BIAS Peak - 4.0 User Manual

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Peak

Version 4.1

Software User’s Guide

Peak User’s Guideii

Software Copyright and Warranty This legal document is an agreement between you, the end user, and BIAS, Inc. BY UTILIZING THE SOFTWARE ON THESE DISKS, YOU ARE AGREEING TO BECOME BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, WHICH INCLUDES THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AND THE SOFTWARE DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY (collectively the “Agreement”). THIS AGREEMENT CONSTITUTES THE COMPLETE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND BIAS, INC. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, DO NOT USE THE SOFTWARE ON THE DISKS INCLUDED IN THIS PACKAGE AND PROMPTLY RETURN THE UNOPENED PACKAGE AND THE OTHER MATERIALS (INCLUDING WRITTEN MATERIALS, BINDERS OR OTHER CONTAINERS) THAT ARE PART OF THIS PRODUCT TO THE PLACE WHERE YOU OBTAINED THEM FOR A FULL REFUND. BIAS SOFTWARE LICENSE

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SOFTWARE that has been modified, merged, or included with other software, or of the written materials is expressly forbidden. You may be held legally responsible for any copyright infringement that is caused or encouraged by your failure to abide by the terms of this License. Subject to these restrictions, and if the SOFTWARE is not copy-protected, you may make one (1) copy of the SOFTWARE solely for backup purposes. You must reproduce and include the copyright notice on the backup copy.

4. USE RESTRICTIONS. As the LICENSEE, you may physically transfer the SOFTWARE from one computer to another provided that the SOFTWARE is used on only one computer at a time. You may not electronically transfer the SOFTWARE from one computer to another over a network. You may not distribute copies of the SOFTWARE or accompanying written materials to others. You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works based on the SOFTWARE. You may not modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative worksbased on the written materials without the priorwritten consent of BIAS.

5. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. This SOFTWARE is licensed only to you, the LICENSEE, and may not be transferred to anyone without the prior written consent of BIAS. Any authorized transferee of the SOFTWARE shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this Agreement. In no event may you transfer, assign, rent, lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of the SOFTWARE on a temporary or permanent basis except as expressly provided herein.

6. TERMINATION. This License is effective until terminated. This License will terminate automatically without notice from BIAS if you fail to comply with any provision of this License. Upon termination you shall destroy the written materials and all copies of the SOFTWARE, including modified copies, if any.

Software License Agreement iii

Peak User’s Guideiv

7. UPDATE POLICY. BIAS may create, from time to time, updated versions of the SOFTWARE. At its option, BIAS will make such updates available to the LICENSEE and transferees who have paid the update fee and returned the registration card to BIAS.

8. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement is governed by the law of the State of California. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY AND LIMITED WARRANTY THE SOFTWARE AND ACCOMPANYING WRITTEN MATERIALS (INCLUDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE) ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. FURTHER, BIAS DOES NOT WARRANT, GUARANTEE, OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE, OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE, OF THE SOFTWARE OR WRITTEN MATERIALS IN TERMS OF CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, CURRENTNESS, OR OTHERWISE. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO THE RESULTS AND PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU, AND NOT BIAS OR ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES, YOU AGREE TO ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR, OR CORRECTION. BIAS warrants to the original LICENSEE that the disk(s) on which the SOFTWARE is recorded is free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of delivery as evidenced by a copy of the receipt. Further, BIAS hereby limits the duration of any implied warranty (or warranties) on the disk to the respective periods stated above. Some states do not allow limitations on duration of an implied warranty, so the above limitation may not apply to you. BIAS’ entire liability and your exclusive remedy as to disk(s) shall be, at BIAS’ option, either (a) return of the purchase price or (b) replacement of the disk that does not meet BIAS’ Limited Warranty and which is returned to BIAS with a copy of the receipt. If failure of the disk has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication, BIAS shall have no responsibility to

replace the disk or refund the purchase price. Any replacement disk will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or thirty (30) days, whichever is longer. THE ABOVE ARE THE ONLY WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, THAT ARE MADE BY BIAS CONCERNING THE BIAS PRODUCT. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY BIAS, ITS DEALERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AGENTS, OR EMPLOYEES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY, AND YOU MAY NOT RELY ON ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR ADVICE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE. NEITHER BIAS NOR ANYONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CREATION, PRODUCTION, OR DELIVERY OF THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION, AND THE LIKE) ARISING SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. This Disclaimer of Warranty and Limited Warranty is governed by the laws of the State of California.

U.S. GOVERNMENT RESTRICTED RIGHTS

The SOFTWARE and documentation is provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subdivision (b)(3)(ii) of The Rights in Technical Data and

Computer Software clause at

252.227-7013.

Contractor/manufacturer is:

BIAS (Berkley Integrated Audio Software), Inc. 1370 Industrial Ave. Suite A Petaluma, CA 94952 USA

Should you have any questions concerning this Agreement, or if you desire to contact BIAS for any reason, please contact in writing:

BIAS Customer Sales and Service 1370 Industrial Ave. Suite A Petaluma CA 94952 USA

Credits: Peak™ software: Steve Berkley, Andrew Kimpton, Dave Tremblay

Audio Units™, Mac OS X™, Macintosh™, iMovie™, and Final Cut Pro™ are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

VST™ is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies, AG.

POWr Dithering™ is a registered trademark of the POWr Consortium LLC.

JAM™ & Toast™ are registered trademarks of Roxio, Inc.

