SpectraLayers One 10 ation
OperationManual
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2 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Table of Contents
New Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 The Importance of FFT Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Menu Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Tools Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Overview Bar, Timeline and 3D Pad Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Waveform and Spectral Display Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Panels Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Transcript Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Transport Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Project Handling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Clip Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Project Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 View and Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 View Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Display Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 History Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Channels Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Layers Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Layers Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Layer Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Playback and Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Transport Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Transport Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Transform Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Selection Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Modification Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Drawing Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Measurement Tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Navigation Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Editing Selections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
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Edit Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Select Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Unmixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Music Unmixers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Generate Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Amplitude Processes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Device Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Interface Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Display Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 System Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Shortcuts Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 External Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 ARA2 Plugin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 AAX Plugin for AVID Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 As an Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Keyboard Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Command Line Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 SpectraLayers Editions Comparison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Video Tutorials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Forum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
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New Features
New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
· Apple Silicon support for the AAX Plugin for AVID Pro Tools. · Online notifications frequency can now be adjusted
New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.30
· New Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese localizations. See Language setting in Interface Preferences.
New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.20
· New Keyboard Shortcuts to activate individual channels have been added the Channels panel: Alt+Up and Alt+Down.
New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.10
· New "Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix" command to add the content of the clipboard to existing content. See Transferring Content.
· New "Duplicate" button for the Transform Selection tool, to duplicate a selection multiple times.
New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.0
Highlights
Vocals Unmixing Improved · Vocals unmixing quality has been significantly improved.
More New Features
Normalize · New Normalize process.
Multiple Process Dialogs at Once · Multiple process dialogs can now be opened at once, enabling faster workflow. 5 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Keyboard Shortcuts for Preview, Bypass and Apply · Shortcuts for current process Preview ( Ctrl + Space ), Bypass ( Ctrl + B ) and Apply ( Ctrl + Return ) have been added.
Value Sliders Ergonomy Improved · The ergonomy of the value sliders have been improved. For instance text cursor is more visible, and it's easier to go back from the numeric keyboard input behavior to the value dragging by mouse behavior.
Edit > Insert/Delete/Crop Time · The Edit menu gets 3 new entries for [Editing Time]: Insert Time, Delete Time and Crop
Time. Similar to Project > Insert/Delete/Crop Time, but act on the active layer instead of
the whole project. Contextual Cut/Copy/Paste
· Spectrogram contextual menu gets Cut/Copy/Paste actions. Import Multiple Files at Once
· You can now import multiple files at once in the File > Open and File > Import dialogs
(see Saving and Closing a Project and Importing and Exporting Layers. When importing multiple files the user is asked if all files should be imported in a single project or as multiple projects. Contextual Help · Most processes and tools now feature an [Online Help] button linking directly to its corresponding online documentation page. This help button is located in the top right corner of most Processing and Unmixing actions, in the Tools menu (left side of the tools parameters), and the Panels menu (top right corner of panels). Better Layer Colors · Layer colors are now more balanced, making easier to identify different layers. Color auto-assignment is also smarter, avoiding to repeat colors as much as possible. Faster AI Engine and Spectral Engine · AI processes are now 2 times faster, and can sometime take advantage of hardware acceleration. The spectral engine is also now 2 to 4 times faster to process and render spectral data.
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Introduction
Spectral...
In most audio applications, audio is displayed as a waveform that represents audio in the time domain (amplitude vs. time):
This representation shows the global power of sound; however it doesn't show what's inside the sound. Spectral data represents sound in the frequency domain. You can think of it like a musical score: the higher the peaks in the spectrogram, the higher the tones; the stronger the peaks, the stronger the tones. Everything can be analyzed with this representation: music, voice, even noise.
Spectral analysis uses discrete FFT analysis: you have to choose between time and frequency accuracy. A FFT Size of 2048 or 4096 is usually good for most situations (with a file sampled at 44,100 Hz or 48,000 Hz). Feel free to change the size on the fly as the accuracy of your work highly depends on it (see The Importance of FFT Size). You should also play with the amplitude settings to see the small peak details in the spectral view.
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...Layers
The layer system, similar to tracks in a DAW, allows you to refine your work extensively in a nondestructive way, thanks to transfer operations and the additive and subtractive nature of layer mixing.
If you cut and paste data from one layer to a different layer, you transfer data nondestructively: the sum of the two layers is identical to the source data, but you have full control over the state of the data you extracted to that new layer. If you copy and paste data from one layer to a different layer, and then invert the phase of that new layer, you subtract the layers nondestructively: the first layer still contain all the original data, and the new, inverted layer acts to subtract the original data. When this negative layer is muted, you get your original data back.
Processes and Tools
Processes work the same way they do in most audio applications: you select an area, and the process is applied to the whole area. However the difference is that in SpectraLayers One you can select not only time but also frequency areas, so the process is only applied to a certain range of frequencies.
The processes are also different by nature, because they are designed to use spectral data instead of raw audio data, so the purpose and range is not the same as usual audio processes. You can think of them as photo filters. Tools work the same way they do in paint applications: they are local to the mouse position and allow you to work on specific frequencies.
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· Transform tools allows the user to shift layers and selections in time or to rescale (pitchshift, time-stretch) them.
· Selection tools allow the user to select spectral data. · Modification tools allow the user to retouch spectral data. · Drawing tools generate spectral data from scratch. · Measure tools give the user specific information about spectral data. · Navigation tools allows the user to navigate the spectrogram.
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System Requirements
Windows
· Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bits) · Dual-core CPU (10th Generation Intel CPU recommended) · 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended) · 4 GB of free hard disk space (for temporary files) · OpenGL 3.3 capable graphics adapter (DirectX 12.1 capable with 4GB VRAM or higher
recommended for GPU acceleration) · 1280x720 display resolution · Windows-compatible audio hardware
macOS
· macOS 10.15 (Catalina), macOS 11 (Big Sur), macOS 12 (Monterey) or macOS 13 (Ventura) · Dual-core CPU (Apple Silicon CPU recommended) · 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended) · 4 GB of free hard disk space (for temporary files) · OpenGL 3.3 capable graphics adapter · 1280x720 display resolution · CoreAudio-compatible audio hardware
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Getting Started
Beneath its streamlined interface, SpectraLayers One provides you with powerful tools for spectral editing. This topic will help you find your way around the application so you can unlock its full potential.
1. When you first start SpectraLayers One, the tools are unavailable until you open a file or create a project.
2. We'll create a project by opening an existing audio file.
Click File > Open to open an audio file. It will become the first layer of your project.
After you open the file, you'll see it displayed and highlighted in the Layers panel in the bottom-right corner of the workspace. The tools are now available on the left side of the workspace. In the center of the screen is the spectral display. In the spectral display, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The spots you can see correspond to a mix of the various frequencies and noise that compose your audio file. The higher the spots, the higher the
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pitch of sounds in your audio file.
You can play your audio file by clicking the Space .
Play button at the bottom or pressing
3. Before performing any edits, you need to select a layer. Click the layer in the Layers panel to select it if it isn't already selected. A selected layer is highlighted in the Layers panel.
4. The first step in most editing is selecting data in the spectrogram. Let's create some selections.
Take a closer look at some frequencies. If your file contains vocals or musical instruments, you'll see horizontal lines that represent syllables or musical notes. Several of these lines on top of each other represent harmonics, and they create the audio signature of each voice and instrument.
5. Zoom the spectral display to find the parts of a spectrogram that you want to edit.
Use the
Zoom tool at the bottom of the tools bar on the left to change the
magnification of the spectral display.
You can navigate the spectral display using the Hand tool next to the Zoom tool. Drag with the Hand tool to move the spectrogram within the spectral display.
When you zoom in horizontally or vertically, you may notice that the frequencies will appear blurry:
The FFT Size parameter in the Display Panel (top right) allows you to refine the spectral display. You can choose a different resolution by dragging the slider or typing a value in the edit box. After increasing the frequency resolution, you can see that the frequency lines are thinner.
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Experiment with different FFT sizes to find the setting that allows you to see each line clearly. 6. Let's select some frequencies so we can cut them and paste them to a new layer. Click the Rectangular Selection tool in the Tools toolbar.
+ With the Add to Selection button in the Tool Settings toolbar selected (or by holding down the Shift key), click a few frequencies on top of each others, and see how they are also highlighted. It means they have been added to the selection. Notice the Play button (or Space ) now plays the current selection.
1. Let's cut the selected frequencies to a new layer.
a. Choose Edit > Cut or press Ctrl + X (Windows) Cmd + X (macOS).
Notice that the frequencies you selected in the previous step are removed from the spectral display.
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b. Click the New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers Panel (or choose Layer >
New) to create a new layer. Notice the new layer is highlighted, meaning it's now the active layer.
c. Choose Edit > Paste or press Ctrl + V (Windows) Cmd + V (macOS). Notice the spectral
color of that layer match its color setting in the Layers panel.
These 3 steps can be replaced by a single action using Edit > Cut
TIP
Special > Cut to Layer Below ( Shift + X )
2. Click the Mute button on the new layer or drag its volume fader to the left to reduce its volume. Notice the content fades away from the spectrogram as well. If you play your project, the frequencies you pasted to the new layer will be removed or attenuated.
NOTE
Creating multiple layers and experimenting with different tools will give you a lot of flexibility to extract, restore or design the exact sound you need. You can also adjust the display settings such as the FFT Size while using a tool if needed.
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The Importance of FFT Size
As mentionned in the Getting Started section, the FFT Size parameter (found in the Display Panel) is quite important for several tools and processes in SpectraLayers One. It could be explained as the equivalent of focus in photography: When using a lens with a wide aperture, it's almost impossible to get every subjects in focus at once, specially when you have close objects and a background objects; you have to choose what subject is the most important for that photo and will focus on that one, leaving the other blurry.
The same goes for the FFT Size parameter, it's a focus control which instead of choosing a certain depth, choose a certain time/frequency balance.
