Steinberg Wavelab Pro - 9.0 Operation Manual

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Operation Manual

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Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Matthias Obrecht, Sabine Pfeifer, Kevin

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.

Quarshie, Benjamin Schütte

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7 Introduction

7 Help System 8 About the Program Versions 8 Conventions 9 How You Can Reach Us

11 Setting Up Your System

11 Connecting Audio 11 Audio Cards and Background Playback 12 Latency 12 Defining VST Audio Connections 16 CD/DVD Recorders 16 Remote Devices

27 WaveLab Pro Concepts

27 General Editing Rules 27 Startup Dialog 29 Basic Window Handling 30 Selecting Audio 37 Sliders 38 Renaming Items in Tables 38 File Browser 40 Tab Groups 43 Peak Files 44 Companion Files 45 EBU Loudness Standard R-128

47 Workspace Window

47 Audio Editor 48 Audio Montage 48 Batch Processor 48 Podcast Editor 49 Basic Audio CD 49 DVD-Audio 49 Script Editor 49 Control Window 50 File Tab 53 Info Tab 54 Tool Windows 54 Meter Windows 55 Slide-Out Windows 55 Docking and Undocking Tool Windows and

Meter Windows

57 Command Bar 58 Status Bar 60 Context Menus 61 Time Ruler and Level Ruler 66 Managing Tabs 69 Activating Full Screen Mode 69 Log Window

70 Project Handling

70 Opening Files 71 WaveLab Projects 75 File Groups 77 Value Editing 77 Drag Operations 79 Undoing and Redoing Actions 81 Zooming 87 Presets

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90 File Operations

90 Recently Used Files 92 Favorite Files 93 Save and Save As 96 Templates 100 File Renaming 101 Naming Schemes 103 Deleting Files 103 Temporary Files 103 Work Folders vs. Document Folders 106 Exporting to SoundCloud 106 Copying Audio Information to the Clipboard 107 Setting the Focus on the Current File

108 Playback

108 Transport Bar 121 Starting Playback From the Ruler 121 Using the Play Tool 122 Playback Scrubbing 123 Timecode Window 124 Jog/Shuttle Function 125 Scroll During Playback 126 Playback in the Audio Montage Window 127 Speaker Configuration

129 Audio File Editing

129 Wave Window 138 Audio Editor Tabs 151 File Handling in the Audio Editor 176 Changing the Audio Properties 177 Meta-Data 183 Snapshots 184 Silence Generator Dialog 186 Waveform Restoration with the Pen Tool

188 Audio Analysis

188 Error Detection and Correction 195 Global Analysis 205 Audio File Comparator 207 3D Frequency Analysis

210 Offline Processing

210 Applying Processing 210 Gain Dialog 211 Level Normalizer Dialog 212 Loudness Normalizer 214 Pan Normalizer Dialog 215 Envelope Dialog 217 Fades in Audio Files 218 Crossfades 219 Phase Inverting 220 Reversing Audio 220 DC Offset 221 Time Stretching 223 Pitch Shift 226 Pitch Quantizing Dialog 226 Pitch Bend 229 Resample 229 Effect Morphing

233 Audio Montage

233 Montage Window 237 Audio Montage Tabs 257 Signal Flow in the Audio Montage 258 Creating New Audio Montages 260 Audio Montage Duplicates 264 Creating an Audio Montage from an Audio

File

265 Import Options for Audio Montages 267 Missing Files in the Audio Montage Dialog 268 Assembling the Audio Montage 280 Rearranging Clips 287 Clip Editing 308 Audio Montages within Audio Montages 314 Managing Source Files of Clips 319 Track Activity Indicator 319 Envelopes for Clips 329 Fades and Crossfades in Audio Montages 339 Clip Time Stretching 340 Clip Pitch Shifting 340 Effects for Tracks, Clips, and the Montage

Output

357 About the CD Window 367 Snapshots 368 Mixing Down – The Render Function 370 Loudness Meta Normalizer 372 Navigator Window 373 Notes Window 373 Groups 375 Audio Montage Backups 377 Multichannel Operations in the Audio

Montage

388 XML Export and Import of Audio Montages 389 AES-31 Files Export and Import

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392 Recording

392 Setting Up the Recording Dialog 393 Dropping Markers During Recording 394 Recording Dialog 400 Recording in the Audio Montage Window

402 Master Section

402 Master Section Window 424 Rendering 434 Recording From an ASIO Input 435 Smart Bypass 437 Saving a Master Section Preset 442 Monitoring Background Tasks 444 Dropouts

445 Markers

447 Markers Window 451 About Creating Markers 454 Deleting Markers 456 Moving Markers 456 Moving Multiple Markers 458 Navigating to Markers 458 Hiding Markers of a Specific Type 458 Converting Marker Types 460 Renaming Markers 460 Selecting Markers 461 Selecting the Audio Between Markers 461 Binding Markers to Clips in the Audio

Montage

462 Exporting the Markers List as Text 462 How Marker Information is Saved

464 Metering

464 Metering Window 464 Real-Time vs. Non-Real-Time 464 Metering Monitor Modes 465 Meter Settings 466 Multichannel Metering 466 Resetting the Meters 466 Using Presets in the Meter Windows 467 Level Meter 470 Loudness Meter 473 Phasescope 475 Spectroscope 475 Spectrometer 479 Bit Meter 480 Oscilloscope 481 Wavescope

483 Basic Audio CD

483 Basic Audio CD Window 486 CD Markers 487 Preparing a Basic Audio CD 489 Opening CD Tracks for Editing 489 Playing Back Files in the Track List 490 Saving Basic Audio CD Tracks as Separate

Files

491 Saving Basic Audio CD Tracks as One File

492 DVD-Audio

492 Structure of a DVD-Audio Project 493 DVD-Audio Formats 493 DVD-Audio Format Considerations 493 DVD-Audio Window 496 Preparing a DVD-Audio 498 Opening Audio Montages for Editing 498 Checking the DVD-Audio Conformity

499 Writing Operations

499 Write Audio CD or DDP Dialog 501 Erase Optical Media Dialog 502 About Writing Audio Files 505 About Writing Audio Montages 520 Write DVD-Audio Function 524 Data CD/DVD Projects 528 Audio CD Formats

533 Spectrum Editing

533 Spectrum Display 534 Surgical Processing 536 Master Section Processing 538 Defining a Region for Spectrum Editing 539 Processing Frequency Ranges via the

Master Section

539 Spectrum Editor Window

546 Auto Split

546 Auto Split in Audio Files 550 Auto Split in Audio Montages

553 Loops

553 Basic Looping 554 Refining Loops 562 Looping Audio Which Is Not Very Well

Suited for Looping

565 Sample Attributes

568 Generating Signals

568 Signal Generator 572 DTMF Generator

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575 Importing Audio CD Tracks

575 Import Audio CD Dialog 579 Importing Audio CD Tracks 580 Searching Track Names on the Internet 580 Submitting Track Names to the Internet 581 Ultra-Safe Mode 581 Converting Audio CD Tracks to an Audio

Montage

581 Converting Audio CD Tracks to a Basic

Audio CD

583 WaveLab Exchange

583 WaveLab Pro as External Editor for Cubase 584 Cubase as External Editor for WaveLab Pro

586 Batch Processing

587 Batch Processor Window 596 Off-Line Processors 598 Working with the Batch Processor 607 Watch Folders 622 XML Files in Batch Processing

630 Batch Conversion

630 Batch Conversion Dialog 631 Batch Converting Files

632 Batch Renaming

632 Batch Renaming Dialogs 632 Batch Renaming Files 634 Batch Renaming Markers 636 Batch Renaming Clips 637 Renaming Operation Categories and Types 642 List of Renaming Operations 642 Preview Section 643 Range Parameters 645 Previewing and Performing All Renaming

Operations

645 Regular Expressions

649 Podcasts

649 Podcast Editor 654 Global Podcast Options 654 Creating a Podcast 655 Setting Up a FTP for Podcast Publishing 655 Publishing a Podcast 655 FTP Settings Dialog 657 Checking the Podcast

658 Customizing

658 Workspace Layout 660 Customizing the Wave Window and the

Montage Window

661 Customizing Shortcuts 668 Customizing Command Bars 668 Plug-in Organization 676 Variables and Text Snippets 679 Scripting

700 Configuring the Software

700 Global Preferences 706 Audio Files Preferences 713 Audio Montages Preferences 719 Settings Management 720 Multi-User Settings 721 External Tools

724 Plug-in Reference

724 Built-in Plug-ins 748 Steinberg VST 3 Plug-ins 809 Sonnox Restoration Toolkit 816 Legacy Plug-ins 816 Dithering Plug-ins 820 ASIO Plug-ins 822 Batch Processing Plug-ins

832 Index

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Help System

The detailed help system of WaveLab Pro enables you to look up interface features and get information from within the program.

Accessing the Help System

There are several ways of accessing the help system.

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

Introduction

• To open the manual in PDF format, select Help > PDF Documentation.

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

• To open the help for an 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).

• To use the menu help, move the mouse over a menu item.

• 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 info line at the bottom of the window.

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

• In any window, press [Shift]-[F1] and move the mouse over an interface item,

or select Help > What’s 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 include a link to a dedicated help topic.

RELATED LINKS

Info Line on page 282

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Introduction

About the Program Versions

The documentation covers the operating systems Windows and Mac OS X. Features and settings that are specific to one of these platforms are clearly

indicated. In all other cases, the descriptions and procedures in the documentation are valid for Windows and Mac OS X.

Some points to consider:

• The screenshots are taken from a Windows operating system.

• Some functions that are available on the File menu on Windows operating systems can be found in the program name menu on Mac OS X operating systems.

Conventions

In our documentation, we use typographical elements and mark-ups to structure information.

Typographical Elements

The following typographical elements mark the following purposes.

PREREQUISITE

Requires you to complete an action or to fulfill a condition before starting a procedure.

PROCEDURE

Lists the steps that you must take to achieve a specific result.

IMPORTANT

Informs you about issues that might affect the system, the connected hardware, or that might bring a risk of data loss.

NOTE

Informs you about issues that you should consider.

EXAMPLE

Provides you with an example.

RESULT

Shows the result of the procedure.

AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK

Informs you about actions or tasks that you can undertake after completing the procedure.

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Introduction

EXAMPLE

How You Can Reach Us

Mark-Ups

RELATED LINKS

Lists related topics that you can find in this documentation.

Bold text indicates the name of a menu, option, function, dialog, window, etc.

To open the Layout Options pop-up menu, click Layout Options in the top right corner of the Audio Editor.

If bold text is separated by a greater-than symbol, this indicates a sequence of different menus to open.

Select File > Save As.

Key Commands

Many of the default key commands 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]

[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] signifies: press [Ctrl] on Windows or [Command] on Mac OS X, then press [Z].

Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] signifies: press [Alt] on Windows or [Option] on Mac OS X, then press [X].

How You Can Reach Us

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

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Introduction

How You Can Reach Us

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.

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Setting Up Your System

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

PROCEDURE

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.

Audio Cards and Background Playback

When you activate playback or recording in WaveLab Pro, other applications cannot access the audio card. Likewise, if another application uses the audio card, WaveLab this.

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

1. Select File > Preferences > VST Audio Connections.

2. Select the Options tab.

3. Activate Release Driver.

4. Do one of the following:

Pro is unable to play back. The Windows MME driver is an exception from

• If you want to release the driver when WaveLab Pro is in the background,

activate When WaveLab Pro is in Background.

• If you want to release the driver only when Cubase is in the foreground, activate

When Cubase is in Foreground.

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Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

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 Pro, the important issues are optimum and stable playback and editing precision.

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 Options tab in the VST Audio Connections, or increase the buffer size in the ASIO control panel, specific to the audio card.

RELATED LINKS

Pro.

VST Audio Connections Tab on page 13

Defining VST Audio Connections

To be able to play back and record audio in WaveLab Pro, you must specify how the internal input and output channels in WaveLab 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.

