Xara Samplitude Producer - 11.0 Owners Manual

2 Copyright

Copyright

This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right
of duplication, circulation, and translation, are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies,
microfilms or other processes, or transmitted into a language used
for machines, especially data processing machines, without the
express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding
manufacturers. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as
program modifications reserved.

MAGIX, Samplitude, Hybrid Audio Engine are registered trademarks
of MAGIX AG.

This product uses MAGIX patented technology (USP 6,518,492).

VST and ASIO are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media
Technologies GmbH.

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the
respective manufacturer.

Copyright © MAGIX AG, 1994-2010. All rights reserved.

www.magix.com

Preface 3

Preface

Congratulations on your purchase of Samplitude 11 Producer!

Creating your own music or video soundtracks in a home studio has
become more and more popular. But the wide variety of available
equipment and software often confuses both beginner and
professional musicians alike. You may find yourself asking questions
like "What do I really need?", or "What's the best value for my
money?"

Samplitude 11 Producer is the perfect solution: Fast and easy-to­handle music production on your PC, from recording to mastering.
Transform your PC into a complete sound studio.

All you need to produce and arrange in high-quality is a conventional
sound card, but additional studio equipment can easily be added.

The following pages will introduce to you in detail the various
functions and possibilities offered by Samplitude 11 Producer.

Have fun with Samplitude 11 Producer.

Your

MAGIX team

www.magix.com

4 Preface

Table of Contents

Copyright 2

Preface 3

Support 15

Before you start 17

Package contents 17
System requirements 17
Serial number 18
Installation 19

MAGIX News Center 20

Introduction 21

What is Samplitude 11 Producer? 21
What’s new in Samplitude 11 Producer? 22
The features 24

Tutorial 31

Create a virtual project (VIP) 31
Recording with the multitrack recorder (MR-64) 37
Arranging MAGIX Soundpool sound loops 40
Add synthesizers 44
Editing objects 45
MIDI recordings 46
Edit MIDI 49
Mixer 53
Effects 54
Burn CD 56

Program desktop overview 57

VIP window 57
Transport control 58
Track editor 61
Track box 64
Workspaces 65

Mouse functions and mouse modes 66

Universal mode 66
Curves / Object mode 68

www.magix.com

Range mode (safe mode) 68
Curve mode 69
Cut mode 70
Pitchshift / Timestretch mode 70
Draw volume mode 70
Draw panorama mode 70
Wave edit mode (only wave projects) 70
Scrub mouse mode 71
Zoom mode 71

Button overview 72

Toolbar (left section) 72
Toolbar (right section) 73
Mouse mode bar 73
Positioning bar (left) 74
Position bar (right) 74
Range bar 75

Functional overview 76

Working with objects in the VIP 76
Ranges 81
Working in wave projects 84
Using markers 85
Volume 86
Output mode 87
Record 87
Tips & tricks 91

Preface 5

Effects and effect plug-ins 95

What effects are there, and how are they used? 95
Saving effect parameters (preset mechanism) 96
Dehisser 97
Sound FX (object editor, mixer channels, mixmaster) 98
Parametric equalizer (mixer channels, mix master) 102
MAGIX Mastering Suite 103
Vintage Effects Suite (track effects, mixer channels, mix master) 108
Essential FX 123
Vandal 131
Track dynamics (track effects, mixer channels) 137
Track delay/reverb (track effects) 139
Elastic Audio easy 140
Installation of VST plug-ins 152
Effect calculations 153
Samplitude 11 Producer as an external effects device 153

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6 Preface

Automation 155

Automation – Context menu 155
Automation modes 158
VST plug-in / VST parameter dialog 159
Plug-in / Instrument screen 159
Draw panorama mode 159
Edit automation curves 159
Move automation curve with audio / MIDI data 160

Mixer 161

Overview 161
Operating the mixer 162
Channel strips 163
Master section 166
Global settings 167
Buses and routing 169
Embedding external effects devices 171
Tips and tricks 171

MIDI in Samplitude 11 Producer 172

What is MIDI? 172
Connect external equipment 172
Convert MIDI objects into audio files 174
MIDI settings 174
MIDI: Import, record, edit 174
MIDI object editor 178

MIDI editor 182

Notation display, movement, zoom 182
Synchronized MIDI editor and VIP screen view 184
MIDI editor multi-object editing (MO editing) 184
Using the MIDI editor: Selecting events 185
Editing events: Piano roll 186
Controller editor 191
List editor (midi event list) 194
Drum editor 196
Score editor 199
Quantize to grid 215
MIDI editor shortcuts 218

Software / VST instruments 220

Installation of VST plug-ins 220
Load instruments 221
Routing settings during software instrument loading 222

www.magix.com

Load effects plug-ins 224
Route MIDI instrument inputs 226
Instruments with multi-channel outputs 227
Adjust instrument parameters 228
Play and monitor instruments live 230
Routing of VST instruments using the VSTi manager. 231
Preset management 233
Freezing instruments (freeze) 234
Tips on handling virtual instruments 235
ReWire 235

Synth objects 237

Working method 237
Atmos 239
BeatBox 2 plus 240
Drum & Bass machine 2.0 254
LiViD - Little Virtual Drummer 257
Robota 258
Vita 267
Revolta 2 269

Auto Jam Session 271

Open 272
Handling 273
Auto Jam Session modes 273
Loop effects 274
Enhanced Auto Jam Session dialog 275

Preface 7

Managers 278

File manager 279
Soundpool 281
Object manager 283
Track manager 285
Marker manager 286
Range manager 288
Take manager 289
VSTi manager 291

Surround sound 292

Surround panorama module 292
Stereo and mono signal processing with twin-channel Surround 295
Automation of twin-channel Surround 296

Burning CDs 298

Red Book 298

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8 Preface

Writing 298
Burning CDs in Samplitude 11 Producer 299
DSP display 300

File menu 301

New Virtual Project (VIP) 301
Open 303
Load / Import 304
Save project 308
Save project as 308
Save complete VIP in 308
Save project as template 308
Burn project backup on CD 309
Save object 309
Save session 309
Rename project 309
Delete HD wave project 309
Delete virtual projects 310
Export audio 310
Make podcast 312
Batch processing 316
Connect to the Internet 319
FTP download 320
Send project via email 320
Close project 320
Exit 320

Edit menu 321

Undo 321
Redo 322
Undo history 322
Cut 322
Delete 323
Copy 324
Paste from clip 324
Extract 325
Insert silence 325
Append projects 325
More 326
Crossfade editor 328
Auto crossfade active 330
Delete curve handles 331
Delete undo levels 331

Menu view 332

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Rebuild graphic data 332
Sections 332
Fix vertically 333
Hide submix / AUX buses 333
Overview mode 333
Show grid 334
Grid lines 334
Units of measurement 335
Snap to grid 335
Snap and grid setup 336
VIP display 337
Store position and zoom level 337
Get position and zoom level 337
Horizontal 337
Vertical 337

Track menu 338

Insert new tracks 338
Cut track(s) 340
Copy track(s) 340
Insert track(s) 340
Delete track(s) 340
Track properties 340
Track settings 341
Track effects 343
Surround editor 343
DirectX plug-Ins 343
Maximize track 343
Minimize none 343
Track freeze 344
Track unfreeze 345
Activate next / Previous track 345

Preface 9

Object menu 346

New object 346
New synth object 346
Cut objects 346
Split objects 349
Trim objects 349
Group objects 349
Lock objects 349
Move object 350
Mute objects 350
Build loop object 351
Hotspot 351

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10 Preface

Delete hotspot 351
Select objects 351
Group objects 352
Ungroup objects 352
Object color / name 352
Object editor 353
Object manager 353
Take manager 353
Wave editing 354

Range menu 355

Range all 355
Move play cursor 355
Edit range 355
Range length 358
Split range 358
Split range for video 359
Store range 359
Get range 360
Get range length 360
Save markers 360
Get marker 360
Markers on range borders 361
Set markers on silence 361
Delete marker 361
Delete all markers 361
Recall last range 362
Range editor 362
Range manager 363
Edit time display 363

Effects menu 364

Amplitude / Normalize 365
Dynamics 368
Frequency/Filter 371
Delay / Reverb 374
Time / Pitch 376
Distortion 380
Restoration 380
Stereo / Phase 382
Modulation / Special 384
Sample manipulation 386
Plug-ins 388
Process only left (right) stereo channel 390

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Preface 11

Tools menu 391

Trackbouncing (internal mixdown) 391
Range track bouncing 393
Remove unused samples 394
Delete freeze data 394
Waveform generator 395
Open new manager 396
Managers 396
Timestretch patcher 397
Remix Agent 398
Harmony Agent 405
Harmony display 406

Playback / Record menu 407

Play once 407
Play loop 407
Play in range 407
Play with preload 407
Play only selected objects 408
Stop 408
Stop and go to current position 408
Change play direction 408
Restart play 408
Playback options 409
Record 411
Record options 411
Record mode / Punch in 414
Monitoring 416
Auto Jam Session 417

Menu tempo 418

Tempo / Time signature 418
Set new tempo marker 419
Set new beat marker 419
Set new beat position marker 419
Ignore all tempo markers, use only project tempo 424
Metronome active 424
Metronome settings 424

MIDI menu 425

New MIDI object 425
New MIDI track 425
MIDI editor 425
MIDI object editorCtrl + O 426

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12 Preface

Glue MIDI objects 426
Trim MIDI objects 426
MIDI bouncing 426
Separate MIDI objects according to channels 426
MIDI quantization (start and length) 427
MIDI start quantization 427
MIDI length quantization 427
Cancel MIDI quantization 427
Track information 427
Track MIDI record 427
VST instrument editor 428
Metronome active 428
Metronome settings 428
MIDI settings 428
MIDI record modes 428
MIDI panic – All notes off 429

CD menu 430

Load audio CD track(s) 430
Set track 432
Set subindex 432
Set pause 433
Set CD end 433
Set track markers automatically 433
Set track indices on object edges 433
Remove index 433
Remove all indices 434
Make CD 434
Show CD-R drive information 436
Show CD-R disc information 436
CD track options 436
CD disc options 436
CD text / MPEG ID3 editor 437
Set pause time 438
Set start pause time 438
CD arrange mode 438
Get CD info (FreeDB Internet) 439
FreeDB options 439
Audio ID 439

Options menu 440

Project properties 440
Project options 443
Track information 443
Synchronization 443

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Program settings 444
System / Audio 446

Window menu 447

Cascade 447
Tile 447
Untile 447
Arrange icons 447
Main toolbar 447
Position bar 448
Mouse mode toolbar 448
Range bar 448
Workspace bar 448
Button bar 448
Status bar 448
Mixer 449
Track editor 449
Time display 449
Visualization 450
Transport control 452
Managers 455
Close all windows 455
Iconize all wave projects 455
Hide all wave projects 455
Half height 455

Preface 13

Tasks menu 456

Online menu 456

MAGIX Online World 456
MAGIX Community 456
MAGIX Blog Service 457
Make podcast 457

Help menu 460

Help 460
Help index 460
Context help 460
About Samplitude 11 Producer 460
Start selection / Tip of the day 460
System information 461
MAGIX auto-update 461
MP3 Encoder activation 461

Preset keyboard shortcuts 464

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14 Preface

File menu 464
Edit menu 464
View menu 465
Track menu 466
Object menu 466
Real-time effects menu 468
Offline effects menu 469
Range menu 469
CD / DVD menu 470
Tools menu 470
Playback menu 470
MIDI menu 471
Options menu 471
Window menu 471
Help menu 472
Mouse 472

General settings 473

System / Audio 473
Program 490
Editing keyboard shortcuts and menus 494
Design 498
Easy setup 502

Project settings 503

Project options 503
Mixer setup 504
Media link 505
Synchronization / Synchronization settings 507
Recording options 511
Varipitch/practice mode 514

Index 515

www.magix.com

Support 15

Support

If you experience any problems with your software, please contact
our support team:

Support website: http://support.magix.net/contact/us

This website takes you to the MAGIX user service page; the following
free offers are also featured there:

• FAQs (frequently asked questions) and general tricks and tips. In
most cases, you’ll find the solution to your problem here. If not, use
the email support form.

• Email support form: Use the special form to inform our support staff
about your system. This information is used to solve your problems
quickly and competently. Simply fill it out and send it with a mouse
click!

• Support forum: You are not alone... Perhaps other users had a
similar problem and can help you solve yours. Our support staff are
also regular contributors.

• Download section: Updates, improvements, and patches are
likewise offered free of charge via download. Many problems you
may experience are already familiar to us, and they can often be
solved by downloading the latest patch. Besides patches, there are
also wizards for checking and optimizing your system.

• Links: The links list contains the contact addresses for all of the
most important hardware manufacturers.

Please note: To be able to use the support, you have to register your
product using the serial number provided. This number can be found
on the CD case of your installation CD or on the inside of the DVD
box.

www.magix.com

16 Support

You can also reach our support team by telephone:

UK: 0203 3183666 (Mon. - Fri., 09:00-16:00 GMT)

USA/Canada: 1-775-562-0527 (9 am to 5 pm EST Mon-Fri)
Denmark: 699 18763 (Mon.- Fri. 10:00 - 17:00)
Finland (Suomi): 09 42419023 (Mon.- Fri. 11:00 - 18:00)
Norway: 210 35843 (Mon.- Fri. 10:00 - 17:00)

Sweden: 0852500713 (Mon.- Fri. 10:00 - 17:00)

You can request a free access code to the phone support hotline by
clicking on this link: http://support.magix.net/phone. There you'll
also get additional information and explanations about phone
support.

