Steinberg Wavelab - 8.0 Operation Manual

Operation Manual

Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Sabine Pfeifer, Benjamin Schütte

This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one copy of this document for their personal use.

All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.

Release Date: June 18, 2013

8 Introduction

8 The Help System 9 About the Program Versions 10 Typographical Conventions 10 How You Can Reach Us

11 Setting Up Your System

11 Connecting Audio 11 About Audio Cards and Background

Playback

12 About Latency 12 Defining VST Audio Connections 16 CD/DVD Recorders 16 Remote Devices

29 WaveLab Concepts

29 General Editing Rules 30 Startup Screen 31 Basic Window Handling 34 Selecting Audio 42 Sliders 43 Renaming Items in Tables 43 File Browser 45 Tab Groups 46 Peak Files 47 Companion Files 48 EBU Loudness Standard R-128

50 Program Overview

50 Command Bars 51 Status Bar 53 Context Menus 54 Time Ruler and Level Ruler 61 Value Editing 61 Drag Operations 64 Undoing and Redoing 66 Zooming 73 Managing Tabs 75 Presets 77 Saving a Picture of the Active Window 78 Log Window

80 File Operations

80 List of All Open Files Throughout the

Application Dialog

81 Recently Used Files 83 Favorite Files 85 Save and Save As 88 Templates 92 File Renaming 93 Deleting Files 94 Special Menu 95 Temporary Files 95 Work Folders vs. Document Folders 98 Uploading to SoundCloud 98 Copying Audio Information to the

Clipboard

99 Setting the Focus on the Current File

100 About Workspaces

101 Elements of a Workspace 101 Audio Files Workspace 102 Audio Montage Workspace 102 Batch Processors Workspace 102 Podcast Workspace 103 Control Window 104 Creating an Empty Workspace 104 New Workspace Dialog 105 Opening Files in a Workspace 106 Organizing Workspace Windows 106 Saving a Workspace Layout 107 About Tool Windows

112 Playback

112 Transport Bar 129 Playing Back Only One Channel 129 Starting Playback From the Ruler 130 Using the Play Tool 130 Playback Scrubbing 132 Timecode Window 133 Jog/Shuttle Function 134 Scroll During Playback 135 About Playback in the Audio Montage

Workspace

136 Speaker Configuration

139 Audio File Editing

139 Wave Window 150 File Handling in the Audio Files

Workspace

174 Changing the Audio Properties 176 Meta-Data 183 Silence Generator Dialog 186 Waveform Restoration with the Pen Tool

187 Audio Analysis

187 Error Detection and Correction 195 Global Analysis 206 Audio File Comparator 208 3D Frequency Analysis

211 Offline Processing

211 Applying Processing 212 Gain Dialog 212 Normalize Level Dialog 213 Loudness Normalizer 216 Pan Normalizer Dialog 217 Envelope Dialog 219 Fades in Audio Files 220 Crossfades 221 Inverting the Audio Phase 222 Reversing Audio 222 DC Offset 223 Time Stretching 225 Pitch Shift 228 Pitch Quantize Dialog 229 Pitch Bend 232 Resample 233 Effect Morphing

236 Audio Montage

236 Basic Terminology 237 Montage Window 240 Signal Flow in the Audio Montage 241 Creating a New Audio Montage 243 Creating an Audio Montage from an

Audio File

243 Import Options for Audio Montages 245 Missing Files in Audio Montage Dialog 246 Assembling the Audio Montage 259 Rearranging Clips 267 Clip Editing 299 Audio Montages Within Audio

Montages

305 Managing Source Files of Clips 311 Track Activity Indicator 311 Envelopes for Clips 323 Fades and Crossfades in the Audio

Montage

335 Clip Time Stretching 336 Clip Pitch Shifting 337 Effects for Tracks, Clips, and the Master

Output

353 About the CD Window 363 About Cloning Audio Montages 368 Snapshots 370 Mixing Down - The Render Function 372 Loudness Meta Normalizer 375 Navigator Window 376 Notes Window 376 About Groups 379 Backing Up Audio Montages 380 Multichannel Operations in the Audio

