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 and Cleaning Lab are registered trademarks of MAGIX AG.
VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
Legal notice: Copyrights and laws against exploitation of
accomplishments of artists and publishers shall be observed.
www.magix.com
Preface3
Preface
Congratulations on purchasing MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab!
You are now the proud owner of an efficient tool that was developed
specifically for improving the quality of your video's audio tracks.
Camera hiss, wind noise and incomprehensible voices can make a
video appear cheap and amateurish. Up until now, you had no other
choice but to rely on the limited options offered by your video editing
software. With MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab you've purchased a
program that tackles these typical audio track problems with the help
of professional tools.
Problems are solved on the basis of the highly efficient MAGIX Audio
Cleaning Lab algorithms which have been revised specifically for
editing the audio tracks of videos. Elements of the award-winning
MAGIX Movie Edit Pro video engine have also been included in the
program.
As a video filmmaker, there's no need for you to familiarize yourself
with the complex field of audio editing. The program's task-oriented
workflow guarantees direct and quick results. Simply select your
problem and, if required, fine tune your settings.
This manual provides you with a short introduction to MAGIX Video
Sound Cleaning Lab. A detailed description of the program is
available in the program's Help file ("Help" Menu > Help) or in the
PDF manual.
Have fun using MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab and removing
irritating noise!
Your MAGIX team.
www.magix.com
4 Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Copyright 2
Preface 3
Support 9
Serial number 10
More about MAGIX 12
MAGIX Online World 12
magix.info 12
Introduction 13
What is MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab? 13
Features 13
Quick Start 14
Overview of the program screen 29
Track window and constant control elements 30
Upper buttons 30
MAGIX News Center 31
The master track 31
Transport control 35
Monitor 37
Zoom 39
Zoom settings 40
Mouse mode 41
Volume controller/auto button 43
Status Line 44
Import 45
Audio files 45
Video files 46
Recording dialog 47
Cut sound – Working with objects 50
Project 50
Split objects 50
Change object volume 51
Reducing and increasing the length of objects 51
Fading objects in and out 52
Fading objects 52
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Table of Contents5
Object FX page 53
Quick zoom 54
Draw volume curve 55
Voice over 56
Remove 58
Using the effect modules 58
Parametric Equalizer 59
Graphic Equalizer 60
Sound Cloner 61
DeNoiser 64
Dehisser 67
Artefacts 68
Remove DC offset 69
Spectral Cleaning 69
Enhance 74
Using the effect modules 74
Declipper 74
Dynamics 75
Stereo FX 76
Plug-ins 78
Multimax 80
Reverb/Echo (object FX only) 81
Export 85
Audio files 85
Video files 87
Save and Exit 91
File Menu 92
New Project 92
Load project 92
Save Project 92
Save project as 92
Load audio file 92
Load video file 93
Record 93
Export audio 93
Export video 93
Delete old projects 93
Exit 94
Edit Menu 94
Undo 94
Redo 95
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6 Table of Contents
Undo Lists 95
Set marker 95
Delete marker 95
Remove all markers 95
Split 95
Remove object beginning 96
Remove object end 96
Cut 96
Copy 96
Paste 96
Delete 97
Voice-Over 97
Remove pauses 97
Object FX Editor 98
Apply all realtime effects 98
Standard mouse mode 103
Cut mouse mode 103
Zoom mode 104
"Delete objects" mode 104
Draw volume curve mouse mode 104
2 tracks 104
Stereo display 105
Comparisonics waveform display 105
Activate Volume Curves 105
Overview track 106
Lock all objects 106
Play parameter 106
Units of measurement 108
Mouse Grid Active 108
Auto crossfade mode active 108
Display values scale 108
Path settings 108
Tasks menu 109
Online menu 109
Catooh – the Online Content Library 109
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Table of Contents7
MAGIX Online Album 109
magix.info 110
More online services 111
Screen transfer - MAGIX Screenshare 113
Online login details 114
Help menu 115
Help 115
Display tips 115
Show tutorial videos 115
System information 115
About MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab 115
Register online 115
Update check 116
Restore original program settings 116
General settings 122
Video settings 123
Advanced video settings 124
Audio settings 125
MPEG glossary 128
Motion estimation 128
Bit rate 128
Block 129
Chroma format 129
Field 129
Frame 130
GOP 130
I frames 131
Interlace 131
P frames and B frames 132
Prediction 133
Quantization scaling 134
MPEG-4 encoder settings 136
MPEG-4 136
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8 Table of Contents
AVC / H.264 142
AMR 148
AAC 148
Multiplexer 149
Index 151
www.magix.com
Support9
Support
If you experience any problems with your software, then please get in
touch with our support team:
Support website: http://support.magix.net
This website will lead you to the MAGIX user service page which,
among other things, contains the following free offers:
•FAQs (frequently asked questions) and general tricks and tips. In
most cases you’ll find the solution to your problem here. If not, then
please use the email support form.