Pro Tools™ is a registered trademark of Digidesign, Inc.

Premiere™ is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.

FileMaker Pro™ is a registered trademark of FileMaker, Inc.

Paris™ is a registered trademark of E-mu Systems, Inc.

US-428™ is a registered trademark of Tascam, Inc.

828™ is a registered trademark of MOTU, Inc.

Word™ is a registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc.

User’s Guide: Zac Wheatcroft, Steve Berkley, Bruce Bennett

Special Thanks to: Christine Berkley, Jason Davies, Ben Hester, Dan Spirlock, Gabe Khofri, Ben Ventura, Lisa Stefan, Samantha Boyd, Victor Cebreros, Megan Peterschmidt, Andrew Stone, Brent Hurtig, Craig Linsen, Mark Altekruse, Dan Brown, all the Peak beta testers, Steve Cerilli, Ernest Cholakis, Bil Bryant, Howard Frederics, CKSDE, J. Mark Andrus, Michael Barrett, Robbie Berman, Bruce Bennett, Ray Brunelle, BT, Andrew Calvo, Will Carpmill, Chris Clanin, Jason Davies, Luke DeLalio, Dennie Edwards, Tom Erbe, Terje Finstad, Daniel Fisher, Kelly Fitz, Mikail Grahm, Brian Hamilton, Tom Hays, Morris Hayes, Gary Hobish, Walter Horat, Matt Isaacson, Carson Kendall, Paul Korntheuer, peer landra, Jeremy J. Lee, Ray Legnini, Igor Len, Randy M., Jose Ignacio Martin, Christophe Masson, Riccardo Mazza, Ron Macleod, David Mash, Peter McCabe, David McIntyre, Melvin & Milo Mole, Jeff Moore , Itai Neoran, NIN, Drayson Nowlan, Martin O'Donnell, Larry Oppenheimer, Heather Perkins, Dan Phillips, Scott Plunkett, Gene Porfido, Les Quindipan, Ralph, Bob

Credits v

Peak User’s GuidePeak User’s Guidevi

Rice, Brad Sarno, Arne Schulze, Seva, Eli Shauriki, Ronen Shloush, Craig Snoke, Stefan Sozomenu, Alex Stahl, M. Stevens, Morten Stjernholm, Mark Tinley, David Torn, David Tremblay, Rudy Trubitt, Tsvika, Earl Vickers, Charles Wiltgen, Michael Winter, Doug Wright, and Tsuyoshi Yasukawa.

BIAS Product Support:

Unlimited Complimentary Self Help Options

If you have questions about installing or using your BIAS products, please check the manual or user guide first, you will find answers to most of your questions there. If you need further assistance, please check:

http://www

.bias-inc.com/support.html

for frequently asked questions, an extensive database of related articles, troubleshooting tips, and more.

Limited Complimentary Technical Assistance

Ninety days of technical support assistance for up to three incidents is available with the initial purchase of Type 1 BIAS products (Peak and Deck). Ninety days of technical support assistance for a single incident is available with the initial purchase of Type 2 BIAS products (Peak DV, Peak LE, Deck LE, Vbox, SuperFreq, SoundSoap). Type 3 products (OEM versions) are excluded. Thirty days of technical support assistance for a single incident is available with the purchase of paid upgrades to Type 1 and Type 2 BIAS products. The support period begins when the product authorization code (PAC) is initially issued following the product registration. To receive e-mail or telephone technical support, you will need a valid serial number and must be registered for a current BIAS product. Please keep your original product serial number and PAC in a safe place as it

will be required for support. For customers preferring email assistance, please use the email form available on our web site at:

http://

www.bias-inc.com/support.html

Or, email:

support@bias-inc.com

For customers preferring telephone assistance, (connect and toll charges apply), please have your computer running and close by the phone and call us at:

+1-707-782-1865

9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays

Fee-based Technical Support Options

Fee-based Support is available for those customers whose support period has expired or for Type 3 (OEM version) customers. Please call:

+1-707-782-1865

9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays

For customers living outside of North America, please contact your local BIAS distributor, or contact BIAS directly. A list of BIAS distributors may be found at:

http://www.bias-inc.com/distributors.html

Product Support Options vii

Peak User’s Guideviii

BIAS Support Policy and Hours

BIAS, Inc. support policy and hours are subject to change without notice.

Sales and Non-Technical Customer Service

For product information, sales, and other non-technical customer service, please email or call:

sales@bias-inc.com

US: 1-800-775-BIAS (2427)

International: +1-707-782-1866

9AM-5PM Monday-Friday PST – excluding BIAS holidays

No technical support is available at the numbers or email address above.

