Layers

The Master Layer
Working With Layers
A step-by-step example

The Master Layer

Wave Editor Version 1.3 introduces a powerful new addition to our "Layers" concept: the Master Layer. While the Master Layer DOES NOT contain audio, it has two very important functions. First, the Master Layer holds Audio Units that effect the entire document. Second, it also holds labels that apply across the entire document, including Track and Index labels for CD mastering.

Applying Audio Units to the Master Layer

Audio Units applied to the Master Layer apply to every Layer in the document. For example, if your document contains a snare drum sample in one Layer and a kick drum sample in another, applying a compressor to the Master Layer will compress both Layers. To apply an Audio Unit to the Master Layer, select the Master Layer in the Layers Drawer, the choose Layer > Add Audio Unit and select the desired Audio Unit. (If the Layers Drawer is not open, choose View > Layers.)

Adding Labels to the Master Layer

To add a Label to the Master Layer, Choose Label > Add Label or utilize the Label Well as described in the Labels chapter.

The Master Layer stores Label, Audio Unit and fade data not supported in typical file formats. They be saved in Wave Editor-native (.wedt) format or flattened before saving to a different format.

An Example

Open an AIFF or WAVE file (or any uncompressed format supported by Wave Editor).
Select View > Layers.
Select the Master Layer in the Layers Drawer.
Choose Layer > Add Audio Unit > Apple > AUGraphicEQ.
Choose File > Save.
You will be warned that the file cannot be saved in the original format.
Click the "Yes" button to save the file in Wave Editor format or click the "No" button to return to the document without saving changes.

Working With Layers

Wave Editor introduces a new technique for editing audio: Layers. It's similar to Adobe Photoshop in technique, but is specifically tailored for audio. Layered audio editing is a new way to create combinations of sounds and saves time by keeping everything live and editable until the final product.

Using Layers is different from multi-track audio applications

Audio on Layers can mix or modulate each other in different ways.
Layers can be of differing formats, bit depths, sample rates and channel counts.
You can "flatten" Layers to create a single-Layer file that can be saved as a common audio file type.

Layers are beneficial in many ways

Layers take the guesswork out of cutting, copying, pasting and mixing audio into a specific location.
Layers can affect the final output in unusual, exciting new ways.
Layers speed your editing time by not forcing you to convert to a common format until you are ready.
Layers have their own independent sets of effects and fades which are live and editable until they are flattened.
Layers be reordered to obtain different combination effects.
Layers can be kept together in a single document and retain their original fidelity.

Some examples of how to use Layers:

Sound Design - Use Layers of audio sources to combine with each other to create new sounds easily. Take a recording of a tiger roar, a seal yelp and a whale, each on different Layers, add effects and EQ to each Layer individually (use AUPitch to make them deeper), combine them in different ways, and you've got a new movie monster wail.
Video "censor" Editing - Use the original video track as the primary Layer and have other Layers with "censor" (1kHz sine wave) tones. Slide them properly into place using the "duck" combine method (which "replaces", or "ducks", the audio on the video track), flatten and save.
Mastering - Use each Layer as a CD track. Add EQ and effects as necessary, slide them relative to each other to set arrange the tracks, apply Track and Index Labels, enter metadata (audio CD, CD-TEXT and DDP), convert sample rate using iZotope's 64-bit SRC, apply iZotope's MBIT+ Dither, save, burn a disc and/or export a DDP 2.0 fileset. Mastering is covered later in the manual.

Take note that, as opposed to Adobe Photoshop, audio flows from the top down in the Layers Drawer. The Master Layer is always on top and additional Layers are below it in order.

Layers are unique to Wave Editor. In order to retain your Layer information in a file, you must use the Wave Editor file format. All other common audio file formats (AIFF, WAV, SDII, etc.) are considered "flat files". If your document contains more than one Layer and you want to retain the Layers, you must save it as a Wave Editor-native document. The file must be flattened in order to save it as a common audio format.

Layer combination types:

Add	is exactly like modern mixing. The Layer signals are added together, effectively "summing" them. The strength slider acts as the volume.
Subtract	is similar to "Add" except the Layer is added essentially out-of-phase. The strength slider acts as the volume.
Duck	means that when audio plays on this Layer, the level of the audio on Layers below is lowered in volume with a ratio set by the strength slider.
Ring	is simply ring (amplitude) modulation. The Layer is considered the modulator and the Layers below it are considered the carrier.

A step-by-step example:

This example will take a portion of an audio file, duplicate it to a different location on a new Layer, and flatten the result.

1. Make a selection and choose Edit > Copy or Control/right-click on the selection and choose Copy from the contextual menu.

2. Choose Layer > Add Layer. The previous Layer is dimmed, but is still audible when played.

3. Select the new Layer and choose Edit > Paste. Click on the colored square next to the Layer to display the Color Picker and choose a new color.

4. Hold down the Command and Shift keys and drag the Layer to a new position (the cursor turns into a hand). Now press Space to play your file.

5. Choose Layer > Flatten All... and select options in the Flatten All Layers panel.