Merging Pyramix 5 Quick Start Manual
5.0
No part of this documentation may reproduced in any form whatsoever or be stored in any
data retrieval system without prior written permission of the copyright owners.
This documentation is supplied on an as-is basis. Information contained within this documentation is subject to change at any time without notice and must not be relied upon.
All company and product names are ™ or Registered Trademarks ® of their respective
owners. Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Merging Technologies makes no warranties express or implied regarding this software, its
quality, performance, merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The software is
supplied “as is” you, the purchaser, are assuming the entire risk of the results of using this
Merging Technologies software.
In no circumstances will Merging Technologies, its owners, directors, officers, employees
or agents be liable to you for any consequential, incidental or indirect loss or damages
including loss of time, loss of business, loss of profits, loss of data or similar resulting from
the use of or inability to use the Merging Technologies hardware and or software or for
any defect in the hardware software or documentation.
© Copyright Merging Technologies Inc. 2005. All rights reserved
Merging Technologies
Le Verney 1070 Puidoux Switzerland
Tel: +41 21 946 04 44 • Fax: +41 21 946 04 45
www.merging.com
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Quickstart Guide : Contents
Welcome to Pyramix Virtual Studio! 7
Introduction 7
Overview 7
Pyramix documentation and Help 7
Conventions 8
Native, Card and Software Set or Pyramix Turnkey? 8
Pyramix Versions 9
NEW USERS START HERE 9
System Requirements For Pyramix Virtual Studio 9
Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Hardware 10
Mykerinos Board Installation 10
Multi-board installation 11
Pyramix Virtual Studio Board I/O 11
Time Code and Video Sync Option 12
Cabling Pyramix in your System Environment 12
Digital Audio Synchronization and TimeCode 13
Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Software 14
Driver Signing 14
Running the Installer 15
Enabling Pyramix Virtual Studio with your Software Key 15
First launch 15
Starting Pyramix Virtual Studio 17
Pyramix User Interface 18
Mouse Modifier Keys 18
Context Menus 18
Keyboard Shortcuts 18
Macros 18
Pyramix Concepts 18
Project 18
Mixer 19
Monitor 19
Composition 20
Timeline 20
EDL 20
Media Files 20
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Quickstart Guide : Contents
Master Clips 20
Clips 20
Media Management - Housekeeping 20
Media Drives and Folders 21
Libraries 21
User Libraries 21
Automation in libraries 22
Global Libraries 22
Project Libraries 22
Offline / Reference Libraries 22
A First Simple Project 23
Start Pyramix 23
Connect Physical I/O to Logical I/O 24
Open a New Project 24
Configure the Mixer 27
Before Recording 28
Record and Playback Audio 29
Edit Audio 30
Starting a New Project 31
Project Templates 31
New Project from scratch 32
Pyramix Virtual Studio Window Orientation 34
Settings 35
Recording 39
Recording Audio into a Pyramix Virtual Studio Project 39
Virtual Multi-track 40
Dubbing Mode 41
The Timeline 41
Tracks 42
Clips and Compositions 43
Editing 43
Clips in a Composition on the Timeline 43
Selecting a Range 44
Making Edits 44
Fades 45
Edit Command highlights: 45
Navigation 47
Jog / Shuttle 48
Transport Controls 49
Scroll Wheel 50
The Overview 51
Markers or User Flags 51
Using the Mixer 52
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Mixer Components 52
Show / Hide 52
Creating and Configuring Mixers 53
I/O Busses Explained 53
Internal Return Busses 53
Input Strips 53
Groups 53
Mixing/Monitoring/Aux Buses 54
External Effects 56
Configuring a Blank or Existing Mixer 56
Adding Strips 56
Mixer I/O Assignments 56
Adding Plug-ins 56
Mixer Surround Components 57
Strip and Bus Tools - Plug-ins 59
Eq, Comp/Limiter/Expander 59
Bus Tools 69
Simple Mixer Automation 69
Mixing Down Projects 69
Exporting a Composition to a File 69
Archiving Projects 70
CD Mastering 70
Quick CD 70
CD Markers 74
Exporting Projects to CD Image Files 74
Burning a CD-R 75
Customizing the User Interface 76
Workspaces 76
Keyboard Shortcuts 76
User Macros 77
Appendix I Mouse Modifier Keys 77
Main Editor 77
Overview 80
Notes 80
Media Folder 80
Appendix II I/O Daughter-card Options 80
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Quickstart Guide
Quickstart Guide
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Quickstart Guide : Welcome to Pyramix Virtual Studio!