Table of Contents ix

Contents

Chapter 1: Introducing Peak

Peak Features..............................................................................................................................................................................................21

Who Is Peak Designed For?........................................................................................................................................................................22

What’s New in Peak 4.1?..............................................................................................................................................................................22

Minimum System Requirements for OS X.................................................................................................................................................22

Maximizing Peak’s Performance................................................................................................................................................................23

About Your User’s Guide............................................................................................................................................................................23

About Peak LE & DV...................................................................................................................................................................................24

Using Online Help......................................................................................................................................................................................26

Conclusion..................................................................................................................................................................................................26

Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Peak

Installing Peak.............................................................................................................................................................................................29

Authorization..............................................................................................................................................................................................29

Making Audio Connections........................................................................................................................................................................30

Using the Mac’s Built-In Inputs & Outputs...............................................................................................................................................30

Third-Party Audio Interfaces......................................................................................................................................................................32

CoreAudio...................................................................................................................................................................................................33

USB and FireWire Audio Interfaces............................................................................................................................................................33

Chapter 3: Peak Basics

Introduction................................................................................................................................................................................................37

A Brief Explanation of Digital Audio...........................................................................................................................................................37

About Disk-Based Recording and Editing.................................................................................................................................................38

Creating a New Peak Document................................................................................................................................................................39

Opening Existing Audio Documents.........................................................................................................................................................39

Opening “Dual Mono” Files.......................................................................................................................................................................40

Dragging and Dropping Folders, Disks, and CD Audio Tracks.................................................................................................................41

Saving and Closing Documents.................................................................................................................................................................42

Using the Save As and Save A Copy As Commands...................................................................................................................................43

Using POWr™ Dithering............................................................................................................................................................................43

Peak Windows and Palettes........................................................................................................................................................................44

Peak Audio Document Window.............................................................................................................................................45

Peak User’s Guidex

Transport Window...................................................................................................................................................................48

Progress Bar.............................................................................................................................................................................49

Contents Palette......................................................................................................................................................................49

Setting Preferences.....................................................................................................................................................................................50

Setting Peak’s Playback Parameters.......................................................................................................................................50

Show Marker Times................................................................................................................................................................52

Auditioning..............................................................................................................................................................................52

Blending.................................................................................................................................................................................52

Choosing Colors for the Audio Document Window.............................................................................................................53

The Toolbar.................................................................................................................................................................................................57

Quitting Peak..............................................................................................................................................................................................58

Chapter 4: Playback and Recording

Recording and Playback using CoreAudio.................................................................................................................................................63

Installing and Configuring your Audio Hardware Device.....................................................................................................63

Configuring Peak for Playback...................................................................................................................................................................64

Playing Audio with Peak..............................................................................................................................................................................64

Transport Controls..................................................................................................................................................................64

Triggering Playback of Multiple Documents.........................................................................................................................64

Configuring Peak for Recording.................................................................................................................................................................65

The Record Dialog..................................................................................................................................................................68

Proper Levels for Recording.......................................................................................................................................................................69

Recording....................................................................................................................................................................................................69

Importing a Track From an Audio CD (CD Audio Extraction)..................................................................................................................70

Recording into a Silent QuickTime Movie.................................................................................................................................................71

Optional Recording Settings......................................................................................................................................................................71

Configuration for Mac OS X Audio HAL and FireWire DV.........................................................................................................................72

Chapter 5: Editing

Editing Audio with Peak..............................................................................................................................................................................77

The Audio Document Window..................................................................................................................................................................78

An Audio Waveform................................................................................................................................................................78

A Selection...............................................................................................................................................................................79

A Marker...................................................................................................................................................................................80

A Loop.....................................................................................................................................................................................80

Audio Between Adjacent Markers..........................................................................................................................................80

Audio Info Area.......................................................................................................................................................................80

Table of Contents xi

Audio Info dialog.....................................................................................................................................................................80

Selecting Audio...........................................................................................................................................................................................81

Auditioning Audio.......................................................................................................................................................................................82

Scrubbing....................................................................................................................................................................................................82

Using Unlimited Undo and Redo...............................................................................................................................................................84

Using the Edits Command to Undo a Series of Actions........................................................................................................84

Essential Editing Functions........................................................................................................................................................................85

Scratch Disks...........................................................................................................................................................................85

Clearing the Clipboard to Reclaim Disk Space......................................................................................................................86

Cutting Audio..........................................................................................................................................................................86

Deleting Audio........................................................................................................................................................................86

Copying Audio.........................................................................................................................................................................86

Pasting Audio...........................................................................................................................................................................87

Replacing Audio......................................................................................................................................................................87

Inserting Audio........................................................................................................................................................................88

Duplicating Audio...................................................................................................................................................................88

Cropping a Selection..............................................................................................................................................................88

New Document from Selection..............................................................................................................................................89

Silencing a Selection...............................................................................................................................................................89

Inserting Silence into a Document........................................................................................................................................89

Show Edits...............................................................................................................................................................................90

Using Crossfades and Blending to Smooth Edits......................................................................................................................................90

Creating Fade Ins and Fade Outs...............................................................................................................................................................92

Creating and Using Markers.......................................................................................................................................................................93

Regions........................................................................................................................................................................................................97

Creating Loops............................................................................................................................................................................................98

Crossfading Loops......................................................................................................................................................................................99

Using Loop Surfer.....................................................................................................................................................................................100

Using the Guess Tempo and Threshold commands to find tempo.......................................................................................................102

Using Loop Tuner......................................................................................................................................................................................103

Exporting Regions....................................................................................................................................................................................104

Editing QuickTime Soundtracks in Peak.................................................................................................................................................105

Chapter 6: Playlists and CD Burning

Creating a Playlist......................................................................................................................................................................................112

Modifying Playlist Events......................................................................................................................................................114

The Nudge Regions Dialog...................................................................................................................................................115

Applying VST Plug-Ins to the Playlist.......................................................................................................................................................119

Peak User’s Guidexii

Creating a New Audio Document from a Playlist....................................................................................................................................120

Exporting the Playlist as a Text Document..............................................................................................................................................121

Saving and Opening Playlists................................................................................................................................................121

Burning Audio CDs...................................................................................................................................................................................121

