PreSonus Capture 2.0 User Manual
Capture™ 2.0
Software Reference Manual
®
www.presonus.com
English
Capture™ 2.0 Reference Manual Addendum
Table of Contents
1 Getting Started — 1
1.1 Introduction — 1
1.2 Summary of Features — 2
1. 3 System Requirements — 2
1.4 Installation Instructions — 3
1.4.1 Mac OS X — 3
1.4.2 Windows — 4
2 Start Page — 5
2.1 Tagging and Organizing a Session — 5
2.2 Creating a Session — 6
2.2.1 Record Now! — 7
2.3 Open a Session — 7
3.6.6 Looping — 19
3.6.7 Bounce Selection — 20
3.7 Meter Bridge — 20
3.7.1 Record Arm — 20
3.7.2 Link Button. — 20
3.7.3 Big Meter Mode — 21
3.8 Markers and the Marker List — 21
3.8.1 The Marker Lane — 21
3.8.2 The Marker List — 21
3.8.3 Inserting, Naming, Deleting,
and Moving Markers — 22
3.8.4 Navigating Markers — 23
4 Recording a Session
in Capture — 24
4.1 Setting up your recording — 24
2.4 Audio Device and Sample Rate — 8
2.5 Options Menu — 8
2.5.1 Audio Options — 9
2.5.2 Timeline Sync Options — 9
2.5.3 File Handling Options — 10
2.6 About Capture 2.0 — 10
3 The Session Page — 11
3.1 Recording and Playback Routing — 11
3.2 Track Column — 12
3.3 Transport — 13
3.4 Time Display — 14
3.5 Timeline Ruler — 14
3.5.1 Zooming — 14
3.5.2 Scrolling — 15
3.5.3 Locate Selection — 15
3.6 Editing Tools — 15
3.6.1 Arrow Tool — 16
3.6.2 Range Tool — 18
5 Virtual Soundcheck — 25
5.1 Setting up your Virtual Soud Check — 25
6 Importing and Exporting
Audio Files — 27
6.1 Importing Audio Files into Capture — 27
6.2 Export Audio Files — 28
7 Mixing Your Capture Sessions — 30
7.1 Creating a Mix in Capture 2.0 — 30
7.2 Exporting Your Final Mix to an Audio File — 31
7.3 Mixing a Capture 2.0 Session in Studio
One — 31
7.4 Mixing a Capture 2.0 Session in a Different
Recording Application — 31
7.4.1 Save a Capture 2.0 Session as
OpenTL — 31
7.4.2 Import Capture 2.0 Session Audio Files
Directly — 32
8 Capture 2.0 Key Commands — 33
3.6.3 Split Tool — 18
3.6.4 Eraser Tool — 19
3.6.5 Common Editing Actions — 19
8.1 Quick Reference Guide — 33
1 Getting Started
1.1 Introduction
1 Getting Started
1.1 Introduction
Capture™ 2.0 Software
Reference Manual
PreSonus® Capture™ 2.0 is a multitrack digital-audio recording application designed
to make recording with StudioLive™ mixers quick and easy. With the look and feel of
a digital multitrack hard-disk recorder, it is instantly familiar. It uses the same highquality audio engine as PreSonus’ groundbreaking Studio One® DAW, and its Session
files can be opened directly in Studio One—no conversion or exporting required.
Capture 2.0 was designed exclusively for StudioLive-series mixers,
allowing instant setup and recording directly from the mixer, with
no configuration. Just launch Capture 2.0 and click Record Now. At
the end of the show, click Stop, save the file, and you’re done!
When used with the StudioLive 16.4.2 and 24.4.2, Capture 2.0 will record an
additional stereo track from any of the mixer’s buses that are accessible to the
Auxiliary Inputs router. More information about the Auxiliary Inputs router can
be found in Section 3.7.1 in the StudioLive Software Library Reference Manual.
In general, the features that make a DAW a powerful tool for audio production
and mixing in the studio are the very culprits that bog down a computer’s
performance and make for an unstable live-recording environment. Capture
2.0 simplifies this environment, providing only the tools necessary to record a
great performance, without placing huge demands on your CPU’s resources.