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Welcome to Pyramix Virtual Studio!
Introduction
Thank you!
Congratulations on your purchase of Pyramix Virtual Studio. More than just a product, this is a gateway to
the future of sound recording, editing, mixing and mastering. You have joined a worldwide community of
users who have already discovered the Pyramix advantage.
Note: IMPORTANT! - The first thing you need to do is register your software to acquire
your Pyramix key(s) and to be included in our user support list.
Please also subscribe to the User Forum at:
http://www.merging.com/forum/
Overview
VERY IMPORTANT!
We strongly recommend you consult the other Pyramix guides, the Reference Guide and Applications
Guide for a more complete understanding of all the features and functions of Pyramix.
HOWEVER,
recognizing that most people do not read manuals until they have to, this shorter version will enable you to
achieve (almost) instant gratification! This guide will introduce you to Pyramix Virtual Studio Version 5.0 and
lead you through a simple set-up, recording and importing audio, simple editing, mixing, adding effects, and
CD recording.
Pyramix documentation and Help
ToolTips
Pyramix Software is equipped with ‘ToolTips’. Hovering the mouse cursor over a tool icon pops-up a box
with the name of the function. A longer description is shown bottom-left of the Pyramix program window.
Documentation
All the Pyramix documentation is in the Adobe Acrobat pdf format. (.pdf file extension)
In order to read the documentation you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader V5 or later installed on
your computer.
This Quick Start Guide and the Pyramix User Manual may be opened from the Help menu. Other documentation can be found in the Windows Start menu in All Programs > Pyramix > Docs. Please check for
the most recent versions at:
http://www.merging.com
Support
If you cannot find an answer to a query in the documentation, please consult the on-line support at:
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http://www.merging.com
where you will find answers to F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions) and further support.
Assumptions
This Quick Start Guide and the other Pyramix documentation assume you are thoroughly familiar with
PCs and Windows terms and concepts. If self installing to a new PC new, please ensure the machine is
working correctly before attempting to install Pyramix Virtual Studio.
Conventions
Conventions used in Pyramix documents:
Names found on Pyramix screens and menus are shown in bold. E.g. Information & Settings
Menu and sub-menu selections are shown like this:
View > Tracks > Show all Tracks
Which means:
Go to the View pull-down menu, mouse down to the Tracks sub-menu and choose Show all Tracks.
Where a dialog box has several Pages, Tabs are used to ‘turn’ the pages. Tab page selection is shown
thus:
Settings > Keyboard Shortcut Editor : Active Machine
Which means:
Go to the Settings pull down menu, choose Keyboard Shortcut Editor then click on the Active machine
tab.
The Pyramix Settings > All Settings dialog Has its own hierarchical tree structure in the left hand pane
with folders leading to pages.
Native, Card and Software Set or Pyramix Turnkey?
Your Pyramix Virtual Studio will have been supplied in one of three forms:
Pyramix Native (or Media Bundle), Pyramix Card and Software Set or Pyramix Turnkey.
Pyramix Turnkey systems are complete, ready to go, rack-mounted PCs with the Pyramix Card and Soft-
ware Set already installed and properly configured at the Merging Technologies factory. As such, no user
installation or configuration is needed. You can connect audio sources and destinations (and sync and
TimeCode if appropriate) and launch and run Pyramix immediately.
Pyramix Card and Software Set consists of the Mykerinos hardware and the Pyramix software ONLY.
You must provide an appropriate computer platform and software environment in which to install the board
and software, and install these yourself. Guidelines for an appropriate Pyramix system environment can be
found in the following section.
Pyramix Native (or Media Bundle) comes with software and USB Security Key only. You must provide an
appropriate computer platform and software environment, and install these yourself. Guidelines for an
appropriate Pyramix system environment can be found in the following section.
Future Expansion is of course, possible, whether you start with Tur nkey or a Card and Software Set.
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Pyramix Versions
Pyramix Virtual Studio is a powerful and flexible Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) integrating hard disk
recording and editing, digital audio mixing, effects processing, machine control, video, and CD-R mastering.