· The smaller the FFT Size, the more details you'll get with time-centric events (such as transient sounds) but the blurrier the tones.
· The larger the FFT Size, the more details you'll get with frequency-centric events (such as static tones) but the blurrier the transients.
However spectrograms are not just transients and static tones, there's a wide variety of frequency shapes in a recording. See the spectrogram of a human voice for instance : it's a lot of frequencies stacked on top of each others, which are not just straight lines but wobbling ones; which means they are not purely horizontal or purely verticals, but a mix of both, and they vary over time.
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So sometime you may need to focus on the more horizontal parts, sometime on more angled parts, or verticals, or find a compromise to see most of what's important nearly in focus. Here's the same example under 3 differents FFT Size:
As you can notice, some parts are more precisely defined depending on FFT Size chosen. It's up to you to decide what is relevant and needs to be the most precisely defined.
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User Interface
At the top of the interface the Menu Bar controls project handling, selection editing, processing and unmixing, layer management and other interface and project aspects.
1. The Tools Area provides transforms, selections, modifications, drawings, measurements, and navigation tools that can be used in the Spectral Display.
2. The Tool Settings show the parameters of the currently active tool. 3. The Project Tabs manage the different projects of your session. 4. The Overview Bar, Timeline and 3D Pad Area display a schematic view of your project and
help you navigate. 5. The Waveform Display shows the layers amplitude. 6. The Spectral Display lets you visualize and edit the layers spectrogram. 7. The Panels Area shows display settings, editing history, audio channels, and layers list. 8. The Transcript Bar displays and let you adjust layers transcription. 9. The Transport Area provides access to transport commands, playhead position, output
level and VU Meter. 17
SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Menu Bar
The menu bar contains the following items: · File Menu (or Clip Menu in ARA mode) · Edit Menu · Select Menu · Project Menu · Layer Menu · Unmix Menu · Process Menu · Transport Menu · View Menu · Help Menu
Tools Area
1. Transform Tools can move and scale layers and spectral selections. 2. Selection Tools offers a variety of shapes and algorithms to select spectral data. 3. Modification Tools apply direct modifications to the spectrogram. 4. Measurement Tools provides measurements and annotations on your spectrogram. 5. Navigation Tools let you visualize and hear your spectrogram in details.
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Overview Bar, Timeline and 3D Pad Area
The Overview Bar shows a schematic view of your project, with layers displayed as horizontal lines, selections highlighted in white, and the playhead as a vertical white line. You can navigate the whole range of your project by dragging the edge of the surrounding rectangle to zoom, or dragging inside the rectangle to pan. The Timeline display precise timings of the waveform and spectral displays below. It also allows you to jump the playhead to any specific position, or to add markers by right-clicking it. The 3D Pad enables 3D view of your project. When it is centered, your project is seen in flat 2D from the top. When it is moved in any direction, you can see your spectrogram in 3D. See Navigation Tools.
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Waveform and Spectral Display Area
The Waveform Display shows the amplitude of the layers in your project. You can't directly act on it, except for moving individual wave samples. It is more used as a visualization and navigation display. At the right of the waveform display is the amplitude scale. Use it to zoom vertically, either by using the mouse wheel or the scroll bar on the right side. The top of the amplitude scale displays the current power unit. See how to Define Units and Scales. At the center, the initial of the corresponding channel (for instance C for Center, L for Left, etc...). Click that initial to solo the channel. See also the Channels Panel. The Spectral Display lets you visualize and edit the spectrogram of the layers in your project. Any tool, selection, measurement, process is applied on this display. At the right of the spectral display is the frequency scale. Use it to pan or zoom vertically, either by dragging it, using the mouse wheel, or the scroll bar on the right side. See the Navigation Tools. The top of the frequency scale displays the current frequency unit. See how to Define Units and Scales. At the center, the initial of the corresponding channel (for instance C for Center, L for Left, etc...). Click that initial to solo the channel. See also the Channels Panel. At the bottom of the frequency scale you'll find the current scale. See how to Define Units and Scales.
20 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Panels Area
1. The Display Panel lets you adjust every display settings in real time : area, amplitude, spectrogram parameters, etc.
2. The History Panel lets you go back in time with your edits : undo or redo any action. 3. The Channels Panel lets you mute, solo, activate or deactivate any channel of your project. 4. The Layers Panel gives you an oversight of your layers and let you mute, solo, activate
them or adjust their phase and volume.
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Transcript Bar
The Transcript Bar displays and let you adjust layers transcription. It's visible only when a transcript exist. To create a transcript see [Transcription]. The transcripts color match its source layer color. When zoomed out sentences will be shown as a single group. When zooming in, sentences will be decomposed into individual words, time-synchronized with audio. You can adjust the timing of sentences and words by dragging their borders. To edit sentences and words, click the Edit Transcript button or right-click a word and then click Edit Transcript. See [Transcript Editing]. To delete the transcript associated to the active layer, click the Delete Transcript button. If a time range is selected, only this time range will be deleted.
Transport Area
This area provides access to transport commands, timing informations, an output level control, and a VU meter. See Transport Bar for more details.
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Project Handling
Managing project files, tabs and data.
File Menu
The File Menu manages file input and output, as well as new project creation. It is not available in ARA mode.
Creating and Opening a Project
File > New Project
Creates a new project from scratch, with a blank layer. The new project will appear as a new tab in the project tabs.
File > Open...
Opens existing projects or audio files. If opening audio files, one or multiple projects are automatically created. Projects will appear as new tabs in the project tabs (see User Interface).
File > Open Recent
Opens a recently opened project or audio file. It will appear as a new tab in the project tabs.
Saving and Closing a Project
File > Close Project
Closes the active project. If there are unsaved modifications, SpectraLayers One will ask you if you want to save the project first.
File > Close All
Closes all the project tabs. If there are unsaved modifications, SpectraLayers One will ask you if you want to save them first.
File > Save Project
Saves the active project. If the project already existed, it will use the same file name. Otherwise, it will ask you what file name you want for that project.
File > Save Project As...
23 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Saves the active project under a different file name if the project already existed.
Importing and Exporting Layers
File > Import Audio as Layer...
Import a audio files as a new layers in the active project.
If this is the first audio file you're importing and you don't have any other
TIP
layers, you don't need to create a project first. Just use File > Open.
File > Export Audio of Active Layer...
Export the active layer as an audio file.
File > Export Audio of All Layers...
Export all the layers of the current project as audio files.
File > Export Audio of Project...
Export the project as an audio file.
File > Update Host File...
Export back the audio of the project if SpectraLayers One was called as an external editor from another host application.
Exiting the Application
File > Exit
Exit SpectraLayers One. If there are unsaved modifications, SpectraLayers One will ask you if you want to save them first.
Clip Menu
The Clip Menu manages how ARA clips are grouped. It is only available in ARA mode.
Clip > No Grouping
Each imported ARA clip has its own SpectraLayers One project tab.
Clip > Group per Format
All clips sharing the same format are grouped in the same SpectraLayers One project tab.
NOTE
Changing clip grouping will lose history .
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Project Menu
The Project Menu manages project tabs and data. Some items are not available in ARA mode.
Project Management
Project > Duplicate
Duplicates the current project into a new project tab. The current project history is not duplicated.
Project > Rename...
Rename the current project.
Time Editing
Project > Insert Time...
Insert a time range at any point in your project. Silence will be created. All layers of the project are affected.
Project > Delete Time...
Delete a time range at any point in your project. All layers are affected.
Project > Crop Time...
Crop a time range (leave only a certain time range) at any point in your project. All layers are affected.
Reformatting
Project > Reformat...
Change the project format.
· Mode: Choose how to change the format. Resample will recompute the project data to the new format based on the current format. Reinterpret don't change the original data, it just changes how SpectraLayers One sees those data.
· Sample Rate: New sample rate. · Configuration: New channels configuration.
NOTE
Changing the project format will lose the current history.
25 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
View and Panels
Manages the user interface and your project states.
View Menu
The View Menu manages the user interface.
Show and Hide Guides
View > Cursor Crosshair
Show or hide cursor crosshair. Cursor Crosshair and Coordinates | New Features in SpectraLayers 9
View > Cursor Coordinates
Show or hide coordinates next to the cursor. Cursor Crosshair and Coordinates | New Features in SpectraLayers 9
View > Unit Grid
Show or hide unit grid. The subdivision is based on the timeline, amplitude scale and frequency scale.
View > Time Markers and Regions
Show or hide time markers and regions.
View > Spectral Markers and Regions
Show or hide spectral markers and regions.
View > Snap to Grid and Markers
Snap the mouse cursor to the unit grid, time markers and regions and spectral markers and regions.
Define Units and Scales
View > Time Unit
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Choose the time unit: Samples, Decimals, Seconds, Beats, Frames, Pixels. The pixels unit is based on the FFT Size and Resolution parameters of the Display Panel.
NOTE
For the Beats and Frames units, you can also define the tempo and frame rate.
View > Power Unit
Choose the power unit: Decibel, Percents, Normalized.
TIP
You can lock the center the waveform display to zero.
View > Frequency Unit
Choose the frequency unit: Hertz, Pixels, Octave, Notes, Normalized. The pixels unit is based on the FFT Size and Resolution parameters of the Display Panel.
TIP
You can lock the bottom of the spectral display to 0Hz.
View > Frequency Scale
Choose the frequency scale: Linear, Mel, Bark, ERB, MIDI-logarithmic.
The scales are ordered from the most linear to the most logarithmic. A linear scale space frequencies equally, while a logarithmic scale enlarge the lower frequencies and compress the higher frequencies. Note that when the MIDI-logarithmic scale is used, musical notes are equally spaced.
The default is Mel, which gently emphasis lower frequencies without compressing higher frequencies too much.
View > Smoothing Methods
Choose the smoothing method: None, Linear, Cubic.