Montage

394 XML Export and Import of Audio

Montages

394 AES-31 Files Export and Import

398 Recording

398 Setting Up the Recording Dialog 399 Dropping Markers During Recording 400 Recording Dialog 408 Recording in the Audio Montage

Workspace

409 Master Section

410 Master Section Window 423 Rendering 430 Record From an ASIO Input 431 Smart Bypass 434 Saving a Master Section Preset 439 About Monitoring Background Tasks 441 About Dropouts

442 Markers

443 Marker Types 444 Markers Window 448 About Creating Markers 454 Deleting Markers 457 Moving Markers 457 Moving Multiple Markers 459 Navigating to Markers 459 Hiding Markers of a Certain Type 459 Converting Marker Types 461 Renaming Markers 462 About Selecting Markers 463 Selecting the Audio Between Markers 463 Binding Markers to Clips in the Audio

Montage

464 Exporting the Markers List as Text 465 How Marker Information is Stored

466 Metering

466 Metering Window 466 Real Time vs. Non-Real Time 467 Metering Monitor Modes 468 About Meter Settings 468 Multichannel Metering 469 Resetting the Meters 469 Using Presets in the Meter Windows 470 Level Meter 474 Loudness Meter 478 Phasescope 480 Spectroscope 481 Spectrometer 484 Bit Meter 486 Oscilloscope 487 Wavescope

488 Basic Audio CD

489 Basic Audio CD Window 492 About CD Markers 493 Preparing a Basic Audio CD 495 Opening CD Tracks for Editing 496 About Playing Back Files in the Track

List

497 Saving Basic Audio CD Tracks as

Separate Files

498 Saving Basic Audio CD Tracks as One

File

499 DVD-Audio

500 Structure of a DVD-Audio Project 500 DVD-Audio Formats 500 DVD-Audio Format Considerations 501 DVD-Audio Window 504 Preparing a DVD-Audio 506 Opening Audio Montages for Editing 506 Checking the DVD-Audio Conformity

507 Writing Operations

507 Write Audio CD or DDP Dialog 510 Erase Optical Media Dialog 511 About Writing Audio Files 514 About Writing Audio Montages 530 Write DVD-Audio Function 535 Data CD/DVD Projects 539 About Audio CD Formats

543 Spectrum Editing

544 Spectrum Display 545 Surgical Processing 548 Master Section Processing 549 Spectrum Editor Window 556 Defining a Region for Spectrum Editing 557 Processing Frequency Ranges via the

Master Section

558 Auto Split

558 Auto Split in Audio Files 562 Auto Split in Audio Montages

565 Loops

565 Basic Looping 566 About Refining Loops 576 About Looping Seemingly Unloopable

Audio

579 About Sample Attributes

581 Generating Signals

581 Signal Generator 585 DTMF Generator

588 Importing Audio CD Tracks

589 Import Audio CD Dialog 593 Importing Audio CD Tracks 594 Searching Track Names on the internet 594 About Ultra-Safe Mode 594 Converting Audio CD Tracks to an

Audio Montage

595 Converting Audio CD Tracks to a Basic

Audio CD

596 Batch Processing

597 Advantages of the WaveLab Batch

Processor

598 Batch Processing Meta-data 598 Overview of the Batch Processors

Workspace

604 About Off-Line Processors 606 Opening the Batch Processors

Workspace

607 Creating a Batch Process Document 607 Saving a Batch Process Document 608 Adding Files to a Batch Process 610 Custom Plug-in Chain vs. Associated

Master Section Preset

611 Adding Plug-ins to the Batch Process 612 Removing Files and Plug-ins from the

Batch Process

612 Changing the Order of the Plug-ins in

the Batch Process

613 Previewing the Effect of the Batch

Process

613 About Processing Open Files 614 Selecting an Output Format for the

Batch Process

614 Setting Up a File Location for the Batch

Process

615 Specifying an Overwriting Strategy 615 Naming Rendered Audio Files 616 Running and Stopping the Batch

Process

616 Batch Processing Status Icons 617 About Multitasking During the Batch

Process

619 Batch Conversion

619 Batch Conversion Dialog 620 Batch Converting Files

621 Batch Renaming

621 Batch Renaming Dialogs 622 Batch Renaming Files 623 Batch Renaming Markers 625 Batch Renaming Clips 626 Renaming Operation Categories and