There are now several versions of Pyramix. Pyramix Native, Pyramix Native Media Bundle, Pyramix LE
and Pyramix Virtual Studio Core. Numerous options and option packs are also available. This guide covers
all versions of Pyramix and many optional functionalities and features.
Note: Depending on the version and options purchased, some of the functions and features detailed in this manual may not be available in your version of Pyramix or may vary in
capacity.
The Pyramix software runs Native, using the host CPU and soundcard and on the Merging Technologies
Mykerinos hardware platform, depending on the version purchased. Each Mykerinos board is capable of
up to 128 channels of 24-bit digital audio, 64 recording and 64 playback. External access to these 128
channels is determined by your choice of physical inputs and outputs to the Mykerinos board. In XDTDM
mode the total number of Live inputs and outputs plus Internal Busses is 128 in and 128 out. In HDTDM
mode these numbers are halved.
Pyramix Native
Pyramix Native offers 100% compatibility with the main Pyramix Virtual Studio (VS) system. Both the Pyramix Native and the Pyramix VS can be connected on the same standard Ethernet network and directly
interchange audio and video media, or a Pyramix complete project between them.The Native software is
USB dongle protected and runs on Windows 2000 or Windows XP desk-top or lap-top computers. It does
have restrictions when compared with the main Pyramix Virtual Studio capabilities, as you would expect,
but the Native software maintains all the real-time editing capabilities expected of a professional system.
NEW USERS START HERE
Note: If you are a new user with a Pyramix Turnkey system, please go to Cabling Pyra-
mix in your System Environment on page 12. If you are a new user with a card and
software set, please start here:
System Requirements For Pyramix Virtual Studio
Computer
• PC with Intel Pentium PIII 800 MHz or higher, minimum 256 MB RAM.
• PCI 2.1 compliant card slot(s) in which to install the Mykerinos board(s).
• Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows NT Workstation (v4.0 SP6 or higher OS
• Graphics Adapter with a minimum resolution of 1024x768 (Dual Head with resolution of 1280 x
1024 recommended).
• Sufficient HD space and speed for your audio media files. The speed and amount of disk space
required depends on sample rate, bit depth, number of tracks and length of program material. A fast
(10k rpm or better 15k rpm) SCSI drive (e.g. Seagate Cheetah) or a SCSI RAID array is recommended for larger multi-track projects, high sample rate and DSD work. Low cost IDE drives are
fine for smaller projects of up to 24 channels.
• We recommend disks should be formatted as NTFS volumes.
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Hard Disk Space Requirements
A complete software installation will require around 50MB of disk space for the Pyramix software itself and
approximately 10MB of disk space for the Virtual Transport.
In addition, you will need hard disk storage for any captured audio media files. As a rule of thumb, one
Gigabyte of disk storage equals:
• 185 track minutes at 44.1 kHz 16 bits
• 125 track minutes at 44.1 kHz 24 bits
• 170 track minutes at 48 kHz 16 bits
• 115 track minutes at 48 kHz 24 bits
• 55 track minutes at 96 kHz 24 bits
For continuous multi-track recording applications, divide total available mono track time by the number of
tracks you will be using.
Please note that these are very rough estimates, and should be used only as a general indication of storage requirements.
Operating System
Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows NT Workstation (v4.0 SP6 or higher) installed (never attempt to
install Pyramix on NT Server). Windows XP is preferred.
Power Management
N.B. As with all Digital Audio Workstations and Non-Linear Editors, we recommend setting the PC to an
Always On Power management scheme. (Start > Control Panel double-click Power Options. Choose
Always On from the Power Schemes combo box.) This allows the monitor to be turned off by the system
but disables hard-disk turn off and Standby.
Note: The Mykerinos card is not designed to support Standby modes.
Other Applications
Like all Digital Audio Workstations, Pyramix works best when there are no other unnecessary applications
or services running.
Video and Pyramix on one PC
To ensure a very smooth system (especially for seeking) playing video with Pyramix on the same computer,
we recommend a Dual Processor PC, a dedicated hard drive for the video and Windows XP
Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Hardware
Mykerinos Board Installation
The Merging Technologies Mykerinos board can be installed in any free PCI slot in your PC. In general, it is
best NOT to install the board in the PCI slot adjacent to an AGP graphics adapter; and in a PCI slot which
may be physically shared with an ISA slot.
