Nero SoundTrax User Manual
Manual
Nero SoundTrax
Copyright and Trademark Information
This document, like the software described therein, is provided as a license and may only be used or reproduced in accordance with
the licensing agreement. The contents of this document, as well as the associated software, is subject to change without prior notice.
Nero AG rejects any responsibilit y for the correctness of the contents of this document and rejects any claims that transcend the
clauses of the guarantee agreement.
This document and all of its contents are protected by copyright and are the property of Nero AG. All rights reserved. In addition, this
document contains material that is protected by internationally valid copyright. This document may not be reproduced, transmitted, or
transcribed in whole or in part without the express written permission of Nero AG.
Please keep in mind that existing graphics, pictures, videos, music titles or other materials that you may wish to insert or transcribe
into projects may be protected by copyright. The unauthorized use of this type of material in your projects may violate the rights of
the owner of the copyright. Make sure that you obtain all necessary authorizations from the owner of the copyright.
Unless you own the copyright, have permission from the copyright owner or your actions fall under the "fair use" provisions of copyright law, you may be violating national or international copyright laws. The transcribing, duplication, modification or publication of
copyright-protected material may lead to claims for damages and the enforcement of other legal measures against you. If you are
unsure of your rights, you should contact your legal advisor.
Some Nero Multimedia Suite applications require technologies developed by third-party manufacturers and may be included in Nero
Multimedia Suite as demo versions. These applications can be activated online free of charge or b y sending an activation fax to have
unlimited use of the version. Nero will only transmit the data necessary for activation of the technology licensed from third parties.
For unlimited use of Nero Multimedia Suite, it is therefore necessary to have an Internet connection or a fax machine.
Copyright © 2010 Nero AG and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Nero, Nero BackItUp, Nero BackItUp & Burn, Nero BurningROM, Nero Digital, Nero DMA Manager, Nero Essentials, Nero Express,
Nero ImageDrive, Nero LiquidTV, Nero MediaHome, Nero Media Hub, Nero MediaStreaming, Nero Move it, Nero Music2Go, Nero
PhotoDesigner, Nero PhotoSnap, Nero Recode, Nero RescueAgent, Nero Simply Enjoy, Nero SmartDetect, Nero SmoothPlay, Nero
StartSmart, Nero Surround, Nero Vision, Nero Vision Xtra, Burn-At-Once, InCD, LayerMagic, Liquid Media, the SecurDisc logo, and
UltraBuffer are common law trademarks or registered trademarks of Nero AG.
Adobe, Acrobat, Acrobat Reader and Premiere are trademarks or registered trademarks of Adobe S ystems, Incorporated. AMD
Athlon, AMD Opteron, AMD Sempron, AMD Turion, ATI Catalyst and ATI Radeon are trademarks or registered trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. ATSC is a trademark of the Advanced Television Committee. ICQ is a registered trademark of AOL, LLC.
Apple, Apple TV, iTunes, iTunes Store, iPad, iPod, iPod touch, iPhone, iPhoto, FireW ire, and Mac are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Apple, Inc. ARM is a registered trademark of ARM, Ltd. AudibleRead y is a registered trademark of Audible, Inc. BenQ
is a trademark of the BenQ Corporation. Blu-ray Disc is a trademark of Blu-ray Disc Association. CyberLink is a registered trademark
of CyberLink Corp. DLNA is a registered trademark of Digital Living Network Alliance. DivX and DivX Certified are registered trademarks of DivX, Inc. Dolby, Pro Logic and the double-D symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories, Inc.
DTS and DTS Digital Surround are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc. DVB is a registered trademark of the DVB Project. Freescale
is a trademark of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. Google and YouTube are trademarks of Google, Inc. WinTV is a registered trademark of Hauppauge Computer Works, Inc. Intel, Intel XScale, Pentium and Core are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel
Corporation. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. Mem orex is a registered trademark of Memorex Products, Inc.
