Basic audio processing

Audio processing commands let you modify audio data according to some rule or algorithm. The rule can be as simple as reversing the audio data or boosting it by a certain factor, or as complex as performing a Fourier analysis and selectively amplifying or attenuating sounds at certain frequencies.

Audio processing commands can work on whole, partial and non-contiguous clips. For example, suppose you want to make certain words in a vocal passage softer. You can create a volume envelope and use it to lower the volume, non-destructively in just the section of the track containing those words. You could also use the Process > Apply Effect > Gain command to lower the volume destructively.

You should listen to the results of your work after each audio processing command. If you don’t like what you hear, you can use Edit > Undo to restore your audio data to its previous state.

Many of the dialog boxes associated with Cakewalk’s audio processing and effects commands have two important features: Audition and Presets.

The Audition button is used to audition the processed audio data. When you click Audition, Cakewalk processes the first few seconds of your data, then plays it repeatedly until you click Stop. This helps you to get an idea of whether the settings in the dialog box are producing the desired effect.

Presets are a way to store dialog box settings so that you can apply the exact same processing or effect again in the future. The following table tells you how to use presets in the effects dialog boxes.

To do this	Do this
Save the current settings as a preset	Enter a preset name and click the Save button
Use a preset	Select the preset from the drop-down list
Delete a preset	Select the preset, then click the Delete button

Many audio processing and effects presets are supplied with Cakewalk.

 

See:

Using the Normalize and Gain commands

Reversing audio data