Please consult the:
www.merging.com
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website for current compatibility information.
Make absolutely certain the PC power is OFF before installing the board!
With most of the current generation motherboards this means either the mains switch on the power supply
or the power outlet switch. Where no switch is provided, either on the PC or the supply socket, then the PC
should be unplugged.
Always observe proper static precautions when handling any PC boards! Use a static strap, and/or be sure
to firmly ground yourself to the computer power supply, chassis or if the PC is unplugged, to a known good
earth before handling and installing the Mykerinos board.
Some PCs have batteries, cables, jumpers, etc. which could prevent proper board seating in one or more
slots. Make certain the board is firmly and fully seated before switching on.
Multi-board installation
Multiple boards must be installed in adjacent slots. To enable multi-board operation, all Mykerinos cards in
the PC have to be connected together using a special HDTDM ribbon cable. This cable has to be plugged
into the multi-pin connectors located on the top edge of the I/O daughter cards. Please contact your Merging Technologies dealer for information on how to order this HDTDM ribbon cable.
HDTDM/XDTDM
The HDTDM board linking cable has the following functions in a multiple Mykerinos board installation:
a) synchronization (to 1/512th of an audio sample accuracy) This enables Pyramix to "see" a single system
comprised of a large pool of DSP power and I/O resources spread over separate cards.
b) transfers all audio signals (Live Inputs, Internal Send/Return Busses, Mix busses, Aux busses, Live Outputs, etc. between all the Mykerinos I/O daughter-cards which comprise the multi-board system.
Pyramix Virtual Studio Board I/O
Audio I/O Options
Mykerinos is a modular board which can have any one of several optional audio I/O daughter cards
attached. When ordering Pyramix Virtual Studio from Merging Technologies or one of its distributors, be
sure to specify the daughter card appropriate to your specific needs. (Please see Appendix II I/O Daughter-card Options on page 80)
On-board Analog Audio I/O
Regardless of which I/O daughter card is chosen, you can simultaneously use the 3.5mm stereo miniphone jack on the Mykerinos board as an unbalanced, analog stereo audio monitor output for all projects
up to 384 kHz, with levels programmable from within the Pyramix software. Sources at sample rates higher
than 96 kHz are automatically Sample Rate Converted to 96 kHz, 24 bit. This stereo mini-jack connection
may be connected to headphones or to a line level audio monitor input.
External Audio D/A-A/D Converter Boxes
Most of the I/O options for the Mykerinos board are digital. Pyramix will often be used with external audio D/
A (for playback) and A/D (for recording) converters. Many such converters are available from Merging
Technologies as options: for example, the Merging Technologies Dua II and Sphynx 2. Contact your local
Merging Technologies Sales representative for more information.
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Capabilities of third party A/D - D/A converter boxes are widely variable. Please check with the manufacturer to ascertain which sample rates, word lengths and number of I/O channels are supported. You will
need this information later to appropriately configure the Pyramix software.
Time Code and Video Sync Option
The Pyramix Synchronization option provides SMPTE / EBU LTC and VITC time code in/out, video sync
in/out and word clock sync. A multi-pin circular mini-DIN connector, on the back plate of the Mykerinos
board carries all the system synchronization, time code and video sync signals. An optional break-out cable
is provided for connections to time code, sync and video I/O. The Synchronization option allows Pyramix to
be configured as a master or slave lock to external time code, video or word clock. It also enables VITC
and/or a visible time code burn-in window (BITC) to be added to video output/throughput.
Cabling Pyramix in your System Environment
Please read this in conjunction with the guide or guides for your specific interface daughter-cards and
external interfaces/converters.
Due to the number of possible I/O options and the variety of user environments it is impossible to cover all
the variations of cable connections to and from Pyramix. However, here are some general rules and examples:
Mykerinos Back-plate
3.5mm Mini-Phone Jack for analog monitor output
8-pin Mini-DIN for sync breakout cable
Area where I/O Daughter Card output connectors appear
Mykerinos Backplate
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Audio Connections
Many users will have A/D Converters for feeding analog audio sources into Pyramix, and D/A Converters
for playing analog audio out of Pyramix. In this case, connect your analog audio sources to the A/D Converter analog audio inputs, and the A/D digital audio output(s) to the Mykerinos digital audio input(s). Similarly, connect the Mykerinos digital audio output(s) to your D/A Converter digital audio input(s), and the D/A
Converter analog audio outputs to your studio monitors or recorders. It may be also be useful to connect
the stereo mini-phone output on the Mykerinos card to either stereo headphones or a stereo monitor console input. The source for this jack can be configured inside the Pyramix software.