RELATED LINKS

VST Audio Connections Tab on page 13

Selecting an ASIO Driver

Pro are connected to your sound

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. Select File > Preferences > VST Audio Connections.

2. Open the Audio Device pop-up menu and select your ASIO driver.

The ASIO Plug-ins tab and the Control Panel button are activated.

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Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

Defining VST Audio Connections

3. Optional: Click Control Panel 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.

Selecting a Windows MME Driver

1. Select File > Options > VST Audio Connections.

2. Open the Audio Device pop-up menu and select Windows MME.

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.

VST Audio Connections Tab

This tab allows you to specify how the internal input and output channels in WaveLab for audio playback and recording.

• To open the VST Audio Connections tab, select File > Options > VST

Global Settings

Audio Device

Control Panel

Pro are connected to your sound card and which device you want to use

Audio Connections.

Allows you to 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.

Refresh

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

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Setting Up Your System

Defining VST Audio Connections

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.

Recording Tab

You can also specify the Preferred Sample Rate for playback. Furthermore, you can rename the channels and set up the Speaker Configuration to be able to switch between different speakers.

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.

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Setting Up Your System

Defining VST Audio Connections

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.

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, some 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

Allows you to run WaveLab Pro together with other applications and always give the active application access to the audio card.

•If When WaveLab Pro is in Background is activated, the driver is

released when WaveLab Pro is in the background.

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Setting Up Your System

CD/DVD Recorders

•If When Cubase is in Foreground is activated, the driver is released

when Cubase is in the foreground.

CD/DVD Recorders

For general instructions on installing internal or connecting external recorders via USB or Firewire, 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 Pro. 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.

Remote Devices Tab

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

• To open the Remote Devices tab, select File > Preferences > Remote

Devices.

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Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

Device Editing Tab

This tab lets you select a MIDI control device, see the control map, assign WaveLab

Device Menu

Active

In-Port/Out-Port

Edit Map

Pro commands to MIDI controls, and import/export control assignments.

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 on the Shortcuts tab.

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.

Activates the selected device and scans the MIDI ports.

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

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

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Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

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

Pro user, for example.

Export

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

Pro 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.

WaveLab Pro 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.

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Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

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 some 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

Pro, to light up a b utton or move a motorized fader, for example. You

can select the mode to use from the third menu.

Message

Activates the MIDI Learn function. If this option is 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. The result is then used by WaveLab

Pro as the control identifier.

Options Tab

Clear

Erases the MIDI event that identifies the control.

Conditions

A modifier is a WaveLab Pro 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 of Steinberg controllers acts as a mouse wheel in the WaveLab

Pro user interface, except for plug-ins.

Edit Focused Numeric Field

If this option is activated, the AI knob Steinberg controllers can be used to edit the focused numeric field that you find in many WaveLab

Pro windows and

dialogs.

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Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

Remote Devices

Selecting a MIDI Remote Control Device

PREREQUISITE

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

1. Select File > Preferences > 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 pop-up menus, select a MIDI input port and output port.

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. Select File > Preferences > 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 Save to the right of the This Control is Modified message.

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

RESULT

The MIDI controller is now assigned to the function.

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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 tab, 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 icon indicates 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.

RELATED LINKS

CC121 Advanced Integration Controller on page 22

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.

In the Remote Devices tab, select the Device Editing tab.

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Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

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

• To export a map definition file, click Export, 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 in the Control Editor section of the Remote Devices tab.

• 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 tab, 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.

CC121 Advanced Integration Controller

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

This section describes the WaveLab Pro 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 controls that are not listed in the following paragraph are not assigned to a parameter.

Pro.

Pro functionality with the CC121 controls. The

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Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

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

Pro 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

EQ Section

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 Editor, hold [Ctrl]/[Command].

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

Pro navigation mode by turning off the EQ TYPE button. In WaveLab Pro navigation mode, you get access to alternative functions, such as scrolling, zooming, and switching between windows.

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.

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Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

ALL BYPASS

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

EQ TYPE deactivated:

LOW ON

Opens the Audio Editor.

LOW-MID ON

Opens the Audio Montage window.

HIGH-MID ON

Opens the Batch Processor window.

HIGH ON

Opens the preferences tab.

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.

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 window or scrolls vertically on the Audio Editor.

EQ-1 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

Scrolls left/right on the overview timeline of the Audio Editor.

EQ-2 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

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

EQ-3 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

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

EQ-4 knob for the EQ Frequency (F)

Transport Section

Vertically scrolls on the overview timeline of the Audio Editor.

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

Previous button

Moves the cursor position to the left.

Page 25

Setting Up Your System

Remote Devices

Rewind button

Moves the edit cursor position to the left.

Forward button

Moves the edit cursor position to the right.

Next button

Moves the cursor position to the right.

Cycle button

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.

Function Section

Record button

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

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

VALUE knob

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 active clip.

FUNCTION button 2

Adjusts the fade out settings of the active clip.

FUNCTION button 3

Adjusts the envelope level of the active clip.

FUNCTION button 4

The element clicked last in the Nudge section of the Edit tab in the Audio Montage window is assigned to this button.

Page 26

Setting Up Your System

NOTE

Remote Devices

AI Knob Section

WaveLab Pro 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

Controls the VST 3 plug-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.

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.

CUBASE READY Indicator

The CUBASE READY indicator has no function in WaveLab Pro.

Foot Switch Section

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

Page 27

WaveLab Pro Concepts

NOTE

This chapter describes general concepts that you will use when working with WaveLab effectively with the program.

General Editing Rules

The common editing operations apply to any Steinberg product.

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

Pro. Getting accustomed with these procedures allows you to work more

the mouse.

• Use the keys of your computer keyboard to enter numeric values and text, to

• Common operations like cut, copy, paste, or the selection of multiple items

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

Startup Dialog

When WaveLab Pro starts, the Startup dialog opens where you can select which project or project template you want to open.

navigate lists and other selectable interface items, and to control the transport functions.

can be performed using standard keyboard shortcuts.

Page 28

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Startup Dialog

Create

Open

Empty Project

Creates an empty project.

My Default Project Template

Opens the default startup project template. The default project is defined on the Template page. If no default project is defined, an empty project is created.

Templates

Allows you to open a template in a new project.

Last Project

Opens the project that you last used in WaveLab Pro, including all files that were open.

Recent Project

Allows you to open a recently used project.

Recent Files

Allows you to open a recently used file.

Browse

Allows you to select the files that you want to open.

Page 29

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Basic Window Handling

Use as Default (Do Not Show This Dialog 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 Startup dialog, even if this option has been activated, press [Ctrl]/[Command] when starting WaveLab

RELATED LINKS

Workspace Layout on page 658

Pro.

Basic Window Handling

WaveLab Pro follows the basic guidelines for the Windows/Mac OS interface, which means that Windows/Mac OS standard procedures apply.

Closing Windows

• To close a file group tab or a file tab, click the X button of the corresponding

tab or press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[W].

• To close a file tab without saving your changes, hold [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift],

and click the X button of the tab. This avoids having to confirm a warning message whenever you want to close an unsaved tab.

• To close all files of a file group at once, right-click a file group tab and select

Close All Files.

• To close all file tabs but the selected file tab, right-click a file tab and select

Close All But This.

• To individually select the file tabs that you want to close, right-click a file group

tab and select Select Files to Close. This opens the Files to Close dialog, where you can select the files that you want to close.

• By default, files are removed from the project when you close them. To keep

the files in the project even when you close them, right-click a file tab and activate Keep in Project after Closing.

RELATED LINKS

Permanently in Project vs. Temporarily in Project on page 74

Switching Between Files

You can have multiple files open and switch between them.

• To bring a file to the front, click the corresponding tab.

• To cycle between the files, hold [Ctrl]/[Command], and press [Tab]

continuously.

Page 30

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Selecting Audio

• To cycle back and forth between the last two active files, press

[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Tab]. Between each step you have to release all keys.

• To cycle backwards, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[Tab].

• To toggle between the active file and the last edited file, press [F5].

Selecting Audio

Almost all types of editing and processing that you perform in WaveLab Pro operate on the audio selection. There are numerous ways to make an audio selection.

• To select the whole audio file, double-click it. If the audio file contains markers,

triple-click it.

Selecting a Range by Dragging

The standard way to select a range in the wave window is to click and drag. If you drag all the way to the left or right side of the wave window, it scrolls

automatically, allowing you to select larger sections than what can be shown in the wave window. The speed of the scrolling depends on how far from the wave window edge you are.

Audio Range Selection in an Audio File

You can edit, process, or play back selections of an audio file.

• To access the audio range selection options, in the Audio Editor, select the

Edit tab.

The following selection options are available in the Time Selection section:

Range

If you click Range, the Range Selection dialog opens. In this dialog, you can define selection ranges very accurately.

If you click the arrow to the right of the Range button, the presets list opens. In the presets list, you can select between the selection range factory presets and your custom presets.

All

Selects the entire waveform.

Toggle

Toggles the selection range on/off.

Extend

Opens a menu where you can select the following options:

Page 31

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Selecting Audio

• Extend to Start of File extends the selection to the start of the audio

file. If there is no selection, a selection is created from the edit cursor position.

• Extend to End of File extends the selection to the end of the audio file.

If there is no selection, a selection is created from the edit cursor position.

• Extend to Previous Marker extends the left edge of the selection to the

nearest marker to the left or the start of the audio file. If there is no selection, a selection is extended until the edit cursor position.

• Extend to Next Marker extends the right edge of the selection to the

nearest marker to the right or the end of the audio file. If there is no selection, a selection is extended until the next marker position.

• Extend to Cursor extends the selection to the edit cursor position.

• From Start of File Until Cursor selects the range between the start of

the audio file and the edit cursor position.

• From Cursor to End of File selects the range between the edit cursor

position and the end of the audio file.

• From Cursor to Previous Marker selects the range between the edit

cursor position and the previous marker or the start of the audio file.

• From Cursor to Next Marker selects the range between the edit

cursor position and the next marker or the end of the audio file.

• From Playback Position to End of Audio File creates a selection

range from the playback position to the end of the audio file. If no playback is taking place, the position of the edit cursor is used.

• From Playback Position to Start of Audio File creates a selection

range from the playback position to start of the audio file. If no playback is taking place, the position of the edit cursor is used.

• Double Selection Length doubles the length of the current selection

range.

• Halve Selection Length halves the length of the current selection

range.

Channels

Opens are menu where you can select the following options:

• Extend to All Channels extends the current selection range to all

channels.

• Left Channel Only reduces the current selection range to the left

channel only.

• Right Channel Only reduces the current selection range to the right

channel only.

Regions

Opens are menu where you can select the following options:

Page 32

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Selecting Audio

• CD Track selects the range between the two CD track markers that

encompass the edit cursor.

• Loop Region selects the range between the two loop markers that

encompass the edit cursor.

• Exclusion Region selects the range between the two exclusion

markers that encompass the edit cursor.

• Generic Region selects the range between the two generic markers

that encompass the edit cursor.

ELATED LINKS

Range Selection Dialog on page 33

Audio Range Selection in an Audio Montage

You can edit, process, or play back selections of an audio montage.

• To access the audio range selection options, in the Audio Montage window,

select the Edit tab.

The following selection options are available in the Range section:

Range

If you click the Range button, the Range Selection dialog opens. In this dialog, you can define selection ranges very accurately.

If you click the arrow on the right of the Range button, the presets list opens. In the presets list, you can select between the selection range factory presets and your custom presets.

Extend

Opens are menu where you can select the following options:

• Double Selection Length doubles the length of the current selection

range.

• Halve Selection Length halves the length of the current selection

range.

• From Playback Position to End of Montage creates a selection range

from the playback position to the end of the audio montage. If no playback is taking place, the position of the edit cursor is used.

• From Playback Position to Start of Montage creates a selection

range from the playback position to start of the audio montage. If no playback is taking place, the position of the edit cursor is used.

