The Effects menu lets you add all sorts of special effects to your recording. For example, you can add an echo, distort the sound, bend the pitch, or add some chorus. This menu is only be available when a data window is open.

In general, here's how to apply an effect:

1) If you want the effect to apply to the entire sound file, don't select anything in the data window. If you want the effect to happen only for a subset of sound, select where you want it to occur.

2) Pull down the Effects menu and choose the effect you desire. A dialog box with options for the selected effect will appear.

3) Set the options as desired, then click OK.

4) Play the sound to hear the effect.

Following are descriptions of just a few of the available effects. Also included are some suggested practice exercises so that you can hear what different effects sound like, and learn a little about their options. (Open the "tutor1.wav" file for the practice exercises.)

PRACTICE:

1. Pull down the Effects menu and select Chorus.
2. Choose the Light effect and click OK.
3. Play the file to hear the effect.
4. Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo to reverse the change.

PRACTICE:

1. Pull down the Effects menu and select Delay/Echo.
2. Enter 0.6 in the Delay Time field and click OK.
3. Play the file to hear the effect. You will hear a second copy of the sound 0.6 seconds after the original. Changing the delay time determines the time between the original and the echoed sound.
   Note: If you want an echo effect that contains more than a single copy of the original sound, check the Multiple Delays/Echoes box. The Delay Time will then determine how long it takes for these echoes to fade out.
4. Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo to reverse the change.

PRACTICE:

• Pull down the Effects menu and select Flange.
• Choose Slow and click OK.
• Play the file to hear the effect.
• Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo to reverse the change.
• Repeat the exercise but choose Warble to compare the flange effects.
• Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo.

PRACTICE:

• Pull down the Effects menu and select Reverb.
• Choose Bright Hall and click OK.
• Play the sound to hear the effect.
• Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo to reverse the change.
• Repeat the exercise but choose the Metal Tank option to compare the effects. Notice how the tone quality of this reverberation is very metallic.
• Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo.

Practice applying more of the effects to see what they do. Try different functions under the Effects menu, and try them with different options selected. After you apply an effect, press the Play button on the toolbar to hear it. Don't forget to undo between each effect so you can hear the results of applying each separate effect.

Copyright © 2002, Bloomsburg University Virtual Training Help Center.
All rights reserved. This material may not be used without permission.
Contact Dr. Mary Nicholson at mjnich@bloomu.edu