Digital Audio Synchronization and TimeCode
THERE MUST BE ONLY ONE SOURCE OF SYNC FOR AUDIO AND TIMECODE
Digital audio relies on extremely accurate timing. In any digital audio system there can only be one source
of sync at one time. This is particularly important when planning multi-machine systems. If TimeCode is not
locked to the same sync source as the digital audio then either the audio will work properly, or the TimeCode. But NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
Ideally, in any system with more than one device, there will also be an independent source of sync. E.g. a
word-clock generator with multiple outputs. Each device is fed by a single output and configured to use this
source as its sync reference.
Sync, Video and Time Code Connections
In any digital audio system, it is VERY IMPORTANT all interconnected units are locked to the same sync
reference. A digital audio signal itself can sometimes be used as the master sync source, but a high stability video or wordclock signal is usually preferable.
The Mykerinos board can be configured inside the Pyramix software to act as either a sync master, or to
slave to a variety of incoming signals.
Decide which device in your system will provide the master sync reference, then ensure that all other digital
audio devices in your system take their synchronization from it. This will require routing appropriate cables
--whether digital audio, video or wordclock cables-- to the various other devices and may also involve a
separate sync reference generator and or distribution amplifiers.
If Pyramix is configured as the master (Internal sync), other digital audio devices will probably be able to
lock to the digital audio output from Pyramix. However, Pyramix can also be configured to output a wordclock signal at the Video output BNC connector (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
If Pyramix is configured as a slave to an external device, Various synchronization signals can be accepted.
• To lock to incoming digital audio, connect an appropriate digital audio signal to a Pyramix digital
audio input.
• To lock to incoming video, connect an appropriate video signal to the Pyramix Video Reference
input (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
• To lock to incoming wordclock, connect an appropriate master wordclock signal to the Pyramix
Video 2 Input (Pyramix Synchronization option required).
• To set the termination jumpers provided on the Mykerinos board, please see the Mykerinos User
Guide.
• Pyramix can either output or lock to incoming SMPTE / EBU TimeCode.
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• If a master LTC Time Code output from Pyramix is needed, cable the Pyramix LTC time code out
RCA jack or XLR to any other devices slaving to this output (Pyramix Synchronization option
required). Pyramix always generates time code when playing.
• To lock Pyramix to an incoming LT C time code signal, cable the LTC TimeCode output from the
TimeCode source to the Pyramix LTC input RCA jack or XLR (Pyramix Synchronization option
required).
• Pyramix can accept and generate VITC in standard PAL/NTSC formats. It can also provide BITC
(Burnt In TimeCode) on its video outputs.
MIDI Connections
To use Pyramix MIDI functionality with external equipment, you will require a MIDI interface. Many current
motherboards include an on-board MIDI interface. If yours does not, it is a simple matter to add one. This
can be either an internal PCI card or an external unit connected via a USB port or an RS232 serial COM
port.
Installing Pyramix Virtual Studio Software
Driver Signing
Important! Before attempting to install the Pyramix Virtual Studio software please check the following setting:
Start > Control Panel > System : Hardware
Click on the Hardware Tab, then click on Driver Signing. The Driver Signing Options dialog opens:
Make sure the middle option Warn is selected.
Driver Signing Options dialog
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Running the Installer
Pyramix Virtual Studio and Virtual Transport software is provided on a CD-ROM. You may also receive
software updates as a download from our ftp site. In either case, install the Pyramix and Virtual Transport
software by running the Virtual Transport and Pyramix Virtual Studio Installer programs.
Choose the default location to install the software unless you have good reason to do otherwise. You will
also be asked to a create folders for your media files and for CD Images (these can be changed later). If
you receive any error messages regarding the Microsoft Digital Signature, ignore these and continue on
with the installation by clicking ‘Yes’.
After installation, please reboot the PC.
Enabling Pyramix Virtual Studio with your Software Key
Pyramix Virtual Studio is protected by a special software Key. Once you have registered your software
you will be provided with this Key or Keys (depending on the chosen options).