•Email support form: You can tell our support staff about your
system via the email support form. 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 well known to us and can be solved by
downloading the latest patch. Besides patches, there are also
wizards for checking and optimizing your system.
•Links: In the links list, you will find the contact addresses of the most
popular 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.
077345695
(open Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00 CET)
10 Support
Finland:
Norway:
Sweden:
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
0942597819
(open Monday to Friday 11:00 - 18:00 EET)
021543223
(open Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00 CET)
0852507027
(open Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00 CET)
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 MAGIX Video Sound
Cleaning Lab 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?
www.magix.com
The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Video
Sound Cleaning Lab 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 (view page 118).
Support11
www.magix.com
12 More about MAGIX
More about MAGIX
MAGIX Online World
Well-connected: Products and services online from MAGIX
Discover the possibilities offered by the MAGIX Online World. Every
MAGIX product offers a direct and easy-to-use gateway to the world
of online multimedia:
• Present your photos, videos, and music directly
in your Online Album or in worldwide Internet
communities.
• Find professional templates & content for
enhancing your personal projects.
• Design your own personalized website using professional Flash
design with photos, videos, music & impressive animations.
• Order brilliant photo prints to be sent directly to your doorstep. It's
quick, easy, and well-priced.
®
Experience these and many more online services on
www.magix.com
magix.info
Help and get help - Directly from within the program, you'll be able to
access magix.info, the new MAGIX Multimedia Knowledge
Community (view page 110). In the Multimedia Knowledge
Community, you'll find answers to all of the most frequently asked
questions about MAGIX products and multimedia in general. Couldn't
find an answer to your particular question? No problem, just ask the
question yourself.
You can go to magix.info in the "Online" menu, or via this
button.
www.magix.com
Introduction13
Introduction
What is MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab?
MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab is a specialized audio program
that was designed specifically to improve the quality of audio tracks
of videos. The program's audio editing options go far beyond the
functions offered by conventional video editing programs. For this
reason, MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab is especially suitable as a
companion to MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, but also any other video
software.
The workflow is based on three steps: You import your file, remove all
bothersome noise and export it, either to do further editing in another
video program or to watch the video on your computer.
MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab features many preset tasks such
as the removal of wind noise, sibilants or camera hiss. Simply select a
preset and the program solves the problem!
Features
Import
You can load video as well as audio files in the "Import" section.
Remove & Enhance
The "Cleaning" section is the key function of MAGIX Video Sound
Cleaning Lab. It is divided into two areas: "Remove" and "Enhance".
The workflow is task-based and requires no previous knowledge at
all. Simply select the task that applies to you. If desired, you can also
make individual settings.
For example:
•Remove wind noise: With the parametric EQ located in the
"Remove" section.
•Remove camera noise or power humming: Use the presets in the
DeNoiser and FFT filter located in the "Remove" section.
•Optimize the stereo picture: Use the stereo panorama editing
feature "Stereo FX" located in the "Enhance" section.
•Create a more balanced or powerful sound pattern with the
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14 Introduction
dynamics module or the Multimax located in the "Enhance" section.
•Remove hissing S sounds with the DeEsser plug-in located in the
"Enhance" section.
•Remove popping sounds with the integrated 10-band EQ located in
the "Remove" section.
•Remove single coughs, clapping or noises: Use the very powerful
"Spectral Cleaning" tool in the "Remove" section.
•In addition: Simulate rooms (e.g. the sound of a cathedral), add
echo, automatic noise reduction and much more
Export
The "Export" section is where you export your project as a video file
in different formats. Alternatively, you can create an audio file or save
and exit the project.
Supported formats
•Video: (DV-)AVI, MPEG-2
MOV, WMV, MXV
•Audio: WAV, MP3
1
MPEG-4 and MPEG-2 must first be activated online for free.