This defines how the spectral pixels are rendered in the spectral display. None will display the raw pixels, and Cubic is the highest-quality rendering.
Show and Hide Interface Elements
View > Always Show Scroll Bar
Keep the frequency scale and power scale scroll bar visible even when not hovered.
View > Toolbars
Show and hide toolbars: Tool Settings, Tools, Transport.
View > Panels
Show and hide panels: Display, History, Channels, Layers.
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View > Interface Layout
Load and save interface layouts. The position and visibility state of toolbars and panels is saved and recalled.
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Display Panel
Selection Tools Overview and the Concept of Layers | Getting Started With SpectraLayers Controls the project display paramaters.
NOTE
Not all parameters are visible by default. More parameters can be shown using the Display Panel Menu.
Color Mapping: Enables and disables the Composite View mode. Composite View show all layers mixed and assign a color map to the spectral display. The Color Map increases the visual dynamic range. When Composite View is disabled, each layer shows it own color, as seen in the Layers Panel.
Amplitude: Set the minimum and maximum amplitude shown in the spectral display.
Selection Opacity: Set the opacity of selections. It has no effect on the selection itself.
FFT Size: Set the size of the FFT analysis. The size has an impact on the time and frequency accuracy. The larger the size, the sharper the frequency but the blurrier the time. The smaller the size, the sharper the time but the blurrier the frequency. It's like defining the focus point in photography. See The Importance of FFT Size.
NOTE
Increasing resolution and refinement requires more computing power.
History Panel
Move back in time with your edits.
Clicking the previous action or the Undo button is equivalent to clicking Edit > Undo or
pressing Ctrl + Z (Windows) Cmd + Z (macOS) Clicking the next action or the Redo button is
equivalent to clicking Edit > Redo or pressing Ctrl + Y (Windows) Cmd + Shift + Z (macOS) The Duplicate Project button is equivalent to clicking Project > Duplicate. See Project
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Management. The Delete Current State button will undo the current action, remove it and any action after it.
Channels Panel
Manage channels. The Mute buttons and Solo buttons allows you to mute or solo specific channels.
NOTE
When a channel is muted, it becomes invisible in the waveform and spectral display. When a channel is soloed, non-soloed channels becomes invisibles in the waveform and spectral display.
You can mute or solo a single channel regardless of all other channels state by
TIP
pressing Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) while clicking the Mute or Solo button. To clear mute and solo states on all channels, click the Mute and Solo buttons
at the bottom of the panel.
Active channels are highlighted in white. When a channel is active, you can perform edits on it. By default, all channels are active. To activate a single channel, click that channel. To activate all channels, click an empty area or click the Select All Channels button or drag a rectangle across the channels you want to activate.
You can change the number of channels by clicking the
equivalent to clicking Project > Reformat. See Reformatting.
Reformat button. This is
Layers Panel
Manage layers.
The Mute buttons and Solo buttons allows you to mute or solo specific layers. 30
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NOTE
When a layer is muted, it becomes invisible in the waveform and spectral display. When a layer is soloed, non-soloed layers becomes invisibles in the waveform and spectral display.
You can mute or solo a single layer regardless of all other layers state by pressing Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) while clicking the Mute or Solo button. TIP To clear mute and solo states on all layers, click the Mute and Solo buttons at the bottom of the panel.
The Phase buttons invert the phase (polarity) of the audio content. When two layers share identical content, but are opposed in phase, this shared contents gets cancelled in the final mix.
The Volume sliders let you adjust precisely the volume of each layer.
Active channels are highlighted in white. When a channel is active, you can perform edits on it. Only one layer can be active at a time.
You can create new layers by clicking the New Layer button. This is equivalent to clicking
Layer > New Layer or pressing Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) Cmd + Shift + N (macOS).
You can create new groups by clicking the New Group button. This is equivalent to clicking
Layer > New Group. Groups can contain multiple layers. To add existing layers to a group, you
can drag layers inside that group. When a group is closed, instead of displaying each layer individually within that group SpectraLayers One will show the mix of all its layer with the color of that group.
You can delete a layer or a group by clicking the Delete Layer or Delete Group button.
NOTE
You can't delete an external layer or group, such as layers or groups created by an external host DAW when SpectraLayers One is used in ARA mode.
You can color the active layer only by clicking the Color Active Layer Only
TIP
button. All the other layers will be greyed out. This can help you identify and
focus on the active layer without muting the other layers.
The Layer Panel Menu offers a Compact Layout mode : the layers will take
TIP
half the size in the panel, hiding phase and volume parameters. Compact
Layout is the default mode in ARA mode, where vertical space is limited.
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Layers Management
Layers management in SpectraLayers One is done both in the Layers Panel and the Layer Menu.
Layer Menu
The Layer menu manages layers and groups.
NOTE
You can't delete, rename or group external layers managed by an external host DAW when SpectraLayers One is used in ARA mode.
Creating New Layers and Groups
Layer > New Layer
Creates a new blank layer in the current project.
Layer > New Group
Creates a new group in the current project. Groups can contain multiple layers.
Duplicating, Deleting and Renaming Layers
Layer > Duplicate
Duplicate the active layer.
Layer > Duplicate To...
Duplicate the active layer to a different project. The project can be already opened, or a new one.
Layer > Delete
Delete the active layer.
Layer > Rename...
Rename the active layer.
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Grouping and Ungrouping Layers
Layer > Group
Create a new group and put the active layer inside that group.
Layer > Ungroup
Delete a group without deleting its layers.
Merging Layers
Layer > Merge Up
Merge the active layer into the layer above.
Layer > Merge Visible
Merge all visible layers (non-muted layers, or soloed layers).
Layer > Merge All
Merge all layers into a single layer.
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Playback and Transport
Controls playback and recording using the Transport Menu and the Transport Bar.
Transport Menu
The Transport menu manages playback, recording and the playhead.
Basic Transport Controls
Transport > Stop
Stop the playback or recording.
Transport > Play
Plays the project.
TIP
You can press Space to start and stop playback.
Transport > Record
Record to the active layer.
Moving the Playhead
Transport > Previous Time Marker Transport > Next Time Marker
Move the playhead to the previous or next time marker or region.
Transport > Previous Time Event Transport > Next Time Event
Move the playhead to the previous or next time event. A time event can be a time marker or region, a spectral marker or regions, the start or the end of a layer, the start or the end of a project.
Playhead Behavior
Transport > Loop Selection
Loop playback or record over the selected time range. If no time range is selected, it will loop 34
SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
the whole project.
Transport > Return to Start on Stop
Return the playhead to its start position when you stop playback or record.
Transport > Scrolling
Chose how to scroll the display when the playhead goes beyond the displayed time range. Can be None (no scrolling), Page (shift the display when the playhead leaves the display), Continous (continuously scroll the display so that the playhead remains centered).
Adding Markers and Regions
Transport > Add Time Marker
Add a time marker where the playhead is positionned.
Transport > Add Time Region
Add a time region to the boundaries of the current selection.
35 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Transport Bar
The Previous Time Event button and Next Time Event button moves the playhead to
the previous or next time event. This is equivalent to clicking Transport > Previous Time Event or Transport > Next Time Event.
A time event can be a time marker or region, a spectral marker or regions, the start or the end of a layer, the start or the end of a project.
The Loop Selection button loop playback or record over the selected time range. If no
time range is selected, it will loop the whole project. This is equivalent to clicking Transport >
Loop Selection.
The Stop button stop the playback or recording. This is equivalent to clicking Transport >
Stop.
The Play button plays the project. This is equivalent to clicking Transport > Play.
TIP
You can press Space to start and stop playback.
The Record button record to the active layer. This is equivalent to clicking Transport >
Record.
The Playhead Position text field shows the timing of the playhead. You can edit that field with any time value to reposition the playhead.
The VU Meter shows the current signal amplitude during playback and record.
You can set the gradient of the VU Meter in the Interface Preferences.
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Tools
The Tools provide direct access to spectral transforms, selections, modifications, drawings, measurements, and navigation. They are meant to be used in the Spectral Display. See User Interface. Some tools are grouped at the same location. When multiple tools are available, a small triangle appears in the bottom right corner of the tool icons. Long-click or right-click these icons to reveal the other tools. The tool icon shown on the left side of the Tool Settings area allows you to load and save presets, and request the online documentation page corresponding to this tool. Some of these tools depends on the FFT Size parameter, see The Importance of FFT Size for more information.
Transform Tools
Move and scale selections, data and layers.
Transform
Transform Tool | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Improved Tools | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Moves and scales selections and data from the active layer if a selection exists, otherwise moves and scales the data from entire active layer. When manipulating spectral data, scaling vertically translates directly to pitch modification, and scaling horizontally to time-stretching. It's a visual approach to time-streching and pitchshifting, similar to resizing an image in a picture editing application. Auto-Activate Layer: Activate the layer under the mouse cursor when clicked. [Duplicate]: When pressed, clicking and dragging will duplicate the current selection or layer. After the copy the button will return to its initial, non-pressed state. Equivalent to pressing Alt before clicking and dragging. Time Shifting: Time shifting applied to the current selection or layer, in seconds.
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Time Stretching: Time stretching applied to the current selection or layer, in percent. Stretch and pitch proportionally: When pressed, time and pitch will scale proportionally: time-stretching by 200% will pitch-shift by 50%, as if you were slowing down a record for instance, where the pitch gets lower when time is slowed down. Pitch Shifting: Pitch shifting applied to the current selection or layer, in percent or semitone. Pitch Shifting Unit: Unit to be used for the pitch shifting (percent or semitone). Axis Lock: Define what axis is active when clicking and dragging: horizontal, vertical, or both (bidirectional). Loudness Contour: When checked, perceived loudness is preserved when pitching up or down. Preserve Formant: When checked, formant is preserved when pitching up or down.