As with all of the StudioLive Software User Library, you should check the PreSonus
Web site for the latest version of Capture 2.0. You can download Capture 2.0
updates from your My PreSonus account once you have registered your StudioLive
hardware. For instructions on creating a My PreSonus account, please see
Section 7.1.4 (Step 3) in the StudioLive Software Library Reference Manual.
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1 Getting Started
1.2 Summary of Features
1.2 Summary of Features
• Multitrack recording application (unlimited input
channels plus stereo stream from StudioLive)
• NEW! One-click recording with Record Now button
• NEW! Prerecord captures audio up to a minute before you press Record
• NEW! Auto-Save
• NEW! Automatic session and file recovery if the power fails
• NEW! Sessions store metadata, enabling automatic session naming
• NEW! Soundcheck mode makes it simple to virtually
soundcheck using previously recorded material
• NEW! Session Lock feature prevents accidental keyboard access
• Essential editing suite (copy, cut, paste, splice, resize)
• NEW! Big Meter mode turns your monitor into a gigantic meter bridge
• NEW! Stereo Playback mode—use Capture with any computer soundcard
• Peak LED-style meter bridge with clip indicators
• Marker placement and recall
• NEW! Marker List with Quick Locate
• Export between markers
• Record stereo mix from StudioLive mixer
• Full transport control
• Import/export individual WAV, AIFF, or OpenTL
• Compatible with Mac® and Windows®
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Reference Manual
1. 3 System Requirements
Mac
• Mac® OS X 10.6.8 or later
• Intel® Core™ Duo processor (Intel Core 2 Duo or Core i3 or better recommended)
• 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended)
Windows
• Windows® 7 x64/x32 SP1 or Windows 8 x64/x86
• Intel Core Duo or AMD Athlon™ X2 processor (Intel Core 2
Duo or AMD Athlon X4 or better recommended)
• 2 GB RAM (4 GB or more recommended)
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1 Getting Started
1.4 Installation Instructions
Mac and Windows Systems
• IEEE 1394 FireWire 400 Port
• Internet connection (needed for activation)
• DVD-ROM drive
• Internal or external 7200 RPM storage drive highly recommended
• Monitor with 1024x768 resolution
Power User Tip: The speed of your processor, amount of RAM, and the size and
speed of your hard drive will greatly affect the overall performance of your recording
system. In addition, the maximum recording time supported by Capture 2.0 is
affected by the availability of RAM. It is therefore recommended that 64-bit systems
with 4 GB or more of RAM be used when recording uninterrupted for more than 10
hours. For slower systems, or for systems with the minimum requirement of RAM,
it is recommended that the recording be stopped and restarted every 6 hours.
1.4 Installation Instructions
1.4.1 Mac OS X
Installing Capture 2.0 on Mac OS X machines is as simple as drag-and-drop.
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Reference Manual
1. Double click on the Capture .dmg file.
2. Drag the Capture 2.0 icon to the Applications folder shortcut.
3. Once Capture has been copied to your hard drive, it is ready to use. Simply
open your Applications folder and double-click on the PreSonus Capture
2.0 icon.
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1 Getting Started
1.4 Installation Instructions
1.4.2 Windows
The Windows installer for Capture 2.0 was designed with easy to follow
onscreen instructions to make the installation process quick and simple.
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1. When you launch the Capture.exe file, a Welcome Screen will launch. If
you haven’t already done so, close all other open applications before
clicking “Next.”
2. Before Capture 2.0 can be installed on your computer, you must first
agree to the licensing terms. Click “I agree.”
3. By default, Capture 2.0 will install in the Program Files folder on your
computer. It is highly recommended that you do not change this
default location. Click “Install.”
4. Once Capture 2.0 has been successfully installed on your computer,
you can click “Finish” to exit the install wizard. You’re ready to start
recording!
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2 Start Page
2.1 Tagging and Organizing a Session
2 Start Page
You will be taken to the Start page when Capture 2.0 is launched. The
Start page allows you to create a new Session, open a Session stored
on your computer, view recent Sessions, and verify that your StudioLive
is properly communicating with its driver. In addition, you can begin
recording instantly by just clicking the Record Now button.