Regions and the JAM Image file format...............................................................................................................................123

Chapter 7: DSP

Processing Audio with Peak’s DSP Tools.................................................................................................................................................127

Peak’s Audio Processing Tools.................................................................................................................................................................127

Add........................................................................................................................................................................................127

Amplitude Fit........................................................................................................................................................................ 128

Bit Usage................................................................................................................................................................................129

Change Duration..................................................................................................................................................................129

Change Gain..........................................................................................................................................................................130

Change Pitch.........................................................................................................................................................................131

Convert Sample Rate............................................................................................................................................................132

Convolve...............................................................................................................................................................................132

Crossfade Loop.....................................................................................................................................................................133

Fade In & Fade Out...............................................................................................................................................................135

Find Peak...............................................................................................................................................................................135

Gain Envelope.......................................................................................................................................................................136

Harmonic Rotate...................................................................................................................................................................136

ImpulseVerb..........................................................................................................................................................................137

Invert.....................................................................................................................................................................................138

Loop Tuner............................................................................................................................................................................138

Mono To Stereo/Stereo To Mono.........................................................................................................................................139

Mix.........................................................................................................................................................................................140

Modulate...............................................................................................................................................................................141

Normalize..............................................................................................................................................................................141

Panner....................................................................................................................................................................................142

Phase Vocoder.......................................................................................................................................................................143

Rappify...................................................................................................................................................................................143

Repair Click...........................................................................................................................................................................144

Repair Clicks..........................................................................................................................................................................144

Remove DC Offset................................................................................................................................................................146

Reverse Boomerang..............................................................................................................................................................147

Reverse..................................................................................................................................................................................147

Swap Channels......................................................................................................................................................................147

Table of Contents xiii

Threshold..............................................................................................................................................................................148

Chapter 8: Plug-Ins

Installing VST Plug-Ins..............................................................................................................................................................................153

Using VST Plug-Ins....................................................................................................................................................................................153

Inserts....................................................................................................................................................................................153

Vbox SE..................................................................................................................................................................................153

Using Peak with Inserts.........................................................................................................................................................154

Using Peak with Vbox SE......................................................................................................................................................155

The Vbox SE Matrix...............................................................................................................................................................155

Vbox SE Matrix Graphical User Interface.............................................................................................................................155

Box Controls.........................................................................................................................................................................156

Effect Assignment Pop-Up....................................................................................................................................................156

Assigning a VST Plug-In in Vbox SE......................................................................................................................................156

Organizing Plug-Ins with Folders.........................................................................................................................................156

Level Controls.......................................................................................................................................................................157

Mute.......................................................................................................................................................................................157

Bypass....................................................................................................................................................................................157

Solo........................................................................................................................................................................................157

Edit.........................................................................................................................................................................................158

Moving Plug-Ins.....................................................................................................................................................................158

Changing Input Routing.......................................................................................................................................................158

Creating Serial Effects Chains...............................................................................................................................................158

Creating Parallel Effects Chains............................................................................................................................................159

Master Wet/Dry Controls......................................................................................................................................................159

Master Input/Output Controls.............................................................................................................................................159

Loading and Restoring Vbox SE Presets..............................................................................................................................159

A/B Comparisons..................................................................................................................................................................159

Vbox SE Preferences.............................................................................................................................................................160

Editing VST Plug-In Parameters...........................................................................................................................................160

BIAS Freq...............................................................................................................................................................................160

BIAS Sqweez..........................................................................................................................................................................161

Bouncing VST Plug-Ins.........................................................................................................................................................161

VST Envelope........................................................................................................................................................................162

VST Plug-In Delays................................................................................................................................................................162

Recording Through VST Plug-Ins.............................................................................................................................................................163

Using VST Plug-Ins with the Batch File Processor...................................................................................................................................163

Using Audio Unit Plug-Ins........................................................................................................................................................................163

Peak User’s Guidexiv

Using Audio Unit Plug-Ins with the Batch File Processor........................................................................................................................164

Chapter 9: Batch File Processor and Apple Events

Batch File Processor..................................................................................................................................................................................169

Save Script.............................................................................................................................................................................172

Load Script.............................................................................................................................................................................172

Errors & Cancelling Batch Process.......................................................................................................................................172

Peak’s Audio Librarian Tools.....................................................................................................................................................................173

Apple Events Support...............................................................................................................................................................................173

Example Scripts.....................................................................................................................................................................174

Chapter 10: Samplers

Working with SMDI Samplers..................................................................................................................................................................179

SMDI Samplers..........................................................................................................................................................................................179

SMDI Sampler Error Messages & Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................182

A note about the Yamaha A3000..............................................................................................................................................................182

Chapter 11: Peak Menus

Peak Menu.................................................................................................................................................................................................187

About Peak............................................................................................................................................................................187

Help.......................................................................................................................................................................................187

Authorize Peak......................................................................................................................................................................187

Preferences............................................................................................................................................................................187

Colors.................................................................................................................................................................188

Scratch Disks.....................................................................................................................................................188

Blending............................................................................................................................................................188

Auditioning........................................................................................................................................................189

Fade In Envelope..............................................................................................................................................189

Fade Out Envelope...........................................................................................................................................189

VST Envelope....................................................................................................................................................190

Sampler..............................................................................................................................................................190

Table of Contents xv

DSP Preferences................................................................................................................................................190

Playback Preferences.........................................................................................................................................190

Shortcuts & Toolbar...........................................................................................................................................191