Types

632 List of Renaming Operations 632 Preview Section 633 Range Parameters 635 Previewing and Performing All

Renaming Operations

635 About Regular Expressions

640 Podcasts

641 Podcast Workspace 646 Global Podcast Options 646 Creating a Podcast 647 Setting Up a FTP for Podcast Publishing 647 Publishing a Podcast 648 FTP Site Dialog 649 Checking the Podcast

650 Master Projects

650 Setting Up a Master Project 651 Saving a Master Project 651 Writing Files of a Master Project to Data

CD/DVD

652 Master Project Window

654 Customizing

654 Window Layout 660 Customizing the Wave Window and the

Montage Window

669 About Customizing Shortcuts 676 Plug-ins Organization 685 Variables and Text Snippets 687 About Scripting

710 Configuring the Software

710 About Global Preferences 720 Audio File Editing Preferences Dialog 725 Audio Montage Preferences Dialog 729 Settings Management 729 Multi-User Settings 730 About External Tools

734 Plug-in Reference

734 Built-in Plug-ins 739 Steinberg VST 3 Plug-ins 800 Sonnox Restoration Toolkit 809 Legacy Plug-ins 809 Dithering Plug-ins 812 ASIO Plug-ins 815 Batch Processing Plug-ins

825 Index

The Help System

The detailed help system of WaveLab makes it easy to look up interface features and get information from within the program.

Three main types of help are available:

• The help provides detailed information on the features and functionality of WaveLab. You can set bookmarks, and use the search function and index to quickly find information.

Introduction

• “What’s This” tooltips give detailed information on the functionality of a specific user interface element.

• The status bar at the bottom of each workspace window gives detailed information on menu items when moving the mouse over an item.

• In the Audio Montage workspace, the status bar shows what kind of editing can be performed when using the mouse and modifier keys.

Accessing the Help System

There are several ways of accessing the help system.

• To open the WaveLab help, select Help > Contents.

• To open the manual in PDF format, browse to the installation folder. The documents are located in the Documentation folder.

• To show tooltips, move the mouse over an interface icon.

• To open the help for the active dialog, click the question mark icon on the title bar (Windows) or in the dialog (Mac OS) to show the Help button, and then click the Help button, or press [F1] (Windows) or [Command]-[?] (Mac OS).

Introduction

About the Program Versions

• To use the menu help, move the mouse over a menu item. The help text is displayed on the status bar at the bottom of the workspace window.

• To see information on what kind of editing can be performed when using the mouse and modifier keys in the audio montage window, move the mouse over the montage window. The help text is displayed on the status bar at the bottom of the workspace window.

• To activate/deactivate the help texts on the status bar, select

Options (WaveLab menu on Mac) > Global preferences > Display tab, and in the Workspaces section, select Display status bar.

To open the “What’s This” help, you have the following possibilities:

• In any workspace, press [Shift]-[F1], and move the mouse over an interface item, or select Help > What is this?.

• In a dialog, select the question mark icon on any title bar (Windows) or in the dialog (Mac OS), and move the mouse over an interface item or a menu option.

• Some “What’s this” tooltips have a different background color to indicate that a dedicated help topic is available in the WaveLab help. Click the link in the tooltip to open the corresponding information in the help.

About the Program Versions

The documentation covers two different operating systems, Windows and Mac OS X. Some features and settings are specific to one of the operation systems.

This is clearly stated in the applicable cases. If nothing else is said, all descriptions and procedures in the documentation are valid for all WaveLab versions for both Windows and Mac OS X.

The screenshots are taken from the English Windows version of WaveLab.

Introduction

NOTE

Typographical Conventions

Many of the default key commands in WaveLab use modifier keys, some of which are different depending on the operating system. For example, the default key command for Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] on Windows and [Command]-[Z] on Mac OS X.

When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are shown with the Windows modifier key first, in the following way:

• [Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]

For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl] on Windows or [Command] on Mac OS X, then press [Z]”.

Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] on Windows or [Option] on Mac OS X, then press [X]”.

This manual often refers to right-clicking, for example, to open context menus. If you are using a Mac with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and click.