Toggle

Toggles the current selection range on/off.

RELATED LINKS

Range Selection Dialog on page 33

Page 33

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Selecting Audio

Range Selection Dialog

This dialog allows you to specify an audio range for editing, processing, or playing back.

• In the Audio Editor or the Audio Montage window, select the Edit tab, and

click Range.

From/To Sections

Zero/End

The selection begins at the start/end of the file.

Cursor

The selection begins at the edit cursor.

Start/End of Selection

The selection begins at the start/end of the selection range.

Marker (with Name)

The selection begins at the marker that is selected from the pop-up menu below.

Offset (±)

Allows you to specify an offset for the selected position.

Custom

Allows you to specify a start/end time for the selection.

Options Section

Specify Length

Allows you to specify the selection length.

Page 34

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Selecting Audio

Play Section

Set as Selection Length

Clicking this button freezes the current selection length. This is useful if you want to move the selection.

Round Down Length

If this option is activated, the selection length is rounded down to the length specified in the value field.

Snap to Zero-Crossing

If this option is activated, the start and the end of a selected range always snap to a zero-crossing point of the waveform.

Channels

Select whether the selection spans the left channel, the right channel, or both.

With the play options, you can preview the specified audio range.

Play to

Plays the range before the specified position.

Play from

Plays the range after the specified position.

Play Once

Plays the selection once.

Play Looped

Plays the selection in a loop.

Play Duration

Sets the playback length. Note that this overrides the From/To parameters.

Memorizing Selection Length and Cursor Position

You can copy the length of a selection range and the edit cursor position to an internal memory. This is useful if you want to use these values in several places in WaveLab

Pro.

• To save the length of the active selection range, in the Audio Editor or the

Audio Montage window, select the Edit tab, and right-click Copy. Here, select Memorize Selection Length.

• To save the position of the edit cursor, in the Audio Editor or the Audio

Montage window, select the Edit tab, and right-click Copy. Here, select Memorize Cursor Position.

• To apply the memorized information, right-click any time edit field and select

Set Memorized Position or Set Memorized Duration.

Page 35

WaveLab Pro Concepts

PROCEDURE

Selecting Audio

Selecting in Stereo Files

If you are working on stereo material in the Audio Editor, you can apply an operation to one channel only or to the entire stereo material.

Which channel is selected when you click and drag in the wave window depends on where you position the mouse cursor. The pointer shape indicates which channel will be affected.

The following pointer shapes are available:

Select left channel

Clicking in the upper half of the left channel selects the left channel.

Select both channels

Clicking in the middle area between the left and the right channel selects both channels.

Select right channel

Clicking in the lower half of the right channel selects the right channel.

Switching the Selection Between Channels

You can switch the channel selection that you have made for a channel to all channels or switch the selection to the other channel.

1. In the wave window of the Audio Editor, select a range.

2. Select the Edit tab.

3. In the Time Selection section, click Channels and select one of the following

options:

• Extend to All Channels

• Left Channel Only

• Right Channel Only

You can press [Tab] to switch between the different channel selections.

Page 36

WaveLab Pro Concepts

PROCEDURE

Selecting Audio

Selecting in the Overview of the Audio Editor

The ranges that you select in the overview of the Audio Editor also apply to the main view.

• In the wave window of the Audio Editor, hold down [Ctrl]/[Command] and

click and drag in the overview.

Moving a Selection Range

If a selection range has the correct length, but the wrong position, you can move it.

1. In the wave window, hold down [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift].

2. Click in the middle of the selection and drag to the left/right.

Extending and Reducing the Selection

You can resize a selection range in the wave window or the montage window. There are several ways to extend/reduce the selection:

• Select a range, [Shift]-click outside the selection range, and drag to the

left/right, or click and drag the edges of the selection range to the left/right.

• To extend the selection to the previous/next boundary (marker or start/end of

file), press [Shift] and double-click the non-selected area between the boundaries.

Extending and Reducing the Selection Using the Cursor Keys

• To move the start/end of a selection in the wave window to the left/right, hold

down [Shift] and press the left/right cursor keys. To move it in bigger steps, press the [Page Up]/[Page Down] keys.

• To extend a selection to the previous/next boundary in the wave window

(marker or start/end of the audio file), hold down [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift] and press the left/right cursor keys.

Deleting Selections

There are several options for deleting a selected range.

Page 37

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Sliders

Audio Editor

The following options can be found on the Edit tab in the Cutting section.

Crop

Removes the data outside the selection.

Delete

Removes the selection. The audio to the right of the selection is moved to the left to fill the gap.

Smooth Delete

Removes the selection. Crossfades are inserted at the edges. You can edit the default crossfade length and its type in the Audio Files Preferences, on the Editing tab.

Audio Montage Window

The following options can be found on the Edit tab in the Selection section.

Crop Clip

Removes the data outside the selection.

Erase Selected Range

Erases the clip parts inside the selection range on the selected track, without filling the gap.

Erase Selected Range on All Tracks

To access this option, click the arrow icon at the right of the Erase Selected Range option. Erases the clip parts inside the selection range on all tracks,

without filling the gap.

Delete Selected Range

If there is a selection range, the clip parts inside the selection range on the selected track are deleted and the right section of the clips is moved to the left to fill the gap.

If there is no selection, the selected clips are deleted.

Delete Selected Range on All Tracks

To access this option, click the arrow icon at the right of the Delete Selected Clips option. Deletes the clip parts inside the selection range on all tracks and

moves the right section of the clips to the left to fill the gap.

Sliders

At various places in WaveLab Pro, slider controls are available to change parameters. There are a number of ways to change the value of a slider.

Page 38

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Renaming Items in Tables

• Position the mouse over the slider and use the mouse wheel without clicking.

Hold [Ctrl]/[Command] while using the mouse wheel to scroll faster. This modifier also applies to the zoom wheels. To move a slider, click and drag it.

• To move the slider handle to a position, click the slider at any position.

• To move the slider handle in smaller steps, right-click or click below the

handle. Keep the mouse button pressed to automatically step to the next value.

• To reset the slider to the default value, if available, [Ctrl]/[Command]-click the

slider, or click using the third mouse button, or double-click the handle.

Renaming Items in Tables

You can rename items in tables in the Markers window, the CD window, and the Clips window.

• To rename an item, double-click it or select it, and press [Return], and enter

the new name.

• To rename the previous/next item, press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow]. This

way you move the focus on the previous/next item, while staying in the edit mode.

File Browser

The File Browser window allows you to browse files from within WaveLab Pro. The Auto Play Mode is useful for speeding up the process of auditioning sound files.

The File Browser window provides you with all the standard browsing functions. It features additional controls to audition audio files and any marker defined regions. You can use it to open or insert files by dragging them to another location.

You can also choose to only view specific file types.

File Browser Window

In this window, you can browse files and open them in WaveLab Pro.

• To open the File Browser window, select Tool Windows > File Browser.

Page 39

WaveLab Pro Concepts

File Browser

Back/Forward/Parent Directory

Allows you to navigate through the list and file hierarchy.

Location

This menu lets you select a file location to browse and lists the recently used locations.

Auto-Play Mode

Automatically starts playback of the selected file.

Play Selected Audio File

Plays the selected audio file.

If this button is activated, you can enter text in the search field.

File format list

Allows you to select which file format to display.

Folder tree

Shows the folders that are available on your computer.

Favorite folders

You can add your favorite folders by dragging them from the folder tree.

File list

Shows the file name, size, type, modification date, and other information about the file.

Create Folder

Allows you to create a new folder. Right-click in the file list and select Create Folder.

Audio Regions

If the selected file contains region markers, the regions are displayed in the

Audio Regions section. You can drag regions onto a track.

Page 40

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Tab Groups

With tab groups, you can view the content of different files, tool windows, or meters at the same time, without having to navigate through different windows. Each tab group has its own content and tab bar.

In a Control Window, a tab group can contain tool windows and meters. You can have three file tab groups.

Empty File Tab Groups

Page 41

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Tab Groups

File Tab Groups with Audio Montages

Tab Groups in Control Window

RELATED LINKS

Control Window on page 49

Page 42

WaveLab Pro Concepts

PROCEDURE

Tab Groups

Creating File Tab Groups

1. In the top right of a file tab window, open the Tab Group pop-up menu.

2. Select Create a Tab Group (Split Vertically) or Create a Tab Group (Split

Horizontally).

Creating File Tab Groups in Empty Tab Groups

• In the top right of an empty file tab group, click Create a Tab Group (Split

Vertically) or Create a Tab Group (Split Horizontally).

Using Tab Groups

The Tab Group button in the top right of each tab window allows you to maximize, move, and close tab groups. Tabs are used differently depending on the type of window.

Tool Window Tab Groups

• To hide a tool window tab group, open the Tool Window Tab Group Options

pop-up menu and select Hide All.

• To reorder tabs in a tab group, drag the tab horizontally to a new position on

the tab bar.

• To dock the tab group to another location, open the Tool Window Tab Group

Options pop-up menu and select Dock Tab Group Elsewhere. Now you can select where to dock the tab group.

• To dock the tab group to the Control Window, open the Tool Window Tab

Group Options pop-up menu and select Dock Tab Group to Control Window.

Now you can select to which Control Window you want to dock the tab group.

Page 43

WaveLab Pro Concepts

Peak Files

File Tab Groups

• To close a file tab group, click the Tab Group button and select Hide All.

• To reorder tabs in a tab group, drag the tab horizontally to a new position on

the tab bar.

• To move a tab to another project, drag the tab to another project.

• To paste the content of a tab into an audio file, drag the tab onto the

waveform. The tab is inserted at the cursor position.

• To maximize the active file tab group, open the File Tab Group Options

pop-up menu, and select Hide Other File Tab Groups. To show all file tab groups, open the File Tab Group Options pop-up menu,

and select Show Other File Tab Groups.

You can also double-click the file tab header of a tab group to show/hide other file tab groups.

Peak Files

A peak file (extension .gpk) is automatically created by WaveLab Pro each time an audio file is modified or opened in WaveLab contains information about the waveform and determines how it is drawn in the wave window or the montage window.

Peak files speed up the time it takes to draw the corresponding waveform. By default, the peak file is saved in the same location as the audio file.

Setting the Peak File Behavior

The peak file behavior can be set in the Audio Files Preferences on the File tab.

• To save peak files in another location, activate Create Peak Files in an

Independent Folder, select Edit, and specify another file location.

• To create peak files when writing audio files, activate Create Peak Files

When Writing Audio Files.

• To delete peak files when closing audio files, activate Delete Peak Files

When Closing Audio Files.

Pro for the first time. The peak file

RELATED LINKS

Audio Files Preferences on page 706

Page 44

WaveLab Pro Concepts

PROCEDURE

Companion Files

Rebuilding Peak Displays

Normally, peak files are automatically updated when the date of the peak file is older than the date of the audio file. However, it can happen that the date of the audio file is not automatically updated. In this case you can force a rebuild of the peak file.

1. In the Audio Editor, select the View tab.

2. In the Peaks section, click Rebuild Files.

Companion Files

Companion files (extension .vs) contain Master Section presets and view settings for audio files. If this feature is activated when you save a file, the settings are recreated the next time that you load the file.

Companion files are only available in the Audio Editor. The following view settings are included in companion files:

• Window size and position

• Zoom level

• Scroll position

• Display mode (Waveform/Spectrum/Loudness)

•Snapshots

• Master Section presets associated with the file Deleting a companion file does not alter the audio contents. Master Section

presets are specific to WaveLab various audio file headers.

Pro and can therefore not be integrated inside the

Storing Companion Files in Another Location

By default, companion files are saved in the same location as the audio file. However, you can select another file location.