1
, MPEG-4 (incl. AVCHD)1, QuickTimeTM
2
, WMA, AIF, OGG, FLAC
2
MP3 export requires Windows Media installation version 10 or
higher.
Quick Start
In this chapter, we will guide you through all of the important
functions in MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab step-by-step. You
don't need to have any previous experience; just some space on your
hard drive.
• Open MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab from the Windows Start
menu.
Load a video file into MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab and play
it.
After starting the program, MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab
displays an empty project window.
You are in the "Import" section, which is recognizable by the lit button
below the project window.
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The workflow in this section is very easy: Use the "Audio files" button
to load audio files and the "Video files" button to load video files.
In most cases you will load a video file with an audio track that needs
to be edited. Of course, you can also import video sound only
(without video). To do so, simply deactivate the "Show video image"
option in the Import dialog. Alternatively, you can load an audio file
directly or enter comments via the recording function.
After import, a waveform display of the audio track appears in the
main window. If you imported video as well, the video monitor located
in the lower right hand corner of the screen will display the first frame
of the image track.
Introduction15
The waveform display gives you an idea of the audio track's
progression. It displays where in the video sound is audible. It's also
possible to estimate the type of sound. Crackling, for example,
creates a clearly identifiable peak in the waveform.
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16 Introduction
Below to the right, you'll find the transport controls for playback, stop
and winding. You'll be familiar with these functions from other
playback devices.
Use the mouse for quicker navigation: If you click into the waveform
display with the mouse, the playback marker will be moved exactly to
this position. Use the space bar on your keyboard to start and stop.
The preview monitor helps you orient yourself within the material. You
can see where in the video you are currently working.
It also serves to detect audio disturbances, because not every
rumbling or crackling noise is superfluous. Rule of thumb: If
something in the picture falls on the ground, the corresponding
sound should be audible. If, on the other hand, nothing happens in
the picture and everything is quiet, but you can hear something falling
on the ground, it's likely to be an audio disturbance. Unless, of
course, it's a dramaturgical trick and the image that matches the
sound will appear in the next scene.
Remove constant noise such as power humming or hissing
There are many types of noise. Let's start with the easiest ones:
constant humming or irritating hissing. This kind of noise is usually
caused by cameras, microphones or other electronic devices and are
present on the entire audio track. Find out how to get rid of these
irritating distortions:
www.magix.com
• Switch to the "Remove" section.
Most of the elements that are displayed here are identical to the ones
in the "Import" section, but the function area in the lower left hand
corner has changed decisively. Six different functions for removing
audio disturbances are available here: "Reduce popping sounds",
"Remove power humming", "Auto noise reduction", "Remove wind
noise", "Remove weak hissing" and "Spectral Cleaning".
Introduction17
Thanks to their names, you know right away which noise is removed
by the different functions.
• The slider lets you regulate the strength of all of the "cleaning"
effects (except for the parametric EQ, DeEsser and Spectral
Cleaning, which we will deal with later):
• The triangle opens a selection menu, which provides access to more
presets of the effect:
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18 Introduction
• To get an idea of the how the selected effect affects your audio
material, you can turn it on and off by clicking on the symbol in the
left hand corner:
• Click on the symbol in the bottom right hand corner to open a user
interface where you can set all of the available parameters for the
effect.
In a way, this symbol represents the effect's engine hood. The
interface located behind it was designed to simulate professional
audio editing devices.
Depending on the effect device, you can specify very effective audio
editing settings here. To do so, it's necessary to know a bit about
audio editing though. Usually, however, you will not need these
special functions, but they can be useful in complex cases. If you
need them or if you're interested, please read the complete
documentation (either the PDF manual or the program's Help file).
www.magix.com
Optimize volume and speech comprehensibility
The second effects area "Enhance" aims at optimizing the audio
material.
• Click on the "Enhance" button.
Introduction19
You'll find the following effects modules here: "Remove
overmodulation", "Level automation", "Optimize the stereo picture for
speech", "Remove hissing S sounds (DeEsser)", "Stronger volume
boost" and "Simulate room".
The functionality of the optimization effects is the same in principle:
Adjust the strength of the effect via the slider, switch the effect on
and off to compare the original with the edited audio material and
access the actual operation console by clicking on the symbol in the
bottom right hand corner.
Remove individual distortions such as crackling
Up until now, the workflow was extremely easy: Load your video,
select a suitable cleaning effect, make changes, if necessary –
finished. Now, let's take a look at some applications that require a bit
more preparation, but are able to solve complicated problems. Above
all, this includes filtering out specific audio disturbances.
