AudioStudio120 en

VERSION 12 SOUND FORGE
SOUND FORGE
AUDIO
STUDIO
English language manual
2
Copyright
This documentation is protected by law.
All rights, especially the right to duplicate, circulate, and translate, are reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms or

other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data
processing machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.
All copyrights reserved. Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program
modifications reserved.
VST and ASIO are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
iZotope, powered by iZotope, RX® Ozone Elements, copyright © 2017. iZotope, Inc.
HDV and HDV logo are trademarks of Sony Corporation and Victor Company of
Japan, Limited (JVC).
ATRAC, ATRAC3, ATRAC3plus, ATRAC Advanced Lossless and the ATRAC logo are
trademarks of Sony Corporation.
MAGIX, Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 and all mentioned MAGIX product names are
registered trademarks of MAGIX Software GmbH
This product uses MAGIX patented technology (USP 6,518,492; USP 6,888,999; USP
8,327,268) and MAGIX patent pending technology. Licensed in part, pursuant to USP
5,801,694 and pending foreign counterparts thereof.
Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the respective

manufacturer.
MAGIX licensing conditions are made clear in the installation process and can also be
found at www.magix.com under EULA.
Copyright © MAGIX Software GmbH, 2017.
www.magix.com
Table of Contents 3
Table of Contents
Copyright 2
Support 5
What is Sound Forge Audio Studio 12? 7
What's new in this version? 8
Quick Start 9
Audio cleaning 9
Record vinyl/cassettes/podcasts 18
Burn audio CD/Export MP3 song list 21
Video Sound Editing 27
Program interface overview 28
Working with Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 30

Loading audio files 30
Record audio 31
Selection 36
Zooming 38
Edit tools 40
Cut, copy and paste audio material 41
Processes, Effects & Plug-Ins 43
Slices 44
Markers and Regions 47
Managers 51
Editing Toolbars 59
Modify user interface 60
Menu Reference 61
Searching for menu commands and help topics 61
File Menu 62
Edit Menu 69
View Menu 82
Insert Menu 95
Transport Menu 98
Process Menu 101
4
Effects Menu 107

Plug-Ins Menu 122
Extras Menu 126
Options menu 143
Window Menu 153
Help Menu 154
Index 156
www.magix.com
Support 5
Support
Dear MAGIX customer,
Our aim is to provide fast, convenient, solution-focused support at all times. To this
end, we offer a wide range of services:
• Unlimited web support:
As a registered MAGIX customer, you have unlimited access to web support
offered via the convenient MAGIX service portal on http://support.magix.net,
including an intelligent help assistant, high-quality FAQs, patches and user
reports that are constantly updated.
The only requirement for use is product registration at www.magix.com
• The online community, on-the-spot support and a platform for exchange:
MAGIX customers have free and unlimited access to the online community at
www.magix.info, which includes approx. 150,000 members and offers the
opportunity to ask members questions concerning MAGIX products as well as
use the search function to search for specific topics or answers. In addition to
questions & answers, the knowledge pool includes a glossary, video tutorials and
a discussion forum. The multiple experts, found round-the-clock at
www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within
minutes of a question being posted.
• Email support for Sound Forge Audio Studio 12:
For each new MAGIX product you will automatically receive 12 months free
customer support by email. For customer support please contact:
Support-sfas12@magix.net
Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers:
http://support.magix.net/
Mail (Europe): MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194 Dresden,
Germany
Mail (North America): MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302, Reno,
NV 89502, USA
Please make sure you have the following information at hand:

• Program version
• Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.),
sound card configuration (type, driver)
• Information regarding other audio software installed
6
MAGIX Sales Department
You can reach the MAGIX Sales Department workdays for help with the following
questions and problems:
• Orders
• Product consulting (pre-purchase)
• Upgrade requests
• Returns
Europe
Monday - Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT
U.K.: 0203 3189218

Denmark: 45 699 18763
Sweden: 46 852 500713
Finland: 35 89 42419023
Norway: 47 210 35843
North America
9 am to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri
Phone: 1-305-722-5810
www.magix.com
What is Sound Forge Audio Studio 12? 7
What is Sound Forge Audio Studio 12?

Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 is an audio editing program used for recording, editing,
exporting and converting audio files. For example, you can digitize, repair and store
your old records and cassettes. Or you can produce your own podcasts and optimize
the sound in your videos. Produce audio material in 32-bit/384 kHz studio quality and
apply more than 20 professional filters and effects.
Record your audio material directly from the turntables, cassette decks or microphone.
Cut, edit and optimize your records and sound. Then export your material conveniently
as MP3, FLAC or burn to a CD.
Features
• 64-bit architecture for more power and performance
• VST-3 interfaces for external audio plug-ins
• Non-destructive Slice Editing
• Spectral Cleaning: spectrogram noise removal that does not audibly affect the
wanted signal
• Convert and save audio in all standard formats
• Burn Red Book Standard audio CDs
• iZotope Ozone Elements (plug-in for preset-based mastering)
8
What's new in this version?

• Record what you hear: With this option you can record all forms of audio
playback through your computer (audio streams, Internet phone calls, web radio,
games...). This implements a form of digital recording, where the exact data that
the playback software routes to the sound card driver is stored.
• Monitor while recording (Monitoring): Lets you monitor the input signal during
the recording process.
• Realtime waveform display: The waveform display for new recorded audio
material is created during recording.
• Set markers during recording: can be placed during playback as well as during
recording.
• Izotope Ozone 8: Latest version of the mastering plug-in
• 32-bit version: Following requests form our users, a 32-bit version of the program
is now available again.
• Statistics: For enhanced analysis, more statistical information for a selection can
be displayed.
• Improvements to program interface: The program interface contrast has been
enhanced for more intuitive operation and includes additional toolbar icons for
"Save As" and slice editing and a range of other improvements to display for
waveforms, level meters and selection.
• Automatic pause recognition for automatically setting track markers or
creating regions.
• Region editing: Automatically or manually created regions can be saved in
individual files, deleted or cropped.
• Improved Drag & Drop: You can use drag & drop from directly within the file
explorer or in a new or exisiting file. Copy and paste using drag & drop is now
easier by dragging the mouse while holding down the Ctrl button.
• Tempo dialog: Enter tempo for an audio file manually or per range selection: you
can now also use the grid for tempos.
• Glue slices: Slices can now be glued back together.
• New dialogs for editing metadata: in addition to the CD track editor, there's a
separate ID3 tag editor for MP3 and a metadata editor for WAV files.
• Selection grid lines: You can divide a section by gridlines: simply define the
number of lines you need. This simplifies loop selection.
• and other smaller improvements to the program.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 9
Quick Start
In this chapter we will introduce all of the important features in Sound Forge Audio
Studio 12. You don't need any prior knowledge for this; just some time and hard drive
space.
• With Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 you can load audio material and clean it, edit
it, and export (view page 9) it using a wide range of special features.
• Analog material, such as records or tapes, must be digitized first so that it can be
processed by the computer. Podcasts can be recorded and processed directly in
the program. To do this, use the recording feature in Sound Forge Audio Studio
12 (view page 18).
• You can load multiple files at once to burn them to an audio CD or to create an
MP3 playlist for export (view page 21).
• Load videos and optimize the audio tracks (view page 26).
We'll explain all of these applications here step by step.
Audio cleaning
Load and play audio files
After starting the program, Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 displays an empty project
window.
There are two ways to load an audio file:

