Nero SoundTrax Instruction Manual
Manual
Nero SoundTrax
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Nero SoundTrax
Table of contents
1 5 Start Successfully
1.1
5 About the manual
1.2
5 About Nero SoundTrax
2
6 Launching the program
3
7 Terminology
8 User interface
4
4.1
8 Nero SoundTrax templates
4.2
9 Main Screen
10 Menu bar
4.2.1
10 Toolbar
4.2.2
11 Mastertrack area
4.2.3
12 Assignable Effects area
4.2.4
12 Tracks area
4.2.5
12 Track display area
4.2.6
4.3
13 Project area
Table of contents
5
14 Configuration
5.1
14 Project settings
14 Audio Settings tab
5.1.1
15 General tab
5.1.2
15 Tempo and beat tab
5.1.3
5.2
15 Program settings
15 General tab
5.2.1
16 Save/Output Settings tab
5.2.2
17 View tab
5.2.3
17 Folders tab
5.2.4
17 VST Plug-Ins tab
5.2.5
18 DirectX Plug-ins tab
5.2.6
5.3
18 Device settings
5.4
18 Audio Format Settings
19 Decoder tab
5.4.1
19 Encoder tab
5.4.2
19 Converter tab
5.4.3
6
21 Import and Recording Audio Files
6.1
21 Recording from record or cassette
6.2
24 Importing an Audio CD
6.3
25 Capture audio file
7
27 Working wth tracks
7.1
27 Edit the available track
30 Adding a volume curve to the track
7.1.1
30 Adding a pan curve to the track
7.1.2
31 Adding an effect group curve to the track
7.1.3
Nero SoundTrax III
7.2 32 Surround sound distribution
32 Changing the surround sound distribution
7.2.1
8
34 Effect chains
8.1
34 Plug-ins context menu
8.2
34 Toolbox context menu
8.3
35 Effects context menu
8.4
36 Enhancement context menu
8.5
36 Effect chains and effect groups
36 Editing an effect chain
8.5.1
37 Editing the effect chain template
8.5.2
38 Editing an effect group
8.5.3
9
39 Surround projects
10
40 Exporting
10.1
40 Export project in an audio file
10.2
40 Burning the project on an Audio CD
11
43 Nero SoundBox
11.1
43 Nero Soundbox main screen
43 General components
11.1.1
44 General settings
11.1.2
45 Beat editor area
11.1.3
45 Sequencer area
11.1.4
46 Bereich Text II Speech
11.1.5
47 Ambience area
11.1.6
11.2
47 Patterns
11.3
47 Inserting a SoundBox clip
Table of contents
12
48 Nero ScratchBox
12.1
48 Main screen - Nero ScratchBox
48 Turntables area
12.1.1
49 Peak file view
12.1.2
49 Mixing console area
12.1.3
50 File Selection
12.1.4
50 Tools area
12.1.5
12.2
51 Creating a ScratchBox clip
53 Scratch Editor
12.2.1
13
54 Technical Information
13.1
54 System requirements
13.2
54 Formats supported
54 Audio formats and codecs
13.2.1
14
55 Glossary
56 Index
15
16
59 Contact
Nero SoundTrax IV
1 Start Successfully
1.1 About the manual
This manual is intended for all users who want to learn how to use Nero SoundTrax. It is
process-based and explains how to achieve a specific objective on a step-by-step basis.
To make best use of this documentation, please note the following conventions:
Indicates warnings, preconditions or instructions that have to be precisely followed.
Indicates additional information or advice.
Start Successfully
1. Start …
OK
(see…)
[…]
The number at the beginning of a line indicates a prompt for action.
Carry out these actions in the order specified.
Indicates an intermediate result.
Indicates a result.
Indicates text passages or buttons that appear in the program inter-
face. They are shown in boldface.
Indicates references to other chapters. They are executed as links
and are shown in red and underlined.
Indicates keyboard shortcuts for entering commands.
1.2 About Nero SoundTrax
Nero SoundTrax is the professional application for the production of audio CDs. Instead of
simply compiling audio files into a playlist for a CD as before, you can now mix or change the
contents of the audio files. A number of wizards are provided to help you copy your records
or cassettes to your computer in just a few steps. Thanks to the many templates, even demanding projects are no longer a problem: 5.1. Surround, 7.1 Surround - simply select the
template and Nero SoundTrax opens along with the relevant tracks. In addition, the integrated Nero ScratchBox provides user-friendly functions for mixing and scratching.
Nero SoundTrax 5
2 Launching the program
To start Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart, proceed as follows:
1. Click the StartSmart icon.
The Nero StartSmart window opens.
2. Click the button.
The list of Nero applications appears.