Please have the following information at hand:

• Program version

• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard

drive, etc.), sound card configuration (type, driver)

• Information regarding other audio software installed

You can also contact our support team by mail:

UK/Skandinavia: MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14,
01194 Dresden, Germany

US/Canada: MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302,
Reno, NV 89502, USA

Customer service & upgrades (US only)
Periodically, MAGIX offers users who purchased their software an
upgrade from a previous product to the current version. For details
about an upgrade, please call us using the following number:

Sales Department 1-305-722-5810

Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (EST)

www.magix.com

Before you start 17

Before you start

Package contents

Program disc: This disc contains the Samplitude 11 Producer

installation manager.

Printed manual: The printed manual contains all necessary
information for a quick start into the program.

Note: The complete documentation may be found after installing
Samplitude 11 Producer as a PDF-file under "Start -> Programs ->
MAGIX -> Samplitude 11 Producer -> Documentation".
You can read it on your screen or print it. This requires the program
"Foxit Reader" to display it (located in the Samplitude 11 Producer
folder).

System requirements

• Processor: Intel® Pentium® or AMD® Athlon® 1200 MHz, or higher

• Memory: min. 512 MB RAM (1 GB recommended)

• Hard drive space: min. 3 GB free

• Graphics card: 1024 x 768 resolution with 16-bit high-color

• Sound playback: Full duplex 16-bit sound card or ASIO-enabled

sound card (recommended)

• Other: DVD-ROM drive, Microsoft

• Operating system: Microsoft

®

-compatible mouse

®

Windows® 2000 | XP | Vista™

Optional:

• Burn CDs/DVDs with CD/DVD±R(W) recorder.

• MP3 export with Windows Media Player 10, or higher

• Access to and publication on www.magix.com and in MAGIX Online

World only with Internet connection and an up-to-date browser

• Emails can be sent with standard email software Microsoft
Outlook

TM

or Microsoft® Outlook ExpressTM

®

Note: Artist rights and ancillary publisher copyrights must be
respected. Only non copy-protected audio CDs can be imported.

www.magix.com

18 Before you start

Serial number

A serial number is included with each product, and although it is not
required for the installation of the software, it does enable access to
additional bonus services. Please store this number in a safe place.

What can a serial number do?

A serial number ensures that your copy of Samplitude 11 Producer is
clearly assigned to you and only you, and it makes improved and
more targeted customer service possible. Abuse of the software can
be prevented with a serial number, since it ensures that the optimum
price/performance ratio continues to be offered by MAGIX.

Where can the serial number be found?

The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD
case. If your product, for example, is packed in a DVD box, then
you'll find the serial number on the inside.

For versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet
(download versions), you'll receive your serial number for activating
the software directly after purchasing the product via email.

When will you need the serial number?

The serial number is required when you start or register Samplitude
11 Producer for the first time.

Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product, since only
then are you entitled to get program updates and contact MAGIX
Support. Entering the serial number is also required for activating
codecs.

www.magix.com

Before you start 19

Installation

Step 1: Insert the program disc into the drive. The installation

program starts up automatically. If the disc doesn't run automatically,

• open Windows Explorer and click the letter of the CD-ROM drive,

• or double click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.

Step 2: To begin the installation of Samplitude 11 Producer, click on
"Install". The Samplitude 11 Producer installation program will
appear.

Hint: During installation, you will be asked (in case there are multiple
users on your computer) if you would like to set up for the
administrator. The option "Administrator only" restricts use of the
program to the specified administrator. The "All users" option allows
all users of the computer to use the program.

Simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
process, and then click "Continue". All files are now copied onto the
hard drive.

Step 3: Once the installation is complete, confirm the message by
pressing "Finish". Now you can start the program at any time from
the Windows "Start" menu.

www.magix.com

20 MAGIX News Center

MAGIX News Center

MAGIX can supply you with all of the latest information about
your software. In the MAGIX News Center, you will find all of
the links to current online tutorials as well as tips & tricks on
individual topics or software application examples.

You will also be informed of the availability of brand new updates and
patches for your program as well as special offers, contests, and
surveys.

The news is split into three color-coded sections:

• Green for practical tips & tricks for your software

• Yellow reports the availability of new patches and updates for your

product

• Red for special offers, contests, and surveys

• And if there are no new messages, then the button will be grey

All available information is shown as soon as you click on MAGIX
News Center. If you click on one of the news items you will be
forwarded to the corresponding website.

www.magix.com

Introduction 21

Introduction

What is Samplitude 11 Producer?

Samplitude 11 Producer is a multitrack recording and editing
application for all types of audio material featuring unlimited editing
options. It's easy to use and follows three simple steps:

1. Download and record

You can download CD tracks, MP3 songs, wave files, video
soundtracks, or sounds & samples from the hard disk, the CD ROM
drive, or the Internet. You can even make your own recordings from a
stereo system or with a microphone. Everything you download or
record is displayed as an object on the Arranger's tracks.

2. Arrange and edit

Basically, all tracks stacked virtually above each other will be played
simultaneously, and everything that follows horizontally will be played
in subsequent order. However, you can mute the objects stacked
above each other.

Every object – that is, every sound, every song – can be cut up or
have effects added. For example, if you want to shorten a song,
move the object with your mouse to the length at which you would
like the song to be – done! Want to freshen up your sound? Then
open the equalizer and either select a preset that fits, or modify your
sound "by hand”.

Arranging and editing is essentially all about cutting, blending,
adding, mixing effects, and placing audio material into the right
positions and into the right tracks. But it’s also about play and
experimentation. If it fits, throw it in! Without experimentation there is
no innovation. Samplitude 11 Producer allows you to experiment, and
experiment wildly. There’s no risk of your audio material being
damaged. All editing functions are "non-destructive”.

Export and use

Regardless what you're experimenting with, in the end something
usable should come out of it. Samplitude 11 Producer has everything
you need to be productive:

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22 Introduction

• Homemade audio CDs which can be played by any standard CD
player

• Unique MP3 collections, e.g. as a source of material for your MP3
player

• Podcasts: Simply export the project as a podcast and - if you want -
publish it using MAGIX Podcast Service online (the MAGIX Podcast
Service can be reached via the "Online" menu.)

• And much more. The export principle is simply "what you hear is
what you get". That is, what you export sounds exactly as it
sounded in the arrangement during playback in Samplitude 11
Producer.

What’s new in Samplitude 11 Producer?

Vandal SE

The new guitar and bass amplifier from MAGIX (see page 131).
Sound fidelity never available before even satisfies professional
demands. You can use Vandal SE by selecting the "Effects" menu
and then the item "Distortion -> Vandal SE". The Vandal SE interface
will open for you to make numerous adjustments, just like you would
to the settings on genuine amplifier.

Essential FX

Essential FX (see page 122) provides the newest effects modules to
guarantee the best sound results. This is available via the "Effects"
menu. There are three modules in total to choose from.

More instruments at the same time

In Samplitude 11 Producer, you can now use up to 64 VSTi plug-ins
(see page 219) and track synthesizer (see page 237) want at the
same time.

Premium Drum Collection

This high-quality Drum Collection enables you to expand your
projects quickly and easily with a percussion. Several hundred
sounds are provided to make sure things never get boring. The
Premium Drum Collection can be accessed via the "Soundpool" in
the manager.

www.magix.com

Introduction 23

Harmony Agent

The Harmony Agent provides harmony recognition automatically and
determines the key and chord of any music title. See the guitar
tablature of your favorite song in real time for the arrangement!

Docking

Samplitude 11 Producer allows certain dialog and display windows to
be docked/coupled in the VIP interface. Corresponding windows may
be docked to the areas provided in the VIP by double clicking the title
bar or by clicking the title bar and moving with the "Ctrl" key pressed.
This applies to the following windows:

• Manager (see page 277)

• Visualization (see page 450)

• Toolbars (can be activated via the "Window (see page 447)" menu)

• Time display window (see page 449)

User interface

The user interface has been laid out as clearly as possible. Thanks to
its new look, working in Samplitude 11 Producer is now significantly
more convenient.

Better overview via track colors

Use the option to provide all of your tracks with different colors so
that they are easier to tell apart. As soon as an object is dragged
onto a track, the track color can be specified by clicking the black
bar between the track and the track settings.

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24 Introduction

Alternatively, you can also (if not in "Easy" mode) use the "Color
mode" button in the toolbar.

New take manager

The new take manager (see page 289) is now integrated into the
manager window and offers an extremely convenient take
management scheme for audio and MIDI objects. You can access it
with the manager bar opened and then via "Takes".

The features

The best possible sound quality

This feature is especially important to every music lover: Samplitude
11 Producer offers unique sound quality for digital music editing.

• 100% sound neutrality: Benefit from Samplitude, professional audio
software that's been used for years in sound studios and radio & TV
stations around the world. Samplitude's unique feature is that the
original sound of audio files is not diminished by any specific audio
discoloration, as is often the case with other programs.

• 24-bit/48 kHz recordings: Your own recordings can be made with
the correct hardware in professional, high-quality, high-resolution
24-bit/48 kHz format.

• 32-bit floating point: Internal sound processing is executed via the
32-bit floating point process for especially differentiated and high­quality calculation. This way, the audio picture can be created with
especially high dynamics. Digital distortion and clipping is virtually
impossible.

FLAC format

The FLAC format provides you with a loss-free audio compression
format which works for 16-bit or 24-bit files.
Select the FLAC file format via the dialogs "File -> Load", "File ->
Export", and "Recording options" (keyboard shortcut: Shift + R).

www.magix.com

Introduction 25

Hybrid Audio Engine

®

The Hybrid Audio Engine
dimension in professional music production: The combination of the
Low Latency Engine and the classic Samplitude

in Samplitude 11 Producer offers a new

®

playback engine
enables minimum latency at maximum performance. The Low
Latency Engine allows for very short reaction times while calculating
track effects, and also permits monitoring at low latency during Live
Recording. The classic playback engine saves resources and allows
for integration of high-performance effects.

Formats and interfaces

Import: MIDI standard formats (MID, GM, GS, XG), WAV (24 & 32-

bit), WAV with codec, OGG Vorbis, MP3, CD-A (audio CD with
preview), AIFF, FLAC, MOV, AVI (audio tracks only, but with video
display)

Export: MIDI standard formats (MID), WAV (24-bit), WAV with codec,
OGG Vorbis, MP3 (optional, demo encoder with 20 free runs
included), CD-A (audio CD), AIFF, WMA, RealAudio
QuickTime

Interfaces: VST, DirectX

TM

, FLAC, AVI (video sound)

®

, ASIO, ReWire, SMPTE, MTC, MC (master

TM

(Helix),

and slave)

Also: Song-to-email, multi-channel input/output, AudioID/freeDB
(query music information online)

Synthesizer

Samplitude 11 Producer comes with the following synthesizers that
you can play directly on your PC keyboard or with a MIDI keyboard.

• MAGIX Vita + Vital Instruments: A sampler with incredibly realistic-

sounding, "classical" instrumental sounds like different guitars
(Power Chords, clean electric guitar, acoustic guitar, bass guitar),
different pianos, percussion, strings, brass, woodwinds (each as an
individual set & as an ensemble set), and much more.

• Drum & Bass Machine: For bass and drum tracks in "Drum 'n'

Bass" sound

• BeatBox 2: For computer beats and computer sounds.

• LiVid (Little Virtual Drummer): For "real" acoustic drum tracks.

• Robota: For "mean" electronic sounds

• Revolta 2: An analog, varied, and powerful-sounding 12-voice

synthesizer with sound matrix, noise generator, and a complete

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26 Introduction

effects section with nine effect types. With this synthesizer, you can
create any electronic music you can imagine. The sound presets
were created by the sound designer for Access Virus and Rob
Papen's Albino.

• Atmos: For natural sounds or atmospheres like rain, thunder, or
wind.

BeatBox 2 plus

BeatBox2 Plus is a flexible and diverse groove tool. For a quickly
produced, suitable back beat, try one of the presets. For more
detailed, programmed beats, place the notes yourself, add and
integrate effects, and set the individual parameters. BeatBox2 Plus
can be accessed via the "Synthesizer" button.

Effects and effects plug-ins

Samplitude 11 Producer offers the following effects and effects plug­ins:

• Equalizer: Graphical and parametric

• FFT filter: Including Sound Cloner, e.g. for transferring sound

characteristics of an optimal sound to other audio files.

• Echo (delay)

• Reverb (MAGIX VariVerb)

• Vocoder

• Vandal SE: Authentic simulation of classic guitar effects, tube

amplifiers, and speakers.

• Essential FX: Basic effects for unique sounds (stereo delay,
chorus/flanger, phaser)

• Vintage Effects Suite, consisting of chorus, flanger, analog delay,
distortion, filters, and the low-fi effect BitMachine.

• Mastering Suite, featuring equalizer, multiband compressor,
multiband enhancer, and audio meter

• Compressor with many presets such as limiter, Deesser, noise
gate, expander, or leveler and in different models, e.g. as the
Multimax multiband compressor

• Tape simulation: High-quality simulation of analog tape
compression

• Stereo FX: For editing the stereo bandwidth

• Cleaning FX: Dehisser for reducing hissing and other noise.