• Via File > Open (view page 30) (Shortcut: Ctrl + O)
• Via the Explorer (view page 52) in the lower third of the program window
10
The Explorer is a file manager and works in a similar way to the File Explorer in
Windows. You can search all drives and folders on your computer and then select and
load a file.
Ctrl + mouse click opens several objects. For a group of files, click on the first file and
then on the left file with Shift + click.
Drag & drop the selected files to the upper section.
After import the file will appear as a waveform in the upper section of the program
window. In the case of several files, a tab will open for each file. To load several files to
the same window, use the other Import method (via "File" > "Open" (view page 30).
The waveform provides you with an image of your audio material.
Some noises can be recognized straightaway. Crackling, for example, creates a clearly
identifiable peak in the waveform.
In the toolbar above, you'll find the transport controls for playback, stop and moving
the playback marker.
Use the mouse for quicker navigation. If you click on a position in the timeline above
the waveform display, the position line will be moved exactly to this position.
You can start and stop the track by pressing the spacebar of your keyboard.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 11
Drag a selection
You'll find most effects for editing in the Effects menu. Special functions for noise
removal are in "Extras" > "Audio restoration".
Before applying a restoration effect (or other editing effect), decide what kind of
editing you want to undertake. The most important question is: Do I want to edit just a
certain section of the material - or the entire audio file?
For instance, there is an option for filtering out constant noise in a cassette recording
using the DeHisser. This kind of noise usually exists through the length of the whole
file. So here, you would use an editing function for the entire audio file. In this case you
open and apply the editing effect directly.
Other noise, for instance a one-off crackling noise or a sudden rumbling only affect a
certain section of the material, so to edit this you need to drag out a selection.
Click in the waveform using the mouse and drag & drop the data you want to edit out.
You can either select an individual channel or both stereo channels together.
Drag a rough selection around the passage you want to edit.

12
You often need to make a very exact selection in order to choose only the passage
where the noise is located. Sometimes, it's necessary to meet the zero crossover
exactly in order to avoid crackling.
Tip: Use the Soft Cut mode to automatically create a small dissolve to prevent any
crackling at the edges.
• Left and right below in the waveform window you'll see the Zoom buttons with
"+" and "-" symbols. Zoom using these buttons into the display. You can also
zoom using the mouse wheel if you're using a mouse. You can zoom in as far as
the sample level, until the oscillation and zero crossover can be seen clearly.
• Move the mouse pointer to the borders of the selection until it becomes a double
arrow, then drag the border to the right location.
• To set zero crossover precisely, you can also use the command under "Edit" >
"Selection".
www.magix.com
Quick Start 13
Tip: For more information about options in this submenu, go to the Menu chapter
(view page 75).
• To deselect the current selection, click in the timeline.
Cleaning functions
There are many different types of noise. Let's start with constant humming or irritating
hissing. These kinds of noise are usually caused by tape recorders, record players or
substandard microphones and are audible throughout the complete track.
Follow the next steps to get rid of it:

• Remove the stretched sleection if necessary so that the effect can be applied to
the entire track. (Alternatively, select the entire track by pressing Ctrl + A.)
• Select the most suitable restoration function for the noise on your track.
It's not always possible to know which function is best for your needs, so try out a few
different options first. You can undo edits with Ctrl + Z.
Here's a basic overview, however:

• The DeClicker/DeCrackler allows you to remove crackling noises from old
records.
• For more severe crackling, use the DeClipper.

14
• The DeEsser is used for editing vocal recordings: more precisely, for reducing
sibilants resulting from the consonant S.
• The DeHisser eliminates regular "white" noise typically produced by analog tape
recordings, microphone preamplifiers, or AD transformers.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 15
• The DeNoiser removes noise like mains hum, hissing, ground wire noise,
interference from audio equipment with high-impedance outputs (e.g.
turntables), low frequency impact sound or rumbling sounds from vinyl. It works
using a noise sample. First, find a sound sample in the dialog that contains the
noise and then in the second step filter the interference frequency out of the
material.
Retouching short noises such as clicks or pops