Launching the program
3. Select the Nero SoundTrax entry in the selection list.
4. The Nero SoundTrax window opens.
You have launched Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart.
Nero StartSmart window
Nero SoundTrax 6
3 Terminology
The following terms are specific to Nero SoundTrax:
Clip refers to a single audio file.
Track refers to a single audio track. A track can co
track has its own settings for volume and effects.
Channel refers to audio information that is contained in a clip, e.g. the left and the right
channel.
Project refers to the process of adding existing audio files, editing these files, and export
ing them as a finished audio file. A project can be saved with all changes made in a project file, and it can be re-opened later. The project file has the extension *.npf (Nero project file). Project files themselves do not contain audio files, rathe
to the audio files used, as well as mix and effect settings.
In summary: A project has as its goal an edited audio compilation consisting of multiple
tracks. The
channels.
se tracks in turn contain multiple clips in which audio is recorded in multiple
Terminology
ntain multiple clips in succession. Each
-
r they only contain links
Nero SoundTrax 7
4 User interface
4.1 Nero SoundTrax templates
When starting Nero SoundTrax, a window opens where you can select project templates.
User interface
The following selection options are available:
Menu icon
Templates
Menu icon
User templates
Menu icon
Wizards
Menu icon
Recently used files
Menu icon
Open existing
project
See also:
Surround projects 39
Recording from record or cassette 21
Offers templates for frequently used projects such as CD mix, stereo, and surround projects.
Offers user-created templates for projects.
Opens wizards for recording a recor d or cassette (see Recording
from a record or cassette 21).
Shows recently used files.
Opens the Open dialog box that offers access to an e
Selecting Nero SoundTrax tasks
xisting project.
Nero SoundTrax 8
4.2 Main Screen
The main screen appears when Nero SoundTrax is started. The main screen is divided into
the following sections:
User interface
Main screen with inserted audio file
Menu bar and toolbar (1)
Master track settings (2)
Assignable effects
Tracks (4)
Track display (5)
Project (6)
The main
See also:
Menu bar 10
Toolbar 10
Mastertrack area
Assignable Effects area
Tracks area 12
Track display area 12
Project area 13
screen is
(3)
the starting point for all tasks that can be carried out with .
11
12
Nero SoundTrax 9
4.2.1 Menu bar
The menu bar offers the following setting possibilities:
User interface
Menu
File
Menu
Edit
Menu
View
Menu
Insert
Menu
Audio
Menu
Tracks
Opens the File menu, containing file functions such as opening, saving, and
sing that you are already familiar with from Windows. In addition tem-
clo
plates can be inserted and called up and CD tracks and the tracks created in
Nero SoundTrax can be exported as audio files.
Opens the Edit menu, containing editing functions for the files in the selection screen such as cutting, copying, and deleting that you are already familiar with from Windows. In addition you can chain the notes of the tracks created in Nero SoundTrax.
Opens the View menu offering the possibility of individually adjusting the
menu bar and toolbar, and enlarging or reducing the view of the project. In
addition, you can change the time format of the project.
Opens the Insert menu that offers the possibility of inserting audio files, audio loops, SoundBox and ScratchBox clips in tracks that have been created
in Nero SoundTrax. In addition you can import tracks from audio CDs, generate an automatic LFE track, add effects in effect chains and create assignable effect groups.
Opens the Audio menu that offers the possibility of recording, importing,
and playing audio files.
Opens the Tracks menu that offers the possibility of inserting and deleting
tracks. You can also add different effect curves to a track and change the
track properties.
Menu
Tools
Menu
Options
Menu
Help
4.2.2 Toolbar
The toolbar offers the following setting possibilities:
Creates a new project.
Opens an existing project.
Saves the project.
Opens the Toolbox menu that offers the possibility of burning a CD, open-
ing other Nero applications and selecting wizards to record analog audio
tracks.
Opens the Options menu that offers the possibility of specifying general and
special settings for the project, for the connected devices, and for the audio
format.
Opens the Help menu that offers the possibility of calling up online help and
viewing the version number and other registration data.
Nero SoundTrax 10
User interface
Cuts out the selected section and saves it on the clipboard
Copies the selected section and saves it on the clipboard
Pastes the contents of the clipboard at the selected point.
Deletes the selected clips.
Undoes the last action.
Restores the last action that you have undone.
Zooms into the project.
Zooms out of the project.
Zooms into the project so that the selected section is displayed in a manner that fills
the screen.
Zooms out of the project in such a manner that the entire project is displayed.
Inserts a new track after the selected track.
Opens the Open dialog box and inserts an audio file at the point selected.
Burns the project to CD.
This button is only available if the project contains at least one clip.