1. Select File > Preferences > Folders.

2. Click Companion Files and specify another file location.

Page 45

WaveLab Pro Concepts

EBU Loudness Standard R-128

The EBU loudness recommendation R-128 establishes well-defined methods to measure loudness, dynamics, and peak values, and also defines reference values to achieve for these measurements. Though the reference values are intended for the broadcast world, the measurement methods are helpful in any application dealing with audio and loudness control.

WaveLab Pro supports these audio measurements in many places, for metering, audio analysis, and processing. The following text gives some basic information about the EBU R-128 standard.

Loudness Measurement

This method takes into account the frequency sensitivity of the human ear to loudness levels. There are 3 types of measurements:

1) Integrated loudness, also called program loudness: this reports how loud an

audio piece is, on average. This measurement uses a gating method to ignore long periods of silence.

Loudness Range

True Peaks

2) Short-term loudness: this measures the loudness every 1 second on an audio

block of 3 seconds. This gives information about the loudest audio passages.

3) Momentary loudness: every 100 ms, a range of 400 ms of audio is measured.

This gives instantaneous feedback about the loudness.

This measures the dynamics of the audio signal. It reports the ratio between the loudest and the quietest (but non-silent) sections. The audio is divided into small blocks. There is one audio block every second and each block lasts 3 seconds (analyzed blocks overlap).

The top 10 % of the quiet blocks and the top 5 % of the loud blocks are excluded from the final analysis. The calculated loudness range is the ratio between the loudest and quietest remaining audio blocks. This measurement helps to decide if and how much compression or expansion can or should be applied to the audio.

When a digital signal is converted to an analog signal, the EBU R-128 recommends measuring an estimation of the real peaks, rather than relying on digital peaks, to avoid clipping and distortion. This is accomplished by over-sampling the signal 4 times and retaining the peak values.

Naming and Units

The EBU R-128 proposes naming and units conventions:

• A relative measurement, such as a value relative to a reference level: “LU” as

“Loudness Unit” (1 LU is 1

dB).

Page 46

WaveLab Pro Concepts

EBU Loudness Standard R-128

• An absolute measurement, “LUFS” as “Loudness Unit Full Scale”. 1 LUFS

When WaveLab Pro relates to the EBU R-128 loudness, these units are used rather than dB.

can be understood as 1

dB in the AES-17 scaling.

Page 47

Workspace Window

The Workspace window provides an editing and playback environment for each particular file type. Each environment allows functions according to the specific purpose of each file type.

• Audio Editor for viewing and editing audio files.

• Audio Montage window for assembling and editing audio montages.

• Batch Processor window for processing a list of audio files with offline

effects, VST plug-ins, and Master Section presets.

• Podcast Editor for preparing and uploading podcasts.

• Basic Audio CD window for assembling and writing Basic Audio CDs.

• DVD-Audio window for authoring DVD-Audio and writing it to DVD.

• Script Editor for writing and executing scripts in WaveLab Pro.

• Control Window for hosting and organizing tool windows, especially in a

multi-monitor setup.

The Workspace window is highly customizable to match your workflow.

Elements of the Workspace Window

The Workspace window contains the following elements:

•A menu bar

• Tab groups to host the files to edit. You can move the content of a tab to

another tab, create a new empty tab, display the file path, and access other functions by right-clicking.

• A set of tool windows. Which tools are available depends on the file type you

are working on. The tool windows can be activated/deactivated individually.

Audio Editor

The Audio Editor provides tools and functions for sample-accurate audio editing, high-quality analysis, and processing.

Features include various metering tools, a signal generator, a compare function, and a tool for correcting errors.

Page 48

Workspace Window

Audio Montage

The wave window gives you a graphical representation of the audio file and allows you to view, play back, and edit the file.

RELATED LINKS

Audio Montage

In the Audio Montage window, you assemble audio clips into a montage. You can arrange, edit, and play back clips on an unlimited number of both stereo or mono tracks.

Features include track and clip-based effects, volume and pan automation, and wide-ranging fade and crossfade functions. You can use the Audio Montage window for creating music CDs, mastering, multimedia work, radio spot production, etc. You can create multitrack compositions and author professional audio CDs or DVD-Audio. Depending on the channel configuration of the montage, you can route each track to different surround channels (up to 6) or non-surround channels (up to

8).

Audio File Editing on page 129

You can place any number of clips on an audio track. A clip contains a reference to a source audio file on your hard disk, as well as start and end positions in the file.

The montage window gives you a graphical representation of clips on tracks. In it you can view, play back, and edit the tracks and clips.

RELATED LINKS

Audio Montage on page 233

Batch Processor

This editor allows you to batch process any number of audio files or audio montage files using the plug-ins and presets of the Master Section, offline effects, and other plug-ins that are unique to batch processing.

You can save the processed file in a different file format, rename files, and run an external application when the batch is finished.

RELATED LINKS

Batch Processing on page 586

Podcast Editor

In the Podcast Editor, you assemble, define, and publish your podcast to the Internet.

Page 49

Workspace Window

Basic Audio CD

RELATED LINKS

Podcasts on page 649

Basic Audio CD

In the Basic Audio CD window, all tracks of the Basic Audio CD are listed. Here you can assemble and write Basic Audio CDs that are compatible with the Red Book standard.

RELATED LINKS

Basic Audio CD on page 483

DVD-Audio

In the DVD-Audio window, you author DVD-Audio and write it to DVD.

RELATED LINKS

DVD-Audio on page 492

Script Editor

In the Script Editor, you write and execute scripts.

RELATED LINKS

Scripting on page 679

Control Window

A Control Window can contain multiple tool windows and meter windows. This is useful if you have multiple monitors. You can place the Control Window on your secondary display and use it to manage the tool windows and meter windows that you use most.

You can create up to 4 different control windows.

Page 50

Workspace Window

PROCEDURE

File Tab

Docking Tool Windows and Meters in a Control Window

You can dock any tool window and meter window in a Control Window.

1. Right-click the tab of the tool window or meter that you want to dock in the

Control Window.

2. Select Dock to Control Window and select one of the Control Windows

from the submenu.

Docking Tab Groups in a Control Window

You can dock tab groups in a Control Window.

1. Click the Options button on the right of the caption bar of a tab group.

2. Select Dock Tab Group to Control Window and select a Control Window

from the submenu.

File Tab

The File tab is the control center of WaveLab Pro. Here, you can save, open, render, import, and export files. It also gives you detailed information about your files and allows you to set up the WaveLab

Pro preferences.

Page 51

Workspace Window

File Tab

Info

Provides information about the active file and allows you to edit the audio properties of audio files and audio montages.

New

Allows you to create audio files, audio montages, batch processors, file groups, projects, Basic Audio CDs, DVD-Audio files, podcasts, and script files. You can create new files or use a template.

Open

Allows you to open audio files, audio montages, batch processors, projects, Basic Audio CDs, DVD-Audio files, podcasts, or script files.

You can also open files that you have previously copied to the clipboard in the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder.

Import

Allows you to open different file formats. The following formats are supported:

• Audio File to Montage

• DDP

•CD Cue

•AES-31

•XML

•Unknown Audio

Page 52

Workspace Window

File Tab

•File Groups

You can also import audio CD tracks from an audio CD.

Save As

Allows you to save the active file or the project. You can specify the name, file format, and location. You can also save a copy of the active file.

Save All

Allows you to save all changed files of your project at once. The file list gives you an overview of all files that have been changed.

You can use the filter to show all changed files, only audio files, only audio montages, or all other files, for example, batch processor files.

Export

Allows you to render the active file, export the file group to a text file, export audio montages to AES-31 and XML, and upload the audio file to SoundCloud.

Preferences

Allows you to view and change the preferences of WaveLab Pro. You can set up the preferences for the following parts of WaveLab

Pro:

• Global

• VST Audio Connections

• Shortcuts

• Plug-ins

• Remote Devices

• Folders

• Variables

• Audio Files

• Audio Montages

Tools

Allows you to access the following tools:

• DDP to CD

• Data CD/DVD

• Auto Split Audio Files

• Signal Generator

• DTMF Generator

• Batch Conversion

• Batch Renaming

ELATED LINKS

Info Tab on page 53

Page 53

Workspace Window

Info Tab

Configuring the Software on page 700

The Info tab provides information about the active file and allows you to edit the audio properties of audio files and audio montages.

• To open the Info tab, select the File tab, and click Info.

Depending on the selected file, different information and options are available.

Name

Displays the name, file extension, and file location of the active file. You can edit these attributes.

File Properties

Displays the size, date, and file format of the active file.

Audio Properties

For audio files, this displays the bit resolution, channels, and sample rate of the active file.

For audio montages, this displays the mode, channels, and sample rate of the active file.

You can edit these attributes.

Page 54

Workspace Window

Tool Windows

Sample Attributes (audio files only)

Meta-Data

Copy to Clipboard

Reveal in File Explorer/Mac OS Finder

Delete

Tool Windows

Displays the musical attributes tune, key range, and velocity range.

Displays the meta data of the active file.

Opens a menu from which you can select which information about the active file you want to copy to the clipboard.

Opens the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder to show the location of the active file.

Deletes the active file.

Throughout WaveLab Pro there are various tool windows available that allow you to view, analyze, and edit the active file.

Generally, the content of a tool window is synchronized with the active file, with the exception of the audio meters which displays the audio file being played back. Tool windows can be docked and undocked, and saved in your custom layouts. Some tool windows are only available for specific file types.

The tool windows can be accessed via the Tool Windows menu.

Opening and Closing Tool Windows

You can close all tool windows that you do not need for your project.

• To open a tool window, select Tool Windows and select a tool window.

• To close a docked tool window, right-click the tool window tab and select

Hide.

• To close an undocked tool window, click its X button.

Meter Windows

WaveLab Pro contains a variety of audio meters that you can use for monitoring and analyzing audio. Meters can be used to monitor audio during playback, rendering, and recording. Furthermore, you can use them to analyze audio sections when playback is stopped.

The meter windows can be accessed via the Meters menu.

Page 55

Workspace Window

Slide-Out Windows

Opening and Closing Meter Windows

You can close all meter windows you do not need for your project.

• To open a meter window, select Meters and select a meter window.

• To close a docked meter window, right-click the meter window tab and select

Hide.

• To close an undocked meter window, click its X button.

Slide-Out Windows

Slide-out windows are hidden in the frame of the Workspace window. When you hover the mouse pointer over the window name, the window slides out. It is hidden again, when you click anywhere else.

Slide-out window tab

An open slide-out window

Docking and Undocking Tool Windows and Meter Windows

Tool windows and meter windows can be used as docked windows, as floating windows, or as a slide-out window. You can freely drag around the windows and dock them at various locations.

• To undock a tool window or meter window, drag the corresponding tab to

another position. Now the tool window or meter window is a floating window which can be

freely moved.

• To dock a tool window or meter window, click and hold the caption bar or click

the Options button on the right of the caption bar and select Dock Tab

Group Elsewhere.

Page 56

Workspace Window

Docking and Undocking Tool Windows and Meter Windows

Yellow symbols indicate locations for docked windows, pink symbols indicate locations for slide-out windows. Drag the window to one of the locations.

• To dock a floating tool window or meter window at its last docked position,

click the Options

button on the right of the caption bar and select Dock

to Last Place Again.

• To dock a tool window or meter window to the Control Window, click the

Options button on the right of the caption bar and select Dock to Control Window. You can then select to which Control Window you want to dock the

tool window or meter window. You can also drag and drop a tool window or meter window to the Control

Window.

ELATED LINKS

Slide-Out Windows on page 55 Control Window on page 49

Setting the Transparency for Floating Windows

You can make the tool windows and meter windows become transparent if they are not the active window. For this, specify the transparency value in the global preferences and activate the transparency for each window individually.

Page 57

Workspace Window

PROCEDURE

Command Bar

• To specify the transparency value, select File > Preferences > Global, and

select the Display tab. In the Tool Windows section, specify the value in the Window Transparency field.

• To activate the transparency for a tool window or meter window, click the Tab

oup button at the top right of the window, and select Auto Transparency.