How You Can Reach Us

On the Help menu in WaveLab, you find items linking to additional information.

The menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Selecting a menu item automatically launches your browser and opens the page. On these pages, you can find support and compatibility information, answers to frequently asked questions, information about updates and other Steinberg products, etc. This requires that you have a web browser installed on your computer, and a working internet connection.

Setting Up Your System

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

Before you start working, you need to make some settings.

Make sure that all equipment is turned off before making any connections.

Connecting Audio

Your system setup depends on many different factors, for example, the kind of project that you want to create, the external equipment that you want to use, or the computer hardware available to you.

About Audio Cards and Background Playback

When you activate playback or recording in WaveLab, other applications cannot access the audio card. Likewise, if another application uses the audio card, WaveLab is unable to play back. The Windows MME driver is an exception from this.

You can run WaveLab together with other applications and always give the active application access to the audio card.

To do so, select Options > VST Audio Connections, and on the

Options tab, activate Release driver when WaveLab is in background.

Setting Up Your System

About Latency

Latency is the delay between when audio is sent from the program and when you actually hear it. While a very low latency can be crucial in a real-time DAW application such as Steinberg Nuendo or Cubase, this is not strictly the case with WaveLab.

When working with WaveLab, the important issues are optimum and stable playback and editing precision. You should not try to reach the lowest possible latency figures.

The latency in an audio system depends on the audio hardware, its drivers, and settings. In case of dropouts, crackles, or glitches during playback, raise the Buffer Number setting on the VST Audio Connections dialog, or increase the buffer size in the ASIO control panel, specific to the audio card.

Defining VST Audio Connections

To be able to play back and record audio in WaveLab, you must specify how the internal input and output channels in WaveLab are connected to your sound card and which device you intend to use for audio playback and recording.

You can define the buffer settings for your device as well as set up connections to external gear, such as external effects units. You should select at least two channels for stereo playback and recording.

If you have no third-party audio card, you can select the Windows MME driver or Built-in Audio (Mac) options. You can also use MME with most third party audio cards, with the advantage that you can record and play at different sample rates. However, Windows MME drivers do not allow audio monitoring in the Recording dialog or multichannel operation, and other drivers generally offer better sound quality and performance.

Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

Defining VST Audio Connections

Selecting an ASIO Driver

Audio Stream Input/Output (ASIO) is a computer device driver protocol for digital audio specified by Steinberg. It provides a low-latency and high fidelity interface between a software application and the soundcard of a computer.

1. In any workspace, except the Podcast workspace, select Options > VST Audio Connections.

2. From the Audio Device menu, select your ASIO driver.

The ASIO plug-ins tab and the Control panel button are activated.

3. Optional: Click the Control panel button and make your settings.

4. On the ASIO plug-ins tab, select the audio ports that are used for recording and monitor input of the ASIO plug-ins.

5. Click OK.

Selecting a Windows MME Driver

1. In any workspace, except the Podcast workspace, select Options > VST Audio Connections.

2. From the Audio Device menu, select the Windows MME driver.

3. On the Playback tab, select the audio ports that are used for playback.

4. On the Recording tab, select the audio ports that used for recording and monitor input.

5. Click OK.

VST Audio Connections Dialog

This dialog allows you to specify how the internal input and output channels in WaveLab are connected to your sound card and which device you want to use for audio playback and recording.

In any workspace, except the Podcast workspace, select Options >

VST Audio Connections.

Setting Up Your System

Defining VST Audio Connections

Global Settings

Audio device

Control panel

Refresh

Here, select the audio device that you want to use for playback and recording audio. If you do not have a third-party audio card, you can select the Windows MME driver or Built-in Audio (Mac) options.

When you select an ASIO driver, the Control panel button is activated. Click the button to open the settings application of your sound card, which is usually installed with the sound card. Depending on your sound card and driver, this provides settings for buffer size, digital formats, additional I/O connections, etc.

This button causes audio devices to be evaluated again to reflect device changes.

Playback Tab

This tab allows you to select and name audio ports that are used for playback. If you are monitoring on a surround system, specify your surround speaker outputs here. Furthermore, you can rename the channels and set up the Speaker configuration to be able to switch between different speakers.