• Declipping: For eliminating digital clipping

• Timestretching/resampling/pitchshifting: For correcting pitch and

length

• Elastic Audio easy: Dynamic pitch correction with harmonization
(creates up to 4 choir voices)

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Introduction 27

• am-track SE: High-quality tape machine sound emulation makes
typical aspects of the large, saturated sound characteristics of
magnetic recordings a digital-quality reality.

MIDI integration

Samplitude 11 Producer helps you arrange, load, record, edit, and
play MIDI data just as easily as audio data. You can combine wave
sound files with MIDI files for controlling the sound chip on your
sound card or VST instrument plug-ins or external synthesizers, and
then arrange everything together.

For MIDI recordings and editing you can use the extensive MIDI editor
with piano roll, drum editor, velocity/controller editor, and event list.

MIDI object recording can be started directly from the arranger by
setting the recording mode in the track box to MIDI.

Multitrack recorder (MR-64)

The multitrack recorder (MR-64) looks like a hardware mixer and can
also be operated in the same way. It can also be launched as an
alternative to the current mixer interface to make multitrack
recordings just like with a real mixer. The MR-64 unites the
advantages of the analog look with digital technology: realistic
appearance, direct workflows, and familiar functionality.

Soundpool manager

The Soundpool manager helps control, preview, and load MAGIX
Soundpool loops. Hundreds of loops are included, and many more
can be found at Catooh. The loops are categorized into "styles" (e.g.
ambient, dance, hip hop, rock, etc.) and "instruments" (e.g. drums,
bass, guitars, etc.). The name of the loop file also informs you about
the kind of sound you can expect. Every loop can be previewed by
clicking it. Monitoring is adjusted to the loops in the arranger. For
example, first a framework of bass and drums is constructed and
then played back in a loop, and as you search for the right guitar
sounds in the Soundpool manager, the monitoring will be matched
with the drum loop. Every loop can be loaded into the arranger by
dragging it or by double clicking. The Soundpool manager can be
launched via the "Manager (see page 277)" button.

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28 Introduction

am-track SE

This familiar and high-quality vintage compressor offers a
combination analog compressor and tape simulator. High-quality
tape machine sound emulation makes typical aspects of the large,
saturated sound characteristics of magnetic recordings a digital­quality reality.

Optimized manager section

The manager section has been redesigned in Samplitude 11
Producer. The managers (see page 277) combine the most frequently
used control and management functions for markers, tracks, ranges,
VST instruments, objects, etc. and control the sound loops. The
manager section can be positioned freely and docked to different
locations in the user interface.

Improved editor with step recording

The MIDI editor (see page 181) now offers the option of inputting
technically complicated keyboard passages step-by-step; the
recording stops after every note is played and waits for the next note
to be entered (step recording). The notes can then be corrected as
required using the regular quantization and moving functions. The
MIDI editor offers numerous extra improvements. It can be opened by
double clicking a MIDI object.

DirectX and VST plug-ins

Samplitude 11 Producer enables the direct use of DirectX and VST
plug-ins, a large variety of which is available in retail stores or directly
online. Such plug-ins (audio effects or synthesizers from third party
manufacturers) can significantly increase the functionality of
Samplitude 11 Producer.

Friendlier user interface

The entire Samplitude 11 Producer user interface has been designed
with presets to integrate smoothly with a variety of specific
applications. For example, the presets for CD mastering, wave
editing, multitrack recording, and power user are included. These
"beginner-friendly” presets offer clear and concise menus and
toolbars in Samplitude 11 Producer that help implement your first
projects.

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Introduction 29

MAGIX Jam Session automation

The Auto Jam Session lets you create complete songs single­handedly. The program simulates working with hardware "looping
delays", like the Gibson Echoplex. The difference is that Samplitude
11 Producer creates an arrangement which can later be edited and
compiled into a complete song.

During an Auto Jam Session, everything you do is recorded. The
most important thing about the Auto Jam Session is the fun factor –
there can never be too much of it!

Track editor

The track editor to the left of the arrangement window enables
access to all important parameters of the selected track. Record and
monitoring status, volume, panorama, MIDI/audio in and outputs,
plug-ins, AUX sends, and EQ settings are displayed in well-arranged
sections and can also be edited in this view. You will instantly see all
relevant settings of the corresponding track.

You can open the track editor via the corresponding track button at
the bottom of the VIP below the workspace selection button or via
the menu "Window -> Track editor".

MAGIX Remix Agent

The Remix Agent is the ideal tool for producing DJ & Live Mixes. It
automatically recognizes the beat of MP3 or audio CDs and edits it
as loops precisely accordingly. Simply drag songs into the arranger;
remixing has never been simpler! The recognized beats can be used
to quickly form a base for a comprehensive remix.

Track freezing

Entire tracks (including all track and object effects) can be frozen,
meaning that tracks can be bounced and replaced by an object in the
VIP to free up valuable computing power. If a track needs some extra
work, “un-freezing” is a breeze.

Batch processing

Convert entire sample libraries, create pre-listening MP3s from
enormous music collections, or clean up all your session recordings
automatically in one go.

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30 Introduction

Task assistant

The task assistant uses short video clips to demonstrate the simple
ease of use of the technically demanding effects and functions.

Catooh

In the massive Catooh you'll always find the right sounds & pictures
for your projects. The clearly archived library makes it child's play to
find what you're looking for. Simply preview it and download it if you
like it!

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Tutorial 31

Tutorial

In this chapter we will introduce the most important features of
Samplitude 11 Producer. You will learn how to create an arrangement
with audio and MIDI as well as the powers of both formats. You will
also receive information about essential parts of the program so that
you can take advantage of all possibilities of Samplitude 11 Producer.

Create a virtual project (VIP)

When you start Samplitude 11 Producer, the following start dialog will
open:

Choose whether you would like to create a new project or open an
already exisiting project. If you would like to create a new project,
click "Project settings" to make changes to the settings for the new
project.

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32 Tutorial

Name your new project and select the file path here to which you
wish to save the VIP. Apply the following settings now:

• Number of tracks: 4 tracks (you can add tracks anytime via the
"Track" menu)

• Sample rate: 44100 Hz (for recording in CD quality)

Next, click "Arranger view".

As a first test we will subsequently record two stereo tracks. Let us
assume that you are using one audio source, e.g. a microphone or a
musical instrument. Connect it to the input of your sound card with a
suitable cable.

Recording the first track

• Right click the "Record" button on the transport console.

The first track in your virtual project (VIP) is already
activated for recording. This is indicated by the glowing
red recording button in the track.

Enter all of the necessary settings for recording in the dialog which
appears.

Hint: If the transport console is hidden, show it by clicking the
"Transport" button in the lower part of Samplitude 11 Producer.

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• By default, the "Monitor" button is always selected (if not, then click
"Monitor" to activate it). This function lets you preview audio material
and monitor it while recording. The level will display what enters the
sound card inputs. If it reaches upper red range, the input level is too
high. In this case, you should reduce the input volume.

• Click on the "Record" button. Samplitude 11 Producer now starts
recording and indicates this in the record window by displaying a
counter with the passed record time.

Tutorial 33

• Now stop the recording at a suitable position by pressing the "Stop"
button.

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34 Tutorial

Samplitude 11 Producer then stops recording. You can now either
use the recording or delete it. You can repeat the recording without
saving the first attempt on your hard drive. If you want to use your
recording, Samplitude 11 Producer will add the audio material to the
first track as an object.

You can listen to the result anytime by clicking on the "Start" button
in the transport control or by pressing the space bar.

Recording another track

Now we will record a second track. If your record is still open, please
close it. Now perform the following steps:

1. Activate the record button in the second track by clicking on the
"R" button left of the second track. The track is now ready for
recording.

2. Right click on the record button in the transport console. You can
now enter further record settings. As we now want to play the first
track while the second is being recorded, you will have to activate
"Play while recording".

3. Click on the record button again.

4. Now stop the recording at a suitable position by pressing the

"Stop" button.

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Tutorial 35

Hint: "Playback while recording" requires that your sound card can

play audio material while recording (full duplex mode). Some sound
cards can either record or play, but can't do both at once. In such a
case you should deactivate "Playback while recording".

Integrate audio material

Now add new, already available audio material. Audio material can be
added to your virtual project from different sources and in different file
formats. You can add audio CDs, WAV files, MP3 files, sample CDs
(such as the MAGIX Soundpool series), as well as other audio files.
There are several possibilities for loading audio material:

• In the menu bar, click "File -> Load/Import -> Load audio file..." and
select a file via the import dialog.

• Activate the integrated file browser via the "Manager" button at the
lower edge of the screen. This accesses all drives and folders on
your computer. Any audio file can be dragged by holding the left
mouse button to the track (drag & drop).

®

• You can also drag audio files directly from Windows Explorer

into

the Samplitude 11 Producer arrangement.

• Audio tracks first have to be copied onto the hard drive separately.
To do this, click the top menu bar in Samplitude 11 Producer on
"File -> Load/Import -> Load audio CD track(s)..."

VIP and wave projects

A wave object is created for each audio object that you can see in
the arranger. You can generally work on two project types:

• Virtual project (VIP): This is an arrangement made up of different
objects. The tracks in the virtual project are for recording or loading
audio material onto several tracks. You can conveniently record and
create sound on different tracks.

• Wave project: This is the audio material of one object.

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36 Tutorial

Hint: If you delete an object in a virtual project, the audio material and

the corresponding wave project on your hard drive will be retained.

Switch to a wave project (your first recording, for instance), mark the
corresponding object in the VIP by clicking on it, click into the top
menu bar of Samplitude 11 Producer on "Object", and select the
option "Edit wave project...".

If you have opened a wave project, then you will see the wave display
of the audio material in enlarged view. The acoustic properties are
directly visible in wave form, and where there's something to see,
there's something to hear, and the higher the peak of the wave form,
the higher the volume will be. Press the space bar on your keyboard
to play back the wave project.

In wave projects you can directly edit your audio material. Direct
editing of the material is particularly useful: Mark a range in the wave
project with the mouse and then press "Del". After editing the audio
material you can close the wave project. You now have to decide
whether you want to accept the changes or discard them. If you want
to accept the changes, then click on "Save project". The original
audio file will now be overwritten.

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Tutorial 37

Recording with the multitrack recorder (MR-

64)

The MR-64 multitrack recorder is conceptualized for multitrack
recording with a suitable hardware device. In case you prefer using
such hardware devices for your recordings or are used to this, then
you will have to get used to the software interface in Samplitude 11
Producer.

Multiple tracks are recorded during a multitrack recording session. Of
course, you will need multiple inputs on your sound card to do this.
Multitrack recording is utilized for recording complex instruments like
percussion or live band recordings. You can also record individual
tracks with the MR-64 or make multitrack recordings directly in your
VIP. The MR-64 is an alternative, more specialized user interface for
functions which are also available in the VIP.

Starting the multitrack recorder

First, create a new, empty VIP. Click on "File" and select the option
"New virtual project (VIP)". You can select the MR-64 directly in the
dialog.

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Alternatively, you can access the multitrack recorder
at any time in the VIP via the "MR-64" button.

38 Tutorial

Preparing to record

If your recording devices are correctly connected to the sound card,
then you can get started recording.

The tracks which are to be recorded to can be switched on
using the "Rec" button in the MR-64. In case you are
recording mono tracks, the recording mode can be adjusted
accordingly.

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Tutorial 39

Note: Only so many tracks can be activated as are available to your

sound card.

Multitrack recording

Tip: A metronome is very useful when inputting an instrument. In this

case, activate the "CLICK" button to hear the metronome.

After the desired tracks have been activated, click the
"REC" button.
Samplitude 11 Producer now records the incoming
signals to the tracks until the stop button is pressed.
You will then be asked if the recording should be
preserved. Confirm by pressing "OK" if yes.

Rerecording certain ranges

Let's suppose a mistake was made while playing an instrument
during recording, but the rest of the recording is okay and on the
beat. You can use the so-called "Punch" recording feature to record
only that specific section again.

Place the positioning marker shortly before the location where
the error is present and then the "IN" button.

Next, place the positioning marker behind the section with
the error and click "OUT".

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40 Tutorial

The "PUNCH" button activates "Punch" mode, a feature
which ensures that only the range between "IN" and "OUT" is
recorded again.

Now you can simply start the recording by clicking "REC".

Note: If "Punch" mode is active, then you can click on "IN" and
"OUT" during recording to record the respective range again. This is
advantageous if multiple locations are to be recorded again and
someone other than yourself will be singing or playing an instrument.

Editing recordings retroactively

Leave the MR-64 by pressing the arranger button. The arranger
allows you to cut, arrange, add effects, and otherwise edit your
recordings. The arranger also lets you burn audio CDs of your work.
For more information, please see the section "Editing objects (see
page 45)".

Arranging MAGIX Soundpool sound loops

Up until now, you have only been working with your own material.
Next, we would like to show you how to build your own songs using
the included Soundpool loops.

MAGIX Soundpools offer professionally produced, short audio files ­so-called "samples". They have been produced to be perfectly
combined with each other and looped. "Looping" means creating an
entire instrument track from a single audio sample. This entails
replaying the sample sequentially to provide the impression of a
repeating musical leitmotif. This process is used today in almost
every area of modern pop music.

• It's best to create a new, empty arrangement first. Click "File" and
select the option "New virtual project (VIP)".

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• Click the "Manager" button and select the tab "Soundpool" to
display the Soundpool samples.