ELATED LINKS

Global Preferences on page 700

Hiding the Caption Bar in Floating Meter Windows

To save screen space, the caption bar of floating meter windows can automatically be hidden if the window is not the active window. This can be set individually for each floating window.

1. In a floating meter window, click the Options button at the top right of the

window.

2. Select Auto Caption

Command Bar

The command bar of file windows allows you to create, open, and save files, and undo/redo changes. You can also use the text field to quickly find and access open files, and to trigger keywords.

New

Bar.

Allows you to create an audio file, audio montage, batch processor, file group, project, Basic Audio CD, DVD-Audio, podcast new files or use a template.

, and script file. You can create

Open

Allows you to open an audio file, audio mon Basic Audio CD, DVD-Audio, podcast, or script file.

Save

Saves the active file.

tage, batch processor, project,

Page 58

Workspace Window

Status Bar

Save As

Allows you to save the active file. You can specify the name, file format, and location. You can also save a copy of the active file.

Trigger Cubase Update

Updates the Cubase project if the active file was opened via the Edit in WaveLab option.

Undo

Allows you to undo changes.

Redo

Allows you to redo changes that were undone.

Navigate Backwards/Navigate Forwards

In the Audio Editor and Audio Montage window, this allows you to navigate to the previous/next cursor position, zoom factor, or selection range without undoing/redoing the edit operation.

Status Bar

File Search and Keywords

The text field allows you to search for open files and apply keywords. Keywords are custom words that are assigned to a function in the Customize

Commands dialog or to a preset in the Shortcut Definitions dialog.

Customize Command Bar

Allows you to select the buttons that you want to display on the command bar.

Maximize Window

Maximizes the window. To restore the window size, click the button again.

Layout Options

Allows you to determine the position of the command bar, transport bar, and file group tabs.

RELATED LINKS

WaveLab Exchange on page 583

The status bar at the bottom of the screen of the Audio Editor and the Audio Montage window shows information about the active window using the units specified in the rulers.

The information displayed on the status bar is updated depending on the cursor position and on the audio selection that you have made.

Page 59

Workspace Window

Status Bar

Time/Level (dB)

Displays the time of the audio file at the mouse cursor position. In the Audio Editor, it also displays the level.

Audio Information at Edit Cursor

Displays the time at the position of the edit cursor. This information changes if you reposition the cursor.

• To define the cursor position, click the Audio Information at Edit Cursor field to open the Cursor Position dialog.

• To focus the cursor position, right-click the Audio Information at Edit

Cursor field.

Audio Selection Indicator (Audio Editor)/Audio Range Indicator (Audio Montage)

In the Audio Editor, this displays the length of the current selection, or the total length of the audio file if no selection has been made.

In the Audio Montage window, this displays the length of the audio selection if a clip is selected, or the size of the audio montage.

If you have zoomed in, you can right-click the indicator to display the selected audio range, the active clip, or the whole file. Left-click the indicator to open the Audio Range dialog, where you can define or refine a selection.

Zoom Indicator

Displays the current zoom factor.

• To open a pop-up menu, that allows you to make additional zoom settings, click the indicator.

• To open the Zoom Factor dialog, that allows you to edit the zoom factor, right-click the indicator.

Sampler Key Indicator (Audio Editor only)

Indicates the key of the current audio file (if defined). Click the indicator to open the Sample Attributes window.

Audio Properties Indicator

In the Audio Editor, this displays the bit resolution and the sample rate. It also indicates whether the audio file is mono or stereo. Click the indicator to open the Audio Properties dialog.

In the Audio Montage window, this displays the number of audio channels and the sample rate of the audio montage. Click the indicator to open the

Audio Montage Properties dialog.

Page 60

Workspace Window

Context Menus

Bypass Master Section

If this button is activated, the Master Section is bypassed. If the button is deactivated, the audio is played through the Master Section.

Master Section Preset Setting pop-up menu

• Save Master Section Preset opens the Save Master Section Preset dialog, where you can save the active Master Section configuration inside the companion file or audio montage.

• Load Master Section Preset applies the Master Section with the configuration previously saved to the audio file or audio montage.

•If Include Master Section Preset when Rendering as Super Clip is activated, the Master Section preset that is saved with the audio montage is used when rendering super clips of audio montages (Audio

Montage window only).

Background Information

The status bar shows the progress of some background operations, such as rendering an effect. The operation can be paused or canceled using the provided buttons.

Context Menus

Throughout WaveLab Pro, various context menus are available. These menus group the commands and/or options that are specific to the active window.

The context menus appear if you right-click specific areas and are useful for speeding up your workflow.

For example, right-click a file tab to open a context menu with some relevant file options. Right-clicking the ruler of the waveform window brings up the Time Ruler context menu that allows you to access a number of options for changing the time ruler display format.

You can find most context menu commands in the tabs, in the file window and in the main menus, but some commands are only available in context menus. If you search for a function, right-click the current working window to check if it has a context menu.

Page 61

Workspace Window

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

Context menu in the montage window

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

In the Audio Editor, you can display a time and a level ruler in the wave window. In the Audio Montage window, you can display a time ruler in the montage window.

You can also determine which time and level units the rulers show.

Time Ruler

Level Ruler (Audio Editor only)

Page 62

Workspace Window

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

Time Ruler and Level Ruler Options

You can specify the time and level (amplitude) formats for each ruler in each wave window and the time formats for each ruler in the montage window separately by right-clicking the ruler and selecting a format from the pop-up menu.

Time Ruler Menu

Timecode

Displays frames per second for various SMPTE timecode types and for CD resolution.

You can specify the timecode type in the Time Format dialog.

Clock

Displays time units.

Samples

Displays positions as number of samples. The number of samples per second depends on the sample rate of the audio file. For example, at 44.1 are 44100 samples per second.

Bars and Beats

Displays bars and beats.

File Size (Audio Editor only)

Displays positions in megabytes. Decimals represent kilobytes.

Show grid (Audio Montage window only)

Displays vertical lines in the montage window, aligned with time ruler marks.

Time Format

Opens the Time Format dialog, that allows you to edit the appearance of the time ruler formats.

Save Current Settings as Default

If this option is activated, the time ruler uses the current time format in all new wave windows or montage windows.

Set Ruler’s Origin to Start of File

kHz, there

If this option is activated, the ruler’s zero position is set to the beginning of the first sample.

Set Ruler’s Origin at Cursor

If this option is activated, the ruler’s zero position is set to the current edit cursor position.

Set Ruler’s Origin to BWF Reference (Audio Editor only)

If this option is activated, the first sample matches the BWF time reference, provided that the time reference is available.

Page 63

Workspace Window

PROCEDURE

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

Show Playback Range

If this option is activated, the time ruler displays the audio range that is played with the Play Audio Range command.

Show Playback Anchor

If this option is activated, a marker is displayed below the time ruler to indicate the audio anchor that corresponds to the Play From and Play To commands.

Show Pre-/Post-Roll

If this option is activated, the pre-roll and post-roll times are displayed.

RELATED LINKS

Time Format Dialog on page 64

Level Ruler Menu (Audio Editor only)

Sets the level format to decibels.

+-100 %

Sets the level format to percentage.

Normalized +1/-1

Sets the level format to a ruler gradation corresponding to 32-bit float audio.

16-bit Range

Sets the level format to a ruler gradation corresponding to 16-bit audio.

24-bit Range

Sets the level format to a ruler gradation corresponding to 24-bit audio.

Save Current Settings as Default

If this option is activated, the level ruler uses the current level format in all new wave windows.

Working With a Meter-Based Display

If your working material is tempo-based, you can select the meter format (bars, beats, and ticks) for the ruler legend. This makes it easier to find musically related cutting points.

1. In the wave window or the montage window, right-click the time ruler, and

select Bars and Beats.

2. Right-click the time ruler, and select Time Format.

3. On the Meter tab, set the Time Signature and Tempo to values that match

your audio file.

Page 64

Workspace Window

PROCEDURE

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

4. Set the Ticks per Quarter Note setting to a number that you feel comfortable

with.

For example, this can be the same value that is used by your MIDI sequencer.

5. Click OK.

Setting the Edit Cursor Position

Many operations, such as playback and selection, depend on the current edit cursor position. For example, playback often starts at the edit cursor position. The current edit cursor position is indicated by a vertical flashing line.

There are various ways to move the edit cursor:

• Click somewhere in the wave window, the montage window, or the time ruler. If you have made a selection, click the time ruler to prevent deselecting.

• Click and drag in the time ruler.

• Use the transport controls.

• In the Audio Editor and Audio Montage window, select the View tab and use the options in the Cursor section.

• Use the cursor keys.

• Double-click a marker.

Setting the Ruler Start Position

By default, the audio file starts at the ruler position 0. However, you can set the 0 position to another position of the file.

1. In the wave window or the montage window, right-click the time ruler, and select Time Format.

2. Select the Offset tab.

3. Select one of the Time Ruler Offset options, and click OK.

Time Format Dialog

In this dialog, you can customize the time format of the ruler. The time format of the ruler is also used in various time fields, for example, the status bar and some dialogs.

• To open the Time Format dialog, right-click the ruler in the Audio Editor or Audio Montage window, and select Time Format.

In the Audio Editor, you can set different time formats for the overview display and the main display.

Page 65

Workspace Window

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

Timecode Tab

On this tab, you can configure the appearance of the Timecode option.

Frames per Second

Clock Tab

Lists standard frame rates. From the pop-up menu, select Other to enter a custom frame rate. You can also choose which frames or units are displayed.

Show Absolute Frames

Shows the time format as a number of frames, without other time elements.

Show Quarter Frames

Adds the quarter frame number to the time format.

Show Hundredth Frames

Adds the number of a hundredth of a frame to the time format.

Show Units

Adds time units to the time format of the ruler.

On this tab, you can configure the appearance of the Clock option.

Show Units

Adds time units to the time format of the ruler.

Meter Tab

Compact

Shows the time without unit indicators.

On this tab, you can configure the appearance of the Bars and Beats option.

Page 66

Workspace Window

Managing Tabs

Offset Tab

Time Signature

Lets you edit the time signature used to display the time represented as a musical notation.

Tempo

Lets you edit the tempo used to display the time represented as a musical notation.

Ticks per Quarter Note

Lets you edit the number of ticks per quarter note. These are used to display times that are compatible with your sequencer.

On this tab, you can configure the Time Ruler Offset.

Zero (Default)

Deactivates the time offset in the ruler.

Set Zero-Point at Cursor Position

Set Zero-Point at BWF Time Reference (Audio Editor only)

Set Time of First Sample

Managing Tabs

A tab is a container for a file in WaveLab Pro. There are file group tabs and file tabs. You can open several tabs, but only one can be active at a time. The Tabs context menu of the file group tabs and file tabs offer tab related options.

File Group Tabs

The following options are available when you right-click a file group tab.

Sets the current cursor position to be the starting point of the ruler.

If the audio file contains BWF meta-data, the corresponding time reference value is used as offset.

Specifies the time that corresponds to the zero point of the ruler.

Save Modified Files

Allows you to specify which of the modified files of the file group you want to save.

Close All Files

Closes all file tabs.

Page 67

Workspace Window

Managing Tabs

Select Files to Close

Opens the Files to Close dialog which allows you to specify the files to be closed.

Set Temporary Files to Permanent Files

Adds all files to the file group that are not a permanent part of the file group.

Close and Remove from Project

Closes the file group and removes it from the project.

Remove Other File Groups from Project

Removes all file groups but the active file group from the project.

Rename

Allows you to rename the file group.

Export File Names

Allows you to create a text file that lists all files that are used in the file group.

File Tabs

The following options are available when you right-click a file tab.

Check Tab/Uncheck Tab

Checks/Unchecks the tab. This allows you to render all file tabs at once via the Render tab.

To check/uncheck all tabs at once, activate/deactivate the checkbox at the right of the file tabs.