Setting Up Your System

Defining VST Audio Connections

Recording Tab

This tab allows you to select and name your audio ports that are used for recording and input monitoring. The inputs that you define here are then available in the Recording dialog. Furthermore, you can rename the channels and select the Speaker configuration.

External Gear Tab

This tab allows you to select inputs from and outputs to external audio processing equipment. The name of this tab corresponds to the installed driver, for example, ASIO plug-ins.

Options Tab

This tab allows you to specify the number of buffers and the control driver functionality.

Buffer Number

Increasing this value improves the elasticity of audio streaming to avoid dropouts.

MME Specific - Buffer size

Increasing this value improves the elasticity of audio streaming to avoid dropouts. This is only available when an MME driver is selected.

Setting Up Your System

CD/DVD Recorders

Initialize streaming engine at first use

Initializes the audio streaming engine when playback or recording are used for the first time. If this option is deactivated, the audio streaming engine is initialized at program startup.

Reset driver when changing sample rate

Resets the driver when sample rate is changed. When playback or recording must be set to a new sample rate, certain audio device drivers must be fully reset to work properly. This operation takes some time.

Perform short fade-in/out when starting/stopping playback

Performs a short fade-in when starting playback and a short fade-out when stopping playback. This avoids clicks that are caused by waveforms that are not starting on a zero-crossing point.

Release driver when WaveLab is in background

Closes the audio device when WaveLab is no longer the front application. This allows other audio applications to use the same audio device.

CD/DVD Recorders

For general instructions on installing internal or connecting external recorders via USB or Firewire, please refer to the instruction manual for your computer or your recorder.

Make sure to have the latest firmware version installed on your recorder unit. For CD recorders, the existing firmware must support disc-at-once mode. In addition, running a unit with older firmware can prevent you from writing sub-index markers into the tracks, for example.

Remote Devices

You can use remote devices to remote-control WaveLab.

Several commands can be controlled with knobs and sliders of your remote control device.For all commands that can be assigned to a keyboard shortcut, a MIDI trigger can also be assigned.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

Remote Devices Dialog

This dialog allows you to select a device to remote-control WaveLab, and see and edit the control map of MIDI control devices.

In any workspace, except the Podcast workspace, select Options > Remote devices.

Device Editing Tab

This tab lets you select a MIDI control device, see the control map, assign WaveLab commands to MIDI controls, and import/export control assignments.

Device menu

Select the MIDI device to edit. Select MIDI shortcuts for menus to define the MIDI input port that is used for MIDI shortcuts. The shortcuts can then be assigned in the Customize commands dialog.

Select MIDI Control Device #1 - #10 to select a slot for a connected MIDI control device. You can then assign a device by selecting a MIDI input port and output port.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

Active

Activates the selected device and scans the MIDI ports.

In-Port/Out-Port

Select the MIDI input/output ports of the device that you want to use.

Edit map

Activates the edit mode of the MIDI control map for the selected device. To leave the edit mode, click again.

Save

Saves the modifications that have been made to the MIDI control map.

Undo

Undoes the modifications that have been made to the MIDI control map.

Reset

If the map has a factory preset, clicking Reset resets all changes that have been made to the map. If the map has no factory preset, the map is cleared.

Import

Opens the file browser where you can select a map definition file (XML file). This kind of file can be supplied by a MIDI device manufacturer or another WaveLab user, for example.

Export

Lets you export a map definition file (XML file). This file can be sent to another WaveLab user, for example.

Name

Lets you enter a map name.

Only display assignments

If this option is activated, the control map only displays the parameters that are associated with a remote control.

Expand/Collapse

Expands/collapses the folder tree of the control map.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

WaveLab action list

This folder tree lists the parameters that you can remote-control. The top folder represent contexts. The related parameters can only be controlled if the context is active. For example, if an audio file is active.

A remote control can be used in several contexts if these are exclusive. For example, parameters that can be used for an active audio file or an active audio montage.

The Global folder contain the parameters that can always be controlled.

Control editor - Save

If a control has been created or modified, click this button to save it.

Control editor - Undo

If a control has been modified, click this button to undo the changes.

Control editor - Clear

Erases the selected control’s definition.