• The "styles" are displayed on the left side of the Soundpool
manager. If you have insterted a MAGIX Soundpool DVD, for
example, then you can select a style here to display only those
samples which were created for a particular style. Samplitude 11
Producer shows "Rock" because this style is included.

• Next, select the instruments that you want to use. At the start, we
recommend choosing a drum sample to create the initial percussive
structure. Open up the "Drums" folder.

• To preview, click once on a file in the Soundpool manager file list. To
load it, drag the desired file to the track. Once you let go of the
mouse button, the file will appear as an audio object at that position.

• Each object can be moved in any way in the arranger with the
mouse; horizontally on a track as well as vertically between tracks.
Drag the drum loop to the first track and all the way to the left (at the
beginning).

Tutorial 41

• Next, the sample will be looped, i.e. the short object will be played
over and over. Click the audio object's handle at the lower right and
drag it to the right as far as you imagine you will need for the first
part of your song - probably 8 bars or so. The object will be properly
placed on the first 8 bars of the first track.

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42 Tutorial

• Make sure that the playback range is as long as the extended
sample - 8 bars in our example. To do so, click above and to the
right in the timeline and drag out the playback range to match the
length of the looped object.

• Now press the play button (space bar is faster). The drum sample
will loop for 8 bars. This means that the playback cursor starts right
at the front, moves across the playback range, and then transfers to
the start again once the end is reached without any interruptions.
You can also move the playback marker independent of the
playback range by clicking on the lower section of the timeline.

Note: All additional loops can be previewed during playback and
inserted. This lets you preview new potentially interesting samples for
your arrangement to test if they work. If continuous playback gets on
your nerves after a while, then you can always interrupt it by pressing
the space bar again.

• Next, try loading a suitable bass line. Open up the bass folder, test
some of the bass samples there, and then drag a bass loop you like
onto the second arranger track

Note: Melody producing instruments are arranged by pitch, i.e. every
sample features multiple variations which provide different levels of
pitch. By combining different variations of a pitch, you can produce
chords.

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Tutorial 43

• Add new instruments to your drum and bass loops. This way, any
number of files can be dragged from any folder into the arranger and
positioned on top of one another, on multiple tracks, or behind one
another.

Tip: This lets you create complete songs and also a professional
framework for your recordings.

• Because not all instruments are normally looped for the entire
arrangement, gaps should be built into the architecture of your song
to provide musical variation. To do this, looped objects can be cut or
loaded multiple times to create the required empty spaces. To learn
more about editing objects, read the quickstart in "Editing objects
(see page 45)".

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44 Tutorial

Add synthesizers

After selecting a synthesizer, the corresponding control console will
appear with the rhythms, melodies, chords, and sounds that the
synth is programmed with.

To open Samplitude 11 Producer software
synthesizers folder, click the "Synthesizers" button.

Synthesizers become independent objects after they are
programmed, and then they can be moved around just like other
objects on the arranger.

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Tutorial 45

Exception: Vita (and all associated Vita instruments) and Revolta 2
remain coupled in the track where they are placed. They are
controlled via MIDI objects.

Experiment with the various synthesizers in Samplitude 11 Producer
to discover the possibilities.

Editing objects

Editing objects is the same for all object types. The following options
are equally available for audio objects, synth objects, and MIDI
objects

• Many object edits require the objects to be selected first. Individual
objects are highlighted with a mouse-click. Multiple objects can be
selected when the "Shift" key is held depressed. You can also click
and drag out a rectangle to select multiple objects. All objects
contained therein will be selected ("rubber band selection").

• All objects in the VIP can be shortened or looped by moving the
mouse to one of the lower corners of the object until it turns into a
stretch symbol. You can now reduce the size of the object. Any
disturbing passages at the beginning or end of the recording can be
removed simply by moving the ends inwards.

• If the option "Create looped object" is activated in the top menu bar
under "Object", you can stretch the object with the right handle. Use
this feature to create entire rhythm tracks from short drum samples
by simply stretching the object apart.

• At the top corners of every object there are two fade handles that
can be adjusted to fade an object in or out. The handle at the top
center can be used to adjust the volume of the objects.

• Several objects can be combined with others to make up a group, to
avoid the objects being unintentionally moved out of relation to each
other. First mark the individual objects. Next, click in the toolbar on
the "Group" symbol.

• All objects can be split into multiple objects. Select the option "Split
objects" in the "Edit" menu (or press "T" on the keyboard). The
selected object will be split at the position of the playback marker.

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46 Tutorial

• Right clicking on the object also opens a context menu for you to
select the object editor. Here you can make all important settings for
the corresponding object. For instance, in the object editor, you can
add effects to audio objects and change MIDI object quantization.

Tip: The object editor can be opened permanently; it adjust's its
settings depending on the object which is currently selected.

MIDI recordings

MIDI recordings are created for operating VST instruments or external
synthesizers with the help of a MIDI keyboard. The instruments will
not be recorded as audio data, but rather remote controlled via the
MIDI data format. Every detail of this remote control - i.e. every
button press, every note, every velocity level - can be corrected and
edited retroactively via the MIDI editor. Please read more on this in
the section "Editing MIDI (see page 49)".

What is MIDI?

MIDI files do not contain the actual sounds like audio files, but only
the note control information played by the synthesizer chip of the
sound card. This has several advantages:

1. MIDI files need a lot less memory than wave files.

2. MIDI files can be adapted to any beat (BPM) without affecting the

sound; only the playback tempo is changed.

3. Transposition of MIDI files to other pitches is also easy. When

doing so, a section in a song does not have to be saved in several
different keys. The version in C major is perfectly sufficient. It can

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Tutorial 47

then be transposed to any key by simply clicking the right mouse
button.

4. In Samplitude 11 Producer you can use VST instruments which
play the notes contained in the MIDI files.

The disadvantage of MIDI files: The actual sound is not yet set. Only
during playback by the synthesizer chip of the sound card from
external MIDI synthesizers/virtual instruments (VST instruments) will it
be produced. High-quality sound cards or external synthesizers will
sound completely different and better than standard sound cards.

Preparing a MIDI recording

Prepare an empty track in your VIP for recording. Click "R". Then
click "Track editor" in the lower half of Samplitude 11 Producer's
program screen to make track settings.

Use the small triangle to open up the MIDI section.

Here you can now define the in- and outputs for your MIDI data on
the selected track.

• Input (In): This could be a MIDI keyboard which you use to enter

MIDI notes which are recorded by Samplitude 11 Producer.

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48 Tutorial

• Output (Out): This could be a virtual instrument (VST instrument) that
plays back the MIDI notes entered via the MIDI keyboard as sounds.
To select a VST instrument, click the small triangle next to "Out" in
the track editor and select "New instrument".

Hint: All global MIDI settings can be found in the "System" dialog ("Y"
key), submenu "MIDI".

"In" and "Out" in the track editor allow you to assign a special
"Receive" and "Send" channel for MIDI data. This is important if you
want to control an external synthesizer via a MIDI keyboard, for
example.

For instance, if your MIDI keyboard is transmitting on MIDI channel 1,
you should enter the value "1" in the "In" menu. During recording,
Samplitude 11 Producer will receive all notes transmitted on channel
1 by a MIDI keyboard.

You can generally assign a specific MIDI channel to external MIDI
synthesizers. For instance, if your external synthesizer is addressed
via MIDI channel 4, you should also enter the value 4 under "Channel
Out" in the track editor in order to be able to address the external
synthesizer via this track.

MIDI record modes

There are several methods of recording MIDI, and you can set the
MIDI record mode in the transport control.

• Normal: This recording mode corresponds to that of audio
recording, i.e. a new MIDI object is created over the existing object
for each recording process. The old object remains intact. This way
you can record multiple takes of a passage and then compare them
in the Take Manager later on.

• Overdub: The data is recorded into an already existing object, and
available and newly recorded MIDI data is mixed together.

• Multi-overdub: The data is recorded into an already existing object,
available, and newly recorded MIDI data are mixed together.
However, existing objects remain the same.

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Tutorial 49

• Replace: The data is recorded to an existing object and any MIDI
data is overwritten.

After you have selected MIDI record mode, you can prepare the
corresponding track by clicking on the "R" button for recording. Now
start recording by clicking on the "Record" button in the transport
control.

Edit MIDI

MIDI editor

You can use the MIDI editor for editing MIDI data. To access the MIDI
editor, right click on the object, open the context menu, and select
the "MIDI editor." The MIDI editor displays the data of the MIDI
object.

MIDI data can be edited in the MIDI editor in five main areas:

• Matrix editor (piano roll)

• Drum editor (toggling between the drum editor and piano roll is

possible)

• Controller editor (velocity, MIDI volume…)

• List editor (event list)

• Score editor

Here various tools like the pencil or eraser are available.

Fundamentally, changing, moving, or deleting notes always refers to
all selected MIDI events (red) with just a few exceptions, e.g. you can
select a group of notes in the piano roll and then change the velocity
of these note groups to modify all selected notes simultaneously.

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50 Tutorial

Working with the matrix editor

The matrix editor is particularly useful for conveniently arranging MIDI
notes (piano roll).

In the matrix editor, you can edit MIDI notes for controlling sound
generators like synthesizers, drum machines, and virtual instruments
(VST instruments). If a MIDI instrument is activated, you can play it via
the keyboard at the left of the screen. Clicking on a key makes the
synthesizer create the corresponding sound.

Now select the pencil tool and paint the notes into the
score sheet. MIDI notes can also be sustained by holding
the left mouse button or double clicking.

The "Eraser" tool deletes notes from the note field.

The "Step recording" button enables step-by-step audio
recording.

Tip: The tool for drawing the pattern is particularly interesting. Use
the selection tool to select specific notes and press the key
combination "Ctrl + P". The selected notes are played as a sound

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Tutorial 51

pattern. Switch to the pattern drawing tool. You can now easily
sketch the sound pattern with only one click.

Tip: Pressing the "left" and "right" arrow keys on your keyboard
moves forwards/backwards in the notation, respectively. The cursor
up/down keys adjust the note pitch in stages.

Using the controller editor

In the controller editor you can adjust MIDI parameters
such as velocity. A simple click in the left part of the MIDI
editor opens the controller editor. Clicking on the small
button above opens a context menu. Here you can select
a MIDI parameter and then sketch it with the pen tool in
the controller editor.

Multi-object editing

With the new MIDI editor you can now edit several MIDI objects
together in the MIDI editor. Please select the MIDI objects in the
arrangement in sequence by holding "Ctrl" and then clicking on the
MIDI editor button to open it. In an already opened MIDI editor you
can include additional MIDI objects by clicking on them while holding
down "Shift".

You can access individual MIDI objects via the
drop-down menu next to the name.

Hint: Right clicking on this position opens the object editor so that
you can quickly toggle between the object and MIDI editor.

From MIDI to audio

If you are not controlling an external MIDI synthesizer with your
arrangement, you can convert its sounds into audio tracks with the
Samplitude 11 Producer record function. This is particularly
recommended if you want to enrich sounds created with your
external synthesizer with audio effects, convert your project into MP3,
or burn it onto disc.

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52 Tutorial

1. The audio output (Line OUT) of your external synthesizer should
be connected to the audio input (Line IN) of your sound card.

2. 2. Set an audio track to "active" by pressing "R".

3. 3. Start audio recording as usual. The MIDI data will be played
and recorded simultaneously via the record function. The result is
an audio file that can be edited and exported together with the
multimedia files. The result is an audio file that can be edited and
exported together with the multimedia files.

Tip: Do not delete MIDI tracks in the arrangement after you have
generated audio files from them, simply mute them with the "Mute"
button. You can then later change melodies composed via MIDI and
record them as audio files again.

Hint: If you prefer VST instruments as synthesizers, it makes more
sense to use the function Track freeze (see page 344) from the
context menu.

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Tutorial 53

Mixer

Using the mixer (keyboard shortcut "M") you can adjust the volume
and panorama of the recorded tracks as well as automate the fader
and panorama movements. Furthermore, you can add effects and
much more here. Adjust the volume of the tracks with the slider in the
lower part of the mixer until you have a balanced result and every
instrument in the song is sufficiently accounted for. You can also
experiment with the effects on the individual tracks.

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54 Tutorial

Effects

You can considerably enhance your music productions with effects.
Clever use of effects adds bass and simply sounds better.
Experiment around with the various effects in Samplitude 11
Producer and learn how to use them.

Offline effects and real-time effects

In the top menu line of Samplitude 11 Producer you can directly
access real-time effects and offline effects. Offline effects alter the
audio files in the wave project resulting in imminent changes to the
initial audio file.

Unlike offline (destructive) effects, virtual effects are not added in real
time to the wave projects to which the objects refer. Such effects are
recalculated every time they are played and can be modified and
varied without altering your original audio material.

Hint: To add an effect to an audio object you first have to select it
with a mouse click.

Calculating audio effects

You can add audio effects in three different levels: audio objects,
tracks, and in the master. When played, effects are first calculated in
the audio objects. Track effects are then added. The master effects
are added last.

First start with the object effects to distort individual objects while
other objects in the same track remain the same. For instance, if you
have saved a groove consisting of several audio objects on one
track, you can edit the last object of the groove with a distorter.

Use track effects like reverb, etc. on any objects located on a single
track. Finish off your song with powerful master effects that have an
effect on the entire song.

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Tutorial 55

Effects in audio objects: Right click on an object to open the context

menu and add an object effect. You can access the object effects
directly via the context menu. Object effects can be selected and
subsequently edited via the object editor.