ActiveX, ActiveSync, DirectX, DirectShow, Internet Explorer, Microsoft, HDI, MSN, Outlook, Windows, Windows Mobile, Windows
NT, Windows Server, Windows Vista, Windows Media, Xbox, Xbox 360, Silverlight, the Silverlight logo, the Windows Vista start
button, and the W indows logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. My Space is a trademark of MySpace, Inc. NVIDIA, GeForce and ForceWare are trademarks or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation. Nokia is a registered
trademark of Nokia Corporation. CompactFlash is a registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation. Sony, Memory Stick, PlayStation,
PLAYSTATION and PSP are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. HDV is a trademark of Sony Corporation
and Victor Compan y of Japan, Limited (JVC). UPnP is a registered trademark of the UPnP Implementers Corporation. Labelflash is
a registered trademark of Yamaha Corporation.
The trademarks mentioned here are named for information purposes only. All trade names and trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
Nero AG, Im Stoeckmaedle 18, D-76307 Karlsbad, Germany
Nero SoundTrax
2
1
Start Successfully
5
1.1
About the Manual
5
1.2
About This Application
5
2
Starting the Program
6
2.1
Terminology
6
2.2
Configuration
7
2.2.1
Project Settings
7
2.2.2
Preferences
10
2.2.3
Device Settings
16
2.2.4
Audio Format Settings
17
3
User Interface
21
3.1
Templates
21
3.2
Surround Projects
21
3.3
Main Window
22
3.3.1
Menu Bar
23
3.3.2
Toolbar
23
3.3.3
Master Track Area
24
3.3.4
Assignable Effects Area
26
3.3.5
Tracks Area
26
3.3.6
Project Area
26
3.3.7
Track Display Area
27
3.4
Effect Chains
27
3.4.1
Plug-ins
28
3.4.2
Tools
28
3.4.3
Effects
28
3.4.4
Enhancement
30
3.5
Nero SoundBox
30
3.5.1
Beat Editor
32
3.5.2
Sequencer
33
3.5.3
Text II Speech
34
3.5.4
Ambience
34
3.6
Nero ScratchBox
35
3.6.1
Turntables
35
3.6.2
Mixing Console
36
3.6.3
Tools Area
37
4
Importing And Recording
39
4.1
Recording Audio
39
4.1.1
Recording Console
39
4.1.2
Recording Audio File
40
4.1.3
Recording From Record or Cassette
41
4.2
Importing an Audio CD
45
Table of contents
Table of contents
Nero SoundTrax
3
Table of contents
5
Editing Track
47
5.1
Inserting Clips
47
5.2
Adding Sections to a Track
47
5.3
Applying Crossfades
48
5.3.1
Creating Crossfade
49
5.3.2
Editing Crossfade Properties
49
5.4
Applying Effects and Enhancement Options
50
5.5
Creating a Nero ScratchBox Clip
51
5.6
Creating a Volume Curve
53
5.7
Changing the Surround Sound Distribution
53
5.8
Creating a Pan Curve
54
5.9
Creating an Effect Chain
55
5.10
Creating or Using an Effect Chain Template
55
5.11
Creating an Effect Group
56
5.12
Adding an Effect Group Curve to The Track
57
6
Exporting And Burning
58
6.1
Exporting a Project to an Audio File
58
6.2
Burning a Project to CD
58
7
Technical Information
60
7.1
System Requirements
60
7.2
Formats Supported
60
7.2.1
Audio Formats and Codecs
60
8
Glossary
61
9
Index
62
10
Contact
66
Nero SoundTrax
4
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:
Start Successfully
Indicates warnings, preconditions or instructions that have to be precisely followed.
1. Start …
Indicates additional information or advice.
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.
OK
Indicates text passages or buttons that appear in the program interface. They are shown in boldface.
(see…)
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 This Application
Nero SoundTrax is a professional application for the creation of Audio CDs. Instead of simply
compiling audio files into a playlist, you can now mix or change the contents of the audio
files. A number of wizards are available to help you copy your LP records or cassettes to
your computer in just a few steps. Thanks to the many templates, even demanding projects
involving 5.1. Surround or 7.1 Surround are no longer a problem: 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 Starting the Program
To start Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart, proceed as follows:
1. Click the Nero StartSmart icon.
The Nero StartSmart window is opened.