Entering your Key(s)
After the Pyramix installation process you will be prompted to enter your Authorization Key. If you click
Yes the MT Security Settings dialog will be launched automatically, allowing the Key or Keys to be
entered immediately. If you choose not to enter your Key at this point you can do so later by choosing one
of the following procedures:
1. Double-click the file YourPersonalKeyXXXXX.mtk. This is attached to the email containing your
Key(s).
2. Open the MT Security Settings Control Panel
(Windows Task Bar Start > Control Panel > MT Security Settings),
click the Import Key button and browse for your Key file called
YourPersonalKeyXXXXX.mtk
3. Open the MT Security Settings Control Panel (as above), in the Registration section select the
board number corresponding to the serial number for your Keys or HASP Key for a dongle, click the
Enter Key button and type your User Name, Company Name and Key then click OK. Repeat this step
for each Keys listed in the email.
Changing or re-entering a Key
Should you need to subsequently change or re-enter a Key, follow the appropriate option above.
The key system is "smart". Only one key or set of keys is required regardless of the number of boards in a
system. Any card can hold this key set as the authorization is processed based on a "Logical OR" of all
keys present on any and all Mykerinos boards. Of course this Logical OR will only process keys with identical User Name and Company Name to the one entered in the key enabling window.
First launch
Important! After installation has been completed, please reboot the PC before attempting to
launch Pyramix Virtual Studio. Then open the VS3 control panel application.
Start > Programs > Pyramix > VS3 control panel
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The default Tab Pane is Configuration.
For Pyramix systems with a single Mykerinos board:
Leave all default selections as they are, making sure the On Bus checkbox for your Mykerinos card is
indeed checked then save and exit the VS3 control panel application.
For Pyramix systems with a multiboard configuration:
• Make sure there is a check mark in the On Bus boxes for each board installed.
• Check that the Application combo box is showing Pyramix. If not, select Pyramix from the list.
•Select XDTDM from the Buses Mode combo box
• Select which board is to provide an external Video/TC reference with the radio buttons next to the
board icons.
• For now, leave the default DSP Allocation settings as they are.
• When the VS3 Control Panel Do you want to save this board selection? dialog box appears,
click on OK
• the VS3 Control Panel will close
Double-click on the Pyramix Virtual Studio desktop icon to launch Pyramix.
Alternately, choose Start > Programs > Pyramix > Pyramix Virtual Studio.
The main User Manual is available from within Pyramix and may be accessed via the Help menu or by
pressing F1, or online at merging.com
VS3 Control Panel Configuration page
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Starting Pyramix Virtual Studio
By default the Installer will put Pyramix Virtual Studio into your Programs folder. It also places a Pyramix
shortcut icon on the Windows desktop.
The first time Pyramix Virtual Studio is launched, you will need to enter in your special Key to properly
enable the program (Please see: Enabling Pyramix Virtual Studio with your Software Key on
page 15). Upon program launch, you will see the main Pyramix Virtual Studio by Merging Technologies
window with its Toolbar at the top, and transport controls and status displays at the bottom.
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Pyramix User Interface
The Pyramix user interface has evolved into an extremely powerful tool for manipulating audio. Commands
and functions can be accessed from pull-down menus, pop-up menus, tab windows and keyboard shortcuts.
There are generally several ways of accessing any given function in Pyramix. This helps users to work in
the way they find most comfortable for the type of projects they are undertaking. It also means ‘Power
Users’ can develop highly efficient operating procedures.
It is perfectly possible to casually use Pyramix without discovering all of the many possibilities on offer.
However, by looking deeper, a far more rewarding experience awaits.
Mouse Modifier Keys
The range of possible actions resulting from a mouse click are massively extended by the use of Keyboard
Modifiers. These greatly aid productivity and are well worth learning. Please see: Appendix I Mouse
Modifier Keys on page 77
Context Menus
Right-clicking over objects on screen such as Clips, Mixer Strips and controls and Track Headers pops-up
menus with commands and options relevant to the object.
Keyboard Shortcuts
In particular we would encourage users to use keyboard shortcuts and preferably the standard Pyramix layout. Keyboard shortcuts can be fully customized and users of other workstations will discover we have also
provided familiar keyboard layouts to help them on their learning curve.
