Audiowerks

Audiowerks News Issue 2

tripleDAT Welcome to the Audiowerks Newsletter pages. These articles address the operation and functionalily of the tripleDAT audio recording system. Advise for computer optimization and support as it appies to the PC and the Windows Operating system

More info to enhance your CreamWare experience.

tripleDAT Overflow detected?

Connecting your tripleBOARD to your studio (simple setup)

tripleDAT tips of the Month


Overflow detected?

Even though you do not hear any clipping, tripleDAT often reports overflow detected. Once activated, the indicator stays that way until you stop playback. This is an indicator to inform you that the playback has encountered a level over 0dB. When you have "perfect volume" or "rough volume and clip overflows" selected in the Audio settings dialog, tripleDAT will manage the clip so you do not hear it or damage your listening devices (speakers, ears). This could be the result of several tracks, when played together, producing a volume level over 0dB.

There are several ways to deal with this. If the clip is being produced from one file, "peak" searching the cutter will find the highest peak and position the cursor there. Begin to zoom in, repositioning the locator at the peak with each step. Once you have zoomed in fully at that location, open the volume window and drop in three nodes; one at the locator and 2 on either side. Decrease the volume for the center node and the peak will be visibly lower. Another peak search will find the next highest peak.

You can also play the file from a point before the clip and watch for the overflow message. When it appears, stop playback and examine the waveform for the clip. You can enable the dB grid in the cutter to indicate approximate levels for reference. The overflow should be visible as a peak that reaches the top of the display window. Place the cursor at that location and begin to zoom in, repositioning the locator at the peak. Follow the same procedure as above.

***Note that the display data is not recalculated for the entire file and the peak will still appear to reach the top or bottom of the display area.

This procedure could be rather time consuming if you have numerous overflows. If there appears to be a large number of overflows within one file, use the "limiter" to trigger an automatic limit when the "threshold" is reached. The "ratio" will determine how much the limiter will compress the peaks. Merge this sample into a new file to use instead of the one with the over flows.

You will most likely encounter overflows when playing a multi track arrangement. Because tripleDAT clips these for you, you can first lower the master level, then set your mix levels until overflows are encountered, once again lowering the master level and continuing to mix.

In tripleDAT's arranger, you can also select all samples and adjust group volume (normalizing all samples selected). You can either "scan" all files (or just the ones you have determined ar the cause) first and then accept the reported value change by selecting "normalize" or you can adjust the volume with the fader. This changes the "sample volume level for all samples.

Getting tripleDAT Connected

How do you connect the tripleBOARD to the rest of your studio? This question has been asked again and again. There is no simple answer. You have to know how to route your signal from your "source" to the "gain stage" (your mixer), and out to the tripleBOARD. Because there are so many different mixers, patch bays etc. you will have to experiment with your gear to find the "optimum" configuration. Described here is one logical solution using the tripleBOARD and a minimum of equipment.

Studio hardware:

tripleDAT/tripleBOARD

DAT recorder

Multi-channel mixer with at least 2 auxiliary/effect sends

Amp and speaker monitors

Connections:

Connect the Auxiliary Out from the Mixer to the tripleBOARD analog inputs left and right.
Connect the analog outputs from the tripleBOARD to 2 channels on your mixer (let's assume 1 & 2).
Connect the analog outputs from the DAT to 2 channels of your mixer (let's assume 3 & 4).
Connect the "tape out" from the mixer to the DAT deck.
Connect the Coax out from the tripleBOARD to the S/PDIF input of the DAT deck. Connect the Coax in from the tripleBOARD to the S/PDIF output of the DAT deck.
Connect your "other" gear to your remaining mixer channels (i.e. keyboard stereo out to 5 & 6, mic to 7, etc).

Operation:

Analog

On channels 1 and 2 of the Mixer, (we have designated to the tripleBOARD analog outs) turn the Aux/Effect send off. This will prevent any feed back from occurring. Any channel that you want to "send to" the tripleBOARD analog inputs need merely have the corresponding Aux/Effect send turned up to the desired volume. You can monitor "all" signals through the Mixer.

Digital

The DAT recorder must be set to A/D conversion (pause/rec) and the input set to analog. The DAT will then convert the Analog signal from the tape send of the mixer, to digital and pass the signal out the S/PDIF output of the DAT, and on to the Coax of the tripleBOARD. ***NOTE Using the tape out of your mixer, will send "all" signal from the mixer to the tape out. This could cause a feedback loop if you are monitoring signal from the tripleBOARD in Analog. You have 2 options: turn off the tripleBOARD inputs on the Mixer or re-patch the Auxiliary out from the mixer to the Analog in of the DAT.

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tripleDAT Tips for the Month of May

When you are really taxing your CPU with intensive DSP, you will notice that any moves you make opening cutters, mixers, DSP modules can cause your system to start sttt u u utt te e err ing. Trying to stop the system while it stumbles along can take up to 15 or more seconds for the buffer to empty. Here is the trick. If you notice your DSP resources reaching the "red" choose your mouse strokes carefully. If you are going to open any window while the system is playing back, press the "PAUSE" button, open the window, and press the pause button again. Playback will only be interrupted for a short time and will commence again immediately when the "pause" is released. This is also useful when playing back a lot of tracks with the buffer.

You can have more than one or two cutters open at the same time. From tripleDAT's "Window" menu, choose "Manager". You will notice that there are 2 graphics representing the default orientations of a single and dual cutter windows. Uncheck the one that is checked. The next time you open a cutter, one will open where it normally does at the bottom of the Arranger Windows. The next will open half width over the arranger. Every subsequent cutter requested will open in a new window. I find this very useful when finalizing all the audio for a CD.

When setting markers for your CD or DAT master, place the DAO panel to the far right or left of the window. This will keep the center of the screen visible. To set and keep the feel of the music transition from one track to the next, play a portion of the previous track near the end. Ready the mouse cursor over the "Add Track" button and when you "feel" the next track should begin, click the button. The marker is now where you want it. Place the start of the next track at the marker with the waveform display. Use the "tab" key to advance to the next sample. Do it again.

Unless you really need the snap-to features all the time, turn them off.

OSIRIS de-clicking tip: Before de-clicking, first merge the sample 'reversed' and de-click after that. The last step is to reverse it back again. The result is really good (better than without 'reverse') because the de-clicking algorithm recognizes the clicks a little better when it's reversed.

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Written by Anton Bernhardt May 15, 1998 © Anton Bernhardt Audiowerks All rights reserved. 1998

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