Let's take a look at a quick and elegant way of removing short noises such as pops and
clicks using a pencil tool.
• First, search for a section in the material where you hear crackling and set the
playback marker before that position.
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• Zoom in so that you can see more details. You can use the zoom buttons in the
bottom right corner of the track window.
You can now edit this position using a pencil tool.
Select the pencil tool under "Menu" > "Tool".
The mouse pointer will now turn into a pencil which you can use to draw directly into
the waveform. When you click, the zoom level increases automatically, and you can
draw.
The goal here is to try to turn the flat form of the crackling into more of a peak and to
move it slightly downwards. The tool is especially suitable for very short instances of
crackling.
If you want to completely remove the sound from a certain spot, you can also select
the spot and use the "Mute" feature in the "Process" menu.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 17
Spectral Editing
Other kinds of noise are hard to see in the waveform, but are clearly audible during
playback. These include things like a single cough or a passing car — anything that
isn't particularly loud, but still negatively impacts the audio.
To deal with these noises, select the "Spectral Editing" tool. This will switch the
waveform display to the spectral display.
The spectrogram displays the frequency proportions in a time curve. The volume of
frequencies is visualized by a color code. A continuous sound is displayed by a pattern
consisting of horizontal lines, which correspond to the sound components or
overtones of the sound. A distortion with an impulse quality is seen as a vertical line.
Place the playback marker at the position of the noise and, if necessary, zoom into the
display a bit.
With the mouse, make a rough selection in the spectral display of the area containing
the noise.
18
• The upper Play button plays the corresponding part with effects applied. You will
hear the results of the editing immediately.
• Clicking the checkbox will include the edits in the audio material.
• For comparison's sake, you can use the lower Play button to listen to the same
part without any effects.
• Click the X symbol to cancel the edits. If you do this, no filters will be applied.
We use an interpolation technique to prevent there being any audible gaps: parts of
the wanted signal around the interference are calculated at the highlighted section.
Save or render audio files or burn to CD

At the end of the editing process, there are several options for what you can do with
your material:
• Overwrite the original file: Select "File" > "Save As" and overwrite the file in its
original folder.
• Store the modified file as a copy: Select the option "Save" or "Save as" in the File
menu and give the file a different name. You now have the original data saved as
a backup. When saving normally, a different file name combining will be created
automatically which comprises the original name and the current date.
• Save all open files: You can use the "Save all" command in the File menu to avoid
having to saving each file individually.
• Save the file in a different file format (convert/export): From the File menu,
choose Save As and then select a different file format in the dialog. The encoder
settings for the selected format can be accessed via the Format Settings. The
available formats are WAV, MP3, MP3 with an external encoder, WMA
(Windows Media Audio), AAC, FLAC, OGG (Ogg Vorbis) and AIFF.
• Burn audio CD: To do this use the option for burning CDs in the Extras (view
page 21) menu.
Record vinyl/cassettes/podcasts
In the previous chapter we showed you how to improve audio material with the range
of tools and restoration functions found in Sound Forge Audio Studio 12. We also
learned about the functions that are suited for vinyl recordings (DeCrackler) or
cassette recordings (DeHisser).
Here. we'll expand on these topics and explain how to digitize your vinyl or cassette
collection, and illustrate how to record a podcast or speech.
Basic knowledge about recording with the PC

The record feature converts analog audio signals – records, cassettes, sounds, speech
– into digital data, which can be saved on the PC and edited with Sound Forge Audio
Studio 12.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 19
The device which is used to digitalize the audio signals is already built into most sound
cards and aptly called an analog-digital converter, often abbreviated as A-to-D, ATD
or A/D. In order to record sounds, the A/D converter takes samples of the sound to be
digitalized at fixed intervals by measuring the voltage level of the signal. The frequency
of the sampling is called the sample rate and naturally lies within the kHz frequency
range; several thousand times per second. The higher the sample rate, the more
samples are recorded by the A/D converter, thus making the sound conversion closer
to the original.
The precision with which the A/D converter measures the voltage level of the analog
signal is determined by the sample resolution. The same principle applies here: The
finer the resolution, the better and more natural the digital conversion.
Audio recordings in CD quality are recorded with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and a
resolution of 16 bits.
Connecting the recording sources