You can also drag the selected tabs to another file tab.

Add to

Allows you to add the active file to another editor.

Closes the active tab.

Close All But This

Closes all files but the active file.

Keep in Project after Closing

If this option is activated, the file remains in the project after you close the file. You can open the file again from the Project Manager window.

Info

Displays information about the active file.

Page 68

Workspace Window

Managing Tabs

Reveal in File Explorer/Mac OS Finder

Opens the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder to show the location of the file.

Copy to Clipboard

Opens a menu, from which you can select which information about the file you want to copy to the clipboard.

Recent Files

Allows you to open recently used files.

New (Based on Active File)

Allows you to open a new file tab with the same settings of the source tab. This option is available if you right-click the empty area next to the file tabs.

Files to Close Dialog

In this dialog, you can specify which files you want to close.

• To open the Files to Close dialog, right-click a file group tab and select

Select Files to Close.

Files list

Displays all open files. You can set a checkmark for the files that you want to close. By default, only the active file will remain open and all other files will be closed.

All/None

Allows you to select and deselect all files.

Temporary Project Files

Allows you to select all files that are opened in WaveLab Pro, but not set to

Permanently in Project in the Project Manager.

Permanent Project Files

Allows you to select all files that are opened in WaveLab Pro and set to

Permanently in Project in the Project Manager.

Page 69

Workspace Window

PROCEDURE

Activating Full Screen Mode

Close Files

Closes the selected files.

RELATED LINKS

Project Manager Window on page 73

Activating Full Screen Mode

•Select Workspace > Full Screen.

Log Window

This window allows you to view log messages that have been issued by WaveLab

For example, when using the scripting language of WaveLab Pro, the logWindow( ) function outputs messages to this window. Toggle buttons allow you to filter the types of messages that are displayed.

• To open the Log window, select Tool Windows > Log.

Clear

Show Errors

Show Warnings

Pro.

Removes all messages from the window.

If this option is activated, error messages are displayed.

If this option is activated, warning messages are displayed.

Show Notes

If this option is activated, notes are displayed.

Page 70

Opening Files

PROCEDURE

1. Select File > Open.

2. Select the file type that you want to open.

3. From the file browser, select the file that you want to open.

4. Click Open.

Project Handling

For example, Audio File.

Opening Files from the Clipboard

You can open files in WaveLab Pro that you have previously copied to the clipboard in the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder.

1. In the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder, copy the files that you want to open to the clipboard.

2. In WaveLab Pro, select File > Open.

3. Click Open Files from Clipboard.

RESULT

The files open in new file tabs.

Automatically Opening Files in a Dedicated Tab Group

You can specify a precedented file type for each tab group. Files that open after rendering, audio files that you open from an audio montage, or files that you open via the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder are automatically opened in the corresponding tab group for this file type.

• To specify a precedented file type Options

at the header of a tab group, and select a file type.

for a tab group, click File Tab Group

Page 71

Project Handling

WaveLab Projects

A project file (extension *.wpr) is the central document in WaveLab Pro. A project file contains references to media data.

Only one project can be open at a time. When you open a previously saved project or create a new project, the currently opened project is closed.

Each project can contain multiple file groups. Each file group has its own tab.

You can save your complete production as a project and open it on any WaveLab workstation at the same relative or absolute path.

The Project Manager window gives you access to the files inside the project. The active project is automatically saved and can be reloaded the next time that you

start WaveLab default project file is saved in the following location:

Windows

Mac

Pro workstation. For this, the source files must be available on the target

Pro. If you create a new project, this will be the default project. The

AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\WaveLab Pro 9\Cache\ DefProject.wpr

/Users/YourName/Library/Preferences/WaveLab Pro 9/ Cache/DefProject.wpr

RELATED LINKS

File Groups on page 75 Project Manager Window on page 73

Page 72

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

WaveLab Projects

Creating Projects

You can create empty projects or projects that are based on a template.

1. Select File > New.

2. Click Project.

3. Do one of the following:

RESULT

If you selected Create Empty, a new, untitled project is created. If you selected a template, the new project is based on this template and includes the corresponding layout and settings.

• To create an empty project, click Create Empty.

• To create a project that is based on a template, click Templates, and select a

template.

RELATED LINKS

Templates on page 96 Creating a Template on page 96

Creating Default Projects

You can define a default project that you can select when starting WaveLab Pro. You specify the default project when creating a template.

1. Select File > New.

2. Select Project > Templates.

3. Click Add Template.

4. In the Project Template dialog, activate Set as Default Project.

5. Enter a project name.

6. Click Save.

RESULT

The default project is created. You can select it in the WaveLab Pro Startup dialog. To set another project template as the default project template, right-click the

corresponding template and select Set as Default Project.

RELATED LINKS

Startup Dialog on page 27

Page 73

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

WaveLab Projects

Saving Projects

The active project is automatically saved as a project file that can be reopened the next time that you start WaveLab active project as a project file. This allows you to give the project a name and save the project file at another location.

To keep your projects as manageable as possible, make sure that you save project files and all related files in the corresponding project folders and subfolders.

1. Select File > Save As.

2. Click Project.

3. Enter the name and a file location.

4. Click Save.

Pro. However, you can also manually save the

Project Manager Window

The Project Manager window gives you access to all project files in WaveLab Pro and allows you to edit them.

• To open the Project Manager window, select Tool Windows > Project Manager.

You can click on a file or file group to bring it to focus. If the file or file group is not already open in WaveLab

The toolbar contains the following options:

Sort Files by Type

Pro, it is opened.

If this option is activated, the files are grouped in subfolders according to their file type.

Select Multiple Files (for Drag and Drop)

If this option is activated, you can select multiple files in the projects list. You can then drag the files to an audio montage, for example.

Rename Selected File Group

Allows you to rename the selected group.

Page 74

Project Handling

WaveLab Projects

The projects list contains the following options:

Open Status

This column shows if a file is open in WaveLab Pro or not. To close a file, click its X button.

If a file is set to Perma

nently in Project, the corresponding file tab is closed, but the file remains available in the Project Manager. You can click the file name to reopen the file. If the file is set to Temporarily in Project, the corresponding file tab is closed and the file is removed from the Project

Manager.

Permanently in Project/Temporarily in Project

In this column, you can define if a file should be included as permanent part of the project or if the file is only temporarily needed in the project.

The lock icon indicates that the corresponding file is a permanent part of the project. The

clock icon indicates that the corresponding file is temporarily in

the project. Click the icon to change the file status. If you drag files from the File Explorer/Mac O

S Finder onto the file list in the

Project Manager, the files are added permanently to the project. This allows you to quickly add multiple files to a project.

Modification Status

In this column, you can see if a file in the project has been modified. Files that have been modified are indicated by a checkmark.

ELATED LINKS

Permanently in Project vs. Temporarily in Project on page 74

Permanently in Project vs. Temporarily in Project

Project can contain files that are permanently or temporarily in the project.

Permanent files

Files that are set to be permanently in the project stay part of the project even wh

en you close the file.

Temporary files

Files that are set to be temporarily in the project are removed from the project

nce you close the file. When you close the project file, these remain in the

o project just like permanent files do.

When you open a new file, it is considered a temporary file. If you want to keep the

the project even when you close the project, you must set the file to

file in permanent.

ELATED LINKS

Project Manager Window on page 73 Changing the Permanent/Temporary Status of a File on page 75

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File Groups

Changing the Permanent/Temporary Status of a File

To change the file status, do one of the following:

• Right-click a file tab of a temporary file and select Keep in Project after Closing.

• In the Project Manager, click the Permanently in Project/Temporarily in Project column of a file to change its status.

File Groups

File groups are part of WaveLab Pro projects. Each project can contain multiple file groups.

A file group can contain different file types. For example, audio files, audio montages, and batch processor files. This allows you to organize all files in one file group. You can also organize each file type in a different file group to have a better overview. In this case, the file group icon changes to the icon of the corresponding file type.

Each file group can contain multiple, customizable tab groups. For each tab group, you can define a type precedence to instruct WaveLab of a given type should be opened by default.

You can export file groups as text files. File groups can also be imported in a project via a text file that contains file paths. These file groups open as a new file group tab.

The file group options are available via the context menu of the file group tabs. The tab color of a file group indicates whether a file group contains modified files

that have not been saved yet.

RELATED LINKS

Tab Colors on page 93

Creating File Groups

You can create empty file groups or file groups that are based on a template.

1. Select File > New.

2. Click File Group.

Pro in which tab group a file

3. Do one of the following:

• To create an empty file group, click Custom, select one of the options, and

click Create.

• To create a file group that is based on a template, click Templates, and select

a template.

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File Groups

RESULT

A new file group is created. If you selected a template, the new file group is based on this template and includes the corresponding layout and settings.

RELATED LINKS

Project Manager Window on page 73 Templates on page 96

Saving File Groups

File groups are automatically saved with the project.

RELATED LINKS

Saving Projects on page 73

Exporting File Groups as Text

You can export the names of the files inside a file group to a text file that contains the file paths.

1. Select File > Export.

2. Click File Group to TXT.

3. Specify a file name and location.

4. Click Export.

Searching for Open Files

The File Search and Keywords field in the command bar allows you to search in all file tabs and access them. This allows you to quickly switch between file tabs if a lot of files are open.

• To open a file tab, click in the File Search and Keywords field or press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[F], and start typing the file name that you want to access.

Once you stop typing or when you press [Return], the first file tab that contains the search term is activated.

• To jump to the next file tab that contains the search term, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Tab].

• To jump to the previous file tab that contains the search term, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[Tab].

• To switch back to the last file tab that was active before searching, delete the text in the search field.

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Value Editing

RELATED LINKS

Value Editing

At various places in the program, numerical values can be edited by using a combination of text fields and knobs.

Values are sometimes composed of several elements, for example, 12 mn 30 sec 120

• To change a value, click in a value field and type a new value, or click the small

• To change the value by one unit at a time, press the [Left Arrow] and [Right

• To change the value by several units, press the [Page Up] and [Page Down]

Command Bar on page 57

ms. Each value can be edited by using any of the following methods:

arrows in the value field.

Arrow] keys.

keys.

• To change the value using the mouse wheel, position the mouse cursor over a value, and use the mouse wheel, or use the AI knob of your MIDI controller.

• To change the value with the mouse, click a value and drag the mouse up or down.

• To jump to the maximum and minimum values, press the [Home] and [End] keys.

• To move from one element of the value to another, press the [Left Arrow] and [Right Arrow] keys.

Drag Operations

WaveLab Pro makes much use of drag-and-drop techniques to perform various operations, some of which can only be performed this way. These are referred to as drag operations in this documentation.

• To drag an object, click and hold with the mouse when positioned on the object and drag it. Drop the object by releasing the button.

Many types of objects can be dragged between different source and destination locations, for example, files, text, clips, items in a list, and markers.

It is also possible to drag and drop files from WaveLab Pro to Steinberg’s Nuendo.

• To reorder a tab within its own tabbed group, drag horizontally. To move a tab to another window, drag vertically.

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Drag Operations

• To open a file, drag it from the File Browser window of WaveLab Pro, from the file browser of your operating system, or from another application to the tab bar.

• To create a copy of a file, drag its tab vertically to another position of the tab bar, then press [Ctrl]/[Command], and release the mouse button.

• You can dock and undock tool windows and meter windows via dragging.

RELATED LINKS

Docking and Undocking Tool Windows and Meter Windows on page 55

Dragging in the Audio Editor and Audio Montage Window

• To insert an audio file in another audio file, drag the title bar of the file onto the waveform of another file. You can also drag an audio file from the File Browser window, the file browser of your operating system, or from another application into the Audio Editor.

• To move a marker, drag it to another position on the time ruler.

• To create a copy of a marker, press [Shift], and drag it to another position on the time ruler.

• To delete a marker, drag it upwards outside the time ruler.

• To copy an audio selection, drag a selected region of audio onto the waveform area of the same file or another file.