Effects in tracks: To adjust track
effects in the mixer, open the mixer
by clicking on "Mixer" in the lower
part of Samplitude 11 Producer. In
the "Ins" section, click on the arrow
symbol of an effect slot in the
corresponding channel.

Effects in the master: Open the
mixer to add master effects. You
will find the master section at the
right edge of the mixer. Here you
can install the desired master
effects.

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Hint: Track effects and master
effects are always real-time effects.

56 Tutorial

Burn CD

Once your VIP is finished, you can burn it onto disc. Click on the
button with the CD symbol. The CD burning dialog now opens.

Now click on the "Burn CD" button...

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Program desktop overview 57

Program desktop overview

VIP window

1 Menu bar: You'll find menus in the main window of Samplitude 11

Producer directly under the title bar. A keyboard shortcut can be
allocated to every menu entry.

2 Toolbar: Toolbars are made up of buttons which carry out specific

commands with a mouse click. They can be found above and
below the project window. More information on the individual
button bars can be found in the button overview. More information
on the individual toolbars can be found in the keyboard shortcut
overview.

3 Grid/Marker bar: The grid/marker bar is positioned above the first

track in the VIP. In the upper half, you'll find the marker bar where
the markers and playback cursors. The lower half displays the grid
list which displays the project time depending on the selected unit
of measurement. You can also open various ranges.

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58 Program desktop overview

4 Project window/clip: A "clip" refers to part of the project visible in

the project window. Which section of the project it is depends on
the position of the section and the zoom.
There are many commands for moving (scrolling) the visible clip and
customizing its size (zooming). These can be opened via the menu
view, the grid/marker bar, and the shortcut keys.

5 Track box: The track box is the front range of a VIP track. It

contains various controls which range from mixer functions and
monitoring commands to other track parameters. More information
on the individual controls of the track box can be found in the Track
box overview (see page 64).

6 Track editor: The left border of the arrangement window enables

access to all important parameters of the selected track. Record
and monitoring status, volume, panorama, MIDI/audio in- and
outputs, plug-ins, AUX sends and EQ settings are displayed in well­arranged sections and can also be edited directly in this view.

7 Setup/Zoom/Position buttons: This part of the work area helps

manage each of the four different setup and zoom settings project
clip displayed in the VIP window. Similarly, the "Pos", "Len", "End",
"Mouse", and "Mixer" fields can be configured by right clicking
them.

8 Status display: The status display appears at the bottom border of

the VIP window. For longer actions or calculations a bar is
displayed whose width shows the current state of operation.
Furthermore, CPU load information on the processor load, latency,
buffer, etc. is updated and displayed constantly. The status display
can also be opened via the "Window -> Status display" menu.

Transport control

Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + T

The transport control window contains the most important
commands for playback, recording, and positioning.

Note: The transport control can be integrated as a toolbar. Select the
option "Activate docking for transport control" in the timeline menu
and then move the transport control to the desired position.

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Play, stop, fast forward/rewind buttons: These control playback
position just like a cassette player.

Right clicking the "Play" button: This opens the "Stereo master"
mode's playback parameters window. Specify the sample rate,
playback device, scrubbing/varipitch options, etc.

Right click the "Record" button: Opens the recording parameters
window. Adjust recording settings like "Play while recording"; you can
also start a mono or stereo recording straight from this window.

Record button: Starts the recording for all activated tracks, i.e.
tracks with a red "R" button in the track info to the left. The recording
devices have to be set up beforehand by right clicking the "R" button.

Time display: Displays the current playback position. The unit of
measurement can be selected by clicking the small triangle.

Range buttons: You can save ranges with buttons "1" and "2". Use
the arrow symbol to open previously used ranges.

L/E time display: Displays the length and end position of an area and
can be edited by double clicking.

Program desktop overview 59

"Edit": Opens the marker manager for extensive marker editing. More

information can be found in the chapter "The Managers".

Marker buttons 1-12: Clicking will save the current playback position
to one of the 12 marker buttons. If one position has been saved, the
marker will appear bright. Another click on the same marker moves
the play position to the corresponding marker. Right clicking deletes
the saved marker again, making it available again to be assigned.

Audio dropdown menu: Set up the desired recording mode.

Standard mode (playback during record): This is the typical

recording mode for multitrack productions. This adds further tracks
to already available audio material while playing

Punch marker mode: This setting starts a recording process which
can be started and stopped at any time during playback by clicking.

"Moni": This button activates Samplitude 11 Producer's record
monitoring feature, i.e. all tracks with an active "R" button display the

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60 Program desktop overview

adjacent input signals in the peak meters. Right clicking the "Moni"
button lets you select from the various monitoring modes.

Note: Detailed information about monitoring can be found in
Samplitude 11 Producer's help chapter "System settings -> Global
audio options -> Monitoring settings".

"Sync": This button opens the synchronization settings dialog.
Further information can be found in the help chapter "MIDI in
Samplitude 11 Producer -> Synchronization".

"Punch" button: This button switches Samplitude 11 Producer to
"Punch" mode. This means that a recording can be started "on-the­fly" using the record button during playback at any time, also multiple
times back-to-back. "Punch In" and "Out" markers are placed
automatically. A punch recording is ended by pressing the "Record"
button; playback is not affected.

"In" button: This button sets the starting point for a punch recording.

"Out" button: This button sets the end point for a punch recording. If

"Punch In" and "Punch Out" markers are set, the punch recording
can be started using the "Record" button. While the recording button
is flashing, playback occurs until the "Punch In" marker has been
reached. Once reached, the recording button turns red. Recording is
active until the "Punch Out" marker is reached, and then Samplitude
11 Producer changes back to playback mode.

"Loop" button: Use this to switch to "Loop" mode, and a specific
range will be played back repeatedly.

MIDI record modes: The following MIDI record modes are available:
normal, overdub, multi-overdub, and replace. The different modes
determine how the newly recorded MIDI files will be added to the VIP.

Tempo section: You can adjust playback speed and tempo of the
entire arrangement in the tempo section of the transport control. All
objects in the VIP are adapted to the speed of your choice via the
timestretching feature. You can also switch on the metronome by
pressing "Click". Right clicking the "Click" button opens the
metronome's settings dialog.

Scrub control: With the "Scrub control wheel" adjusts the playback
speed. This can be used to locate audio passages. The buttons

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Program desktop overview 61

beneath it can be used to start playback forwards and backwards at
a slower speed. This can also be used to improve control over audio
passages, for example to edit out crackles or other errors later on.

Track editor

1 Track number display and track

name: Right clicking on the track

name opens the "Track settings"
dialog.

2 Switches off all tracks with the

exception of the one selected.

3 "M" button: Mutes the track.

4 Record icon: Activates the track for

the recording.

5 Lock: Enables you to protect objects

in the track and prevents unintended
moving or deleting of an object.

6 The loudspeaker symbol: Switches

on playback of the incoming signals
when the "Rec" button is active, if
"Manual monitoring" is selected in the
system options.

7 Volume input field and volume control

8 Peak meter: Both LED displays show

the input and output signal for the
track.

9 Panorama button: Controls the

position within the mix.

10 "FX": Access the activated track's effects. You can copy, insert,

reset, save, or load them. Save your personal track effect settings
in the program directory in "FX presets -> Track FX". Of course,
you can also create new subfolders.

11 "MIDI" button: Switches the track to MIDI recording and opens

the MIDI section of the track editor.

12 Automation: This area provides Automation of MIDI controllers,

VST parameters, and certain effects in the track (see page 154).

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62 Program desktop overview

Automation

1 Right-clicking opens the context menu
2 Select the plug-in you would like to

automate here.

3 Select the parameter you would like to

automate here.

The slider controls the selected parameter while automation is drawn.

MIDI

1 Arrow: Opens and closes the respective

dialog box.

2 In device: Opens the MIDI input device

menu.

3 Out device: Opens the MIDI output

device menu.

4 Channel in: Set the MIDI input channel

here.

5 Channel out: Set the MIDI output

channel here.

6 Program: This slot is responsible for

selecting the program for the MIDI
instrument.

7 Bank MSB: Set the device-specific

control change messages for controlling
your external instrument here.

8 LSB: Set the device-specific control change messages for fine-

tuning your external instrument here.

9 Drum map: Select a drum map for allocating MIDI notes to the

device-specific sound here.

10 Transpose: Transpose the notes of the respective MIDI input or

output up or down here.

Audio

"In" slot: Specifies the audio input device, i.e.

a sound card.
"Out" slot: Specifies the audio output device.
This may be a sound card output or (in "MIDI"
mode) a VST instrument, for example.
Gain: Set the sensitivity of the input here.

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Plug-ins

AUX

EQ

Program desktop overview 63

Activates the sound effects rack containing
various track effects, plus a compressor.
In the first slot, you can also select a MAGIX
synth to be controlled via the track. Clicking on
the button to the right of the field beside "Plug­ins" activates and opens the "DirectX/VST
plug-ins" dialog to put together a plug-in setup
for this track.

Here you can specify the AUX send feed for
which you can then select the desired effects
in the AUX return channel in the Mixer view.

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Contains the parametric EQ for this track. Right
clicking opens a convenient input window.

64 Program desktop overview

Comments

Track info section for quickly adding notes on
tracks.

Track box

1 Track number display and track name: Right clicking on the

track name opens the "Track settings" dialog.

2 "S" button: Switches off all tracks with the exception of the one

selected.

3 "M" button: Mutes the track.
4 "Rec": Activates the track for the recording. A right mouse click

opens a menu to switch to recording mode: If the track is set to
MIDI recording, then the MIDI section in the track editor will open.

5 The loudspeaker symbol: Switches on playback of the incoming

signals when the "Rec" button is active, if "Manual monitoring" is
selected in the system options.

6 Lock: Enables you to protect objects in the track and prevents

unintended moving or deleting of an object.

7 "FX": Access the activated track's effects. You can copy, insert,

reset, save, or load them. Save your personal track effect settings
in the program directory in "FX presets -> Track FX". Of course,
you can also create new subfolders.

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Program desktop overview 65

8 Peak meter: Both LED displays show the input and output signal

for the track.

9 Volume: Controls the track's volume.
10 Panorama: Controls the position within the mix.

Both the "Vol" and "Pan" buttons activate curves that allow the
volume and panorama in the track to be automated (see page 154).

Workspaces

The purpose of a workspace is to sort menu entries and toolbars in
such a manner that you have a good overview of Samplitude 11
Producer's functions. Workspaces bundle commands with regard to
certain tasks such as mastering, editing, or recording.

Besides hiding menu entries (Options -> Program preferences -> Edit
keyboard shortcuts and menus -> Hide menu) and redesigning
toolbars (right click on the toolbar), you can also save your settings
as a preset.

You will see the selection box for the workspace at the bottom left
corner of the VIP window. Some workspaces are already defined.
"Power user" displays all toolbars and commands, and is a good
starting point for defining customized workspaces.

Creating a new workspace: To create a new workspace, open the
context menu by right clicking on the workspace bar and selecting
"New workspace". You will now be asked to enter a name for your
workspace. The new workspace contains all settings of the
previously activated workspace as well as your current changes. All
further adjustments are automatically saved in the workspace.
Manually saving is not required.

Adjusting the workspace: Open the context menu and click on "Edit
workspace". Here you can select which toolbar you want to be
displayed in your new workspace. You can activate or deactivate
each bar individually, or add/remove individual symbols. You can also
hide menu items in "Edit menu". Simply select the corresponding
menu item from the keyboard shortcuts, and then press the "Show
menu item" or "Hide menu item" button.

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66 Mouse functions and mouse modes

Mouse functions and mouse modes

Universal mode

Right mouse button: Displays context sensitive pop-up menu.
Left mouse button: In universal mode a distinction is made

between the upper and lower half of a
track in the VIP. More mouse functions
are available for the left mouse button.

Mouse functions for the upper half of the track:

• Stretch and move ranges (with "Shift")

• Set the start position of the play cursor by clicking next to the object

• Reduce the horizontal zoom level by double clicking next to a range

• Increase of the horizontal zoom level by clicking on a range

Select objects

Single click selects objects (or group of objects).

Single click + Ctrl selects multiple single objects.

Single click + Shift selects multiple objects, including all objects
between the two clicks.

If you click left next to an object, you can sketch a rectangle with the
mouse button pressed down by dragging the mouse the right. All
objects contained therein are selected (lasso function).

Moving objects

Objects (or a group of objects) are moved if you click into their lower
half and drag them to the desired position while holding the mouse
key.

Dragging + Shift moves objects or object groups up or down the
track list without changing the time position.

Dragging + key "k" move the object under the mouse pointer, plus all
objects behind on the same track.

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Mouse functions and mouse modes 67

Duplicating objects

Dragging + Ctrl duplicates one or more objects. To do this you also
have to click the lower half of the object.

Dragging + Shift + Ctrl duplicates one or more objects and allows the
objects to be moved up or down the track list without changing the
time position.

Lasso function

Object lasso: If you click left next to an object in the lower half of the

track, you can sketch a rectangle with the mouse button pressed
down by dragging the mouse the right. All included objects are
selected.

Volume and panorama lasso: If you click left next to an object in the
lower half of the track, you can sketch a rectangle with the mouse
button pressed down by dragging the mouse the right. All contained
volume and panorama points are selected.

Volume and length of individual objects

You can individually adjust the volume and length with the five object
handles.