Opens the selected clip for editing.
If the clip is an audio file, then Nero WaveEditor will be opened. If the clip is a
SoundBox or ScratchBox clip, then the respective application will open.
This button is only available if a clip is selected.
Aligns the selected clips at the same start position; the start position that is furthest
to the left will be used.
This button is only available if multiple clips are selected.
4.2.3 Mastertrack area
The Mastertrack area is where settings that apply for all tracks that are inserted into the project are made.
The Master track area offers the following possibilities for settings and buttons:
Shows distribution of the surround sound.
Adjusts the volume of all tracks in the project.
Nero SoundTrax 11
User interface
Opens the Effect Chain Editor - Master window. This is where you can
cre
ate an effect chain that can be assigned to all tracks.
Opens the Project settings window.
4.2.4 Assignable Effects area
In the Assignable Effects area you can create effect chains that can later be assigned to
specific tracks.
The following setting can be carried out in the Assignable Effects area:
Opens the Assignable Effect Groups window. Here you can create and edit the
effect gro
ups.
4.2.5 Tracks area
The Tracks area is where the inserted tracks are shown. Track set tings can also be edited
here.
The following settings can be made in the Tracks area:
Changes the surround sound, i.e. volume distribution on the various channels/speakers.
Adjusts the volume of the track.
Visualizes the volume level.
/
Start/stops track playback.
Opens the Effect Chain Editor - Track window. This is where you can
cre
ate and edit an effect chain for the track.
Opens the Track Settings window. Here you can edit the track settings.
4.2.6 Track display area
The Track display area is where the channel frequencies of the inserted audio clips are displayed. The audio clips are displayed individually and in different colors.
Open the context menu by clicking with the right mouse button within the track display.
Nero SoundTrax 12
Clicking on an audio clip opens the Clip context menu. Here you can delete, select, copy,
and cut clip
Clicking on the Track opens the Track context menu. Here you can insert clips of various
types, delete,
fects and effect chains, track splits, CD indices and labels.
s. In addition, you can open clips in , select the output channels, and group clips.
4.3 Project area
The Project area is divided into the frequency area and the toolbar.
In the frequency section the frequencies
piction of the project can be altered with the aid of the red markings.
The following buttons are available:
User interface
copy, and deactivate them. In addition, you have the possibility of inserting ef-
of all tracks are displayed in overlay. Here the de-
Opens the Recording Settings dialog box. Records a clip.
Plays the project back from the point where the cursor is located.
Plays back the project from the beginning.
Plays back the project or the selected section in an endless loop.
Pauses playback of the project.
Stops playback.
Sets the cursor at the beginning of the project.
Moves the cursor back quickly.
Moves the cursor forward quickly.
Sets the cursor at the end of the project.
Adjusts the volume.
Specifies the tempo in the BMP unit.
Nero SoundTrax 13
5 Configuration
You can configure Nero SoundTrax to suit your needs. And for this purpose the following adjustable areas are available to you.
Project settings
General settings
Device settings
Audio Fo
See also:
Project settings 14
Program settings 15
Device settings 18
Audio Format Settings 18
rmat Settings
Configuration
5.1 Proje
5.1.1
ct settings
In the Nero SoundTrax project settings, audio and general settings such as project titles and
the name of the artists can be made on various tabs. In addition it is possi
tempo and the beat of your music project.
You reach this window via Options > Project Settings in the menu bar.
Audio Settings tab
T tab off
he Audio Settings ers the following setting options:
. The scan rate is the frequency that
e interval. a signal is scanned per tim
d DAT). The default setting is 16-bit (CD an
: 8-channel surround (see Surround pro-
dering Sample Ra-
Ren
te
Drop-down menu
Rendering Bit Depth
Option button
Channels
Specifies the sampling rateDrop-down menu
The default rate is 44100.
Determines the bit depth. Bit depth indicates the pre
which a vibration will be captured.
Specifies the number of channels.
Stereo: This entry is selected by default.
5.1 Channel Surround: 6-channel surround.
7.1 Channel Surround
jects 39).
ble to define the
cision with
See also:
Surround projects 39
Nero SoundTrax 14
5.1.2 General tab
The General tab offers the following setting options:
Configuration
Input field
Project length
Input field
Project title
Input field
Artist's name
Input area
Comments
Check box
Automatically add CD
track splits
5.1.3 Tempo and beat tab
The Tempo and Meter tab offers the following setting options:
Input field
ts per minute
Bea
Input field
Beats per measure
Specifies the tempo of the project, i.e. the beats per minute.
Specifies the beats per measure for the project.
Specifies the length of the project in minutes.
Specifies the title of the project.