Control name

Lets you enter a name for the control. Each control must have a name.

Type

In the Type section, you can edit the type of the selected control.

When more than one type of control can be assigned to a parameter, you can select a type from the first pop-up menu. You can choose between relative and absolute editing for certain parameters. For example, a master section slider can be associated to a remote motorized fader (absolute editing), or to an infinite knob (relative editing).

Several protocols are supported to interpret the MIDI messages. You can select the protocol that you want to use from the second menu. The MIDI learn function can automatically change this protocol, according to the received MIDI messages.

Remote controls send messages but can also receive messages from WaveLab, to light up a button or move a motorized fader, for example. You can select the mode to use from the third menu.

Message

Activates the MIDI learn function. When activated, you can use the control (knob, fader, etc.) on your MIDI controller. When MIDI messages are received, they are analyzed after the MIDI activity stops for several milliseconds. The result is displayed in the Message field. This is then used by WaveLab as the control identifier.

Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

Remote Devices

Options Tab

Clear

Erases the MIDI event that identifies the control.

Conditions

A modifier is a WaveLab parameter that can be activated by a MIDI control (for example, a foot switch) or a computer key ([Ctrl]/[Command], [Shift], etc.). By associating a remote control with one or two modifiers, you can use a single remote control to edit different parameters.

This tab lets you use the MIDI Learn function to assign a control of a MIDI remote control device to a function.

Emulate mouse wheel

If this option is activated, the AI knob acts as a mouse wheel in the WaveLab user interface, except for plug-ins.

Edit focused numeric field

If this option is activated, the AI knob can be used to edit the focused numeric field that you find in many WaveLab windows and dialogs.

Selecting a MIDI Remote Control Device

PREREQUISITE

The MIDI remote control device is connected to your PC/Mac.

1. In any workspace, except the Podcast workspace, select Options > Remote devices.

2. On the Device editing tab, select one of the MIDI control device slots or the MIDI shortcuts for menus option from the pop-up menu at the top.

3. Select Active to activate the selected device.

4. From the In-Port and Out-Port menus, select a MIDI input port and output port.

Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

Remote Devices

Assigning a MIDI Controller to a Parameter

If you are using a Steinberg remote control device, for example, the CC121, the controls are already assigned to parameters. You can customize these default settings.

PREREQUISITE

You have set up your MIDI remote control device.

1. In any workspace, except the Podcast workspace, select Options > Remote devices.

2. From the pop-up menu at the top of the dialog, select your MIDI control device.

3. On the Device editing tab, click the Edit map button.

4. In the tree structure, click the parameter that you want to remote-control.

5. In the Control editor section, enter a name in the Control name field.

6. Select the type of control.

Depending on the type of control on the MIDI remote control device, you must select a control with relative values (knob), trigger values (button), or absolute values (fader).

7. Click in the Message field, and on your MIDI remote control device, move the control that you want to assign.

The name of the controller is displayed in the Message field.

8. Click the Save button to the right of the This control is modified message.

9. Click the Save button to the right of the Edit map button.

RESULT

The MIDI controller is now assigned to the function.

Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

Remote Devices

Assigning Custom Parameters to Plug-ins

You can assign custom parameters to many VST 3 plug-ins.

PREREQUISITE

In the Remote devices dialog, assign the controls of your MIDI controller to the plug-in custom parameters. If you are using the Steinberg CC121 controller, the parameters are assigned by default.

1. From the Master Section or the Effects window, open the plug-in that you want to control with the MIDI remote control device.

2. [Ctrl]/[Command]-click the circle icon at the top of the plug-in window to enter the Edit mode.

3. Click OK.

The circle icon turns into a tool icon to indicate that you are in MIDI learn mode.

4. Move the mouse over a plug-in parameter, and move the MIDI control that you want to assign.

Repeat this for all the parameters and controls that you want to assign.

5. When finished, click the tool icon to exit Edit mode, and click OK.

RESULT

The assignment is saved. You can now control the assigned parameters with your MIDI remote control device. A plug-in can be controlled via the custom parameter if the Remote control mode is activated and only one plug-in can be activated at a time.

When a plug-in is activated for remote control, it also has precedence over other application settings that are controlled by the same parameter.