• To change the extent of a selection range, position the edit cursor at the start/end of the selection range, and drag to the left or right.

• To move the edit cursor without losing the current selection, and to snap it to an anchor, press [Shift], and move the mouse near the audio file/montage cursor. The mouse cursor shape changes and you can drag the cursor left and right.

• To move the edit cursor without changing or losing the current selection, press [Shift], click the edit cursor, and drag it to another position.

• To scroll the waveform horizontally, click the bar above the time ruler and drag left or right. You can also click anywhere on the waveform using the 3rd mouse button, and drag left or right.

• To create a generic marker from a selected text, drop the text that you have selected in an external application onto the time ruler. The text becomes the marker name.

• To create a stereo copy of a mono file, or a mixed copy of a stereo file, drag a tab to another position of the tab bar, press [Ctrl]-[Alt] (Windows) or [Option]-[Ctrl] (Mac), and release the mouse button.

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Undoing and Redoing Actions

Dragging in the Podcast Window

• To reorder episodes in the episodes list, drag them to another position.

Dragging in the Master Section

• To change the order of processing, drag effects between different effects slots.

Dragging in the Batch Processor Window

• To change the order in which plug-ins are processed, drag the plug-ins within the audio plug-in chain window.

• To add a file to a batch process, drag its or batch processor.

Undoing and Redoing Actions

You can undo and redo as many steps as you like. The only limitation is the available hard disk space.

By default, when undoing or redoing any Montage window, the zoom factor, cursor position, scroll position, clip selection status, and time range are restored to the state before the operation.

• To exclude the scroll and zoom settings when undoing/redoing, select File

Preferences > Global, select the Display tab, and deactivate Undo/Redo Does Not Scroll/Zoom Audio.

This is useful if you make an operation, zoom in on the changed area, and then undo the want snapshots to be restored and change your scroll and zoom settings.

• To undo or redo a step, click Und Editor or Audio

step to see the change, for example. When you do this, you do not

Montage window.

file tab to the batch conversion tool

operation in the Audio Editor or the Audio

o or Redo in the title bar of the Audio

Undo/Redo and History in the Audio Montage

The Undo/Redo function in the Audio Montage window is identical with the Undo/Redo function in the Audio Editor. However, the Audio Montage window

provides additional Undo/Redo functions and a History window. This window allows you to view a history of all recent editing activities in the audio montage and to revert to a previous state.

Each audio montage has its own history.

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Undoing and Redoing Actions

The following options are available in the History window.

• To open the History window, select Tool Windows > History.

• To revert the current audio montage to a previous state, double-click the

• To undo all operations, select Functions > Undo All Operations.

• To undo all operations since the last saving command, select Functions >

• To redo all operations, select Functions > Redo All Operations.

• To clear the history, select Functions > Clear.

operation to which you want to return.

Undo All Operations since the Last Saving Command.

This frees up memory, hard disk space, and any involved audio file.

When you save an audio file, the undo history is cleared automatically. This is not the case for audio montages.

The following options are available in the Audio Montages Preferences.

• To group similar operations in the undo history, select File > Preferences >

• To clear the history after each saving, select File > Preferences > Audio

History Window

In this window, you can see all the operations that have been performed in the audio montage and revert to a previous state.

• To open the History window, open an audio montage and select Tool

Audio Montages. On the All Audio Montages tab, activate Group Similar Operations.

This groups all operations of the same type to one single operation, as soon as an operation of another type is performed.

Montages. On the All Audio Montages tab, activate Clear After Each Saving.

Windows > History.

Status

Shows which operations are done and undone.

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Zooming

Operation

Shows the type of the performed operation.

Time

Shows the time at which the operation was performed.

Description

Describes the performed operation in detail.

Navigating Backwards and Forwards

In audio files and audio montages, you can navigate to the previous/next cursor position, zoom factor, and selection range without undoing/redoing the edit operation.

1. In the Audio Editor or Audio Montage window, select the View tab.

2. In the Navigate section, click Backwards or Forwards.

Zooming

Horizontal Zooming

• When you zoom out as far as possible, the entire file fits in the window.

• When you zoom in as far as possible, each sample occupies several pixels on

Vertical Zooming

• When you zoom out as far as possible, the height of the wave fits in the

• As you progressively zoom in, the display only shows a part of the total height.

the screen. This allows for sample-accurate editing of waveforms.

window.

The vertical scrollbar lets you adjust exactly which section is shown. Check the ruler to see which part of the waveform is shown in the display.

• To optimize the vertical zoom of the waveform, press [Ctrl]/[Command], the time ruler, keep the mouse button pressed, and drag the mouse up or down.

High Zoom Level

• When the zooming level is very high, each sample is shown with a step and a bullet. The steps show the real digitized state, while the bullets make it easier to see the samples, especially for zeroed samples.

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Zooming

• The curve also represents an estimation of the analog reconstructed signal to give hints on true peaks.

Zooming in the Overview and Main View Sections (Audio Editor Only)

• You can have different zoom levels in the overview and in the main view section. In the overview, a range indicator on the time ruler indicates which section of the file is displayed in the main view.

The range indicator is only shown if Sync with Other View is deactivated.

• To adjust the zoom level, drag the edges of the range indicator.

• To scroll in the main view, drag the range indicator. The range indicator is located at the top of the overview display.

• To adjust the zoom level using the scrollbar, drag the edges of the scrollbar.

Zooming Using the Zoom Controls

Both the main view and the overview have horizontal and vertical zoom controls.

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PROCEDURE

Zooming

• To zoom horizontally, click the Horizontal Zoom control, and drag left or right, or use the mouse wheel.

• To zoom vertically, click the Vertic use the mouse wheel.

• To fully zoom-out, double-click the zoom controls.

Zooming Using the Zoom Tool

The Zoom tool is used to zoom in a specific section of the waveform so that it occupies the entire wave window. This is only available in the Audio Editor.

Using the Zoom Tool in the Main View

The selection that you make in the main view of the wave window is magnified and fills up the entire main view.

al Zoom control, and drag up or down, or

1. In the Audio Editor, select the View tab.

2. In the Tools section, click Zoom .

3. In the main view of the wave window, click and drag left or right, and release the

mouse button.

The selected part of the wave now occupies the entire main view.

Using the Zoom Tool in the Overview

The selection that you make in the overview of the wave window is displayed in the main view.

• In the overview of the wave window, click and drag left or right, and release the mouse button.

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Zooming

RESULT

The selected range of the waveform is shown in the main view.

Zooming Using the Mouse

With the mouse, you can change the zoom factor by clicking and dragging or by using the mouse wheel.

• To zoom horizontally, in the wave window or the montage window, position the mouse cursor over the time ruler, click, and drag up or down.

• To zoom horizontally while maintaining the cursor position, position the mouse cursor over the time ruler, press [Shift], and drag up or down.

For this, you can also use the mouse wheel. Press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift], point at a waveform, and use the mouse wheel.

• To zoom horizontally around the mouse cursor position using the mouse wheel, press [Ctrl]/[Command], point at a waveform, and use the mouse wheel.

• To zoom horizontally around the edit cursor position, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift], point at a waveform, and use the mouse wheel.

• To zoom vertically using the mouse wheel, press [Shift], point at a waveform, and use the mouse wheel.

Audio Editor Only

• To zoom vertically, in the wave window, position the mouse cursor over the level ruler, click, and drag left or right.

• To reset the vertical zoom to 0 dB, double-click the level ruler.

• To set the vertical zoom to the best value, that is, the current minimum and maximum displayed samples, make sure that the level ruler is set to 0 double-click the level ruler.

Zooming Using the Keyboard

A quick way to zoom the active wave or montage window is to use the arrow keys on the computer keyboard.

dB, and

• To zoom horizontally in the active wave window or montage window, press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow].

• To zoom vertically in the active wave/montage window, hold [Shift], and press [Up Arrow] or [Down Arrow].

• To zoom vertically to fit the available height, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Shift]-[Up Arrow].

• To zoom out fully, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Down Arrow].

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NOTE

Zooming

• To zoom in fully, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Up Arrow].

You can increase or decrease the zoom steps with the Interval for Zoom Key

Command option. You can set this option in the Global Preferences on the Options tab.

RELATED LINKS

Zoom Options

The zoom options allow you to quickly access various zoom settings. The zoom options are available in the Audio Editor and the Audio Montage

window on the View tab in the Zoom section.

Time

Global Preferences on page 700

Opens a pop-up menu that allows you to adjust the zoom to display the selected time range. Zoom in 1:1 zooms in so that one pixel on the screen represents one sample.

To edit the zoom factor, click Edit Zoom Factor. This opens the Zoom Factor dialog, where you can edit the following settings:

• Set Time Range allows you to specify the time range that you want to

display.

• Samples per Screen Point allows you to specify how many audio

samples are summarized in each screen point.

• Screen Points per Sample allows you to specify how many screen

points are used to represent a single audio sample.

Zoom

Activates the Zoom tool that allows you to define a time range that is zoomed in.

Zoom Selection

Zooms the window so that the current selection occupies the entire montage window.

Display Whole Clip (Audio Montage window only)

Adjusts the view to display the active clip.

Microscope

Zooms in as far as possible.

Zoom in Audio (10x)/Zoom out Audio (10x)

Zooms in/out in big steps.

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Zooming

Zoom in Audio/Zoom out Audio

Zooms in/out in small steps.

Level

Adjusts the zoom to only display samples below the selected dB value.

Optimize Vertical Zoom (Audio Editor only)

Changes the vertical zoom factor so that the peaks are clearly visible. This adjustment is done according to the section of the wave that is visible in the wave/montage window.

Reset Zoom to 0 dB

Adjusts the zoom to display audio levels up to 0 dB.

Zoom in Vertically/Zoom out Vertically

Zooms in/out to show waveforms with a lower/higher level.

Zooming in the Audio Montage

Zooming options in the Audio Montage window are almost similar to those in the Audio Editor. However, there are additional zooming options for tracks and the Wave Matching window for displaying a close-up view of the beginning of the

selected track.

RELATED LINKS

Wave Matching Window on page 338

Zoom Buttons in the Audio Montage

The zoom buttons in the Audio Montage window allow you to apply zoom presets.

• To only display the selected track, or also the tracks below and/or above the selected track, click the corresponding buttons.

• To set the zoom setting to fit the active clips in 25 %, 50 %, or 100 % of the available space, click the corresponding buttons.

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Presets

• To select a specific area, click [Ctrl]/[Command], and drag the rectangle over the tracks and clips that you want to zoom in on.

Displaying More or Less Tracks

The number of tracks that are displayed in the Audio Montage window can be changed with the zoom controls in the lower right corner of the montage window.

• To display more tracks, click the smaller magnifying glass icon.

• To display fewer tracks, click the larger magnifying glass icon.

• To make a single track fit the whole montage window, click the numbered button in the track control area, and select Zoom from the pop-up menu.

You can also right-click the lower area of a track, and select Display Whole Clip from the pop-up menu.

Presets

You can create presets to save commonly used settings. WaveLab Pro provides a selection of factory presets that can be used by most dialogs.

You can save customized presets. The next time that you load the program, the presets are available.

Presets are saved as single files and can be organized in subfolders. The root folder of the preset is different for each type of preset and cannot be changed.

Saving a Preset

1. Open the dialog that you want to use and modify the parameters.

2. Open the Presets pop-up menu and select Save As.

3. Optional: Click the folder icon and enter a name for the subfolder that you

4. Type in a name.

want to use as the location for this preset.

5. Click Save.

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PROCEDURE

Presets

Loading Presets

To apply a saved preset or a factory preset to a dialog or plug-in, you must load the preset.

1. In the dialog, open the Presets pop-up menu.

2. Select the preset that you want to apply.

Modifying a Preset

You can modify a preset and save the changes.