2. Click the button.
The list of Nero applications is displayed.
Starting the Program
3. Select the Nero SoundTrax entry in the selection list.
The Nero SoundTrax window is opened.
You have started Nero SoundTrax via Nero StartSmart.
Nero SoundTrax
Nero StartSmart window
6
2.1 Terminology
Summary
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 contain multiple clips in succession.
Each 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 ex-
porting 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, they only contain links to
the used audio file, as well as mix and effect settings.
Starting the Program
A project’s goal is to create an edited audio compilation consisting of multiple
tracks. These tracks in turn contain multiple clips in which audio is recorded in
multiple channels.
2.2 Configuration
You can configure Nero SoundTrax to suit your needs. For this purpose the Preferences,
Project Settings, Device Settings, and Audio Format Settings are available.
You can open the different setting windows via the Options entry in the menu bar.
2.2.1 Project Settings
In the Nero SoundTrax Project Settings window, audio and general settings such as project
titles and the name of the artists can be defined on various tabs. In addition, it is possible to
define the tempo and the beat of your music project.
You can open this window via the Options > Project Settings entry in the menu bar.
Nero SoundTrax
7
2.2.1.1 Audio Settings Tab
Starting the Program
Audio Settings tab
The following setting options are available on the Audio Settings tab:
Drop-down menu
Rendering sample rate
Specifies the
sampling rate. The sampling rate is the frequen-
cy with which a signal is scanned per time interval.
The default rate is 44100.
Drop-down menu
Rendering bit depth
Determines the
which a vibration will be captured.
bit depth. Bit depth indicates the precision with
The default setting is 16-bit (CD and DAT).
The Channels area specifies the number of channels available in the tracks area. The
following option buttons are available:
Stereo
5.1 Channel Surround
7.1 Channel Surround
2-channel. This entry is selected by default.
6-channel surround.
8-channel surround.
See also
Surround Projects → 21
Nero SoundTrax
8
2.2.1.2 General Tab
Starting the Program
The following setting options are available on the General tab:
Input field
Specifies the length of the project in minutes.
Project length
Input field
Specifies the title of the project.
Project title
Input field
Specifies the name of the artist.
Artist's name
Input area
Specifies comments for the project.
Notes
Check box
Adds a short stop between two audio clips in the same track.
Automatically add CD
track splits
General tab
Nero SoundTrax
9
2.2.1.3 Tempo And Meter Tab
Starting the Program
The following input fields are available on the Tempo and Meter tab:
Beats per minute
Beats per measure
2.2.2 Preferences
In the Nero SoundTrax Preferences window, you can define 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 defined.
You can open this window via the Options > Preferences entry in the menu bar.
Tempo and Meter tab
Specifies the tempo of the project, i.e. the beats per minute.
Specifies the beats per measure for the project.
Nero SoundTrax
10
2.2.2.1 General Tab
Starting the Program
The following setting options are available on the General tab:
Check box
Limit number of undo le-
Limits the number of steps that can be undone to the value
specified in the input field.
vels
Input field
Specifies the number of steps that can be undone.
Maximum number of undo
levels
Input field
Specifies the duration of the pause of new CD track splits.
Default duration of CD
track splits (in seconds)
Drop-down menu
Default export file format
Specifies the file format in which Nero SoundTrax will export
audio files in the default setting.
General tab
Nero SoundTrax
11
2.2.2.2 Save/Output Settings Tab
Starting the Program
Save/Output Settings tab
The following setting options are available on the Save/Output Settings tab:
Check box
Use dithering when converting to
Activates
noise shaping, which ensures higher audio
quality when converting.
lower bit depths
Drop-down menu
Noise shaping filter
Specifies the type of noise shaping.
IIR filter (2nd order): Infinite Duration Impulse Re-
sponse. Uses
IIR filter. IIR filters can provide an infi-
nitely long and continuous impulse response. In general they achieve a better subjective audio quality
FIR filters do, however they have higher levels of
than
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.