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20 Introduction
Spectral Cleaning
Spectral Cleaning in the "Remove" section can be useful for editing
video recordings of concerts or theater plays, for example, where a
single cough in the audience threatens to ruin an otherwise beautiful
effect. Spectral Cleaning can be used to remove short distortions
such as coughing, passing cars, a whistle, crackling or short drop
outs.
Here's how it works: The clearly audible noise has a different acoustic
signature than the rest of the material, otherwise it wouldn't be clearly
audible. Based on this signature, the noise can be identified and
filtered. After it has been identified, the audio material's frequency
spectrum is analyzed before and after the disturbance. Based on this
"acoustic environment", frequencies are calculated that can be used
to fill the gap that was created after filtering out the disruptive
signature. Ideally, a simulation of the "normal" background acoustics
replaces the cough, almost as if it were removed magically.
Let's start:
• First, set the play cursor roughly to the position of the distortion.
• Open the Spectral Cleaning Editor.
• Try to select the distortion using the marking tool in the Editor.
• Once you've marked the distortion, click on "Play". The algorithm
becomes active immediately: The selected area is filtered out and
replaced with frequency material from the surrounding "acoustic
environment".
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• Can you hear an improvement? If not, change the selection. The
selection should be as small as possible. Localize the audio
disturbance by trial and error.
• Once you are satisfied with the result, click on "Calculate". Up until
now, you merely experimented, but now the settings will be applied.
Tips: For information on the individual buttons in the editor, please
read the entire documentation (available as PDF manual or program
Help file). By the way, you can also access a tutorial video that
explains the workflow directly from within the Spectral Cleaning
Editor.
The Spectral Cleaning Editor might seem a bit complicated, but it is a
very effective tool that previously was reserved for pros. Therefore,
it's worth investing some time to familiarize yourself with this tool.
For Spectral Cleaning to work, the audio disturbance has to differ
clearly from the background. If this isn't the case or only partially
applies, you can try the DeNoiser.
DeNoiser
Introduction21
What to do, if the single cough turns into a coughing fit that drowns
out the actor's voice partially or entirely? You can't eliminate it using
Spectral Cleaning without also deleting parts of the speaker's voice.
In these more complicated cases, it can be useful to use the
DeNoiser. It's actually designed to remove consistent noise such as
hissing, but can also be used to filter out certain distortions.
Whereas Spectral Cleaning entirely replaces the distortion with
surrounding sounds, the DeNoiser filters out a specific sound
signature, a so-called "Noise sample", from the frequencies and does
not affect the rest of the material. This way, it can filter out a specific
distortion without affecting the background.
The DeNoiser can be accessed via the expert button located in the
"Auto noise reduction" module.
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22 Introduction
The associated effect device will be opened:
You can create a sample of the pure audio disturbance in the "Create
Noise Sample" section.
• Position the playback marker directly in front of the audio
disturbance.
• Click on "Wizard" to open the fine settings for the noise sample
generation.
Three settings have to be specified in the Wizard dialog:
• Activate "Take noise print from range start or play cursor".
• Under "User length", enter the length of the distortion that you want
to filter.
• Get the distortion by clicking on the "Pick!" button.
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• Click on "Play" in the DeNoiser to check whether the noise sample
really contains only the audio disturbance.
• Turn the "Reduction" knob to the far right and play the section that
needs to be filtered for test purposes using the transport controls in
the main window.
• If you're satisfied, close the DeNoiser by clicking "OK".
Sometimes chirping artefacts occur in the DeNoiser. If this is the
case, please adjust the settings. More information on this can be
found in the PDF manual or the program's Help file.
Cut out undesired passages
Now let's take a look at some special kinds of audio disturbances.
For example, if the microphone was knocked against something by
mistake or crackling, crashing, rustling, which can't be removed
satisfactorily with the DeNoiser, because the background noise is too
irregular, for example.
These kinds of noises as well as longer undesired passages can be
cut out using the scissors tool in the left hand corner of the track
window.
Introduction23
• Select the scissor mouse mode.
The mouse pointer turns into a pair of scissors. If you
move it across the track, the playback marker is moved
with it.
• Play the audio track and search for the section that you
want to cut out.
• Click before and after the section to cut at these points.
This way, three separate objects are created on the track.