Window Preferences.........................................................................................................................................191

Hide Peak...............................................................................................................................................................................192

Hide Others...........................................................................................................................................................................192

Quit........................................................................................................................................................................................192

File Menu...................................................................................................................................................................................................192

New........................................................................................................................................................................................192

Open......................................................................................................................................................................................193

Close......................................................................................................................................................................................194

Close All.................................................................................................................................................................................194

Save........................................................................................................................................................................................194

Save As...................................................................................................................................................................................195

Save A Copy As......................................................................................................................................................................195

Import CD Track...................................................................................................................................................................195

Import Dual Mono................................................................................................................................................................195

Export Dual Mono.................................................................................................................................................................196

Export Regions......................................................................................................................................................................196

Export as Text........................................................................................................................................................................196

Batch Processor.....................................................................................................................................................................196

Burn Audio CD......................................................................................................................................................................197

Recently Opened Documents..............................................................................................................................................197

Edit Menu..................................................................................................................................................................................................198

Undo......................................................................................................................................................................................198

Redo.......................................................................................................................................................................................198

Edits.......................................................................................................................................................................................198

Cut.........................................................................................................................................................................................199

Copy.......................................................................................................................................................................................199

Paste.......................................................................................................................................................................................199

Replace..................................................................................................................................................................................199

Insert......................................................................................................................................................................................199

Insert Silence.........................................................................................................................................................................199

Silence...................................................................................................................................................................................199

Delete....................................................................................................................................................................................199

Delete Except Audio.............................................................................................................................................................200

Crop.......................................................................................................................................................................................200

Clear Clipboard.....................................................................................................................................................................200

Select All................................................................................................................................................................................200

Insertion Point at Selection Start/End.................................................................................................................................200

Set Selection..........................................................................................................................................................................200

Peak User’s Guidexvi

Select Loop............................................................................................................................................................................200

Previous Selection/Next Selection.......................................................................................................................................200

Action Menu..............................................................................................................................................................................................201

Zoom Out..............................................................................................................................................................................201

Zoom In.................................................................................................................................................................................201

Increase Vertical Zoom.........................................................................................................................................................201

Decrease Vertical Zoom........................................................................................................................................................201

Fit Selection...........................................................................................................................................................................201

Zoom Out All the Way...........................................................................................................................................................202

Zoom at Sample Level..........................................................................................................................................................202

Zoom at Sample Level (End)................................................................................................................................................202

Snap Selection to Zeros........................................................................................................................................................202

Loop This Selection..............................................................................................................................................................202

Nudge Loop Backward.........................................................................................................................................................202

Nudge Loop Forward............................................................................................................................................................202

New Marker............................................................................................................................................................................202

Markers from Tempo.............................................................................................................................................................203

New Region...........................................................................................................................................................................203

Capture Region to Playlist....................................................................................................................................................203

Markers to Regions...............................................................................................................................................................203

Nudge....................................................................................................................................................................................204

Go To......................................................................................................................................................................................204

Loop Surfer............................................................................................................................................................................205

Guess Tempo.........................................................................................................................................................................205

Audio Menu...........................................................................................................................................................................205

Stop/Rewind..........................................................................................................................................................................206

Play/Pause.............................................................................................................................................................................206

Play Selection........................................................................................................................................................................206

Play w/Auditioning................................................................................................................................................................206

Stop & Extend Selection.......................................................................................................................................................206

Fast-Forward..........................................................................................................................................................................206

Record...................................................................................................................................................................................206

Record Settings.....................................................................................................................................................................207

Hardware Settings.................................................................................................................................................................208

Meters....................................................................................................................................................................................209

DSP Menu..................................................................................................................................................................................................209

Add........................................................................................................................................................................................210

Amplitude Fit.........................................................................................................................................................................210

Bit Usage................................................................................................................................................................................210

Change Duration...................................................................................................................................................................211

Change Gain..........................................................................................................................................................................211

Table of Contents xvii

Change Pitch.........................................................................................................................................................................211

Convert Sample Rate............................................................................................................................................................212

Convolve................................................................................................................................................................................212

Crossfade Loop.....................................................................................................................................................................212

Fade In & Fade Out...............................................................................................................................................................212

Find Peak...............................................................................................................................................................................213

Gain Envelope.......................................................................................................................................................................213

Harmomic Rotate..................................................................................................................................................................214

ImpulseVerb..........................................................................................................................................................................214

Invert.....................................................................................................................................................................................215

Loop Tuner............................................................................................................................................................................215

Mono To Stereo/Stereo To Mono.........................................................................................................................................215

Mix.........................................................................................................................................................................................216

Modulate................................................................................................................................................................................216

Normalize..............................................................................................................................................................................217

Panner....................................................................................................................................................................................217

Phase Vocoder.......................................................................................................................................................................217

Rappify...................................................................................................................................................................................218

Repair Click...........................................................................................................................................................................218

Repair Clicks..........................................................................................................................................................................218

Remove DC Offset.................................................................................................................................................................220

Reverse Boomerang..............................................................................................................................................................220

Reverse..................................................................................................................................................................................220

Swap Channels......................................................................................................................................................................220

Threshold..............................................................................................................................................................................221

Sampler Menu...........................................................................................................................................................................................221

Send to Sampler....................................................................................................................................................................221

Revert from Sampler.............................................................................................................................................................221

Send All to Sampler...............................................................................................................................................................221

Revert All from Sampler........................................................................................................................................................222