Transform Selection
Moves and scales selections without affecting layer data. [Screen Space / Spectral Space] : Choose what reference scale is used when moving selections up or down. When Screen Space is active, selection height on screen won't change when moved up or down. When Spectral Space is active, selection frequency range won't change when moving up or down. [Duplicate]: When pressed, clicking and dragging will duplicate the current selection (but not its content). Equivalent to pressing Alt before clicking and dragging.
Selection Tools
Selection Tools Overview and the Concept of Layers | Getting Started With SpectraLayers Select spectral areas using different shapes and detection algorithms.
Time Range Selection
Select a time range. Click and drag to define the time range. Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection. Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift ). Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press
Alt ). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press
Shift + Alt ). This will keep the common areas between the two selections.
38 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Time Fade: Fading time at the borders of the new selection.
Frequency Range Selection
Select a frequency range. Click and drag to define the frequency range. Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection. Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift ). Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press
Alt ). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press
Shift + Alt ). This will keep the common areas between the two selections. Frequency Fade: Fading frequencies at the borders of the new selection.
Rectangular Selection
Select a rectangular time and frequency range. Click and drag to define the rectangle. Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection. Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift ). Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press
Alt ). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press
Shift + Alt ). This will keep the common areas between the two selections. Time Fade: Fading time at the borders of the new selection. Frequency Fade: Fading frequencies at the borders of the new selection.
Elliptical Selection
Select an elliptical time and frequency range. Click and drag to define the ellipse. Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection. Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift ). Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press
Alt ). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press
Shift + Alt ). This will keep the common areas between the two selections. Time Fade: Fading time at the borders of the new selection. Frequency Fade: Fading frequencies at the borders of the new selection.
Modification Tools
39 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Perform direct modifications on the spectrogram.
Drawing Tools
Draw new content from scratch.
Frequency Pencil
Draw a continuous frequency. Click and drag to draw.
Level: Amplitude of the frequency.
Pressure Controls Strength: When pressed, this enables devices with pressure control to set the strength of the tool.
TIP
You can click a first point, the press Shift and click a second point. A frequency will be drawn between those two points.
Measurement Tools
Measure and annotate the spectral display.
Navigation Tools
Navigate and listen to your spectral display.
Hand
Pan around your spectral display. Click and drag to move the view. [Reset Zoom]: Reset the zoom level to see the entire spectrogram.
Zoom
Zoom in and out your spectral display. Click and drag to zoom the view, or single-click to incrementally zoom in and out.
Zoom In: When pressed, single-clicks will incrementally zoom in.
Zoom Out: When pressed, single-clicks will incrementally zoom out. 40
SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Scrubby Zoom: When checked, clicking and dragging will continuously zoom in or out. When unchecked, clicking and dragging will draw a zoom rectangle. [Zoom Selection]: Adjust the view to the current selection. [Zoom Active Layer]: Adjust the view to the current active layer. [Reset Zoom]: Reset the zoom level to see the entire spectrogram.
3D Perspective
Set a 3D perspective effect to the spectral display, based on spectral amplitudes. Click and drag to set the 3D perspective effect. Double-click to reset to a 2D view. [Reset 3D]: Reset to a 2D view.
Playback
Playback Tool | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials
Play specific parts of the spectral display.
Scrubbing: When checked, plays continuously starting from where the mouse cursor is located. When the mouse is moved, playback continues from the new location. When unchecked, keep the first clicked position as the start position.
Hold to Play: When checked, keep mouse the button pressed to play. When unchecked, the first click starts playback, and the second stops it.
Frequency Range: When checked, plays a specific frequency range. When unchecked, plays the entire frequency range of your project. [Screen Units / Spectral Units]: Defines the units used to set the frequency range. Range: Set the frequency range in pixels (Screen Units) or hertz (Spectral Units)
Ignore Selection: When checked, the playback is not restricted by any selection.
See also Playback and Transport
TIP
You can also summon the Playback tool by holding Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) without losing your current active tool.
41 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Editing Selections
Editing using spectral selections. See Selection Tools.
Edit Menu
Undoing and Redoing Edits
Edit > Undo
Undo the last action. See History Panel.
Edit > Redo
Redo the next action. See History Panel.
Transferring Content
Edit > Cut
Cut the selected area from the active layer to the clipboard.
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to New Layer
Cut the selected area from the active layer to a new layer below the active layer.
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below
Cut the selected area from the active layer to the layer below the active layer. If there is no layer below the active layer, one is created.
Edit > Copy
Copy the selected area from the active layer to the clipboard.
Edit > Copy Special > Copy from All Layers
Copy the selected area from all visible layers to the clipboard.
Edit > Copy Special > Copy to New Layer
Copy the selected area from the active layer to a new layer below the active layer. 42
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Edit > Copy Special > Copy to Layer Below
Copy the selected area from the active layer to the layer below the active layer. If there is no layer below the active layer, one is created.
Edit > Paste
Paste the clipboard content to the active layer.
Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix
Add the clipboard content to the content of the active layer.
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to New Layer
Paste the clipboard content to a new layer below the active layer.
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to Layer Below
Paste the clipboard content to the layer below the active layer. If there is no layer below the active layer, one is created.
Removing Content
Edit > Delete
Delete the selected area from the active layer. It is replaced by silence.
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Select Menu
Modify and manage selections.
Modifying a Selection
Select > Select All
Select the entire project time and frequency range.
Select > Deselect
Deselect any selection.
Select > Reselect
Reselect the last selection, if it was deselected.
Select > Invert Selection
Invert the selection over the entire project time and frequency range.
Select > Invert Selection Frequencies
Invert the selection over the entire frequency range.
Loading and Saving Selections
Select > Load Selection...
Load a previously saved selection. · Project: From which project to load a selection. · Selection: Which selection to load. · Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with the new one. · Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current one. · Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current one. · Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current one.
Select > Save Selection...
· [Selection Name]: Choose a name for the selection to save.
NOTE
Selections are not saved with projects. They are only valid during the session.
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Unmixing
Unmix a time selection or an entire layer into multiple layers, using artifical intelligence and algorithms. All unmixing produces a non-destructive decomposition (the sum of all unmixed layers is equal to the original layer). Most unmixers features:
· Preset: Select a factory or an user-defined preset. · [Add...]: Add an user-defined preset to the presets list, based on the current process
settings. · [Delete...]: Delete an user-defined preset from the presets list. · [Online Help]: Open the online documentation page corresponding to this process. · [Preview]: Preview in real-time one of the layer of the unmixed signal before applying
the unmix. Unmix settings can be changed dynamically during preview. · Bypass: Option to temporarily bypass unmixing during real-time preview, in order to
listen to the original. · [OK]: Unmix the active layer into multiple layers and close the dialog. If a selection exists,
only unmix the current selection.
Music Unmixers
Unmixers dedicated to musical content.
Vocals
Unmix > Vocals...
Unmix the active layer into Vocals and Non-Unmixed layers. The Non-Unmixed layer receives everything that is not identified as vocals.
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Processing
Process a selection or an entire layer.
Workflow and Speed Improvements | New Features in SpectraLayers 9
All processes features:
· Preset: Select a factory or an user-defined preset. · [Add...]: Add an user-defined preset to the presets list, based on the current process
settings. · [Delete...]: Delete an user-defined preset from the presets list. · [Online Help]: Open the online documentation page corresponding to this process. · [Preview]: Preview in real-time the processed signal before applying the process.
Process settings can be changed dynamically during preview. · Bypass: Option to temporarily bypass processing during real-time preview, in order to
listen to the original. · [Apply]: Apply the process to the active layer. If a selection exists, only apply to the
current selection. This does not close the process dialog.
Some of these processes depends on the FFT Size parameter, see The Importance of FFT Size for more information.
Multiple process dialogs can be opened at once. You can preview the current
TIP
process using Ctrl + Space , Bypass it during preview with Ctrl + B and apply it
using Ctrl + Return .
Generate Processes
Processes that generate signals from scratch.
Silence
Process > Generate > Silence...
Generate a silence.
· Offset: DC offset of the silence, in percents. · Mode: When set to Replace it will replace the existing content. When set to Mix it will add
to the existing content. When set to Insert it will insert time before adding the new 46
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content.
· Length: (Only in Insert mode, otherwise defined by the size of the layer or the selection) Length of the silence.
Tone
Process > Generate > Tone...
Generate a tone.
· Type: Type of tone. · Level: Amplitude of the signal. · Offset: Offset the signal by a percentage of the amplitude. · Start Frequency: Frequency at the beginning of the signal. · Start Phase: Phase at the beginning of the signal. · End Frequency: When checked, you can specify an end frequency. · End Frequency: Frequency at the end of the signal. · Mode: When set to Replace it will replace the existing content. When set to Mix it will add
to the existing content. When set to Insert it will insert time before adding the new content. · Length: (Only in Insert mode, otherwise defined by the size of the layer or the selection) Length of the silence.
Noise
Process > Generate > Noise...
Generate noise.
· Type: Type of noise. · Level: Amplitude of the signal. · Offset: Offset the signal by a percentage of the amplitude. · Mode: When set to Replace it will replace the existing content. When set to Mix it will add
to the existing content. When set to Insert it will insert time before adding the new content. · Length: (Only in Insert mode, otherwise defined by the size of the layer or the selection) Length of the silence.
Amplitude Processes
Change and remix channels amplitude.
Normalize
Process > Amplitude > Normalize...
Normalize to the defined level.
47 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
· Gain: Normalization level.
Gain
Process > Amplitude > Gain...
Apply an uniform gain. · Gain: Gain applied.
Channels Remixer
Process > Amplitude > Channels Remixer...
Remix channels by defining a percentage for each channel. The tabs at the top are the output channels. In each tab, you can define a percentage for each input channel.
48 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Preferences
Set application preferences, accessible via Edit > Preferences... (Windows) SpectraLayers One > Preferences... (macOS).