Uses FIR filters. FIR filters possess a pulse response
with guaranteed finite length. This entry is selected by
default.
Drop-down menu
Play surround audio as
Specifies how surround audio is played.
Multichannel audio (true surround sound): Plays
surround audio with all channels.
Nero SoundTrax
12
Stereo using Nero HeadPhone (Virtual Surround)
2.2.2.3 View Tab
Starting the Program
:
Plays surround audio filtered down as stereo, with a
virtual surround effect generated for headphones.
Stereo with Nero VirtualSpeakers (virtual surround): Plays surround audio filtered down as stereo,
whith a virtual sound effect generated for speakers.
The following check boxes are available on the View tab:
Automatically scale track heights
to fill the main window
Show path name in audio clips
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.
Nero SoundTrax
View tab
13
2.2.2.4 Folders Tab
Starting the Program
The following setting options are available on the Folders tab:
Input field
Temporary folder
Defines the folder in which temporary files are stored.
The folder should be located on a drive with enough
storage space.
Input field
Peak file folder
Specifies the folder in which peak files are stored.
Peak files are cache files that Nero uses to open Nero
SoundTrax audio files more quickly. The folder should
be located on a drive with enough storage space.
Input field
Specifies the My Music folder.
My Music folder
Button
Check box
Always start the File Open dialog
in the My Music folder
Opens a dialog box with which the folder can be selected for the respective files.
When opening the Open dialog box, the system will
always first show the folder that is specified in the My
Music folder input field.
Folders tab
Nero SoundTrax
14
2.2.2.5 VST Plug-ins Tab
Starting the Program
The following setting options are available on the VST Plug-ins tab:
Display area
Shows the currently installed VST plug-ins.
Installed VST Plug-ins
Button
Deletes the selected VST plug-in.
Delete
Button
Opens the Open dialog box. Installs a new VST plug-in.
Add Plug-in
Check box
Include sub folders
Button
Scan Folder
Searches for new VST plug-ins in the specified folder and sub
folders.
Opens the Open dialog box. Searches for new VST plug-ins in
the specified folder.
VST Plug-ins tab
Nero SoundTrax
15
2.2.2.6 DirectX Plug-ins Tab
Starting the Program
The following setting options are available on the DirectX Plug-ins tab:
Display area
Installed DirectX Plug-ins
Button
Disable Plug-in
Button
Scan DirectX Plug-ins
2.2.3 Device Settings
In the Device Settings window of Nero SoundTrax you can define settings for the audio
input and output.
You can open this window via the Options > Device Settings entry in the menu bar.
DirectX Plug-ins tab
Shows the currently installed DirectX Plug-ins.
Disables the marked DirectX Plug-in.
Carries out an intensive search for DirectX Plug-ins.
Nero SoundTrax
16
The following drop-down menu is available in the Audio Input area:
Starting the Program
Device Settings window
Device
Specifies the audio device for the audio input.
The following setting options are available in the Audio Output area:
Drop-down menu
Device
Input field
Latency
2.2.4 Audio Format Settings
In the Audio Format Settings window from Nero SoundTrax you can set various definitions
for decoders, encoders and converters on different tabs.
You can open this window via the Options > Audio Format Settings entry in the menu bar.
Specifies the audio device for the audio output.
Specifies the delay time of the sound card to convert an audio signal
from the input of the card to the output of the card.
Nero SoundTrax
17
2.2.4.1 Decoders Tab
Starting the Program
Decoders tab
The following setting options are available on the Decoders tab:
Display area
Shows the available decoders.
Decoder Plug-ins
Button
Configure
Opens a window where additional settings can be made for the
selected decoder.
This button is not available for all decoders.
Button
About
Opens the About window where information about the selected
decoder is displayed.
This button is not available for all decoders.
Button
Moves the decoder up one entry.
Move Up
Button
Moves the decoder down one entry.
Move Down
Button
Artist/Title Information
Source
Opens the Get Artist / Title Information window where you
can specify the source from which information relative to artist
and title will be read.
Nero SoundTrax
18
Loading...