• Switch back to standard mode, select the object in the middle and
delete it by pressing the Del key.
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24 Introduction
A gap is created in the audio track. The problem is that where the
disturbance used to be there is now absolute silence, which is
irritating too. It's not enough to simply cut out the audio disturbance,
you have to add another sound into the gap, even if it's only very
quiet hissing that is audible throughout the rest of the material, i.e.
the room sound. Therefore, fill the gap with quiet material that
features only hissing, for example.
• Search for a suitable passage in a different section of the audio track
that is roughly as long as the gap. Cut the audio track before and
after the passage.
• Switch back to standard mode and select the passage. Copy it to
the clipboard (Ctrl + C or "Edit > Copy").
• Set the position line to the beginning of the gap and insert the
passage (Ctrl + V or "Edit > Insert").
• Move the bottom right handle on the inserted object to adjust its
length to the gap. (It will latch into the cut edges).
This way, the distortion is "patched". All of the cuts can be fine tuned
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retroactively using the object handles to avoid crackling at the
transitions.
• There are handles at the top left and right hand corners, which allow
you to create fade ins and outs.
• The handle at the top center is for adjusting the volume. If you pull it
downwards, the volume of the object is reduced.
• The handles at the bottom left and right corners adjust the object's
borders. You can fine tune your cuts by extending or contracting the
object.
Introduction25
Retouch short distortions such as cracks
Let's take a look at a quick and elegant way of retouching short
distortions such as cracks and clicks using a pen tool.
Note: You can't undo editing that you did with the waveform drawing
tool (no "Undo" function). After selecting the pen tool, you can decide
whether, for safety purposes, you want to edit in a copy of the file or
directly in the original material.
• Search for a section in the material where you hear crackling and set
the play cursor to that position.
• Zoom into that section so that you can see the details of the
waveform display. You can either use the zoom button in the bottom
right corner of the track window or the zoom mouse mode.
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26 Introduction
• Take a close look. Can you see the crack? Look for a "mountain"
that is flat on top or exceeds its surroundings.
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• Select the Draw Wave shape mode.
The mouse pointer turns into a pen which you can use
to draw directly into the waveform. If you click, the
zoom level increases automatically and you can draw.
It's about trying to turn the flat form a bit more into a
peak and moving it slightly towards the bottom.
This way, for example:
Introduction27
As a result, the critical section looks like this:
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28 Introduction
If you play back the material now, the cracks have disappeared.
Export video files
After you have "cleaned up" the material, you can export your video,
either to do further editing in your video editor of choice or to use it in
other ways.
• Switch to the "Export" workspace:
This workspace is very similar to the "Import" section. You have two
options here as well: You can either export the audio file only or the
entire video.
You can also save the project, which is recommended if you wish or
have to edit the files later on.
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Overview of the program screen29
Overview of the program screen
1. Menu Bar: Here you'll find all functions of MAGIX Video Sound
Cleaning Lab as menu options.
2.Overview track: The entire audio track is displayed here. The
area that you are editing is selected.
3.Workscreen: A section of the audio track is displayed in
enlarged view allowing you to edit the audio material in detail.
4.Preview monitor: The video is displayed at the position of the
playback marker.
5.Import: This is where you can load video or audio files into
MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab.
6.Remove: In "Remove" view, you can delete audio disturbances
from your audio material in the track.
7.Enhance: Use the "Enhance" view to optimize the audio
material in the track.
8.Export: Here you can export your video material as a file in
order to use it somewhere else.
10.Display: You can choose between different display modes and
add a second track.
11.Transport control: Controls playback
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30 Track window and constant control elements
Track window and constant control
elements
This chapter describes the display and control elements which are
available to you independently from the selected section in MAGIX
Video Sound Cleaning Lab
Upper buttons
The buttons located above the track display provide quick access to
important program functions.
Using this option you can set up a new MAGIX Video Sound
Cleaning Lab project (view page 50).
Keyboard shortcut: E
Using this option you can load previously saved projects (view
page 50).
Keyboard shortcut: O
The current project (view page 50) is stored under its given
name. If there is no name chosen, the program opens a file
requester, where the path and name can be determined.
Keyboard shortcut: S
In the project you can undo the last changes you made. This
way, it's no problem if you want to try out critical operations. If
you don't like the result, you can always revert to the previous
state using "Undo".
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Z
Redo "undoes" a previous Undo command.
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Y
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