Plug-Ins Menu...........................................................................................................................................................................................222

Vbox SE..................................................................................................................................................................................222

Inserts....................................................................................................................................................................................223

Bounce..................................................................................................................................................................................223

VST.....................................................................................................................................................................223

Audio Units.......................................................................................................................................................224

Options Menu...........................................................................................................................................................................................224

Time Units.............................................................................................................................................................................224

Sample Units.........................................................................................................................................................................224

Use Loop in Playback............................................................................................................................................................224

Peak User’s Guidexviii

Scroll During Play..................................................................................................................................................................224

Move Waveform During Playback........................................................................................................................................225

Compute File Max dB...........................................................................................................................................................225

Show Edits.............................................................................................................................................................................225

Show Marker Times..............................................................................................................................................................225

Show Overview.....................................................................................................................................................................225

Show Cursor Info..................................................................................................................................................................225

Auto-Import Dual Mono.......................................................................................................................................................225

Audio Info..............................................................................................................................................................................226

Dynamic Scrub Time............................................................................................................................................................226

Auto Snap To Zero.................................................................................................................................................................226

Movie.....................................................................................................................................................................................226

Movie Sound Tracks..........................................................................................................................................226

Half Size.............................................................................................................................................................227

Original Size......................................................................................................................................................227

Double Size.......................................................................................................................................................227

Auto-Balloon Help................................................................................................................................................................227

“Open” Dialog after Launch.................................................................................................................................................227

Window Menu...........................................................................................................................................................................................227

Transport...............................................................................................................................................................................227

Toolbar...................................................................................................................................................................................227

The Contents Palette............................................................................................................................................................228

Movie.....................................................................................................................................................................................228

Playlist....................................................................................................................................................................................228

Tile Windows.........................................................................................................................................................................228

Stack Windows......................................................................................................................................................................228

Toggle Contents Drawer.......................................................................................................................................................229

Links Menu................................................................................................................................................................................................229

Appendix 1: Keyboard Shortcuts.............................................................................................................................................................233

Appendix 2: Peak Actions.........................................................................................................................................................................239

Appendix 3: Troubleshooting/Before Calling For Help..........................................................................................................................245

Glossary.....................................................................................................................................................................................................253

Index..........................................................................................................................................................................................................263

Chapter 1 Introducing Peak

Peak User’s Guide20

Chapter 1: Introducing Peak

BIAS Peak is an advanced audio application that provides superior tools for editing and processing digital audio on the Macintosh computer. Peak was specifically designed to meet the needs and demands of audio professionals. By combining high-quality direct-from-disk digital audio editing features with a lightning fast, completely nondestructive editing environment, Peak provides unsurpassed audio editing power, and makes a superb addition to multitrack audio applications programs, such as BIAS Deck™. Peak offers advanced sampler support, and works directly with many popular MIDI sampling keyboards and rackmount samplers. Peak is also the perfect audio complement to digital video editing programs, such as iMovie™ and Final Cut Pro™.

Peak Features

• Direct-to-disk recording and playback at all sample rates supported by the sound hardware on your Macintosh, or supported through third-party audio

hardware

• User-customizable waveform display

• Support for commonly used audio document formats, including AIFF, Sound Designer II™, WAVE, QuickTime™, Raw, System 7 Sound, Sonic AIFF, Paris(tm), JAM Image, AU, MP3, and MP4 formats

• Completely non-destructive file-based editing with unlimited undo and redo

• Professional editing abilities, including user-definable fade curves, silence, and complete support for cut/copy/paste with multiple undo and redo

• By using an application that supports Apple Events, such as FileMaker Pro™, you can catalog your Peak sound files and audition them from within the application

• Support for third-party digital audio hardware, such as M-Audio™, Mark of the Unicorn™, or Digidesign™ digital audio interfaces, through Core Audio.

• Support for 8-, 16-, 24-, and 32-bit audio files

• Support for third-party VST™ & Audio Unit PlugIns, adding more signal processing features to Peak. Plug-Ins from companies such as BIAS, Cycling`74™, Steinberg™, Waves™, and Apple™ can be used with Peak for digital filtering, noise reduction, reverb, equalization, and other effects in real time

• The ability to create audio CDs directly from a Peak Playlist or audio document - or with Roxio Toast™ Lite, which is included with Peak

• Sophisticated Tools for looping, including Loop Surfer™, Loop Tuner™, and Guess Tempo™

• Sampler Support

• Playlist editing and mastering

• Customizable Toolbar and Keyboard Shortcuts

• QuickTime Movie window with scrubbing

Chapter 1: Introducing Peak 21

Peak User’s Guide22

Who Is Peak Designed For?

Peak is designed for a wide variety of users, ranging from composers and multimedia producers to sound designers, mastering engineers, and remix editors. Peak’s comprehensive recording, editing, looping, and processing capabilities make it a powerhouse tool for virtually any aspect of digital audio production. If you are interested in sound and possess imagination and creativity, Peak is for you.

What’s New in Peak 4.0/4.1?