Specifies the name of the artist.
Specifies comments for the project.
Adds a short stop between two audio clips in the same track.
5.2 Program settings
In the Nero SoundTrax program settings, it is possible to make output and saving settings as
well as determine aspects of display and plug-ins on various tabs. In addition general settings such as a standard export file format and folder in which the music files are saved can
be made.
You reach this window via the Options > Settings menu.
5.2.1 General tab
The General tab offers the following setting options:
Input field
Maximum number of undo
levels
Limits the number of steps that can be undone to the specified value.
Nero SoundTrax 15
Configuration
Input field
Default duration of CD
track splits
Drop-down menu
Default export file format
5.2.2 Save/Output Settings tab
The Save/Output Settings tab offers the following setting possibilities:
Check box
Use noise shaping when converting to lower bit depths
Drop-down menu
Noise Shaping Filter
.
Specifies the duration of the pause of new CD track splits.
Specifies the file format in which Nero SoundTrax will export audio files in the default setting.
Activates noise shaping
quality when converting.
Specifies the type of noise shaping.
IIR filter (2nd order): Infinite Duration Impulse Re-
nse. Uses IIR filter
spo
nitely long and continuous impulse response. In general they achieve a better subjective audio quality
than FIR filters
of interference energy outside of the audible range.
Second order means that sound is attenuated by 12
dB.
FIR filter (3 taps): Finite Impulse Response filter.
es FIR filters. FIR filters possess a pulse response
Us
with guaranteed finite length.
This entry is selected by default.
do, however they have higher levels
, which ensures higher audio
. IIR filters can provide an infi-
Drop-down menu
Play surround audio as
Specifies how surround audio is played back.
Multichannel audio (true surround sound): Plays
back surrou
Stereo using Nero HeadPhone (Virtual Surround):
Plays back surroun
with a virtual surround effect generated for headphones.
Stereo with Nero VirtualSpeakers (virtual surround): Plays surround audio filtered down as ste-
reo, wh
speakers.
Nero SoundTrax 16
nd audio with all channels.
d audio filtered down as stereo,
ereby a virtual sound effect is generated for
5.2.3 View tab
The View tab offers the following setting options:
Configuration
Check box
Automatically scale track
heights to fill the main window
Check box
Show path name in audio clips
5.2.4 Folders tab
The Folders tab offers the following setting options:
Input field
Temporary
Input field
Peak file folder
Input field
"My Music" folder
folder
Automatically enlarges the display of the track so
that its height fills the main window.
Shows the clip path in the track display in addition to
the file name.
Defines the folder in which temporary files are stored. The folder should be located on a drive with
plenty of storage space.
Specifies the folder where peak files are stored.
Peak files are cache files that Nero uses to more
quickly open Nero SoundTrax audio files. The folder
should be located on a drive with ample storage
space.
Specifies the My Music folder.
Opens a dialog box where the folder can be selected
for the respective files.
Check box
Always start the File Open dialog in the "My Music" folder.
5.2.5 VST Plug-Ins tab
The VST Plug-Ins tab offers the following setting possibilities:
Display area
Installed VST Plug-ins
Button
Delete
Button
Add Plug-in
When calling the Open dialog box, the system will
s first show the folder that is specified in the My
alway
Music folder text box.
Shows the currently installed VST plug-ins.
Deletes the selected VST plug-in
Opens the Open dialog box. Installs a new VST plug-in
Nero SoundTrax 17
Configuration
Button
Scan folder
5.2.6 DirectX Plug-ins tab
The DirectX Plug-ins tabThe following settings can be made:
Display area
Installed DirectX Plug-ins
Button
Disable Plug-in
Button
Scan DirectX Plug-ins
5.3 Device settings
In the device settings of Nero SoundTrax it is possible to make determinations for the audio
input and output.
You reach this window via Options > Device Settings in the menu bar.
The followi
ng settings can be made in the Device Settings window.
Opens the Open dialog box. Searches for new VST plug-ins
in the specified folder.
Shows the currently installed DirectX plug-ins
Disables the marked DirectX Plug-in
Carries out an intensive search for DirectX Plug-ins.
Audio input area:
rop-down me-
D
nu
Device
Audio output area:
Drop-down menu
Device
Input field
Latency
Specifies the audio device for the audio input.
Specifies the audio device for the audio output.
Specifies the delay time of the sound card, in order to convert an audio
signal from the input of the card to the output of the card.
5.4 Audio Format Settings
In the audio format settings from Nero SoundTrax it is possible to undertake various definitions for decoder, encoder and converters on different tabs.
You reach this window via the menu Options > Audio Format Settings in the menu bar.
Nero SoundTrax 18
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