First, the recording source must be connected to the computer. There are several
possibilities depending on the equipment you are using:
• If you would like to import music from a stereo system, use your sound card's
line-in input. If the stereo system amplifier comes with separate line-out or AUX
out connectors, they should be used. In this case, they have to be connected to
the computer's line-in. Hi-Fi amplifiers usually have RCA (composite) connectors
and the computer has mini stereo connectors. You need to then get a suitable
cable with two small RCA (composite) connectors and a mini stereo jack.
• If the amplifier comes without separate outputs (other than the speaker
connectors), you can also use the headphone jack for recording. Normally, you
will require a cable with stereo or mini stereo jacks. This type of connection has
the advantage of a separate volume control to set the headphone input signal
level. However, headphone jacks are often not very high-quality. For this reason,
you should use line-out outputs whenever possible.
• To record cassettes from a tape deck, connect the tape deck’s line-outs directly
to the computer's line-in.
• When recording LPs, the record player's outputs should not be connected
directly to the computer because the phono signal has to be pre-amplified. In this
case, connecting through the headphone jack or an external preamp is
recommended. Some record players also have normal line-out connections.
• If you would like to make recordings with a microphone, connect it to the
computer using the microphone input (usually a red jack).
Audio Setup
Before starting recording, view the options in the "Audio Setup" dialog.
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This dialog can be accessed via the toolbar.
Do a test recording or speak into the microphone to see whether the level display
moves up. If in doubt, click the "audio input" button to open the input and level
automation (view page 35) for automatic selection of the correct input signal and
level.
Additional Steps
The actual recording process can be started by pressing the large "Record" button in
the dialog or via the separate "Record" button in the toolbar.
After recording, we recommend the following actions:

• Restore the recorded material (view page 9)
• Cutting: Precisely align the beginning and end of the overall recording or of each
part (view page 21).
• Export the file or burn (view page 18) it to disc.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 21
Burn audio CD/Export MP3 song list

Next, we want to edit several songs or audio files together and then burn them to
audio CD or export as an MP3 song list.
Group audio files

First group all of the songs or audio files you want to include on the CD or export.
Create a new, empty audio file in "File" > "New". Then add the audio files that you
want to burn or export together. Transfer the presets from the settings dialog and click
OK.
If files are in the form of separate audio files, select "File" > "Open" and activate the
option "Load all files in one project".
Use the Ctrl key to select files in sequence and click "Open".
• To attach more files, select "File" > "Open and append".
22
• To transfer a certain range from another, open the file, drag a selection and copy
it to the clipboard using Ctrl + C. Then, open the burn file, place the playback
marker at the position where the new material should be inserted. and add it
using Ctrl + V.
• To move an audio file to another position, the simplest method is by using the
CD Index manager (view page 25).
• If you want to remove a specific section, drag out the selection and click the Del
key. This deletes the section and brings the material behind it to the front.
Slice Editing
Sometimes it is necessary retrospectively trim the beginning parts of a song or vocal
recording. Especially with sections of audio which have been pasted in, crackling can
arise at the edges, which needs to be removed.
This is where slices come in. When pasting material into an audio file, or during
selection editing, slices are created automatically. Slices are like virtual selections
whose borders and contents can be moved at a later point in time.
To select a slice and active slice editing, click the slice selection button.
The slice will now appear in a different color to show that it has been selected. At the
same time, editing buttons will appear.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 23
The lower buttons can be used to change the borders of the slice in different ways. The
material can be moved over the neighboring slice like a sheet of paper. The slices that
follow are moved along with it.
Dragging in the opposite direction puts the border back where it was, and the
overlapped material is pulled out from the slice in front of it.
The button in the middle can be used to move the contents of the slice, if the slice
represents a section of a longer audio file.
The two upper buttons are used to create fade-ins and fade-outs.
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Set Track Marker