1. Open the dialog that you want to use.

2. Load the preset that you want to modify.

3. Modify the parameters of the dialog.

4. Open the Presets pop-up menu and select Save.

Deleting a Preset

1. Open the dialog that you want to use.

2. Select the preset that you want to delete.

3. Open the Presets pop-up menu and select Organize Presets.

4. In the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder, select the preset file that you want to delete, and press [Delete].

Saving and Restoring Temporary Presets

Some dialogs allow you to save and load up to 5 temporary presets. This is useful if you want to quickly test and compare different settings.

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PROCEDURE

Presets

Saving Presets Temporarily

1. Open the dialog that you want to use and make your settings.

2. Open the Presets pop-up menu.

3. From the Store Temporarily submenu, select a slot.

Restoring Temporary Presets

1. Open the dialog in which you have saved a preset.

2. Open the Presets pop-up menu.

3. From the Restore submenu, select a preset.

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Recently Used Files

PROCEDURE

All files that you have recently used in WaveLab Pro are saved in a list. This helps you to gain fast access to recent projects. You can open recently used files via the File menu or the Recent Files tab, which displays more files and offers additional options.

Opening Recently Used Files

File Operations

1. Select File > Open.

2. Select the file type that you want to open.

3. Click Recent Files.

4. Optional: Use the search field to enter the name of the file that you are looking

5. Select the file that you want to open

6. Click Open.

Recent Files Tab

This tab allows you to view and manage all the files that you have recently used in WaveLab individual files or files that cannot be located.

• To open the Recent Files tab, select File > Open, select one of the file types,

for.

Pro. You can search for files, open multiple files at once, and remove

and click Recent Files.

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File Operations

PROCEDURE

Recently Used Files

Only Show Files Created by WaveLab Pro

Only shows the files that have not been opened since they were created by WaveLab

Pro. For example, a file that is rendered has this status until it is

opened.

Search field

Lets you search for text in the Name or Path column, depending on which column is selected.

Remove Non-Existing Files

Removes those files from the list that cannot be located on the media.

Remove Selected Files

Removes all selected files from the list.

Open

Opens the selected files.

Filtering Recently Used Files by Name

The search field in the Recent Files tab allows you to filter the files list by name.

• To specify whether the Name or the Path column is used, click the Name or Path column header.

• To search for a file, enter the text that you want to search for in the search field.

• To switch the focus from the search field to the list of recently used files, press [Down Arrow].

• To switch the focus from the list of recently used files to the search field, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[F].

Setting the Number of Recently Used Files to Display

1. Select File > Preferences > Global.

2. In the Global Preferences window, select the Display tab.

3. In the History section, set the maximum number of items to be listed in the following areas:

• Recent File menus

• Recent Files tab

• Recent Folders menu

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File Operations

Favorite Files

You can add files that you are using regularly to the favorite files list.

• To open the favorite files list, select File > Open, select the file type, and click Favorites.

• To add the open file to the favorite files list, click Add Current File.

• To open a file from the favorite files list, select a file from the file list, and click Open.

• To remove files from the favorite files list, select the files that you want to remove, and click Remove Selected Files.

• To remove files from the list that are no longer present on the media, click Remove Non-Existing Files.

Favorite Files Tab

This tab allows you to display and edit the favorite files list.

• To open the Favorite Files tab, select File > Open, select the file type, and click Favorites.

List of favorite files

Shows the favorite files.

Lets you filter the favorite files list by name.

Remove Non-Existing Files

Removes files from the list that are no longer present on the media.

Remove Selected Files

Removes all selected files from the list.

Add Current File

Adds the open file to the favorites list.

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File Operations

NOTE

Save and Save As

Only Show Files Created by WaveLab Pro

If this option is activated, the list displays only files that were created by WaveLab

This allows you to quickly access files that were created in WaveLab Pro via the Save As or Render option, for example.

Open

Opens the selected files in WaveLab Pro.

Filtering Favorite Files

The search field in the Favorite Files tab allows you to filter the favorite files list by name.

• In the Favorite Files tab, enter the text that you want to search for in the search field.

• To switch the focus from the search field to the favorite files list, press [Down Arrow].

Pro, but have not yet been opened.

• To switch the focus from the favorite files list to the search field, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[F].

RELATED LINKS

Favorite Files Tab on page 92

Save and Save As

• Once a file has been saved, select File > Save, or press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[S] to update the file and make the changes permanent.

• If you want to specify a new name, location, and/or file format, select File > Save As.

In the Audio Editor, all save operations except Save Copy clear the undo history, which means that after saving you cannot undo or redo.

Tab Colors

The line above tabs gives information on whether a file is saved or not, and whether the file has been rendered in Cubase.

White

The file is not modified.

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File Operations

PROCEDURE

Save and Save As

Green (Audio Editor only)

The file uses a decoded file format and is saved.

Red

The file has been modified and changes have not been saved yet.

Yellow

The file has been rendered in Cubase.

Unsaved Changes Indicator

When you have made changes to a file, an asterisk is displayed next to the file name until you save the file.

Saving Multiple Files at Once

You can save some or all open files at once.

1. Open the File window and click Save All.

2. Select the files that you want to save.

3. Click Save.

Saving a Copy of a File

You can save copies of files that you are working on.

1. Select File > Save As.

2. Specify a name and location.

3. Right-click Save and select Save Copy.

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File Operations

PROCEDURE

Save and Save As

Reverting to Saved File

You can revert the file that you are working on back to its last saved state. This undoes all the changes made to the file since it was last saved.

1. Select File > Open.

2. Select the file type that you want to open.

3. Click Revert to Saved File.

4. In the warning dialog, click Yes to revert to the last saved state.

RESULT

The last saved version of the file is loaded from disk.

Automatic Backups

You can automatically create backups of your files. For example, if you select Save As and specify a file name that is already used in

that folder, you will be asked if you want to replace the existing file or replace the existing file and rename the old file. If you click Replace and Keep Old, the backup name of the audio file that is replaced will be the original name, with .bak added at the end.

About Saving Audio Montages

The saving operations for audio montages are the same as for audio files. However, there are things to note when saving audio montages.

• Audio montage files only contain references to audio files. If you want to rename audio files that are referenced by audio montages, rename the audio files in the Info window of the Audio Editor. All clip references are updated automatically.

• If the audio montage contains clips that refer to untitled audio files, save these audio files before saving the audio montage.

RELATED LINKS

Renaming Files on page 101

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PROCEDURE

Templates

You can save file settings that you regularly use as templates. Templates are useful when creating new audio files, audio montages, podcasts, projects, or batch processors.

Templates Tab

This tab shows all templates, and allows you to create and open templates.

• To open the Templates tab, select File > New, select a file type, and click

Templates.

List of the available templates

Lists all saved templates.

Add Template

Allows you to add a new template or update an existing template.

Use Template Name as Default File Name

If this option is activated and you click Add Template, a new file is created and uses the name of the template. If this option is deactivated, the name of the new file is “untitled”.

Explore

Opens the folder where the template files are located. Here, you can rename and delete templates.

Creating a Template

You can create a template from an active audio montage, audio file, podcast, project, or batch processor file and use it as a basis for newly created files.

PREREQUISITE

Select the file that you want to base your template on.

1. Select File > New.

2. Select the file type for which you want to create a template.

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File Operations

Templates

3. Click Templates.

4. In the Templates tab, do one of the following.

• To create a new template, click Add Template, make your settings, and click

Create.

• To update an existing template, click Add Template, enter the name of the

template that you want to update, and click Create.

5. Optional: If you want to use the template name as the default file name, activate Use Template Name as Default File Name.

6. When saving or updating an audio file template or an audio montage template, you can make additional settings.

• When saving an audio file template, the Audio File Template dialog opens.

Here, you can select whether WaveLab

• When saving an audio montage template, the Audio Montage Template

dialog opens. Here, you can select whether to include track plug-ins, clips, and/or markers. Also select whether WaveLab format.

Pro should attach an audio file format.

Pro should attach an audio file

Audio File Templates

The Audio File Template dialog displays the audio properties of the audio file template that you are creating. You can also specify whether to always associate a specific audio file configuration with optional meta-data when creating an audio file template or not.

•To open the Audio File Template dialog, select File > New, click Audio File, and click Templates. In the Templates tab, click Add Template.

Attach Audio File Format

If this option is activated, whenever you open the Render or Save As dialogs, the audio file configuration specified below is proposed by default.

Template Name

Allows you to enter a name for the template.

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File Operations

Templates

Audio Montage Templates

In the Audio Montage Template dialog, you can set various options when creating an audio montage template.

• To open the Audio Montage Template dialog, select File > New, click

Audio Montage, and click Templates. In the Templates tab, click Add Template.

Include Clips

If this option is activated, clips are saved in the template.

Include Track and Master Plug-ins

If this option is activated, track plug-ins and master plug-ins are saved in the template.

Include Markers

If this option is activated, markers are saved in the template.

Attach Audio File Format

If this option is activated, whenever you open the Render dialog, the audio file configuration specified below is proposed by default.

Template Name

Allows you to enter a name for the template.

File Group Templates

The File Group Template dialog displays the file group name on which the template that you are creating is based on. You can also specify whether to include links to the files inside the file group in the template and specify the template name.

• To open the File Group Template dialog, select File > New, click File

Group, and click Templates. In the Templates tab, click Add Template.

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File Operations

Templates

Include Links to the Files Inside the File Group

If this option is activated, the links to the files that are included in the file group are included in the template.

Template Name

Allows you to enter a name for the template.

Project Templates

In the Project Template dialog, you can set various options when creating a project template.

• To open the Project Template dialog, select File > New, click Project, and

Include Links to the Files Inside the Project

Set as Default Project

click Templates. In the Templates tab, click Add Template.

If this option is activated, the links to the files that are included in the project are included in the template.

If this option is activated, the template is used as the default project when you start WaveLab

Pro.

Template Name

Allows you to enter a name for the template.

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File Operations

PROCEDURE

File Renaming

Creating a File From a Template

You can create a file from a template to use its settings.

1. Select File > New.

2. Select the file type that you want to create.

3. Click Templates.

4. From the list of the available templates, select the template that you want to take as the basis of the new file.

Deleting Templates

1. Select File > New.

2. Select the file type for which you want to delete templates.

3. Click Templates.

4. Click Explore.

5. In the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder, delete the templates.

Renaming Templates

1. Select File > New.

2. Select the file type for which you want to rename templates.

3. Click Templates.

4. Click Explore.

5. In the File Explorer/Mac OS Finder, rename the templates.

File Renaming

You can rename a file and update all references automatically. For example, if you rename an audio file named India to Sitar, all open files that reference the file India are updated to reference the file as Sitar.

Audio files, peak files, and marker files are also renamed accordingly. The following files use audio file references:

100

Steinberg Wavelab Pro - 9.0 Operation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

Help System

Introduction

About the Program Versions

Conventions

How You Can Reach Us

Setting Up Your System

Connecting Audio

Audio Cards and Background Playback

Latency

Defining VST Audio Connections

CD/DVD Recorders

Remote Devices

WaveLab Pro Concepts

General Editing Rules

Startup Dialog

Basic Window Handling

Selecting Audio

Sliders

Renaming Items in Tables

File Browser

Tab Groups

Peak Files

Companion Files

EBU Loudness Standard R-128

Workspace Window

Audio Editor

Audio Montage

Batch Processor

Podcast Editor

Basic Audio CD

DVD-Audio

Script Editor

Control Window

File Tab

Info Tab

Tool Windows

Meter Windows

Slide-Out Windows

Docking and Undocking Tool Windows and Meter Windows

Command Bar

Status Bar

Context Menus

Time Ruler and Level Ruler

Managing Tabs

Activating Full Screen Mode

Log Window

Opening Files

Project Handling

WaveLab Projects

File Groups

Value Editing

Drag Operations

Undoing and Redoing Actions

Zooming

Presets

Recently Used Files

File Operations

Favorite Files

Save and Save As

Templates

File Renaming