Device Preferences
Set playback (output) and record (input) device preferences. · Type: Device API type. · Input: Input device for record. · Output: Output device for playback. · Buffer Size: Size of the buffer for playback and record. · Use Preferred Buffer Size: (ASIO Only) Use the ASIO device preferred buffer size instead of the user defined buffer size. · Sample Rate: (ASIO Only) Sample rate of your ASIO device. Your project sample rate won't be affected. · [Show ASIO Panel]: (ASIO Only) Show the configuration panel for the ASIO device you selected. · Input Channel Mapping: Mapping of project channels to input device channels. · Output Channel Mapping: Mapping of project channels to output device channels. · Smart remapping of unassigned project channels: Automatically reassign project channels to the device channels you defined.
Reset: Reset device preferences.
Interface Preferences
Set interface colors, behavior and layout. Colors
· Selection Border Color: Set the color of the selection border. · Selection Mask Color: Set the color of the selection mask (inside of the selection). · Selection Border Style: Set the style of the selection border (animated marching ants,
solid line, or nothing). · Selection Blending Mode: Set the visual blending mode of the selection (normal or
49 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
additive).
· Cursor Crosshair Color: Set the color of the cursor crosshair, when it is shown. · Cursor Coordinates Color: Set the color of the cursor coordinates, when it is shown. · Grid Color: Set the color of the unit grid, when it is shown. · Drawing Color: Set the color of tools drawings (such as when defining a rectangle or any
other shape). · Transport Color: Set the color of the vertical playhead line. · Controls Color: Set the color of the tools controls (such as when changing the corners of
a rectangle or any other shape). · Markers Color: Set the color of markers (both time and spectral). · Regions Color: Set the color of regions (both time and spectral).
· Mute Button Color: Set the color of mute buttons in the Channels Panel and Layers Panel.
· Solo Button Color: Set the color of solo buttons in the Channels Panel and Layers Panel. · Phase Button Color: Set the color of phase buttons in the Layers Panel (when viewed
with the Standard Layout). · Active Item Color: Set the color of active items in the History Panel, Channels Panel and
Layers Panel.
See Panels Area.
· Waveform Luminosity: Brightness of the waveform as shown in the Waveform Display. See Waveform and Spectral Display Area.
· Uncolored Layers Luminosity: Brightness of layers when Color Active Layer Only is pressed. See Layers Panel.
· Interface Luminosity: Brightness of the user interface. · VU Meter Gradient: Gradient used by the VU Meter. See Transport Bar. · Tooltips: Enable or disable popup tooltips when hovering controls and widgets.
Default Transport Options
· Return to Start Position on Stop · Scrubbing · Scrolling
See Playhead Behavior for a description of these options.
Default View Layout
· Layout File: Layout file to load on SpectraLayers One startup. See Show and Hide Interface Elements.
· Layout Mode: (Windows only) Choose between the standard Desktop layout, or Tablet layout with bigger icons and controls for computers with a touch screen.
· DPI Scaling: (Windows only) DPI scaling of the user interface. Auto will use the system or host DPI ratio.
50 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
· Waveform Display Size: Default vertical ratio between the Waveform Display and the Spectral Display
· Language: User interface language. A restart is needed if you change this setting.
Reset: Reset interface preferences.
Display Preferences
Set default display units, guides and parameters.
Default Unit and Scales
· Time Unit · Frequency Unit · Lock Spectrogram to 0Hz · Power Unit · Always Center Waveform · Frequency Scale · Smoothing Method
See Define Units and Scales for a description of each setting.
Default Display Options
· Cursor Crosshair · Cursor Coordinates · Markers and Regions · Spectral Markers and Regions · Grid · Snap to Grid and Markers · Always Show Scroll Bar
See Show and Hide Guides for a description of each setting.
Default Display Settings
Set the default values for each setting of the Display Panel.
· Color Mapping · Amplitude · Brightness Curve · Selection Opacity · FFT Window · FFT Size · Resolution
See Display Panel for a description of each setting. 51
SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Reset: Reset display preferences.
System Preferences
Set application paths and resource management.
Paths
· Cache Path: Folder where temporary sessions and layers data are stored. You should not store parmanent files here or in subfolders of this path.
· Max Cache Recovery: How long should data in the cache path should be kept before automatic cleaning.
· Logs Path: Folder where SpectraLayers One logs are stored. Logs are useful for debugging.
· Maximum Logs: Maximum number of logs to store. Older logs get deleted. · Presets Path: Folder where to store layout, shortcuts and tools presets. · External Edits Path: Folder where to store external edits, such as when calling an
external editor or dragging a layer to the host in ARA mode. · Drag Mode: Define the protocol to transfer layers to the host in ARA mode. VST-XML
provides the best interaction, but may not be supported by all hosts. · VST3 Path: Folder where VST3 plugins are stored.
Miscellaneous
· Clips Grouping: When used in ARA mode, you can choose to group imported clips sharing the same format into a single project (default behavior in SpectraLayers One 7 and earlier, best suited for music production) or import each clip into separate SpectraLayers One projects (best suited for post production).
· Maximum Recent Projects: Maximum number of projects to show in File > Open Recent
See Creating and Opening a Project. · Maximum History Actions: Maximum number of actions to show in the History Panel. · Realtime Brush Preview Limit: Maximum number of samples a tool can handle for its
realtime preview. · Free Space Warning Limit: Minimum free space on your hard drive (where the cache
folder is located) before the application triggers a warning. · AI Processing Device: (Windows only) Select a GPU to accelerate AI processing.
Supported GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce 900 (2015) and higher with at least 4GB VRAM, AMD Radeon RX (2017) and higher with at least 4GB VRAM, Intel Arc (2022) and higher with at least 4GB VRAM
External
· Check Notifications...: Check if there's any SpectraLayers One news or update. · Check notifications at startup: Automatically check for news or updates.
Reset: Reset system preferences.
52 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Shortcuts Preferences
Set application keyboard shortcuts and mouse behavior. Keyboard
· Filter: Type here to quickly search for an action shortcut. · Reset: Reset the selected action to its default shortcut. · Press shortcut: Define a new shortcut for the selected action by pressing keys in this
field. See Keyboard Shortcuts. Mouse
· Left Button: Define what quick tool to invoke when using the left mouse button and pressing Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl + Alt (Windows) Cmd + Alt (macOS)
· Wheel: Define what navigation action to invoke when using the mouse wheel and pressing nothing or Alt or Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS)
· Invert Wheel Axes: Invert vertical and horizontal mouse wheel axes when browsing the Spectral Display. Define accordingly when you have a single axis wheel mouse or a dual axes wheel mouse.
Load...: Load shortcuts preferences Save...: Save shortcuts preferences Reset: Reset shortcuts preferences.
53 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
External Integration
SpectraLayers One can be called and embedded directly from and within other DAWs. This allow quick round-trip modifications without leaving your host DAW.
ARA2 Plugin
Adding SpectraLayers as an ARA Extension to Your Project | Getting Started With SpectraLayers
SpectraLayers Pro 7: ARA 2 Support in Cubase Pro 11 | Live Session November 28, 2020
SpectraLayers One is available as a VST3 ARA2 plugins for DAWs and audio editors that supports it.
ARA2 provides the tightest integration with DAWs, litterally making SpectraLayers One an extra editing feature embedded within your DAW. With ARA2 you can send multiple clips to SpectraLayers One, move them or resize them in the DAW timeline, change their color and name, move the playhead, and everything will remain synchronized with SpectraLayers One.
It is currently supported by the following hosts:
· Steinberg Cubase 10.0.30 and higher · Steinberg Nuendo 10.0.30 and higher · Magix Samplitude Pro X5 and higher · Magix Sequoia 16 and higher · Magix Sound Forge Pro 14 and higher · Presonus Studio One 4.6 and higher · Cockos Reaper 5.98 and higher · BandLab Cakewalk 2019.05 and higher · MOTU Digital Performer 11.2 or higher
Starting with SpectraLayers One 7.0, you can now also create internal layers in addition to the external layers controlled by the DAW. These internal layers rely on their parent external layer for playback.
NOTE
Starting with Cubase 11 and Nuendo 11 you can drag and drop internal layers back into the Cubase and Nuendo timeline.
NOTE
In ARA mode, the File Menu and Project Menu aren't available as 54
SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
SpectraLayers One data is fully synchronized at all time with the host DAW. The DAW will automatically save SpectraLayers One modifications within its project.
Steinberg Cubase
Starting with Cubase 10.0.30, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.
1. Select an audio region.
2. Click [Extensions] and then SpectraLayers One, or go to Audio > Extensions >
SpectraLayers
TIP
You can also Ctrl right-click an audio region, and then click Extensions >
SpectraLayers
TIP
Starting with Cubase 11, you can drag and drop layers from SpectraLayers back into the Cubase timeline.
Steinberg Nuendo
Starting with Nuendo 10.0.30, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.
1. Select an audio region.
2. Click [Extensions] and then SpectraLayers One, or go to Audio > Extensions >
SpectraLayers
TIP
You can also Ctrl right-click an audio region, and then click Extensions >
SpectraLayers
55 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
TIP
Starting with Nuendo 11, you can drag and drop layers from SpectraLayers back into the Nuendo timeline.
Magix Samplitude Pro
Starting with Samplitude Pro X5, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.
1. Right-click an audio region and then Edit audio file in Steinberg SpectraLayers...
Magix Sequoia
Starting with Sequoia 16, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions. 1. Right-click an audio region and then Edit audio file in Steinberg SpectraLayers...
Magix Sound Forge Pro
Starting with Sound Forge Pro 14, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your audio files.
1. Go to Tools > Edit in SpectraLayers (ARA)...
Presonus Studio One
Starting with Studio One 4.6, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.
