EQ Magazine - April 2009 - (Page 51) Steinberg Wavelab (Windows, $699.99) This is a program where if you say, “Can it do this?” the answer is invariably “yes.” Multitrack editing? Yes. Burn data CD- and DVD-ROMs of audio and video projects? Yes. Author DVD-A? Yes, with remarkably complete authoring facilities. Includes cool plugins? Yes. Ah, but I bet it can’t print labels or covers for your CDs, right? Wrong. The answer is “yes.” Remarkably, Wavelab is essentially the work of one person, but that hasn’t slowed down progress. Wavelab 6 adds really good spectral editing, and superb pitch-shifting/time-stretching. Surround editing is offered, as is downmixing. Wavelab also has great mastering tools, including Bob Katz’s K-Metering system, loudness corrected bypassing (very cool), analysis tools, and of course, lots of plug-ins as well as the ability to host other plug-ins. Even more interesting, Wavelab segregates its various functions well so you’re not faced with unneeded options—you could go for years without knowing it does multitrack processing unless you investigate the “Montage” feature. Although Wavelab is an extremely deep program, you seldom feel overwhelmed. Yes, it’s not cheap. But if you don’t need all the functionality, there are two “lite” versions that have most, if not all, of what you need. Strengths: Adopted the motto “Yes, we can” long before the Obama candidacy. Great authoring options. Extremely complete feature set, with each update adding significant for several applications, including sound design (their DSP menu has no equal), and sample rate conversion. In fact, when working in Mac-based studios, I insist they have a copy of Peak for editing and even back in my studio, where I have no lack of software, Peak 6 often gets the call. The interface is appealing (visually as well as functionally), with a very creative vibe—it’s difficult to describe, but it’s like a piece of art that decided to be a digital audio editor. Props to BIAS for never being satisfied; that’s what has made me satisfied with the program. Strengths: The plug-ins have a smooth sound, and don’t add coloration other than “niceness.” Good playlist, CD authoring, burning, Quattro can host multiple instruments and plug-ins not just for off-line editing, but for realtime performance. It won’t replace MainStage, but comes closer than other digital audio editors, and supports MIDI well. And, there’s hardware sampler support—which is getting hard to find these days. You can assemble your album, too; there’s a playlist with per-track insert effects and crossfades between tracks, image file export, and of course, Red Book CD burning. Strengths: Exceptionally cost-effective. Many unexpected functions, like instrument hosting for live performance. Kind to your CPU. Batch processing and other advanced functions. Wavelab has multiple analysis and correction features in addition to a wide range of editing options and effects. Here, an error detected in the audio is about to be corrected. There are also two analysis windows. enhancements. Stable. Limitations: The interface could use a few cosmetic tweaks, and a really good loudness maximizer wouldn’t hurt. BIAS Peak Pro 6 XT (Mac, $1,199) This is the version with everything—Peak Pro itself, Master Perfection Suite of mastering tools, and SoundSoap Pro restoration software (if you do restoration, you want this) as well as the standard SoundSoap. Peak Pro, which lists for $599, lacks only the Master Perfection Suite and restoration tools (although it does have SoundSoap LE and Reveal LE). And, the Peak LE version (covered in the 01/09 issue) does what most people will need for $129. While I’ve used Peak for Mac projects since version 1.0, it was never my go-to editor But over the years, BIAS has been relentless about improving Peak to the point where now, it’s my first-call editor Toward the left of Peak Pro 6, Vbox is an insert that hosts other effects—in this case, EQ in parallel, with one EQ stage followed by compression. Reveal diagnostic plug-in at the right. and loop tuning options. Artistic-level interface. Good workflow. Limitations: The full package isn’t cheap. No spectral or surround editing. i3 DSP-Quattro 3.0 (Mac, $199) Remember TC Electronic’s Spark audio editor? The man behind it, Stefano Daino, has transformed it into DSP-Quattro 3.0. Don’t be fooled by the price: This is a very capable program with quite a few interesting features, like being able to host virtual instruments. DSP-Quattro does resampling, records multiple inputs in real time, offers scrub mode with a “virtual ribbon controller,” and has a robust list of editing functions (most with realtime previews) and plug-ins. The interface is appealing, too. In addition to mastering tools, laptop fans will appreciate that DSP- A typical DSP-Quattro waveform editing window is at the top. Below, you can see a playlist with automation curves, and some input recorders. Limitations: No dynamics processors included with the package. No noise reduction/restoration tools. www.eqmag.com APRIL 2009 EQ 51 http://www.eqmag.com
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