Object handles: The upper handle changes the object volume. The
changed level is shown in dB in the upper left-hand corner of the VIP.

Side handles: Fade-in or fade-out. The fade curves used here can be
set in the crossfade editor.

Lower handle: Adjusts the length of an object.

Volume and panorama automation curves

The volume and panorama curves can be used to graphically adjust
the volume and stereo panorama curves of the tracks. Movable
handle points are created on the curve.

Double clicking on the automation curve creates a new curve event.
Another double click on the same curve event deletes the event.
Selected handles can also be deleted by selecting "Delete curve
handles" from the edit menu.

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68 Mouse functions and mouse modes

A volume or panorama handle is selected simply by clicking it.
Several handles are selected by holding "Ctrl" while clicking.

If you click right next to an object, you can sketch a rectangle with
the mouse button by dragging the mouse to the right. All volume and
panorama points contained are selected (lasso function).

Selected volume and panorama points can be moved with the
mouse. To move several points, you have to hold "Ctrl" while
dragging.

Curves / Object mode

This mode differs from the universal mode only in that the track is not
split in two halves.

Play cursor, fields, and zooming are not set in the upper part of the
track, but rather in the beat line above the first track. All other
functions are handled by the universal mode (tracks are split).

The curves/object mode is less complicated to use and is therefore a
default setting.

Range mode (safe mode)

Right mouse button: Displays context sensitive popup menu.

Left mouse button: Selecting ranges and moving ranges ("Shift").

Objects or automation curves cannot be changed by accident (i.e.
"Safe mode").

Create ranges

In range mode, ranges are sketched by clicking and dragging the
mouse pointer while holding the mouse button.

The range mode is a "safe" mode, since objects or curves cannot be
moved accidentally.

Play cursor

Single clicks place the play cursor anywhere in the track.

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Mouse functions and mouse modes 69

Zoom

Double clicks outside of a selected range (or no range) zoom out.
Double clicks inside a selected range zoom in.

Quick switch to other mouse modes

Using the "." (period key) temporarily switches to the object mode to
allow objects to be moved.

Using the "–" (minus key) temporarily switches to curve mode to allow
automation curve events to be moved and manipulated.

Curve mode

Right mouse button: Context menu

Left mouse button: Offers a range of functions. I.e.:

Volume and panorama rubber band

When you click on the track near an object, you can, by pulling the
mouse to the left or right, spread a rectangle by holding down the
mouse key. This will select all volume and panorama points contained
in the selection box.

Volume and panorama gradients for the whole track

Using the panorama and volume curves, volume and stereo
panorama graduations can be graphically recorded. For this purpose
sizing handles which are moved are created on the curve.

A double click on the volume or panorama curve creates a new
handle, and another double click clears it. Selected handles may also
be cleared by selecting the option ”clear handles” in menu ”edit”.

You may select a volume or panorama handle by a single click. You
will select further handles by holding "Ctrl" while clicking.

When you click the track on the right beside an object, you can
spread a rectangle with the mouse held down. This selects all volume
and panorama points contained within (rubber band function).

You may move selected volume and panorama handles with the
mouse. To move several handles, "Ctrl" must be kept depressed.

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70 Mouse functions and mouse modes

Cut mode

Right mouse button: Context menu

Left mouse button: You can use the mouse cursor like a pair of

scissors to crop objects.

Pitchshift / Timestretch mode

Right mouse button: Context menu

Left mouse button:The lower right tab allows an object to be

compressed or stretched. A timestretching effect is created: The
object is not played as a loop or shorter version, but simply in a
different play tempo.

Using the center tab, the pitch can be altered via pitchshifting.

Draw volume mode

Right mouse button: Displays context sensitive popup menu.

Left mouse button: Draws volume automation curves into VIP tracks.

"V" needs to be active for a respective track prior to drawing the
volume curve.

Draw panorama mode

Right mouse button: Displays context sensitive popup menu.

Left mouse button: Draws volume automation curves into VIP tracks.

"P" needs to be active for a respective track prior to drawing the
panorama curve.

Wave edit mode (only wave projects)

Right mouse button: Context menu

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Mouse functions and mouse modes 71

Left mouse button: Freehand drawing function for wave format.

Scrub mouse mode

Right mouse button: Context menu

Left mouse button: Scrub function. Click project to pre-listen with

control over play tempo. The project will be played forward and back
controlled by the distance of the mouse pointer from the actual play
cursor position. The larger the distance the faster the play tempo.
You can set 3 individual scrub modes in the play parameter window .

Zoom mode

Right mouse button: Zooms out of the project

Left mouse button: Zooms into the project

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72 Button overview

Button overview

When the program is first started, only the tools and mouse mode
bars are opened in the upper right corner of the monitor. All further
ones may be added via menu ”windows”.

All toolbars may be placed on the screen at discretion, and they are
automatically arranged in the upper part of the screen by a double
click onto the header line.

Toolbar (left section)

1 New Virtual Project
2 Load VIP
3 Load audio file
4 Export/save
5 Cut
6 Copy
7 Insert
8 Split object
9 Glue object
10 Undo (Undo)
11 Restore (Redo)
12 Grid on/off
13 Auto crossfade on/off
14 Crossfade editor
15 Group
16 Ungroup

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Toolbar (right section)

1 Set marker
2 Set CD track
3 Set subindex
4 Set pause
5 Set CD end
6 Set indices at object borders
7 Make CD
8 Loop playback
9 Play range
10 End playback (stop)
11 Recording options [R]
12 Multi-cards/MIDI recording
13 Mixer

Mouse mode bar

Button overview 73

1 Universal mode
2 Range mode
3 Curve mode
4 Object and curve mode
5 Cut mode
6 Pitchshift/Timestrech mode
7 Draw volume mode
8 Draw panorama mode
9 Draw wave mode (wave projects only)
10 Scrubbing mouse mode
11 Zoom mode

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74 Button overview

Positioning bar (left)

1 Cropping at start
2 Cropping to left
3 Half cropping to left
4 Half cropping to right
5 Cropping to right
6 Cropping at end
7 Object edge left
8 Object edge right
9 Range to last marker
10 Range to next marker
11 Zoom in
12 Zoom out
13 Zoom all
14 Range as clipping
15 1 pixel = 1 sample

Position bar (right)

1 Zoom range 1 second
2 Zoom range 10 seconds
3 Zoom range 60 seconds
4 Zoom range 10 minutes
5 Reduce section vertically (zoom out)
6 Increase section vertically (zoom in)
7 Show all vertically
8 Show range vertically
9 Zoom into waveform
10 Zoom out of waveform
11 Overview mode

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Range bar

1 Play cursor to start of range
2 Play cursor to end of range
3 Fold range to the left
4 Fold range to the right
5 Start range at previous zero point
6 Start range at next zero point
7 End range at previous zero point
8 End range at next zero point
9 Range editor

Button overview 75

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76 Functional overview

Functional overview

Working with objects in the VIP

Loading an audio file into a VIP object

Method 1: Loading a file into a VIP

Mark a range in the VIP and load the wave file with "File -> Open
project -> Audio file". The file is inserted at the beginning of the
selected range as an object. The range also denotes the track into
which the wave file is inserted.

Method 2: Drag & drop from Windows Explorer

Open Windows Explorer and arrange the Explorer and Samplitude 11
Producer windows so that both are at hand. Access the audio file in
Explorer that you would like to use, and then simply drag it over into
Samplitude 11 Producer while holding down the mouse button.

Load ranges from wave projects into the VIP

• Open a wave project.

• Mark the range which is to be incorporated into a virtual project.

• Create a new virtual project with "File -> New multitrack project" ("E")

or with the corresponding button in the toolbar.

• Tile the open windows by pressing enter.

• Drag the selected range in the wave project into the virtual project by

clicking the left mouse button into the range and then dragging it
into a VIP track.

• A new object is created in the VIP at the position the mouse button

was released.

Accessing audio material in an object

• Select any object.

• In the object menu, select ”Destructive editing”. The same menu

option is available from the context sensitive menu by right clicking
on the object.

• This opens the corresponding wave project window. The marked

range represents the audio material that is used in the VIP object.

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Functional overview 77

Selecting an object with the Mouse

Clicking the left mouse button selects the desired object.

Prerequisite for this is the selection of the correct mouse mode:
Object mode, object & curve mode, and universal tool mode all offer
this functionality. In the universal tool mode, the object is selected by
clicking on the lower half of the object.

The five handles on the outline of the objects identify any selection of
objects. While the mouse button is held down the outline of the
object is displayed.

Clicking the mouse button outside of the object deselects the object.

Moving and duplicating objects

Once one or several objects have been selected, they can be shifted
vertically (by track number) and horizontally (in the timeline) while
holding the left mouse button. As soon as you let go of the left mouse
button, the object will be placed at the current position.

If several objects have been selected in different tracks, the selected
group can be moved vertically only so far that all objects remain
within the tracks.

If "Shift" is pressed when moving the objects, the time position is
retained and you can only change the track.

If "Ctrl" is pressed while moving the object selection, then a copy of
the object selection is created. In this case, the copy of the original
object selection is placed at the destination. The original objects
maintain their position.

Changing object borders in virtual projects

The lower object handles of a selected object can be used to alter
the object borders. The mouse can be used to change the object
beginning or end. The object length can only be changed within the
confines of the physical wave project window.

This means that the beginning of the object can not be extended
beyond the beginning or end of the corresponding wave project.
Conversely, the end of the object cannot be extended beyond the
beginning or end of the corresponding wave project.

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78 Functional overview

Fade in / Fade out and object volume

The object handle in the top center can be used to set the object
volume. The exact volume level in dB during the change is visible in
the pop up window at the object.

The top left and right-hand handles of the object change the fade in
and fade out settings of the object.

Since these changes are applied in real time during playback of the
project, then the original audio material is left intact. This allows easy
set up of fades and volume levels without having to fear data loss.

The curve types when fading in and out can be set in the crossfade
editor.

Overlapping objects

A track (channel) can only play back one object at a time.

If one object is moved over another object, then the previous object
is partially or completely taken out of the playback list (much like one
sheet of paper covers another partially or completely). The invisible
part of a covered object will not be audible. By moving the covering
object out of the way, the covered section or the complete object can
be made audible again. To create a crossfade between two objects
that are intersecting each other, the crossfade editor in the "Edit"
menu can be used.

Object editor

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Functional overview 79

The object effects window

FX inserts

AudioStudio FX inserts supports the following high-end audio effects:

• Clean FX (denoiser, dehisser)

• Sound FX

• Vocoder (also contains a real-time freehand correction filter to filter

out dissonant frequencies

• FFT-EQ with SoundCloner

These effects are assigned to each audio object in real time.

In the "Volume/Pan" section you edit panorama and volume-specific
settings.

The "On" buttons switch plug-ins on or off.

Plug-ins

The plug-in section offers you a very effective dialog for plug-in
processing. With one click on an effect slot a menu opens in which
you can select DirectX and VST plug-ins. This menu also contains an
entry for the effects from the "Vintage effects suite".

The practical "On" button makes it possible to switch the plug-ins on
and off in a flash for comparison purposes. The "Edit" key makes it
possible to configure the selected plug-ins and their settings. More
detailed information can be found in the "Plug-ins" section.

The position / fades window

The length and end values of an object are given numerically in a
number of formats.

For all entry fields regarding duration, you can select a duration
length from a list on the right.

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80 Functional overview

Position/Length

Object start/end: Numerical entry field in the VIP

Object length: Numerical object length.

How to move an object in increments: Here the increments for

shifting the object is numerically edited. The object is then shifted
according to the selected increment when you press the arrow key
behind the input field.

Wave start: Shifts the wave content within the object.

Wave project: Allows you to exchange wave projects and objects.

The pitchshifting / timestretching window

Pitch and duration of an object can be changed independently at the
same time. In this window you can adjust pitchshifting and
timestretching parameters for the selected object. For more details (in
particular regarding the modes used) please read "Resampling /
Timestretching / Pitchshifting" in the "effects" section.

Timestretching and pitchshifting can be employed independently of
each other (except when resampling).

Pitchshifting: Pitch realignment can be entered either as a factor
relative to the initial value or absolutely in semi-tones and
percentages.

Timestretching (change of speed): Speed realignment can be
entered either as a factor relative to the initial value or absolutely as a
new object length. You can also enter a completely new tempo so
long as the original speed of the object is entered. This is read either
directly from the wave project, from the loop length, or determine
automatically by stretching a range over the object.

Note: One of most frequent applications of the object editor is the
organization of your own CDs. Each song can be a separate object.
This creates an extremely flexible working environment that is fast
and efficient.

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Functional overview 81

Ranges

Ranges are selected sections of the arrangement that can be set for
editing or re-opening later on. When creating ranges, you are not
bound to object borders, individual tracks, or any other limitations like
markers. Ranges that you search for are displayed inverted. By
switching on the "Grid" function in the Project options (see page 503)
you can set the step size of the selection.

Selecting a range

To select a range, move the mouse pointer to the top half of an
object and press the left mouse button. Move the mouse pointer
within the object while pressing the mouse button. Now you can see
an inverted rectangle between the starting point and the current
mouse position. Once you let go of the mouse button, the range is
selected. The play cursor always automatically remains at the
beginning of the range, even if you can't see it at this moment in
time. To expand the range onto other tracks, click on the top half of
the selected object again and drag the mouse down vertically while
keeping the mouse button held.