The Peak 4.1 update offers enhanced performance and minor feature enhancements, including:

• More preference options for “floating” windows

• Peak 4.1 includes Roxio JAM™ 6

• Peak 4.1 includes SFX Machine™ LT

Features new to Peak as of version 4.0 include:

• Multi-threaded/multi-processor support

•AudioUnit plug-in support

•Direct Red Book CD burning from an audio document or playlist (no helper burning app needed)

•New brushed metal interface

• New high-contrast meters

• Resizable toolbar icons & reconfigurable toolbar (vertical, horizontal, “cluster”)

•Audio documents with an expandable drawer, containing a library of reference, region, and loop markers for that document

•Transluscent cursor info overlay (follows mouse cursor when active)

• Improved Nudge Regions ( region crossfade editor) window

•ImpulseVerb™ convolution-based sampling reverb

• Bit Usage Meter

•Harmonic Rotate (DSP tool mainly for sound design)

• BIAS Sqweez™ dynamic compressor/limiter VST plug-in

• Ability to use single inserts or Vbox matrix for plugins (Vbox hosts only VST plug-ins/Inserts can host VST or AU plug-ins, and both types can be mixed on different inserts

• Dynamic tempo change (envelope based)

• Markers from Tempo (Grid)

• “Magic” Pencil Tool mode - automatically smoothes out clicks and pops in waveform

• Higher MP3 encoding rates (up to 320 kbps)

Minimum System Requirements

To use Peak you will need:

• Any G3/G4 Macintosh or PowerBook (including iMac and iBook)

• Mac OS X v.10.2 or later

• 256 MB RAM

•A hard drive with 18ms access time or better

• Color Monitor, minimum 640x480 resolution

• CoreAudio support of third-party hardware for playback may require drivers from hardware manufacturer

Maximizing Peak’s Performance

To get the best performance out of Peak and your Macintosh, do the following:

To maximize Peak performance:

• Set your monitor to no more than thousands of colors (256 colors is recommended for older Macintoshes).

•Turn File Sharing off, unless you need it.

• Disconnect your Macintosh from any networks and turn off AppleTalk, unless you need to be on a network.

• Optimize your hard drive. (See Chapter 3 to learn about proper hard disk maintenance.)

•Use a fast, dedicated hard drive for audio recording and playback.

About Your User’s Guide

Peak is designed to be simple and intuitive. Your User’s Guide is designed to help you set up and use Peak for

digital recording and editing as quickly and easily as possible.

This User’s Guide assumes that you are familiar with standard Macintosh operating techniques, including:

• Setting up, starting, and using your Macintosh

• Choosing commands from menus

• Double-clicking, selecting, Shift-selecting, and dragging with the mouse

• Opening, copying, saving and deleting files

•Opening, closing, scrolling, moving, re-sizing, and selecting Macintosh windows

If you don’t know how to perform these tasks, please refer to your Macintosh User’s Guide and spend a little time learning about your Macintosh before going any further. This will make using Peak much easier and more enjoyable.

The Chapters in your Peak User’s Guide are arranged in the order in which you would typically perform tasks when embarking on an audio project:

• Chapter 1 introduces you to Peak and explains some of the requirements for using Peak software

• Chapter 2 explains how to install Peak software and configure your Macintosh for recording and playback

•Chapter 3 introduces you to some basic concepts of digital audio and disk-based recording, as well as basic Peak operations

• Chapter 4 explains how to configure Peak for recording and playback with Apple’s CoreAudio

Chapter 1: Introducing Peak 23

system, as well as optional configuration information for using the Mac OS X Audio HAL & FireWire DV systems.

• Chapter 5 introduces you to the concepts and techniques of nondestructive editing with Peak

• Chapter 6 explains how to create regions and sequence their playback using Playlists, as well as how to burn audio CDs

• Chapter 7 explains how to use Peak’s native DSP tools

• Chapter 8 explains how to use VST & Audio Unit plug-ins, and how to use Vbox SE to enhance Peak’s audio production capabilities

• Chapter 9 explains how to use Peak’s Batch File Processor as well as how to use Apple Events for file management

• Chapter 10 explains how to import samples directly from compatible samplers (to edit or process the audio using all of Peak’s functions) and send the modified sample back to the sampler

• Chapter 11 describes each of the commands found in Peak’s menus

• Appendix 1 lists the default Keyboard Shortcuts for Peak

• Appendix 2 provides a list of useful Peak actions not described elsewhere

• Appendix 3 includes a troubleshooting guide for common problems

•A Glossary and an Index complete your Peak User’s Guide

Look for important tips and notes whenever you

see this exclamation mark.

About Peak LE & Peak DV

Peak LE & Peak DV are feature-limited editions of “Peak”, and not all features are available. Peak LE has a feature set designed for music production, and Peak DV is designed to provide the essential tools required by a digital video editor, needing to edit the audio contained in QuickTime movie soundtracks, DV clips, and audio files commonly used in Non-Linear Editing systems.

Upgrades are available from Peak LE or Peak DV to the professional edition of Peak at discounted prices. Please contact BIAS for further information.

If you are using the limited edition (LE edition) of Peak, not all features will be available. Specifically, the following features are not available in Peak LE:

• 32 bit support

• Crossfades and VST effects in Peak LE Playlists

• Limited to a single VST insert without Vbox integration

•Loop Surfer and Loop Tuner

• Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts

• Customizable Toolbar

• Remove DC Offset

• Pitch Change

• ImpulseVerb

• Harmonic Rotate

• Bit Usage Meter

• Markers from Tempo

• Import Dual Mono

Peak User’s Guide24

• Meters Dialog

• QuickTime movies

• Batch File Processor

• Export Regions

• Sampler Support

• Convolve

• Modulate

• Add

•Amplitude Fit

• Change Duration

• Crossfade Loop

• Dither

•Find Peak

• Mono To Stereo

• Stereo To Mono

• Phase Vocoder

•Rappify

• Repair Clicks

• Swap Channels

• Threshold

• Recording Notepad

• Recording Input Levels

• Nudge Playhead Cursor

• Specialized Apple Events for Playback from a database such as FileMaker Pro

Features that are not supported in Peak LE will show this icon in the manual. Features unavailable in Peak LE will appear grayed out in their

menus.