You may have noticed when combining audio files that a marker is automatically set
for each file in the timeline above. These markers are CD track markers or "CD Track
Index" markers
Additional track markers can also be set "by hand". To do this, simply set the position
line at the beginning of a new track and click the Track Marker button in the Regions
List.
You can also redefine each normal marker as a CD track marker (option: "CD Track
Index") in the Regions List context menu.
You can click on track markers in the timeline and drag & drop them to new positions
or even delete them.
www.magix.com
Quick Start 25
Checking and Moving Tracks

Before burning the audio to CD, it is best to check once more that all tracks and track
markers are in the right places. To do this, open the CD Index Manager from the
Regions List.
The CD Index Manager displays all track markers in a clearly arranged list. If you have
also created CD subindex markers and pause markers, you can also check those here.
26
The CD Index Manager lets you easily move tracks by clicking on a track marker and
repositioning the track in the arrangement with the double arrow keys (<< and >>). A
few seconds is all it takes to get all your tracks in the right order.
Burn audio CD or export file list

At the end of a mixed audio file, burn all the tracks together to an audio CD or export
individual tracks as a file list.
• To burn, select "Extras" > "Burn Audio CD".
• To export, select "File"> "Save As" and open the "Export Settings" first. Each
track can be saved to a separate file.
In the "Format Setting", you can set other formats (e.g. MP3), then specify a folder for
the track and a name (e.g. album name) and click "Save".
www.magix.com
Quick Start 27
Video Sound Editing

Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 can also be used to edit the audio tracks of videos. Video
files are loaded exactly like audio files:
• By going to "File" and selecting "Open" (view page 30) (Shortcut key: Ctrl + O)
• By using the Explorer (view page 52) in the bottom third section of the program
window.
After video files are loaded, the picture track appears above the audio track waveform.
The filmstrip provides a visual orientation of how the video progresses. If you zoom
into the audio track, the picture display will also zoom in down to the frame level.
The audio track can now be edited (view page 9) exactly like an audio file.
You can also convert it directly into an audio file, which can be useful when making
music videos, for example. To do this, go to "File" > "Remove video". This removes the
picture track and changes the file format in the file tab from the original video format
(e.g. *.mpg) to the standard *.wav audio format.
After editing, you should save the file by going to "File" > "Save". This will create a new
video file which contains the edited audio track.
28
Program interface overview
InfoBar: At the very top, you'll find the Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 name and
version number, as well as the name and properties of the currently loaded
audio file.
Menu Bar: Here you'll find all the menus available in Sound Forge Audio Studio
12.
The Upper Toolbar contains the most important buttons for saving, loading,
playback and editing. Below, there is a second toolbar. You can add other
buttons by using the "Edit Toolbar" command in the context menu.
Timeline: Right click to adjust the time ruler. You can also set markers and
regions within the audio file here.
File Tab: Here you can switch back and forth between loaded audio files.
Active Slice: Slices are separate sections within a file. Slice borders can be
freely moved (view page 44).
Selection: Playback or editing area, e.g. for effects or cut editing (view page 36).
Peak Meter: Shows the peak control of the audio material during playback.
Manager: Here you'll find the different managers (view page 51) for file and
marker management, for visualization and for time display.
Position Fields: Shows the positions of the playback marker, range boundaries,
the mouse and the active slice. You can double-click to edit these values
www.magix.com
Program interface overview 29
numerically. You can right-click to change the number of fields and the type of
displayed time positions.
Channel selection: The channel lock all the way to the left ensures that the
channel selection is maintained for editing. The other two buttons are used to
remove the left or right channel from the selection and mute it.
30
Working with Sound Forge Audio Studio 12
Loading audio files