1. Go to the Effects tab on the right side of the screen. 2. Hold Alt , and drag SpectraLayers onto an audio region.
Cockos Reaper
Starting with Reaper 5.98, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your tracks or regions. To assign SpectraLayers One to a track:
1. Click the FX button of a track 2. Select VST3: SpectraLayers To assign SpectraLayers One to a region: 1. Right-click an audio region, Item Properties... 2. Click Take FX... 3. Select VST3: SpectraLayers
BandLab Cakewalk
Starting with Cakewalk 2019.05, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your 56
SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
regions. 1. Right-click an audio region, Region FX > SpectraLayers > Create Region FX
MOTU Digital Performer
Starting with MOTU Digital Performer 11.2, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your Soundbites or Tracks.
1. Select a soundbite or a track
2. Click Audio > ARA
3. Click either Set SpectraLayers on Soundbites or Set SpectraLayers on Tracks.
57 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
AAX Plugin for AVID Pro Tools
You can call SpectraLayers One from within Pro Tools 12 and higher by using the AAX AudioSuite plugin.
Editing Pro Tools audio in SpectraLayers One
In Pro Tools, choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Edit to send audio to SpectraLayers
One for spectral editing and then export the audio back to your Pro Tools project.
1. In Pro Tools, select the audio you want to edit. It can be a full clip or a time range within a clip.
2. Choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Edit. The AudioSuite dialog is displayed.
3. Click [Edit] at the bottom of the AudioSuite dialog to send the selected audio to a new tab in SpectraLayers One.
NOTE
In some cases, Pro Tools takes control of the system's audio hardware
and prevents SpectraLayers One from playing audio while Pro Tools is
running. In these cases, Click the
Preview button in the Pro Tools
dialog to activate the SpectraLayers One Bridge in Pro Tools and
SpectraLayers One. The SpectraLayers One Bridge will allow
SpectraLayers One to play audio through Pro Tools.
4. Edit your audio as needed.
5. When you're done editing, click File > Replace Project Audio to send the edited audio
back to Pro Tools.
6. In Pro Tools, click [Import Back] at the bottom of the AudioSuite dialog. The edited audio is imported to your Pro Tools project.
Sending audio from Pro Tools to SpectraLayers One
In Pro Tools, choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Send to send audio to
SpectraLayers One for spectral editing. When you're finished editing, you can save the edited audio as a new file from SpectraLayers One.
1. In Pro Tools, select the audio you want to edit.
2. Choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Send. The AudioSuite dialog is displayed.
3. Click [Send] at the bottom of the AudioSuite dialog to send the selected audio to a new tab in SpectraLayers One.
NOTE
In some cases, Pro Tools takes control of the system's audio hardware
and prevents SpectraLayers One from playing audio while Pro Tools is
running. In these cases, Click the
Preview button in the Pro Tools
dialog to activate the SpectraLayers One Bridge in Pro Tools and
SpectraLayers One. The SpectraLayers One Bridge will allow
SpectraLayers One to play audio through Pro Tools.
4. Edit your audio as needed. 5. When you're done editing, you can save the edited audio as a new SpectraLayers One
58 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
project or export the project to a new audio file. See File Menu.
59 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
As an Editor
You can assign SpectraLayers One as an external audio editor for the following DAWs, NLEs and audio editors:
· Ableton Live · Apple Final Cut Pro · Apple Logic Pro · Image-Line FL Studio · MAGIX ACID Pro · MAGIX Vegas Pro · Native Instruments KONTAKT · Native Instruments REAKTOR · Steinberg HALion · Tracktion Waveform
NOTE
When you're done editing in SpectraLayers One, click File > Replace Project
Audio to send the edited audio back to the calling application.
Ableton Live
1. In Ableton Live, choose Options > Preferences, and then go to File Folder > Sample
Editor.
2. Enable SpectraLayers One as a sample editor:
On
Windows,
browse
to
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
On macOS, browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.
3. Enable View > Detail > Clip.
4. Right-click the sample and choose Manage Sample File > Edit.
NOTE
You may want to consolidate your sample before editing.
Apple Final Cut Pro
1. In Final Cut Pro, choose System Settings > External Editors > Audio Files.
2. Browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app. 3. Right-click a sample and choose Open in Editor.
Apple Logic Pro
1. In Logic Pro, choose Preferences > Audio > Sample Editor > External Sample Editor.
2. Browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.
3. Select a sample and choose Options > Audio > Open in SpectraLayers (or press Shift +
60 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
W ).
Image-Line FL Studio
1. In FL Studio, choose Tools > External tools > File location.
2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe. 3. Select Launch with sample.
4. Right-click a sample and choose Tools > SpectraLayers.
MAGIX ACID Pro
1. In ACID Pro, choose Options > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, click the Editing tab. 3. Click [Browse] next to an Editing application box and browse to
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe. 4. Click [OK] to close the Preferences dialog.
5. Right-click an event on the ACID timeline and choose Event Clip > Edit in
SpectraLayers.exe.
MAGIX Vegas Pro
1. In Vegas Pro, choose Options > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, click the Audio tab. 3. Click [Browse] next to the Preferred audio editor box and browse to
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe. 4. Click [OK] to close the Preferences dialog. 5. Right-click an event on the Vegas timeline and choose Open in Audio Editor (or Open
Copy in Audio Editor).
Native Instruments KONTAKT
1. In Kontakt, choose Options > Handling > External wave editor.
2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe. 3. Click Ext. Editor in the Wave Editor toolbar
Native Instruments REAKTOR
1. In REAKTOR, choose Preferences > Directories > External Sample Editor.
2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe. 3. In the Sample Map Editor, click Edit Sample List/Edit.
Steinberg HALion
1. In HALion, choose Options > Edit > External Wave Editor.
61 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
2. Enable SpectraLayers One as a wave editor:
On
Windows,
browse
to
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
On macOS, browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.
3. Right-click the sample editor and choose Sample > Load into External Editor.
Tracktion Waveform
1. In Tracktion, select a sample and choose Edit audio file > Set the audio editor to use.
2. Enable SpectraLayers One as a sample editor:
On
Windows,
browse
to
C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
On macOS, browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.
3. Select a sample and choose Edit audio file > Edit using SpectraLayers.
62 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Appendix
Technical reference tables.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Default keyboard shortcuts are platform dependents.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Action
Channels > Activate Above Channels > Activate Below Display > Decrease FFT Size Display > Increase FFT Size Display > Toggle Composite View Display > Zoom Freq In Display > Zoom Freq Out Display > Zoom Selection Display > Zoom Active Layer Display > Reset Zoom Display > Zoom In Display > Zoom Out Display > Zoom Time In Display > Zoom Time Out Edit > Copy Edit > Copy Special > Copy from All Layers Edit > Copy Special > Copy to Layer Below Edit > Copy Special > Copy to New Layer Edit > Cut Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below
Keyboard Shortcut Alt + Up Alt + Down PgDown PgUp C + _
Ctrl + 8 Ctrl + 9 Ctrl + 0 Ctrl + = Ctrl + = -
Ctrl + C Ctrl + Alt + C Shift + C Ctrl + Shift + C Ctrl + X Shift + X
63 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to New Layer Edit > Delete
Edit > Heal > Heal Bi-Directionally
Keyboard Shortcut Ctrl + Shift + X Del
Backspace Ctrl + Del
Edit > Heal > Heal Horizontally
Ctrl + Backspace Alt + Del
Edit > Heal > Heal Vertically
Alt + Backspace Shift + Del
Edit > Paste Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix Edit > Paste Special > Paste to Layer Below Edit > Paste Special > Paste to New Layer Edit > Redo Edit > Undo File > Close Project File > New Project... File > Open... File > Save Project Help > Online Help Layer > Activate Above Layer > Activate Below Layer > Duplicate Layer > Merge Up Layer > Merge Visible Layer > Mute Layer > New Layer Layer > Solo Project > Bypass Project > Apply Select > Deselect Select > Invert Selection Select > Invert Selection Frequencies
Shift + Backspace Ctrl + V Ctrl + Alt + V Shift + V Ctrl + Shift + V Ctrl + Y Ctrl + Z Ctrl + F4 Ctrl + N Ctrl + O Ctrl + S F1 Up Down
Ctrl + J Ctrl + E Ctrl + Shift + E Ctrl + Alt + M Ctrl + Shift + N Ctrl + Alt + S Ctrl + B Ctrl + Return Ctrl + D Ctrl + I Ctrl + Shift + I
64 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
Keyboard Shortcut
Select > Reselect
Ctrl + Shift + D
Select > Select All Select > Select Next Similar
Ctrl + A F3
Select > Select Previous Similar
Shift + F3
Select > Select Similar... Tools > 3D Perspective
Ctrl + F D
Tools > Cursor Selection
I
Tools > Decrease Tool Aspect Ratio
{
Tools > Decrease Tool Hardness
Alt + [
Tools > Decrease Tool Alternative Hardness Alt + {
Tools > Decrease Tool Size
[
Tools > Eraser
E
Tools > Hand
H
Tools > Increase Tool Aspect Ratio
}
Tools > Increase Tool Hardness
Alt + ]
Tools > Increase Tool Alternative Hardness Alt + }
Tools > Increase Tool Size
]
Tools > Lasso Selection
L
Tools > Marquee Selection
M
Tools > Playback
P
Tools > Selection Brush
B
Tools > Transform
T
Tools > Zoom
Z
Transport > Add Time Marker
Shift + M
Transport > Add Time Region
Shift + R
Transport > Loop Selection
Ctrl + L
Transport > Move Left
Audio Repeat Left
Transport > Move Right
Media Rewind Right
Transport > Move To End of Layer Transport > Move To End of Project
Media Fast Forward End
Ctrl + End
65 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
Transport > Move To Start of Layer Transport > Move To Start of Project Transport > Next Time Event
Transport > Next Time Marker Transport > Play
Transport > Play or Stop
Transport > Preview
Keyboard Shortcut Home Ctrl + Home Ctrl + Right Media Next Alt + Right Shift + Space Media Play Space
Toggle Media Play/Pause Ctrl + Shift + Space
Transport > Preview or Stop
Ctrl + Shift + Toggle Media Play/Pause Ctrl + Space
Transport > Previous Time Event
Transport > Previous Time Marker Transport > Record
Transport > Select End of Layer Transport > Select End of Project Transport > Select Left Transport > Select Next Time Event Transport > Select Next Time Marker Transport > Select Previous Time Event Transport > Select Previous Time Marker Transport > Select Right Transport > Select Start of Layer Transport > Select Start of Project Transport > Stop
View > Fullscreen View > Toggle Compact All View > Toggle Compact Panels
Ctrl + Toggle Media Play/Pause Ctrl + Left Media Previous Alt + Left Ctrl + R Media Record Shift + End Ctrl + Shift + End Shift + Left Ctrl + Shift + Right Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Right Ctrl + Shift + Left Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left Shift + Right Shift + Home Ctrl + Shift + Home Esc
Media Stop F11 Tab Shift + Tab
66 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
View > Unit Grid
Keyboard Shortcut G
macOS Keyboard Shortcuts
Action
Channels > Activate Above Channels > Activate Below Display > Decrease FFT Size Display > Increase FFT Size Display > Toggle Composite View Display > Zoom Freq In Display > Zoom Freq Out Display > Zoom Selection Display > Zoom Active Layer Display > Reset Zoom Display > Zoom In Display > Zoom Out Display > Zoom Time In Display > Zoom Time Out Edit > Copy Edit > Copy Special > Copy from All Layers Edit > Copy Special > Copy to Layer Below Edit > Copy Special > Copy to New Layer Edit > Cut Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below Edit > Cut Special > Cut to New Layer Edit > Delete
Edit > Heal > Heal Bi-Directionally
Keyboard Shortcut Alt + Up Alt + Down PgDown PgUp C + _ Cmd + 8 Cmd + 9 Cmd + 0 Cmd + = Cmd + = Cmd + C Cmd + Alt + C Shift + C Cmd + Shift + C Cmd + X Shift + X Cmd + Shift + X Del
Backspace Cmd + Del
Edit > Heal > Heal Horizontally
Cmd + Backspace Alt + Del
Edit > Heal > Heal Vertically
Alt + Backspace Shift + Del
Shift + Backspace
67 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
Keyboard Shortcut
Edit > Paste
Cmd + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix
Cmd + Alt + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to Layer Below Shift + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to New Layer
Cmd + Shift + V
Edit > Preferences...