If you are using the digital video (DV) edition of Peak, not all features will be available. Specifically, the following features are not available in Peak DV:

• 32 bit support

• Crossfades and VST effects in Peak DV Playlists

• Limited to a single VST insert without Vbox integration

•Loop Surfer™ and Loop Tuner™

• Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts

• Customizable Toolbar

• Remove DC Offset

• Pitch Change

• ImpulseVerb

• Harmonic Rotate

• Bit Usage Meter

• Markers from Tempo

• Import Dual Mono

• Meters Dialog

• Export Regions

• Sampler Support

• Convolve

Chapter 1: Introducing Peak 25

Peak User’s Guide26

• Modulate

• Add

•Amplitude Fit

• Crossfade Loop

• Dither

•Find Peak

• Mono To Stereo

• Stereo To Mono

• Phase Vocoder

•Rappify

• Repair Clicks

• Swap Channels

• Threshold

• Recording Notepad

• Recording Input Levels

• Nudge Playhead Cursor

• Specialized Apple Events for Playback from a database such as FileMaker Pro

Features that are not supported in Peak DV will show this icon in the manual. Features unavailable in Peak DV will appear grayed out in their menus.

Using Online Help

Peak provides two types of online help. The first type – Balloon Help – will show you the functions of each

menu item as you move the mouse across different menu items. If you hold the mouse cursor over a Toolbar icon for 2 seconds, the Balloon Help for that icon’s function will appear.

The second type of online help is available under the Peak menu. Choosing Help will launch your browser and load the BIAS documentation page where you can access BIAS Tutorials – you may want to visit this page from time to time, to check for availability of new tutorials. You can also use the Links menu to access BIAS documentation and technical support online.

Conclusion

Now that you know a little about Peak, proceed to the next chapter to learn how to install your software and get started using it.

Online Help is available in the Peak menu

Chapter 2 Installing & Configuring Peak

Peak User’s Guide28

Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Peak

Installing Peak

Peak’s auto-installer software makes installation very easy.

Your complete Peak package includes:

•CD-ROM Installer

• Licensed Products Certificate, with the Peak serial number

Before you install Peak, please check the Minimum System Requirements in Chapter 1 of this Users Guide.

To install Peak:

1. If you are using any virus-protection software, turn it off or temporarily remove it, and restart your Macintosh.

2. Insert the Peak Install CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive, open the Product Installers folder, and double-click the Install Peak icon.

3. When the Installer dialog appears, read the Read Me for late-breaking information concerning the Installer, then click Continue to proceed.

4. Select where you would like to install Peak, using the Switch Disk pop-up menu.

5. Click Install at the bottom right of this dialog.

6. After you have clicked Install, follow the on-screen

instructions. Peak will be installed onto your selected hard disk.

7. At the end of the installation, the installer will allow you to register Peak electronically, which you may find more convenient than mailing your registration card.

8. When the installation is complete, a message will appear indicating that the installation was successful. Click Quit to quit the Installer (don’t forget to turn back on any virus-protection software that you may be using the next time you restart the computer).

Authorization

Peak must be authorized to work on your Macintosh. To authorize Peak, you will need your Product Authorization Code (PAC) in addition to the serial number that appears on your Peak Owner’s Certificate. BIAS will provide you with your Product Authorization Code when you register Peak.

You must register Peak in order to obtain your Product Authorization Code; Peak will not launch after the 14 day registration period unless you authorize Peak with your Name, Organization, Serial Number, and Product Authorization Code!

Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring Peak 29

When you first launch Peak, it will prompt you to authorize it by entering your Name, Organization, Serial number, and Product Authorization Code.

Be sure to register! After you have installed Peak, please register online (by choosing Authorize from the Peak Menu) or send in the Registration Card included with your software to receive your Product Authorization Code, technical support, software updates, and notification of upgrades.

Peak will run, fully functionally, in Registration Mode for 14 days. This allows you the time necessary to register your product and get the Product Authorization Code from BIAS.

Registering online is the fastest way to receive your Product Authorization Code!

Making Audio Connections

While it is possible to listen to Peak using a Macintosh’s built-in speaker or headphones, most people will prefer to listen through a better quality external speaker system.

It is very easy to set up audio connections between your Macintosh and a mixer or speaker system. Your exact setup will differ slightly depending on whether you are using the built-in sound input and output connectors on your Macintosh, or those of a third-party audio interface.

Using the Macintosh’s Built-In Inputs and Outputs

If you wish to use your Macintosh’s built-in audio inputs and outputs for recording and playback, do the following:

1. Turn down the volume on your playback system. Peak can be used with a variety of playback systems, including:

• headphones

•a stereo receiver or amplifier and speakers

•a mixer, amplifier, and a pair of speakers

•a mixer and a pair of amplified (self-powered) speakers

• or simply a pair of amplified (self-powered) speakers, smaller versions of which are often called “multimedia” speakers.

2. For recording, connect your audio source output to the Macintosh’s audio input connector. Your audio source can be one of a variety of devices, such as:

•a cassette or DAT deck output

•a mixer output

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Peak Authorization dialog

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