2.1 Tagging and Organizing a Session
At the top of the Start page, you will find the three Name Scheme
fields: Artist, Performance, and Location. By entering information into
each of these fields, your Session will be automatically named with this
information, in this order, and tagged with the same helpful metadata.
These tags also help to keep your files organized. Rather than throwing
every Session into a single folder, all tagged Sessions will automatically
be put into an organized folder hierarchy. By default, Capture 2.0
inserts the date of performance and creates subfolders. These options
can be changed in the Options menu, see Section 2.5.3 for details.
By default, the folder tree is Artist/Performance/Location. This structure
is useful for regularly gigging bands that want to archive performances
(e.g., Artist: PreSonus Allstars, Performance: Winter Tour 2013, Location:
Baton Rouge – Manship Theatre). However, Capture 2.0 doesn’t limit you
to this folder structure. You can change the folder hierarchy from the
Options menu. Here are other available Name Schemes:
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• Location/Artist/Performance. This Name Scheme is especially useful
for venue owners who are archiving the performances on their stage
(e.g., Location: Manship Theatre/PreSonus Allstars/Winter Tour 2013.
• Location/Performance/Artist. Use this Name Scheme when recording
an entire festival (e.g., PreSonuSphere/Stage 1/PreSonus Allstars).
As you archive your performances, Capture 2.0 stores a history of the
names you have entered into each field. To use a name again, simply
click on the pull-down menu for that field and select it from the list.
To clear the currently selected name from the list, select
Remove First from the pull-down menu.
To remove every name in the list, select Clear History. Once the history has been
cleared, it cannot be undone, so be certain before you choose this option.
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2.2 Creating a Session
2.2 Creating a Session
Below the Name Scheme fields, you will find the New Session button. Click on the
New Session button to create an empty Session.
Power User Tip: A Session is a Capture 2.0 file in which you record, arrange,
and edit your audio files. Session files should not be confused with audio
files. Think of a Capture 2.0 Session as you would a StudioLive Scene. It is a
snapshot of which audio files were recorded and how they were edited.
You can also create a new Session by doing one of the following:
If you have filled in the Name Scheme fields, your
new Session will launch automatically.
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• Navigate to File/New Session.
• Press [Ctrl]/[Cmd]+N on the keyboard.
If you have not filled in these fields, a setup menu will open.
• Session Title. This will be the title of your Session and will be the Session filename,
as well as the name of the new folder that contains all data related to your Session.
• Session Location. This is where new Sessions and all related data will be saved.
The Session location can be chosen each time you create a Session. By default,
the new Session location will be the Capture 2.0 folder in your Documents folder.
You can choose a different file location by clicking on the Browse button and
browsing to a new location. The last known save location will appear as the default
the next time you create a new Session.
Power User Tip: The Name Scheme fields have been added to Capture 2.0
to help keep your Sessions organized and to make your archived library
of live performances more easily searchable. Because of this, we highly
recommend that you always take a moment to fill in these fields.
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2 Start Page
2.3 Open a Session
2.2.1 Record Now!
2.3 Open a Session
Open Session Button
Recent Files List
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Clicking the Record Now button on the Start page will launch a new Session, arm all
tracks for recording, and begin recording immediately. If you do not have any of the
Name Scheme fields customized, your Session will be labeled with today’s date.
The Capture 2.0 Start page provides two different
ways to quickly open previous Sessions.
Clicking on the Open Session button will open a browser that will allow you to
browse for, and open, an existing Session.
Located below the Open Session button, you will find the Recent
Files list. This list includes links to the most recently opened
documents. Click on any of these links to quickly open the
Session.
Locate Missing Files
In the event that the Session you open is missing audio files, Capture
will help you find them. Use Session>Locate Missing Files to search
your computer for lost resources.
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2 Start Page
2.4 Audio Device and Sample Rate
2.4 Audio Device and Sample Rate
Capture 2.0 was created for use with PreSonus StudioLive-series mixers
and fully functions only with that device. The Audio Device menu displays
the currently selected audio driver. When a StudioLive is connected, you
should select “PreSonus FireStudio” from the Audio Device list.