To remove all remote control assignments on the plug-in, hold [Ctrl]/[Command] and [Shift], and click the Remote control mode button.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

Importing and Exporting Remote Control Definition Files

Map definition files are XML files, containing control assignments for your remote devices. You can exchange them with other users or save a backup copy.

Select Options > Remote devices, and open the Device editing tab.

• To import a map definition file, click the Import button, browse to the location of the map definition file, and select the file.

• To export a map definition file, click the Export button, and browse to the location where you want to save the file.

Editing Changes in the Remote Control Devices Settings

Changes that have been made to the map, for example, changing the name of a control, can be saved, reset, undone, and removed.

• To save any changes that you have made, click Save.

• To restore the factory preset of a MIDI remote control device, click Reset. If the control device does not have factory presets, the map is cleared.

• To undo your last action, click Undo.

• To remove the control definition of the selected control or to unassign the selected control, click Clear.

Using Modifiers for Remote Controlling Parameters

You can use the same controller for controlling different parameters, using one or two modifiers. A modifier can be a MIDI control (for example, a foot switch) or a modifier key on your computer keyboard (for example, [Shift] and/or [Ctrl]/[Command]).

To determine one or two modifiers, open the Remote devices dialog, and when editing a parameter, select the modifiers from the Conditions section.

You can use the [Shift] and [Alt]/[Option] modifiers to alter the edit steps of infinite knob controls as follows:

• Press [Shift] to edit values in small steps.

• Press [Alt]/[Option] to edit values in bigger steps.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

CC121 Advanced Integration Controller

You can use Steinberg's CC121 Advanced Integration Controller to control WaveLab.

This section describes the WaveLab factory preset for the CC121. For detailed information on how to use the controller, refer to the manual that came with the CC121. Note that the CC121 was originally designed for Cubase. The following mapping combines the WaveLab functionality with the CC121 controls. The controls that are not listed in the following paragraph are not assigned to a parameter.

Channel Section

You can use all controls of the CC121 channel section, except the fader, to control the elements of the selected track in a WaveLab audio montage. You can use the fader for the Master Section.

Fader

Controls the Master Section fader.

PAN knob

Controls the gain of the selected track.

Mute

Mutes/unmutes the selected track.

Solo

Activates/deactivates solo for the selected track.

CHANNEL SELECT

Selects the previous/next track in the audio montage.

To move the cursor to the previous/next clip edge in the audio montage, hold [Alt]/[Option]. To move the cursor to the previous/next region edge, hold [Shift]. To move the cursor to the previous/next marker in the Audio Files workspace, hold [Ctrl]/[Command].

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

EQ Section

With the EQ section you can easily control the Steinberg Studio EQ plug-in.

If the EQ TYPE button is activated on the CC121, you can adjust the parameters of the focused Studio-EQ. All necessary EQ parameters, such as Q/F/G of each band, EQ TYPE selection, and ALL BYPASS on/off can be set. You can switch to WaveLab navigation mode by turning off the EQ TYPE button. In WaveLab navigation mode, you get access to alternative functions, such as scrolling, zooming, and switching between workspaces.

EQ Type activated:

Bandwidth knobs (Q)

Adjusts the Q (bandwidth) of each EQ band.

Frequency knobs (F)

Adjusts the center frequency of each EQ band.

Gain knobs (G)

Adjusts the gain of each EQ band

Activates/deactivates the EQ bands.

ALL BYPASS

Activates/deactivates bypass for all plug-ins in the Master Section.

EQ Type deactivated:

LOW ON

Opens the Audio Files workspace.

LOW-MID ON

Opens the Audio Montage workspace.

HIGH-MID ON

Opens the Batch Processors workspace.

HIGH ON

Opens the Control Window.

EQ-1 knob for the EQ Gain (G)

Scrolls left/right on the timeline.

EQ-2 knob for the EQ Gain (G)

Adjusts the horizontal zoom on the timeline.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

EQ-3 knob for the EQ Gain (G)

Adjusts the vertical zoom on the timeline.

EQ-4 knob for the EQ Gain (G)

Scrolls tracks on the Audio Montage workspace or scrolls vertically on the Audio Files workspace.

