extensive set of professional-quality effects plug-ins.
Soundtrack Pro uses effects in the Audio Units plug-in format, the native plug-in format
of Mac OS X.
Audio Units plug-ins are also available from third-party manufacturers. When adding
third-party effects to your computer, be sure to read the documentation, including any
Read Me and installation files, that came with the plug-in. Supported Audio Units effects
plug-ins appear in the Effects window under the manufacturers name.
Soundtrack Pro does not support VST, ASIO, MAS, or RTAS effects plug-ins.
Connecting Equipment
You can use a variety of audio equipment with Soundtrack Pro for both recording and
playback. For information on connecting a specific piece of equipment to your computer,
read the documentation that came with the equipment. For general information about
connecting a control surface to your computer, see Connecting Control Surfaces.
Final Cut Studio editing systems can be configured to meet the most demanding
professional requirements. An advanced editing system can be built by expanding the
basic system described in the Final Cut Pro User Manual. The following list includes
equipment commonly used in Final Cut Studio editing systems:
Macintosh computer with Final Cut Studio installed: The core of your editing system
Professional video and audio devices: For capturing footage and outputting finished
projects. (For more information about video and audio devices, see Working with
Professional Video and Audio Equipment.)
17Chapter 1 Setting Up Your System
External video and audio monitors: For viewing and listening to your program in its final
image and audio quality
Video and audio interfaces: For connecting professional and non-FireWire devices to
your editing system
RS-422 serial device control interfaces: For remote device control during capture and
output
Video, audio, and remote device control cables: For separate video, audio, and remote
device control connections. Unlike a basic DV editing system that uses a solitary FireWire
cable to transfer video, audio, and remote control signals, many professional
configurations require separate cables for each of these signals.
Additional scratch disks: One or more internal or external hard disks, a RAID, or a
connection to a storage area network (SAN)
Control surfaces: Hardware controls that let you mix and edit your projects with greater
flexibility and precision than using a mouse to move onscreen controls
Video and Audio Input and Output Devices
An input device is used to transfer footage into your computer. For output, you record
your finished movie to an output device. Basic editing systems use a DV camcorder or
deck as both an input and output device. Professional editing systems may use multiple
video decks to capture and output to different video formats. Although Soundtrack Pro
does not support video capture from devices such as camcorders or VTRs, it does support
recording from a variety of digital audio devices.
To connect non-FireWire devices to your computer, you also need a third-party video or
audio interface. For more information, see Video Interfaces.
Video Device
This is a VTR or camcorder you connect to your computer to capture and output media.
The connectors and signal format on your video device determine what kind of video
interface your computer needs to connect to your device.
Audio Device
This is a device, such as a digital audio tape (DAT) recorder or multitrack audio recorder,
that lets you capture or output audio independently from video.
18 Chapter 1 Setting Up Your System
Note: When using external audio devices, its a good idea to connect them before opening
Soundtrack Pro.
Video and Audio Interfaces
An interface is a device that adds physical video or audio connectors to your computer
so that you can connect your Final Cut Studio system to other professional equipment
(such as video or audio decks and monitors).
Interfaces provide input and output connectors that aren’t included with your computer.
For example, if you want to output multiple audio channels to an analog audio mixer or
digital multitrack, you need an audio interface that has XLR, 1/4" tip-ring-sleeve (TRS),
AES/EBU, or ADAT Lightpipe output connectors.
You may also want to consider adding a third-party interface to your system if:
You need to capture or output many audio channels at once
You are integrating Final Cut Studio into a professional broadcast environment that
requires SDI, HD-SDI, or other non-FireWire video and audio connections
You need to capture, edit, and output full-resolution, uncompressed video signals
instead of DV video (which is compressed)
You are digitizing video from an older analog VTR (such as a Betacam SP deck) that
does not have digital video outputs or remote control via FireWire
Third-party video and audio interfaces can be installed in one of your computer’s PCI
Express slots, connected to the USB port, or connected via FireWire.
For more information about selecting and connecting an audio interface for use with
Soundtrack Pro, see Setting Up an Audio Interface.
External Audio and Video Monitoring
In the final stages of post-production, external video and audio monitors are essential to
ensure the quality of your movie. Editing systems focused on these final phases of
post-production are often called finishing systems.
19Chapter 1 Setting Up Your System
External Audio Speakers and Monitors
You can play back audio through your computer’s speakers or headphone jack, but the
audio output may not be high enough for you to evaluate your music at a professional
level of quality. Connecting external speakers or monitors to your system allows you to
hear the audio output with greater fidelity and a wider dynamic range. During the final
mix, it is important to monitor your audio so that it matches the listening environment
where the final project will be shown. For detailed information on connecting external
speakers to your audio interface, see the documentation that came with the speakers.
Setting Up a Proper Audio Monitoring Environment
Room shape and material are just as important as the quality of the speakers themselves.
Every surface in a room potentially reflects sound, and these reflections mix together
with the sound originating from the speakers. Rooms with parallel walls can create standing
waves, which are mostly low-frequency sound waves that reinforce and cancel each other
as they bounce back and forth.
Standing waves cause some frequencies to be emphasized or attenuated more than
others, depending on your listening position. When you mix in a room that creates
standing waves, you may adjust certain frequencies more than necessary. However, you
may not notice until you play back your audio in a different listening environment, in
which those frequencies may sound overbearing or nonexistent.
Tip: A much cheaper alternative to building new walls is to mount angled pieces of
material to the existing walls to eliminate parallel surfaces.
If the material in a room is very reflective, the room sounds “brighter” because high
frequencies are easily reflected. Mounting absorbing material (such as acoustic foam) on
the walls can reduce the brightness of a room. A “dead room” is one that has very little
reflection (or reverberation). Try to cover any reflective surfaces in your monitoring
environment.
Amplifiers
If you are recording audio from microphones and are not running the microphone’s signal
through a mixer with a microphone pre-amplifier, you need to connect an amplifier to
boost the microphones signal before sending it to the computer. If you are connecting
monitors or speakers that are not self-powered, you also need to connect them through
an amplifier.
20 Chapter 1 Setting Up Your System
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