Cmd + ,
Edit > Redo
Cmd + Shift + Z
Edit > Undo
Cmd + Z
File > Close Project
Cmd + W
File > Exit
Cmd + Q
File > New Project...
Cmd + N
File > Open...
Cmd + O
File > Save Project
Cmd + S
File > Save Project As...
Cmd + Shift + S
Help > Online Help
Cmd + ?
Layer > Activate Above Layer > Activate Below
Up Down
Layer > Duplicate
Cmd + J
Layer > Merge Up
Cmd + E
Layer > Merge Visible
Cmd + Shift + E
Layer > Mute
Cmd + Alt + M
Layer > New Layer
Cmd + Shift + N
Layer > Solo
Cmd + Alt + S
Project > Bypass
Ctrl + B
Project > Apply
Cmd + B Ctrl + Return
Select > Deselect Select > Invert Selection Select > Invert Selection Frequencies Select > Reselect Select > Select All Select > Select Next Similar Select > Select Previous Similar
Cmd + Return Cmd + D Cmd + I Cmd + Shift + I Cmd + Shift + D Cmd + A Cmd + G Cmd + Shift + G
68 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
Keyboard Shortcut
Select > Select Similar... Tools > 3D Perspective Tools > Cursor Selection Tools > Decrease Tool Aspect Ratio
Cmd + F D I {
Tools > Decrease Tool Hardness
Alt + [
Tools > Decrease Tool Alternative Hardness Alt + {
Tools > Decrease Tool Size
[
Tools > Eraser
E
Tools > Hand
H
Tools > Increase Tool Aspect Ratio
}
Tools > Increase Tool Hardness
Alt + ]
Tools > Increase Tool Alternative Hardness Alt + }
Tools > Increase Tool Size
]
Tools > Lasso Selection
L
Tools > Marquee Selection
M
Tools > Playback
P
Tools > Selection Brush
B
Tools > Transform
T
Tools > Zoom
Z
Transport > Add Time Marker
Shift + M
Transport > Add Time Region
Shift + R
Transport > Loop Selection
Cmd + L
Transport > Move Left
Audio Repeat Left
Transport > Move Right
Media Rewind Right
Transport > Move To End of Layer Transport > Move To End of Project Transport > Move To Start of Layer Transport > Move To Start of Project Transport > Next Time Event
Media Fast Forward Ctrl + Right Cmd + Down Ctrl + Left Cmd + Up Alt + Right
Media Next
69 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Action
Transport > Next Time Marker Transport > Play
Transport > Play or Stop
Transport > Preview
Transport > Preview or Stop
Transport > Previous Time Event
Transport > Previous Time Marker Transport > Record
Transport > Select End of Layer Transport > Select End of Project Transport > Select Left Transport > Select Next Time Event Transport > Select Next Time Marker Transport > Select Previous Time Event Transport > Select Previous Time Marker Transport > Select Right Transport > Select Start of Layer Transport > Select Start of Project Transport > Stop
View > Fullscreen View > Toggle Compact All View > Toggle Compact Panels View > Unit Grid
Keyboard Shortcut Cmd+ ] Shift + Space Media Play Space
Toggle Media Play/Pause Ctrl + Shift + Space
Ctrl + Shift + Toggle Media Play/Pause Ctrl + Space
Ctrl + Toggle Media Play/Pause Alt + Left Media Previous Cmd + [ Cmd + R Media Record Cmd + Shift + Right Cmd + Shift + Down Shift + Left Alt + Shift + Right Cmd + Alt + Shift + Right Alt + Shift + Left Cmd + Alt + Shift + Left Shift + Right Cmd + Shift + Left Cmd + Shift + Up Esc
Media Stop Ctrl + Cmd + F Tab Shift + Tab G
70 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Command Line Options
SpectraLayers One can be called with various command line options. [ ] means optionnal arguments.
Launch options
Theses options only work when SpectraLayers One is launched for the first time.
Command -reset -dpiscaling SCALE
-cpu INSTRUCTIONSET
-threads X -language X
-debug
Description
Reset every settings.
(Windows only) Forces the dpi scaling of the application. SCALE for a non high-dpi screen would be 1, otherwise it would typically be 2.
Limits optimizations to the specific INSTRUCTIONSET. Possible values are sse4.2, avx, avx2, avx512.
Forces multi-threading to X threads.
Forces language to X, where X can be an ISO 639-1 code or a path to a .qm file.
Write more detailed log files.
Session options
Theses options can be called at launch or when a SpectraLayers One session is already active.
Calling SpectraLayers One with options when a session is active will result in theses options being transferred to the active session.
Command -deviceapi [API] -edit FILE [START] -merge FILE [START] -replace FILE [START] -parent APPLICATION -server SERVERNAME
Description
Changes the active device to API. API must be an existing Type in Device Preferences. If API is not defined, it will switch back to the previously active API.
Open FILE as a new project with START as the first sample position. If START is not defined, it will start at 0.
Import FILE as a new layer into the active projec, with START as the first sample position. If START is not defined, it will start at 0.
Replace any project created from the same FILE, with START as the first sample position. If START is not defined, it will start at 0.
When opening a file with the above commands, define an application name that will be used for the Export Back text strings
Gets socket notification sent to SERVERNAME for specific events (0: importing file, 1: file imported, 2: exporting file, 3: file exported, 4: file closed)
71 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Command -timerange START LENGTH
-freqrange BOTTOM HEIGHT
Description
Zoom the current project to the specificed time range (in samples)
Zoom the current project to the specificed frequency range (in hertz)
72 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
SpectraLayers Editions Comparison
SpectraLayers Pro
SpectraLayers Elements
SpectraLayers One
File Format Support
Import
AAC, AC3, AIFF, WMA, AU, CAF, FLAC, MP3,
Opus, OGG, RAW, WAV, ALAC
AAC, AC3, AIFF, WMA, AU, CAF, FLAC, MP3,
Opus, OGG, RAW, WAV, ALAC
AAC, AC3, AIFF, WMA, AU, CAF, FLAC, MP3,
Opus, OGG, RAW, WAV, ALAC
Export
AAC, AC3, CAF, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, Opus, OGG, WAV, RAW
AAC, AC3, CAF, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, Opus, OGG, WAV, RAW
AAC, AC3, CAF, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, Opus, OGG, WAV, RAW
Maximum Sample Rate
384Khz
96Khz
96Khz
Maximum Number of
8
Channels
2 (stereo)
2 (stereo)
Meta Data Editing
·
·
Markers Editing
·
·
Plugins
ARA2 VST Plugin
·
·
·
AAX Plugin
·
·
·
Basic Display Settings
Composite View
·
·
·
Min/Max Amplitude
·
·
·
FFT Size
·
·
·
Resolution
·
Advanced Display Settings
Brightness Curve
·
Selection Opacity
·
·
·
Selection Range
·
·
(Time, Frequency)
FFT Window
·
Range Settings (Wave,
·
·
Time, Frequency, 3D)
History
Maximum Levels of
64
8
8
Undo
Edit
Undo/Redo
·
·
·
73 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
SpectraLayers Pro
Cut/Copy/Paste/Delet e
Heal Insert/Delete/Crop
Time Transform Transfer between Channels External Editors
Select Select All/Deselect/Reselect Invert Selection/Invert Selection Frequencies Modify Selection (Expand/Contract/Fad
e) Select Similar Select Harmonics Load/Save Selections Realtime Selection Previsualization
Unmix Song Drums Noisy Speech Multiple Voices Components Levels Multichannel Content Transcription Process Generate (Silence, Tone, Noise) Amplitude (Normalize, Gain, Channel Remixer) Imprint
· · · · · Up to 3
· ·
·
· · · ·
· · · · · · · ·
· ·
·
SpectraLayers Elements · · · 1 · · ·
· · Vocals Only
· ·
SpectraLayers One · · · · ·
· Vocals Only
· ·
74 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
SpectraLayers Pro
EQ Match
·
Ambience Match
·
Reverb Match
·
Noise Reduction
·
Reverb Reduction
·
Hum Reduction
·
Click Repair
·
Clip Repair
·
De-Esser
·
De-Bleed
·
Voice Denoiser
·
VST3 Effects
·
Transform Tool
Transform
·
Transform Selection
·
Selection Tools
Time/Frequency
·
Range Selection
Marquee Selection
·
(Rectangular,
Elliptical)
Lasso Selection
·
(Lasso, Polygonal
Lasso)
Brush Selection
·
Magic Wand Selection
·
Frequency/Harmonics
·
Selection
Transient Selection
·
Editing Tools
Eraser
·
Amplifier
·
Clone Stamp
·
Frequency Repair
·
Drawing Tools
Frequency Pencil
·
Noise Spray
·
Measurement Tools
SpectraLayers Elements ·
· · ·
· · · · ·
·
· · · · ·
75 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
SpectraLayers One
· · · ·
·
SpectraLayers Pro
Spectral Markers and
·
Regions
Measurement Tools
·
(Sampler, Plot,
Statistics)
Navigation Tools
Hand
·
Zoom
·
3D
·
Playback
·
SpectraLayers Elements ·
· · · ·
SpectraLayers One
· · · ·
76 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Video Tutorials
Online links to live sessions and tutorials for different SpectraLayers versions.