Macros
The Macro is another powerful feature of Pyramix. Macros are sequences of commands which can be
invoked by a single key or combination. Some macros are conditional. I.e their precise action depends on
variables in the project. A considerable library of pre-programmed macros is provided together with an editor which enables users to construct their own macros.
Pyramix Concepts
Project
A Project is the top level of organization. Projects are saved with the file extension .PMT. A Project con-
trols and keeps track of all the various elements you are assembling at a given time. A Project always con-
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tains a Mixer and a Composition, viewed on the Timeline, or as an Edit Decision List (EDL), plus
Libraries containing Master Clips, Compositions, Mixer settings, and Fade settings.
Mixer
The Mixer, is the nexus of the Virtual Studio. The Mixer routes all audio into and out of a Pyramix Project.
It also determines audio sample rates and synchronization. The user can configure the Mixer as appropriate, for the number and type of inputs strips and output busses needed for a Project. Without a properly
configured Mixer, no audio can be recorded, mixed, or monitored. The mixer has a number of pages,
accessed from the M A C R & O buttons at top-right of the Mixer window. The default Mix ! page resembles
a conventional hardware mixer and is the one we shall concentrate on in this guide. The other pages deal
with Routing, Automation, Configuration and Organization. Full details of these pages can be found in the
Pyramix User Manual.
Monitor
Pyramix features an extremely powerful monitoring module. This takes a feed from all output busses and
offers sophisticated control options. However, you do not have to use the Monitor and not doing so will save
DSP power. For this Quick Start Guide, we will simply use the main bus outputs for monitoring. For full
details of the Monitor, please see the Pyramix User Manual
Pyramix Virtual Studio Window
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Composition
A Composition is any number of Clips complete with edits and fades, level settings etc. placed on a Track
or tracks in a time relation to each other and to the Timeline.
Note: A Composition can contain other Compositions.
Timeline
The Timeline shows a graphic representation of the current Composition. and its location in relation to the
Playhead Cursor, In and Out Marker Cursors and various other Markers. All editing is undertaken in the
Timeline, EDL, Fade Editor and Trimmer windows.
EDL
The EDL (Edit Decision List), is a textual and numeric representation of the same information shown in
the Timeline and Fade Editor. Changes made here are reflected in the Timeline and vice-versa.
Media Files
These are the actual audio data files which can only be seen at the Windows level, e.g. in Windows
Explorer. In Pyramix, they are represented by Master Clips which reference the raw data files.
Master Clips
The concept of Master Clips is one of the keys to the power of Pyramix. An individual Master Clip is a set
of pointers that reference one or more Media Files.
Note that a single Master Clip references all Media Files in a multi-channel audio recording. E.g. a stereo
recording can have one or two Media Files, (depending on whether there is a tick in the One file per track
box in the Media Option section of the Record page of Settings > All Settings > Project.
When One file per track is checked, one invisible Media File is generated for each channel of a recording
but only one Master Clip. So.a stereo Master Clip references two invisible Media Files and a Multi-channel Master Clip references as many invisible Media Files as there are channels in the recording. check
box ‘One file per track’), but will only generate one Master Clip.
A Master Clip can be mono, stereo, four channels, six channels, 24 channels, in fact there is no limit to the
number of channels that can be contained within a Master Clip. When a Master Clip is placed into a Com-
position there is the option to place it where it was originally recorded.
Master Clips also contain attributes which identify parameters such as a File name, time code stamp and
other information.
Clips
The individual Clips shown on the Timeline contain pointers to Master Clips which in turn point to audio
Media Files.
Media Management - Housekeeping
The Windows hierarchical filing system can easily become confusing and cluttered. Complex audio projects
generate thousands of more or less enigmatically named files. Keeping track of all the files used in a
project can become a nightmare even if the user is meticulous.
Pyramix uses the concepts of Media Folders and Libraries to reduce the clutter and provides management
tools specifically designed for audio. This Media Management helps users to work in a structured and simple manner whilst keeping track of all the Project components.
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Media Drives and Folders
Media Drives or Media Folders are Windows folders which contain Media Files. Pyramix needs to specifically mount these Media Folders in order to access the Media Files contained therein. Once mounted,
suitable files are shown as Master Clips.
These can be auditioned, trimmed and dragged and dropped or copied and pasted directly into the Time-
line or into a User library from the Media Management Window.
Note: Master clips of any supported sample rate can be added in this way but will run at
the wrong speed if their sampling rate is not the same as the current project.