If the currently selected audio device has exactly two outputs (as with the builtin audio card in a Mac), Capture goes into Stereo mode. While in Stereo mode,
Capture connects all tracks to the stereo output and adjusts the volume of the
output automatically to account for stereo summing. Stereo mode enables you
to listen to Sessions while away from your StudioLive. Unless the StudioLive’s
driver is selected, you cannot create a new Session or record new audio.
The Sample Rate menu displays the currently configured sample rate.
2.5 Options Menu
The Options button can be found just above the bottom of the Start page. This
launches the Options menu.
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This menu can also be accessed from Capture>Options.
It can also be accessed by clicking on the Options button on
the Session page.
The Options menu provides all the tools necessary
to configure your Session preferences.
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2 Start Page
2.5 Options Menu
2.5.1 Audio Options
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Audio Device. At the top of the Audio Options, you will find the Audio Device menu.
This is the same menu that is on the Start page. See Section 2.4 for information.
Device Block Size. This displays the buffer size. In general, the higher the
buffer size is set, the more stable your recording environment will be.
Sample Rate. The Sample Rate menu is also found on the
Start page. See Section 2.4 for information.
Record Format. The Record Format menu allows you to choose the bit-depth of the
recorded audio. You can select 16-bit WAV, 24-bit WAV, or 32-bit floating point WAV.
Power User Tip: The higher the bit-depth of your audio, the better its resolution, and
the bigger the resulting file size will be. In general, we recommend recording at 24-bit.
Pre-Record Buffer. Capture 2.0 allows you to set a Pre-Record buffer.
This buffer starts recording audio before your click the Record button so
you won’t miss the beginning of a performance. The Pre-Record buffer
time is user-selectable, between five seconds and one minute.
Power User Tip: The higher the Pre-Record buffer is set, the more RAM Capture 2.0
will require. For example, a 32-track recording with a Pre-Record buffer of 1 minute will
require approximately 800 MB more RAM than the same recording set with a buffer of
5 seconds. While this will not cause problems on modern systems that are equipped
with copious amounts of RAM, it is highly recommended that the Pre-Record buffer be
set as low as possible on systems with the minimum amount of required RAM (2 GB).
2.5.2 Timeline Sync Options
Timeline Sync Mode. Capture 2.0 features a Timeline Sync mode. This
allows you to align the timeline in your recording Session to the time of
day or to sync it to an external MIDI Time Code signal. This will also affect
the timestamp information, which is written into the audio files:
• No sync. The timeline will start at 0 and will display the length of
your recording (in minutes and seconds only). This option is useful
when you only want to track the length of your recording.
• Sync to computer time. The timeline ruler will start at the exact time of
day the recording began. This option is useful when recording multiple
performances over the course of a day (e.g., at a festival stage).
• Sync to MTC. Capture will align the timeline to incoming MIDI Time
Code. This option is useful when recording audio for a live video.
MIDI Time Code Input. To use the Sync to MTC option, you must provide Capture
with an input for the source time code. You can select that source from this menu.
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2 Start Page
2.6 About Capture 2.0
2.5.3 File Handling Options
As discussed in Section 2.1, Capture 2.0 provides an assortment
of useful tools to organize and label Capture Sessions.
Storage Location. By default, all Capture Sessions are stored in the Capture
subfolder in your Documents folder. You can set a new default location
by clicking on the “Change…” link. This will launch a browser window,
allowing you to find a new location for your Capture Sessions.
Name Scheme. Section 2.1 discusses the various options for
naming and organizing your files. This option enables you to
select the order in which your files are categorized.
Create Subfolders. Clicking the Create Subfolders options will create a folder for
each of the three naming conventions: Artist, Performance, and Location. If this box
is not checked, your Session and the resulting audio files will still be labeled using
these tags but a folder hierarchy will not be created. This box is enabled by default.
Add Date to Path. By default, Capture automatically adds the date of the Session
to the Session name. You can remove the date by unchecking this option.
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2.6 About Capture 2.0
At the bottom of the Start page, you can view information about
Capture 2.0, including your version-number build date.
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