SpectraLayers 10
New Features Overview
SpectraLayers 10 World Premiere topics: unmix song, normalize, unmix transcription, reverb match, unmix drums, unmix noisy speech, unmix multichannel content, unmix multiple voices, voice denoiser
SpectraLayers 10 Reinvents the Audio Production Workflow | Interview with Simon Michael topics: unmix drums, unmix song, eraser tool
Tutorials
Unmixing Music and Sound | New Features in SpectraLayers 10 topics: unmix song, unmix drums, unmix multichannel content
New Speech Processing Options | New Features in SpectraLayers 10 topics: unmix noisy speech, unmix multiple voices, unmix transcription, voice denoiser
Other Features and Improvements | New Features in SpectraLayers 10 topics: reverb match, vst3 effects, unmix components, reverb reduction, clip repair, unmix levels
Adding SpectraLayers as an ARA Extension to Your Project | Getting Started With SpectraLayers topics: ara
Selection Tools Overview and the Concept of Layers | Getting Started With SpectraLayers topics: ara, selection tools, display panel, layers panel, channels panel
Introduction to Tools and Processes | Getting Started With SpectraLayers topics: ara, unmix noisy speech, unmix song, reverb reduction, eraser tool
Layer Generating Processes with Unmix Components | SpectraLayers 10 Tutorials topics: ara, unmix components, selection tools
Song Unmixing Across Different Genres | SpectraLayers 10 Tutorials topics: unmix song, unmix noisy speech, harmonics selection tool, vst3 effects
Studio Session
Removing Drum Bleed From a Live Recording | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: unmix song
Removing the Click Track From a Recording | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: unmix song
DeBleeding Toms | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: unmix drums
77 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Reverb Matching | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: reverb match
Removing a Wrong Note From a Violin Recording | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: eraser tool
SpectraLayers 9
New Features Overview
SpectraLayers 9 World Premiere topics: cursor crosshair, cursor coordinates, always show scroll bar, unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing, process and tool presets, non-modal process dialogs, de-bleed process, playback output gain control
Live Sessions
SpectraLayers Pro 9 Experience | Live Session August 27, 2022
SpectraLayers Pro 9 | Rob Hill Interview, December 29, 2022
Tutorials
Workflow and Speed Improvements | New Features in SpectraLayers 9 topics: dynamic spectral processing, non-modal process dialogs, process and tools presets, unmix levels, vst3 effects
Cursor Crosshair and Coordinates | New Features in SpectraLayers 9 topics: cursor crosshair, cursor coordinates, sampler tool, unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing
Unmix Levels | New Features in SpectraLayers 9 topics: unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing, non-modal process dialogs, process and tool presets
Improved De-Bleed Process | New Features in SpectraLayers 9 topics: de-bleed, dynamic spectral processing
Sound Design Featuring Unmix Levels and Ambience Match in ARA Mode | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials topics: unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing, ambience match, ara
Using SpectraLayers as an External Editor for WaveLab | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials topics: external editing, clone stamp, eraser tool
Using SpectraLayers to Repair a Master Audio File From WaveLab | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials topics: external editing, eraser tool
Five Essential Tools in Five Minutes | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials topics: eraser tool, clone stamp, unmix stems, external editing
Noise Shaping in the Unmix Components Process | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials topics: unmix components
78 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
SpectraLayers 8
Live Sessions
SpectraLayers Pro 8: New Features, Part 1 | Live Session July 10, 2021 SpectraLayers Pro 8: New Features, Part 2 | Live Session October 16, 2021 Five Essential Processes | Live Session November 27, 2021
Tutorials
De-Bleed Process | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 EQ and Ambience Match | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 AI-Powered Reverb Reduction | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Ambience Match in ARA Mode | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Improved Tools | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Vocal Stem Cleaning | SpectraLayers 8 Tutorials Beat Deconstruction Unmixing Components | SpectraLayers 8 Tutorials How to Deal with Left and Right Channels Independently | SpectraLayers 8
SpectraLayers 7
Live Sessions
SpectraLayers Pro 7 New Features and More Basics | SpectraLayers Live Session August 22, 2020
SpectraLayers Pro 7 Field Recording Post-Production | SpectraLayers Live Session October 3, 2020
SpectraLayers Pro 7: ARA 2 Support in Cubase Pro 11 | Live Session November 28, 2020 SpectraLayers Pro 7: Imprint Processes (Casting / Molding) | Live Session January 16, 2021 SpectraLayers Pro 7: Voice Repair and Restore Operations | Live Session March 6, 2021
Tutorials
Transform Tool | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Unmix | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Healing Process | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Playback Tool | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Unmix Components | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials
79 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Further Improvements | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Voice Denoiser | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials De-Esser | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorial Hum Reduction | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Select Similar | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Imprint Mold | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Imprint Cast | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials Reverb Reduction | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Clone Stamp and Eraser Tool | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials
SpectraLayers 6
Live Sessions
SpectraLayers Pro The Basics | SpectraLayers Live Session June 17, 2020
Tutorials
Noise Reduction | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials How to Eliminate Unwanted Sounds From a Song | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials Unmixing and Remixing Sounds | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials Fixing Unwanted Plosive Sounds and LF Control | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials Electric Guitar Production Part 1 | Spectralayers Elements Tutorial Electric Guitar Production Part 2 | Spectralayers Elements Tutorial
Forum
You can join SpectraLayers forum to ask questions, share feedback, feature requests or report issues: https://forums.steinberg.net/c/spectralayers/
80 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Index
@ 3D, 19, 41
A AAX Plugin, 58 Amplitude, 29 ARA2 Plugin, 54
C Channels, 30, 48 Clips, 24 Close, 23 Composite View, 29 Coordinates, 26 Copy, 42 Creating Groups, 30, 32 Creating Layers, 30, 32 Crop Time, 25 Crosshair, 26 Cursor, 26 Cut, 42
D Delete, 43 Delete Layer, 32 Delete Time, 25 Deselect, 44 Device, 49 Display, 20 Display Parameters, 29, 51 Drawing, 40 Duplicate Layer, 32 Duplicate Project, 25
E Export, 24
F FFT Size, 15, 29 Format, 25 Frequency Pencil, 40
G Gain, 48 Grid, 26 Groups, 30, 32, 33
H Hand, 40 History, 29
I Import, 24 Insert Time, 25 Interface, 17, 49 Invert Selection, 44
L Layers, 30, 32 Loop, 34, 36
M Markers, 19, 34, 35 Measurement, 40 Menus, 18 Merge, 33 Modification, 39 Mute, 30
N Navigation, 40 New Group, 32 New Layer, 32 New Project, 23 Noise, 47 Normalize, 47
O Open, 23 Overview Bar, 19
P Pan, 40
81 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Panels, 21, 26 Paste, 43 Play, 34, 36 Playback, 41 Playhead, 34, 36 Preferences, 49 Process, 46 Processing, 46
R
Record, 34, 36 Redo, 29, 42 Reformat, 25 Regions, 34, 35 Remix, 25, 48 Rename Layer, 32 Rename Project, 25 Resample, 25 Reselect, 44 Resolution, 29
S
Save, 23 Scales, 26 Scrolling, 35 Select All, 44 Selection, 38, 44 Shortcuts, 53, 63 Silence, 46 Snap, 26 Solo, 30 Spectral Display, 20 Stems, 45 Stop, 34, 36 System Requirements, 10
T
Timeline, 19 Tone, 47 Tools, 18, 37 Transcript, 22 Transform, 37 Transport, 22, 34, 36 Tutorials, 77
U
Undo, 29, 42 Units, 26 Unmix, 45 Unmixing, 45
V
Videos, 77 View, 26
Vocals, 45 VU Meter, 36 W Waveform Display, 20 Z Zoom, 40
82 SpectraLayers One 10.0.40
Asciidoctor PDF 2.3.5, based on Prawn 2.4.0 Asciidoctor PDF 2.3.5, based on Prawn 2.4.0