The Process Menu

In general, here's how to apply a process:

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

2) Pull down the Process menu and choose the process you want to apply. Most processes will present a dialog box with options for the selected process, although a few do not have any options.

3) If a dialog box with options appears, set the options as desired, then click OK.

4) Play the sound to hear the result.

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

Time Compress/Expand: This process stretches or compresses the time duration of the sound without altering the pitch. This is useful for shortening or lengthening sounds to meet a specific time requirement.

PRACTICE:

Tip: Experimentation is the key to finding out what works best for your sound file.


	What is the Process menu?	The Process menu offers many ways to edit your original recorded piece. For example, if you pull down the Process menu and choose Fade, this will alter the sound file so that it fades out at the end. Insert Silence adds empty time to the end of the recording. If you choose Reverse, the sound file is completely reversed!

	How do I apply a process?	In general, here's how to apply a process: 1) If you want the process to apply to the entire sound file, don't select anything in the data window. If you want the process to apply only to a subset of sound, select where you want it to occur. 2) Pull down the Process menu and choose the process you want to apply. Most processes will present a dialog box with options for the selected process, although a few do not have any options. 3) If a dialog box with options appears, set the options as desired, then click OK. 4) Play the sound to hear the result. Following are descriptions of just a couple of the available processes. Also included are some suggested practice exercises so that you can hear what the different processes do, and learn a little about their options. (Open the "saxriff.wav" file for the practice exercises.) Time Compress/Expand: This process stretches or compresses the time duration of the sound without altering the pitch. This is useful for shortening or lengthening sounds to meet a specific time requirement. PRACTICE: Pull down the Process menu and select Time Compress/Expand. An options dialog will appear. Select Solo Instruments from the Mode menu, since we're editing a sax solo. Change the Final Length from 2.5 to 2.0 seconds and click OK. Click Play and you will hear the riff played at a faster tempo. Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo to reverse the change. Tip: Experimentation is the key to finding out what works best for your sound file. Reverse: This process reverses a sound wave so that it plays backwards. PRACTICE: Pull down the Process menu and select Reverse. No options are necessary. Click Play and you will hear the riff played in reverse. Pull down the Edit menu and select Undo to reverse the change.

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

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 Revised, March 2002