You can also select a range by dragging the mouse across the
timeline. It will then be displayed in green. Double clicking on this
timeline area selects a range in the selected track, a further double
click selects the range over all tracks, the next double click then
reverts back to the simple timeline selection. In the timeline selection
you can also position the play cursor outside the range. The range
will remain intact. This way you can start playback in front of or within
a loop. Range borders can also be changed during playback. The
play range can be deleted by dragging to size 0.

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82 Functional overview

Leaving a range

If you wish to select a different range, click elsewhere in the project
that does not include the current range and sketch a new range.

Reactivating a range

Enter the keyboard shortcut "Shift + Backspace". By using this
command repeatedly you can restore the last five ranges. You can
execute the same function by clicking on the button with the left
arrow in the transport control.

Change range border

In the timeline selection you can change the range edges by
positioning the mouse over the range border. The mouse pointer
turns into a double arrow. Now you can change the range edges by
dragging horizontally.

If you wish to change the border of an already existing track range
(start, end, top edge, or bottom edge), left click inside the range of
the existing area and keep the mouse button pressed. Now, while
keeping the mouse button pressed, leave the range in the direction of
the border you wish to change. As soon as you have crossed the
border of the existing range, the range border will follow the
movements of the mouse pointer. Once you have newly defined the
range border, you can let go of the mouse button. The start of the
range of a track can be changed with the arrow keys of the
keyboard, while the range end can be changed with "Shift" + the
arrow keys.

Horizontal movement of a range

Left click within the existing range while holding down "Shift", keep
the mouse button held, and move the range horizontally.

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Functional overview 83

Saving and opening ranges / special range commands

Selected ranges can be saved using the "Range" menu or by
pressing "Alt" and one of the function keys "F2-F10" and opened
again with "Ctrl + F2...F10".

"Alt + F4", however, shouldn't be used as it is a Windows keyboard
shortcut for closing windows. Similarly "Alt + F9" is not defined as it is
a 4- Point cut command in Samplitude 11 Producer. However, you
can redefine this keyboard shortcut for Samplitude 11 Producer
whenever you like via "Options" > "Program settings" > "Shortcuts"
and "Edit menu".

You can save and name additional ranges without any restrictions
using Alt + F11.

Further special functions for defining, changing, and using ranges can
be found in the "Range" menu. This includes a range editor dialog
allowing you to enter ranges numerically and the Range Manager for
quick and easy viewing of and jumping to ranges.

Examples for working with ranges

Example 1: You want to move multiple neighboring objects to a new

position. Instead of clicking on each object separately while holding
down the Ctrl key, you can use the mouse to define a range that
contains all objects. Select them by using the function "Object ->

Select objects -> Select objects under the play cursor/range".

Example 2: You wish to remove a section of a song from the VIP

window completely. This may be a verse of a song, for instance, that
should be cut out. You can select the verse in question by dragging
out a range and activating all tracks with a double-click. Then select

"Edit -> More -> Delete with time/ripple" to remove the verse.

Example 3: A selected range can be played as a loop. You can

modify the range borders here. Before making your cuts final, you
can preview the result.

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84 Functional overview

Working in wave projects

A wave project contains the audio files. Objects in VIP refer to these
audio files.

Access the wave project via the respective wave window.

When a VIP is open, you can’t normally see the wave window. In
order to view it as an icon, activate the ”wave project as icon” option
in the menu window. To hide it again, select ”Hide wave project”.

The name of the wave project is in the title bar of the wave window
along with the bit resolution, the length of the sample, and the
resulting memory requirements. To activate a wave project, the
appropriate window must be clicked with the mouse. Samplitude 11
Producer can administer many wave projects on screen
simultaneously.

Virtual wave editing

Samplitude 11 Producer now offers real non-destructive (virtual) wave
editing. Basically, wave project edits are saved in a virtual domain as
long as editing is being processed. This saves an enormous amount
of time when editing waves!

In order to start non-destructive wave editing, deactivate the settings
in "Options -> Project properties -> Destructive wave editing mode”.

When you select ”wave editing”, the wave project will by default be
set to non-destructive editing mode.

Selecting ”Destructive edit” confines the wave project to destructive
wave editing mode.

In the title bar of the wave window you can always see which wave
editing mode (destructive or non-destructive) you are currently
working in. The wave project in the image above is thus in destructive
mode.

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Functional overview 85

Using markers

Position marker

Position markers serve as reminders for position points. They are
visible as in a special line at the top edge of a project as named
orange bars. Markers can be placed during playback as well as
during recording.

• Markers in wave projects are saved in the audio file (*.wave) as so-
called "audio markers" and are available in this form in other
applications as well.

• Markers in wave projects can also be viewed and set in the VIP
object (VIP display options).

• A project can contain any number of markers. The first ten can be
accessed directly using the number keys and receive the
corresponding names "1" to "10". You can save these by pressing
"Shift + 0 - 9". By pressing the corresponding number key you can
jump back to the marker once again.

• With the menu point "Range -> Remember marker -> Other" you
can define and name other markers.

• To delete a marker, click on it and press "Del". markers can be
moved by grabbing them and dragging them to where you want to
go, the mouse pointer changes into a double arrow.

• If you right click within a marker line, a context menu will appear for
access to all important commands.

• You can manage and name markers in the marker manager ("Tools"
menu or marker context menu).

• To stretch a range between any two markers, click on the first
marker, and then click on the second marker while holding down
"Shift". This selects a new range.

• To quickly move between the marker positions, use the shortcuts.
See "Keyboard shortcuts" ("Range -> Move play cursor -> marker
left/right").

CD markers

CD markers are triangular markers for various CD burn functions.
There are

• CD track markers

• CD subindex markers

• CD pause markers

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86 Functional overview

MIDI markers

• Beat markers for tempo changes at a specific position in the project

• Signature markers for changes of the beat type from the marker

position onwards (e.g. from 4/4 beat 3/4 beat)

• Beat marker (option "Lock musical position (bar)"). Beat markers
assign a certain musical position to a certain part. This way, the bar
frame/grid and MIDI events can be easily synchronized with existing
audio material.

Volume

The volume levels of objects and tracks/channels can be changed at
various stages.

wave Project Level

The volume level changes are applied to the audio material with
"Effects -> Normalize -> Normalize file", or with "Fade in/out".

The audio data is changed. The computer usage is not affected
during playback.

Object level

Every object can have an independent setting for its volume level.
This can be performed by changing the upper handles of the object
or with "Effects -> Amplitude/Normalize -> Normalize object".

The audio data is not changed. The calculations are performed in
real-time during playback.

Track level

The volume of every track can be changed dynamically with the
volume automation curve and the volume fader in the mixer or the
VIP.

The audio data is not changed. The calculations are performed in
real-time during playback.

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Functional overview 87

Output mode

You can setup the output mode in the playback parameter dialog
("P").

With the "Sample rate" option you can choose a different sample rate
as playback. "Device" allows you to select the desired playback
device (if you have more then one active sound card).

Please note that some sound cards are not be able to playback all
sample rates.

Note: Different recording and replay devices for individual tracks can
be selected in the track information dialog rather than the play
parameter window. Track information opens by clicking on the track
number.

Record

Hard drive recording

The device used to digitize audio signals is already included on the
sound card and is called an analog/digital converter (A-to-D, ATD or
A/D). In order to record, the A/D Converter gathers samples of the
signal to be digitized in determined time lapses and measures its
frequency. The rate is called ”sample rate” and normally lies in the
kHz ranges. KHz means a vibrating frequency of several thousand
times per second. The higher the rate, the more samples are taken
by the A/D converter and the more natural the digital transformation
of the sound will be.

The precision with which the A/D converter measures the analog
signal is determined by the sample resolution. The finer the
resolution, the better the digital transformation.

CD-quality audio recordings are recorded with a sample rate of 44.1
kHz and 16-bit resolution.

Recording source

First of all, the recording source must be connected to the sound
card. There are several ways to do this, depending on your
equipment.

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88 Functional overview

Microphone: Microphone signals must first be amplified before the

sound card modifier can record them. Most sound cards have
separate microphone inputs that pre-amplify signals, but the results
are rarely professional.

Quality: Connection to an external mixer or external microphone
amplifier produces far better results.

Amplifier: If, for example, you possess a guitar amplifier that has a
line-out output, you can connect it with the line-in input on the sound
card.

Stereo system: The stereo system’s amplifier usually has a separate
line-out. If instead, you see ”Aux. out sockets,” then you should use
these. Connect them with the input on the sound card (usually shown
in red). Normally, a high-fidelity (hi-fi) amplifier has cinch sockets and
sound card mini-stereo catch sockets. You must have the
corresponding cable to connect these properly.

If the amplifier doesn’t have separate outputs (other than the loud
speakers), then you can use the headphones socket for recording. In
this case, you need a cable with two mini-stereo headphone
connectors. This process has an advantage: you can control the
signal level through the phones input. The disadvantage is that
phones outputs are normally not very good. With cassette
recordings, always use the cassette deck line out. Record transfers
often leave you no other choice... Never connect a record player’s
outputs directly to the sound card, because the phono signal must
be pre-amplified first. If you don’t have a pre-amplifier, the only way
to do this is via the phones output or an external amplifier

Adjusting the signal

Digital recordings through the sound card need optimal control in
order to obtain the best sound quality.

Once the recording source is connected to the sound card, open the
recording dialog with the "Record" button and start the recording
source.

You can check the control on the LED displays in the recording
dialog.

If the level is too high, reduce the incoming signal. If the recording
source is connected through the amplifier or tape deck’s line out

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Functional overview 89

connectors, then you can reduce the incoming signal only by using
the sound card’s mixer window. This is located in the recording
dialog under the "Level control" tab.

If you reduce the input sensibility with the sliding regulator (fader),
then you also reduce (with many sound cards) the precision of the
resolution of the digitized analog signal. This is why these controls
should be kept at the loudest possible setting!

The standard for optimal adjusting is naturally the loudest section of
the material. This should be turned to the maximum setting

Digital transfer

With the recording function, digital audio data can be transferred to
the hard drive through a digital interface (e.g. S/PDIF or ADAT).

ADAT or DAT recorders normally produce data with a sampling rate
of 48 kHz. For a CD project with 44.1 kHz you must convert the
sampling rate. This is carried out in real time by Samplitude 11
Producer. The digital signal is read at 48 kHz, but is automatically
converted and inserted into the project as an audio file at 44.1 kHz.

For this to occur correctly, you must first set the sample rate of the
incoming signal in the recording dialog. Click on the "Dev." button in
the recording dialog. In the following dialog (sound card
characteristics), set the audio recording formats supported by the
sound card.

Now, connect the digital output of your recorder to the digital input of
your sound card, and now start recording!

24-bit audio support

Audio files in Samplitude 11 Producer can not only be recorded in
16-bit quality, but also in far superior 24-bit resolution. Simply click
the ”device” button in the recording dialog, and select the ”24-bit”
option under ”sound card properties”. 24-bit recordings require a
high-quality audio card with 20 or 24-bit converters, as well as a 24­bit-compatible NME drive. 24-bit audio material can also be
transmitted via audio cards with SPDIF digital interfaces.

We have had positive experiences with the 24-bit audio cards
produced by Marian, RME, SEKD and Terratec.

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90 Functional overview

The high resolution audio files are stored and edited in the 32-bit
”floating point” file format by Samplitude 11 Producer. This ensures
the full 24-bit quality independent of the gauge. The dynamics may
increase to over 140 dB, while the recording’s jamming transmission
sinks (depending on the type of audio card) to 110 dB and more.
Thanks to floating point processing, there is no need to worry about
internal editing being distorted. Floating point processing only starts
to distort at around 1,500 dB above zero, in contrast to a 16-bit
signal which distorts immediately once the zero dB line has been
crossed.

Even in cases whereby audio material is intended for burning onto a
16-bit CD, it is worth selecting 24-bit recording, since all effects
calculations are made in a higher quality and therefore no ”rounding”
mistakes can be detected in the audible 16-bit range.

24-bit recordings (via storage as 32-bit float files) take up twice as
much storage space on the hard disk as 16-bit recordings. But with
current hard disk storage capacities, it works out as a good
compromise when one considers the increase in quality.

High resolution audio files can be imported and exported as 24-bit
wave files, enabling trouble-free file exchange with other high-quality
audio systems.

Further recording dialog possibilities

The recording dialog also offers:

• A string instrument tuner for creating the best sound possible before
recording. Deviations from the standard pitch are graphically
displayed.

• The option of laying track markers (either manually or automatically)
while recording a CD.

• The option to directly incorporate a variety of audio formats, e.g. to
save hard disk space.

Please read the “Recording options” section of the “Playback menu”
chapter to learn about all of the recording dialog options.

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Functional overview 91

Tips & tricks

A few tricks that help make working with Samplitude 11 Producer
easy:

Working with projects

• The "A" key will select the complete sample as a range.

• "Home" and "End" set the play cursor to the beginning or end; all

selected ranges will disappear.

• A range can be selected from one exact marker position to the next
by clicking on the marker above the wave. Next, hold "Shift" and
click on the second marker.

• Using the "Shift + mouse click" a range can be moved horizontally.

• "Shift + Ctrl + arrow keys" will flip a range to the right or left. This is a

great way of testing a loop at a different position.

• Objects in Virtual projects can be displayed in two different modes.
By pressing "Tab" you alternate between the modes. Pressing "Shift
+ Tab" will open a dialog window in which you can set the
parameters of the display modes.

