Apple Loops Utility 3 User Manual

Apple Loops Utility 3

User Manual

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Contents

Welcome to Apple Loops Utility5Preface

About Apple Loops Utility5
About the Apple Loops Utility Documentation6
Additional Resources6

Using Apple Loops Utility7Chapter 1

About the Apple Loops Utility Interface7
Opening Files in Apple Loops Utility14
Tagging Files in Apple Loops Utility14
Working with Transients16
Saving Changes to Files17
Removing Files from the Assets Drawer18
Apple Loops Utility Preferences18

Apple Loops Utility Keyboard Shortcuts19Appendix

General and File19
Navigation20
Key and Scale Type Tagging20
Descriptor Tagging21
Transients21

3

Welcome to Apple Loops Utility

Some audio files you use in Soundtrack Pro can include metadata called tags. Tags provide
information about the audio recorded in a file. Apple Loops Utility is a companion
application to Soundtrack Pro that you can use to view and manage tags in audio files.

Soundtrack Pro uses tags in one of two ways: to help locate files using the Search feature
in Soundtrack Pro, and to provide information that Soundtrack Pro uses when matching
the file’s tempo and key to the project tempo and key—for the best possible playback
quality.

Both AIFF and WAV file formats can include tags. Libraries of audio files created for use
with loop-based music software are usually tagged, and Soundtrack Pro recognizes the
tags used in most popular file formats.

This preface covers the following:

• About Apple Loops Utility (p. 5)

• About the Apple Loops Utility Documentation (p. 6)

• Additional Resources (p. 6)

Preface

About Apple Loops Utility

You can add and change tags using Apple Loops Utility. You can also tag multiple files,
a process known as batch tagging.

Apple Loops Utility can read both AIFF and WAV file formats. When you save changes
you make to either type of file, the file is saved as an AIFF file, the default file format for
Soundtrack Pro. The set of tags you can work with using Apple Loops Utility includes all
of the tags in WAV files tagged for use with Sony’s ACID music application, as well as
additional tags.

Tagged audio files can also contain information about transients. Transients indicate
where beats occur in the file, and Soundtrack Pro uses transients to play back audio files
at the highest level of quality. Apple Loops Utility can detect transients present in an
audio file, and you can use Apple Loops Utility to add markers for additional transients
and move them to new locations.

5

About the Apple Loops Utility Documentation

The Apple Loops Utility User Manual (this document) describes the Apple Loops Utility
application only. For information about Soundtrack Pro, see the Soundtrack Pro User Manual.

• Apple Loops Utility User Manual: This comprehensive document describes the
Apple Loops Utility interface, commands, and menus.

• 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.

Additional Resources

Along with the documentation that comes with Apple Loops Utility, there are a variety
of other resources you can use to find out more about Apple Loops Utility.

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

Apple Service and Support Websites

There are a number of Apple websites that you can visit to find additional information.
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 discussion 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

6 Preface Welcome to Apple Loops Utility

Using Apple Loops Utility

1

You use Apple Loops Utility to view and manage metadata tags in audio files. Some audio
files you use in Soundtrack Pro include tags. Tags provide information about the audio
recorded in a file.

This chapter covers the following:

• About the Apple Loops Utility Interface (p. 7)

• Opening Files in Apple Loops Utility (p. 14)

• Tagging Files in Apple Loops Utility (p. 14)

• Working with Transients (p. 16)

• Saving Changes to Files (p. 17)

• Removing Files from the Assets Drawer (p. 18)

• Apple Loops Utility Preferences (p. 18)

About the Apple Loops Utility Interface

There are two main tabs in Apple Loops Utility that you’ll use to work with tags. You may
want to open Apple Loops Utility so you can familiarize yourself with the interface.

To open Apple Loops Utility

In the Finder, double-click the Apple Loops Utility icon in the Utilities folder within the

µ

Applications folder.

You may choose to add the Apple Loops Utility icon to the Dock for easier access. For
more information, see Mac Help.

7