Libraries
Pyramix uses libraries to help make Project organization tidier. Libraries are used to organize project
material into logical groupings. However, Libraries are not the same as Windows directories or folders:
they are only meaningful within the Pyramix environment. A Library is a database, containing a collection
of pointers to different types of media object.
User Libraries
User Libraries can contain Master Clips, Compositions, Mixer Snapshots, Plug-in Snapshots, Fades
Settings, etc…. Each Project can have an unlimited number of User Libraries open, each with an unlim-
ited number and mixture of contents.
N.B. In Pyramix User Libraries, there is no practical distinction between a section of a Composition
(Region) and a complete Composition. Either can be added to a User Library or to an existing Composi-
Media Management Window with Trimmer
Document Library Window with Trimmer
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tion. This is an extremely powerful feature. A single Clip or part of a Clip copied to a User Library from the
Timeline appears there as a Composition.
Automation in libraries
If the menu item Edit > Enable Automation Cut/Copy/Paste is enabled then any operation on Clips (Cut/
Copy/Paste, Auto-Ripple, etc…) brings all automation data with it
If you drag a Clip(s) to a library, all automation over that Clip(s) is copied/pasted as well.
Global Libraries
Project Libraries are kept with the Project, Global Libraries are available to all projects and users of the
system. This can be helpful for sound effects or where several users need access to the same source
material to produce different end products.
Project Libraries
When a new Project is created two Project Libraries are also created.
Composition Library
Each Project has a unique, read-only Composition Library. This contains short-cuts to every Master Clip
placed on the Timeline (present in the EDL) in the current Project. Note that the Composition Library
may be empty, I.e. nothing is placed on the Timeline but the user library(s) may contain Master Clips and
Compositions which all form part of the Project.
Default Library
Each new Project also creates an empty User Library named ‘Default Library’. This is provided to aid
housekeeping and is kept with the project.
Offline / Reference Libraries
As the name implies Offline/Reference Libraries are useful for keeping track of very large projects and
material on media that may not be permanently on-line.
Offline or Reference Libraries behave like standard Pyramix Libraries and may be searched or filtered in
the same manner as others.
Offline libraries can be created in the Media Management Tab Window by selecting
Media Folder > Create Offline/Reference Library.
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A First Simple Project
This section provides a step-by-step guide to starting a simple new Project, recording and playing back
some audio and basic editing.
Note: This section is not intended as a substitute for the more detailed information to be
found elsewhere in this guide and in the Pyramix User Manual.
The following prior steps are assumed:
• Pyramix hardware and software installation has been completed.
• An audio source and means of monitoring have been connected to the physical I/O.
• The software has been registered, the registration key(s) entered and the initial settings entered in
the VS3 Control Panel.
Start Pyramix
Launch the Pyramix application Start > All Programs > Pyramix > Pyramix Virtual Studio or by double-
clicking the Pyramix Desktop Short-cut. The application will open with no Project loaded.
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Connect Physical I/O to Logical I/O
Open the Settings > All Settings > Hardware > XDTDM Routing (or HDTDM if you are using this mode)
> PCM I/O Routing page.
Click on Auto route. Physical I/O will be connected to Logical I/O in ascending, numerical order. For now,
accept the default routing by clicking on OK.
Open a New Project
Before any recording or playback can be undertaken you need somewhere to work so a Project must be
created with a suitable Mixer.
1. Launch Pyramix Virtual Studio
2. Choose Project > New.
Settings - HDTDM PCM I/O Routing Page
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3. The New Project WIzard - Choose a Project Type window will open.
4. The default is Editing Project which is the type we will use.
5. Choose a suitable sampling rate from the Sampling Rate drop-down list. (Use 44.1kHz if in doubt and
using an analogue input)
6. Choose a suitable bit-depth from the Resolution drop-down list. (Use 24 bit if in doubt)
New Project Wizard - Choose a Project Type dialog
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7. Click Next. The New Project WIzard - Setup a New Project Workspace dialog will open.
8. Click in the Setup a new Project Workspace box to tick it.
9. Type a name for the Project and either type a suitable path to the Project and Media Location or use
the ... button to open a Browse for Folder window. This works like a Windows Explorer window and
enables you to navigate to a suitable folder.
New Project Wizard - Setup a new Project Workspace dialog
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