• Using "Ctrl + mouse click" on an object copies the object.

• Double clicking the mouse button on the volume curve creates and

deletes volume handles. Activate the volume automation curve with
"V" in each track of the VIP!

• Change the function of the mouse buttons in VIPs with "Preferences

-> Mouse mode", or use one of the mouse mode buttons in the
mouse mode toolbar!

• The function "Lock objects" allows you to lock objects to prevent
accidental movement. This is especially useful for multitrack
recording when the individual tracks need to stay in sync with each
other.

• To determine the tempo of a selected range (BPM), open the snap
definition dialog ("Shift + R") and select the number of beats the
selected range represents (for example: 4) in the "Free bar snap"
section. Next, click on the "Get range" button in the "Free bar snap"
section to retrieve the length of the selected range. The BPM display
in the "Fixed bar snap" section now displays the BPM of the audio
section.

• Try the right mouse button on various components of the VIP
window! A context-sensitive popup menu is displayed which features
useful functions depending on the window component you clicked
on. Among them are objects, "Record" and "Mute" buttons, and the
scrollbars.

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92 Functional overview

• "Delete" deletes markers when the play cursor (real-time cursor) is
located exactly on the marker. The same key deletes any selected
objects and deletes ranges that are selected.

• "T" separates a selected object at the position of the play cursor. If a
range is selected within the object, the object is separated on the
range borders, which results in three objects. If auto crossfade mode
is active while the separation takes place, Samplitude 11 Producer
adds smooth crossfades at the separation points. These crossfades
can later be edited for further refinement. Use the crossfade editor to
change the crossfade aspects.

• Multiple zoom levels can be saved to the four "Z" buttons in the
lower left-hand corner of the virtual project window. Use "Shift + left
mouse click" to store a zoom level to a specific preset button. When
clicking on a previously assigned preset button, the zoom level is
recalled. The "S" preset buttons can be used with "Shift + left mouse
click" to store a complete window configuration set. This includes
the scroll position of the window and the mute/solo assignments for
the tracks. This offers four mute/solo groups that can be quickly
recalled.

• Multiple objects can be selected by holding "Ctrl" and individually
clicking on the desired object.

• Holding "Shift" and clicking the mouse button behind the last object
you want to select will select objects between the two points.

• wave, HDP, and RAP projects, as well as stored objects, can be
opened with Windows Explorer by dragging them from the Explorer
window to the Samplitude 11 Producer window. A special menu
option is available to open Explorer from within Samplitude 11
Producer with "Tools -> Explore the HDP directory". The default
folder opened in Explorer is the same as the HD project settings in
the system dialog ("Y").

• "Shift + Tab" can be used to display the VIP display mode dialog.
This dialog allows you to change VIP display aspects like the VIP
window behavior when an object or range is moved toward the
currently displayed window borders (VIP border scroll).

• Press "Enter" and all open windows are tiled on the Samplitude 11
Producer screen. This is a good starting point when using drag &
drop functionality to move ranges and objects between individual
project windows.

• Use the menu option "Edit -> Edit tracks" to manipulate complete
tracks. This includes adding new tracks, inserting tracks and
rearranging tracks.

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Functional overview 93

Mixer

• Clicking the right mouse button on a mixer effect control knob or
element opens the associated effects dialog.

• A double click on the middle of a control knob or element returns it
to the passive default setting. Another double click resets the
element to the previous position.

• Clicking on the left or right outer limits of a control knob changes the
setting in individual increments.

• In the mixer window, multiple channels can be soloed
simultaneously. When holding "Shift" and clicking on "Solo", all
previously soloed channels are un-soloed and the single channel is
soloed.

• The "Master normalization" function in the mixer window can be
used to instantaneously adjust the output level to 0 dB, no matter
how loud or soft the master output signal is.

Performance

If errors occur during playback, you have the following options:

• Increase the VIP and HD buffer in the system dialog ("Y").

• Zoom out to project full view ("A" button at position bar)

• Deactivate the "Autoscroll" function in the playback parameters

dialog ("P").

• Reduce the number of displayed image elements of the VIP window
in the object display in virtual projects dialog ("Shift + Tab").

• Bounce several tracks by mixdown and mute the original tracks.

• Reduce the used real-time effects in the object editor or mixer.

• Do not use plug-ins, since they increase the CPU load.

• In Windows NT, the playback performance of the hard disk system is

particularly good if the corresponding files are played for the first
time. So, if a VIP with many tracks is not played perfectly, save it,
close all windows ("H") and open the VIP again. Now the NT file
system performance is optimum again.

• It often helps to run two copies of Samplitude 11 Producer at the
same time (simply start it twice from the desktop). This allows you to
work on an extensive effect processing, a longer recording, the
creation of a CD, or any other unattended procedure, while working
on another aspect of a second VIP or project. When working on dual
processor systems in Windows NT, both instances use the full
capacity of one of the processors. Even under Windows 95 this
technique can be used to work more effectively. Make sure you
disable the option "Check space bar for playback…" in the system
dialog ("Y") to prevent the program in the background to stop any
process.

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94 Functional overview

Recording / Playback

• The recording window can be displayed by pressing "R". The
recording can be started with "R" and stopped with "S" when the
recording window is displayed and active.

• Playback can be started and stopped with the space bar. When
stopping, the play cursor returns to the original position. If the
playback is stopped with "0" on the numeric keypad, the cursor will
stop at the current playback position. Continuing to hold "0", while
moving the mouse (scrubbing) can alter the exact position.

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Effects and effect plug-ins

Samplitude 11 Producer contains many high-quality effects and
effects plug-ins (MAGIX plug-ins) as well as interfaces for external
VST plug-ins and DirectX plug-ins.

What effects are there, and how are they used?

There is generally a difference between the effects types. The
following effects occur in Samplitude 11 Producer:

Real-time effects: These effects are also referred to as "non­destructive" or "virtual" effects, and they are added to the original
sound while it is played. This means that the original file remains
unchanged on the hard drive.

Offline effects: These effects are also called "destructive effects",
and they are added to the audio file before it is played; either the
original file is changed, or a copy is created on the hard drive for
working with.

These effects are independent effects modules, i.e. they are provided
by third party vendors or programmers. In Samplitude 11 Producer
we distinguish between three types of effects plug-ins: "MAGIX plug­ins", "DirectX plug-ins", and "VST plug-ins".

The area of application is a further criteria for effects. The following
are integrated into Samplitude 11 Producer:

• Object effects (can be accessed via the object editor or the "Real-
time effects" menu)

• wave effects (can be accessed via the "Offline effects" menu)

• Track effects (can be accessed via the trackbox plug-in selection

button or the trackbox plug-in)

• Mixer channel effects (can be accessed via the "Insert" section of
the mixer): These real-time effects affect track effects the same way
as complete tracks.

• AUX effects: (accessible via the track editor and trackbox): These
effects can be installed identically for several tracks, or individually.

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96 Effects and effect plug-ins

• Surround effects (accessible via the insert selection box of the
corresponding Surround bus channel, track editor, and trackbox):
These effects serve for editing surround material.

• Master effects (can be accessed via the "Master" section of the
mixer): These effects are for editing the master sound.

Most of the effects modules, i.e. equalizers, compressors, reverb,
echo, etc., can be used in several of the above versions. However,
they are only described at one position within this documentation. All
effects and effect plug-ins that are NOT offline effects and can be
activated via the "Offline effects menu" are explained in the following
sections of this chapter. The other effects which can also be
activated via the "Offline effects" menu, are described in more detail
in the "Offline effects menu" chapter.

Saving effect parameters (preset mechanism)

The effect dialogs contain preset selection boxes. These presets are
saved and recalled to/from the "FX preset" directory (a subdirectory
of the main Samplitude 11 Producer program directory).

If a preset is not located in this directory, it still can be loaded via the
"Load setup" function, but it will not automatically appear in the
selection box, so you'll need to browse for it.

Effects that are added/launched from within the mixer or object editor
are pre-configured with the values assigned to the virtual project. If
the virtual project is to adopt particular changes made to the settings
in the effects dialog, then you will need to click on "OK" to transfer
them to the VIP.

You also have the possibility to apply the settings of the last
destructive effect; a corresponding entry can be found in the
"Options" box. If there is no destructive application of the effect, then
the parameters selected in the list entries will be applied to the
default parameters for destructive editing.

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Effects and effect plug-ins 97

Dehisser

The Dehisser eliminates regular ”white” noise typically produced by
analogue tape recordings, microphones, pre-amplifiers, or
converters.

Noise level: Set the Dehisser’s input threshold as precisely as
possible. Low settings result in incomplete deletion of the hissing. An
incomplete deletion of the hissing produces artifacts and should be
avoided. High settings produce dull results. Useful signals (e.g. the
blow of a wind instrument) that are similar to hissing are also filtered
away. If the level of the hissing is low, the setting is no problem.

Audio type: Lets you set the audio material that is to be edited; the
algorithm is adjusted accordingly.

Noise reduction: Set the attenuation of the hissing in decibels. It
often makes sense to reduce the hissing by only 3 to 6 dB in order to
keep the audio material sounding natural.

Removed hiss: To test your results, you can listen to the filtered­away part of the music prior to downloading or burning onto a CD.
Remember, this is for test purposes only.

Quality: The processing quality can be set in two stages. You can
use this to precisely adjust the values in the dialog for standard
quality adjustment without skipping playback, and can then select a
higher quality for final burning.

Adaptive: The value for the noise level parameter is set automatically
by determining the hiss contained in the signal. If the noise level value
is changed, its effect becomes relative, i.e. the resulting value is
determined from the automation as well as the noise level controller
settings.

One advantage of this is that you no longer have to set the noise level
value manually and that this value can also be adjusted later if the
noisy portion fluctuates, e.g. if you use music tracks with differing
hiss levels within one project.

If the noise level is constant, then a better result may be obtained
manually (adaptive off). However, the noise level value must then be
set precisely.

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98 Effects and effect plug-ins

Sound FX (object editor, mixer channels, mixmaster)

"Sound FX" features an effects rack with the following virtual effects
devices:

Equalizer

The 10-track equalizer divides the frequency spectrum into 10 areas
(tracks) and supplies them with separated volume controls, which
allows you to achieve many impressive effects, from the simple rising
of the bass, to total sound transformation. If you raise the low
frequencies too much throughout the whole level, it can cause
distortions. In this case, lower the master volume using the master
volume control on the main screen.

Thumb controls: Each of the 10 frequency areas can be raised or
decreased separately by the 10 volume controls.

Link bands: Using this switch you can match the frequency areas in a
flexible way to avoid overemphasizing single frequency areas that
sound artificial.

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Effects and effect plug-ins 99

A/B: If you have selected a preset for the effect and later you change

it manually, you can compare the original preset sound with the new
adjustments using the A/B switch.

Reset: Reset inserts the sound effect into the neutral starting position
where no processing power is used and where no effect is calculated
in the sound.

Touchscreen (right EQ section): This is the ”sensor field” of the EQ:
Use your mouse to draw a curve that will be transferred immediately
into the corresponding EQ control adjustment.

Compressor

The compressor is essentially an automated dynamic volume control.
Tune dynamics are limited; loud passages stay loud, and low­passages become louder. Compression is often used to make the
material more powerful. The degree of compression is adjusted by
the ratio control, and ”Threshold” determines the entry threshold.
Rise and decrease of time can be influenced by attack and release.

The processing is realized ”in advance”, as often occurs in high­quality studio equipment. This means that there won’t be any
overdriven peaks or other artifacts, as the algorithm can never be
”surprised” by the peak levels.

Sensor field: The sensor field of the compressor can be intuitively
altered with mouse movement.

Ratio: This parameter controls compression intensity.

Threshold: Adjusts the entry threshold of the compression.

Attack: Adjusts the time in which the algorithm responds on the rising

level. Short attack times can produce a ”pumping” sound as the
volume is reduced or raised.

Release: Adjusts the time in which the algorithm responds to
decreasing levels.

A/B: If you have selected a preset for the effect and later you change
it manually, you can compare the original-preset-sound with the new
adjustments using the A/B-switch.

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100 Effects and effect plug-ins

Reset: Reset places the sound effect to the neutral starting position

where no processing power is used and where no effect is calculated
in the sound.

Load/Save: Stores the current adjustments as an effect file in order
to use them for other projects.

Stereo FX

With the Stereo FX Enhancer you can determine the positioning of
the audio material in the stereo balance. If the stereo recordings
sound unfocused and undifferentiated, an extension of the stereo
base-width can often provide better transparency.

Use the maximize function to move the echo, for example, into the
foreground, thereby improving the stereo picture.

Volume control: Adjusts the volume of every single channel, thereby
adjusting the entire balance. The reduction of left and right levels is
displayed under the control buttons. This way you can balance out
and thus improve an imbalanced recording in which, for example,
one channel was recorded at a lower level than the other.

Pan-Direction: With this controller you can move the sound source
that comes from the middle into stereo panorama. The signals at the
outer edges of the sound pictutere remain unchanged.

Bandwidth control: Adjusts the

bandwidth between mono (on the extreme left), unchanged
bandwidth ("normal stereo"), and maximum bandwidth ("wide", on
the extreme right). The individual sound sources of a recording are
squeezed together or pulled apart in the stereo picture.

Raising the bandwidth (values over 100) diminishes the mono
compatibility. This means that recordings edited this way sound
hollow when listened to in mono.

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