EQ-1 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

Scrolls left/right on the overview timeline of the Audio Files workspace.

EQ-2 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

Horizontally zooms in/out on the overview timeline of the Audio Files workspace.

EQ-3 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

Vertically zooms in/out on the overview timeline of the Audio Files workspace.

EQ-4 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

Transport Section

In this section you can control the transport functions of WaveLab.

Previous button

Rewind button

Forward button

Next button

Cycle button

Vertically scrolls on the overview timeline of the Audio Files workspace.

Moves the cursor position to the beginning of the project.

Rewind

Forward

Moves the cursor position to the end of the project.

Activates/deactivates Cycle mode.

Stop button

Stops playback. Press again to move the cursor to the previous start position. Press a third time to move the cursor to the beginning of the project.

Play button

Starts playback.

Setting Up Your System

NOTE

Remote Devices

Function Section

Record button

Press once to open the Recording window. Press again to start the recording. Press a third time to stop recording. The recorded file opens in the Audio Files workspace.

In this section, you can adjust certain functions, such as fades and envelope level, by using the VALUE knob.

VALUE knob/button

Rotate this knob to adjust the assigned function. Press the knob to reset the parameter to its default value.

FUNCTION button 1

Adjusts the fade-in settings of the focused clip.

FUNCTION button 2

FUNCTION button 3

FUNCTION button 4

AI Knob Section

WaveLab can be controlled with the AI knob of Steinberg’s CC121, CI2+, and CMC-AI controllers. With the AI knob, you can control the parameter that the mouse points to.

The AI knob only works on parameters that are automatable.

In this section you can control parameters via the AI knob.

AI KNOB

Adjusts the fade-out settings of the focused clip.

Adjusts the envelope level of the focused clip.

The element clicked last on the Edit > Nudge menu in the Audio Montage workspace is assigned to this button.

Controls the VST 3plug-in parameters, emulates the mouse wheel, for example, for scrolling, and lets you edit a focused numeric field. To control a parameter with the AI knob, move the mouse cursor over the parameter that you want to control, and move the AI knob. You can activate/deactivate the emulation of the mouse wheel and the editing of the focused numeric field in the Options tab.

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

CUBASE READY Indicator

Foot Switch Section

LOCK

When the mouse cursor points to a parameter, press LOCK to control this parameter regardless of the position of the mouse cursor.

JOG

Activates Jog mode. While Jog mode is activated, press LOCK to enter shuttle mode.

The CUBASE READY indicator has no function in WaveLab.

The foot switch has the same function as [Shift]. Press and hold the foot switch while turning the AI knob to fine tune parameters.

WaveLab Concepts

NOTE

This chapter describes general concepts that you will use when working with WaveLab. Getting accustomed with these procedures allows you to work more effectively with the program.

General Editing Rules

The common editing operations can be used in any Steinberg product.

• To select and move interface items, and to select ranges, click and drag with the mouse.

• Use the keys of your computer keyboard to enter numeric values and text, to navigate lists and other selectable interface items, and to control the transport functions.

• Common operations like cut, copy, paste, or the selection of multiple items can be performed using standard keyboard shortcuts.

The behavior of your product is also governed by your preference settings.

Startup Screen

When WaveLab starts, a startup screen opens where you can select which window layout you want to use.

Restore last window layout

Restores the window layout that you last used in WaveLab, including all files that were open.

Restore last window layout without files

Restores the same window layout that you last used in WaveLab without opening any files.

Restore default window layout

Restores the default window layout without opening any files.

Restore factory window layout

Restores the factory window layout without opening any files.

Keep answer and do not show this message again

If this option is activated, the option that you select is used from now on and the startup screen does not open anymore. To display the General window layout dialog, even if this option has been activated, press [Ctrl]/[Command] when starting WaveLab.

Steinberg Wavelab - 8.0 Operation Manual

Table of Contents

The Help System

Introduction

About the Program Versions

Typographical Conventions

How You Can Reach Us

Setting Up Your System

Connecting Audio

About Audio Cards and Background Playback

About Latency

Defining VST Audio Connections

CD/DVD Recorders

Remote Devices

WaveLab Concepts

General Editing Rules

Startup Screen