Load files: Load new audio files either via the menu "File" > "Open" or via the Explorer
in the lower section of the interface.
Waveform window: The audio file is opened in a separate window and displayed as a
waveform (as long as it is not attached to an existing audio file). In the title bar of the
audio file window, you will see the name of the file, the bit resolution, the length of the
sample and the resulting required memory.
Load several files: To load several files together (for instance to burn to CD), tick the
option "Load all files in one project" in the "Load audio file" dialog. Then mark the files
in sequence with Ctrl + mouse click and click "Open". To load a whole file list, select
the first and the last file in the list with Shift + mouse click.
Add audio files from existing audio files: The File menu includes the option to add a
second audio file to the currently opened file ("File" > "Open and append"). This adds
new material to the end of the existing file and sets a CD track marker.
Drag & drop to create new audio file: To quickly create an audio file as a copy of part
of a range or the entire audio file, drag the selected range in your audio file out of the
editing window and drop it on a free space in the program background.
Load L&R files as stereo files: Sometimes stereo recording channels lie in two separate
files - L&R (= left and right) files. This kinds of files can be automatically loaded as
normal stereo wave files. To do so activate the "Load L&R files as stereo" checkbox in
the "Load audio file" dialog.
www.magix.com
Record audio
Basic knowledge about recording with the PC
The record feature converts analog audio signals – records, cassettes, sounds, speech
– into digital data, which can be saved on the PC and edited with Sound Forge Audio
Studio 12.
The device which is used to digitalize the audio signals is already built into most sound
cards and aptly called an analog-digital converter, often abbreviated as A-to-D, ATD
or A/D. In order to record sounds, the A/D converter takes samples of the sound to be
digitalized at fixed intervals by measuring the voltage level of the signal. The frequency
of the sampling is called the sample rate and naturally lies within the kHz frequency
range; several thousand times per second. The higher the sample rate, the more
samples are recorded by the A/D converter, thus making the sound conversion closer
to the original.
The precision with which the A/D converter measures the voltage level of the analog
signal is determined by the sample resolution. The same principle applies here: The
finer the resolution, the better and more natural the digital conversion.
Audio recordings in CD quality are recorded with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz and a
resolution of 16 bits.
Connecting the recording sources

First, the recording source must be connected to the computer. There are several
possibilities depending on the equipment you are using:
• If you would like to import music from a stereo system, use your sound card's
line-in input. If the stereo system amplifier comes with separate line-out or AUX
out connectors, they should be used. In this case, they have to be connected to
the computer's line-in. Hi-Fi amplifiers usually have RCA (composite) connectors
and the computer has mini stereo connectors. You need to then get a suitable
cable with two small RCA (composite) connectors and a mini stereo jack.
• If the amplifier comes without separate outputs (other than the speaker
connectors), you can also use the headphone jack for recording. Normally, you
will require a cable with stereo or mini stereo jacks. This type of connection has
the advantage of a separate volume control to set the headphone input signal
level. However, headphone jacks are often not very high-quality. For this reason,
you should use line-out outputs whenever possible.
• To record cassettes from a tape deck, connect the tape deck’s line-outs directly
to the computer's line-in.
• When recording LPs, the record player's outputs should not be connected
directly to the computer because the phono signal has to be pre-amplified. In this
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case, connecting through the headphone jack or an external preamp is

recommended. Some record players also have normal line-out connections.
• If you would like to make recordings with a microphone, connect it to the
computer using the microphone input (usually a red jack).
Recording Dialog
Access this dialog via the toolbar, via "Transport" > "Record...", or Ctrl + R
shortcut.
Audio input: Opens the input and level automation (view page 35) for automatic
selection of the correct input signal and level.
Recording level: Displays the recording level; corresponds to the peak meter in the
main window (see above) .
Monitoring: Switches on software monitoring. Learn more under Monitor while

recording (view page 34).
Marker: During recording, you can set simple track markers by clicking the
corresponding button in the recording dialog or the M key.
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Record: This button starts the actual recording. During recording, the recording time
and remaining space on your hard disk are indicated.
Note: The dialog can not be closed whilst recording is in progress to avoid
accidentally stopping the recording.
Pause: Stops the recording. Click the button again to resume.
Stop: This button ends recording.
Recording format:
Resolution/Sample rate: Here you can set the sample rate and bit resolution for the
recorded audio file as well as define whether it will be recorded in mono or stereo.
24-bit recording requires a high-quality audio card with 20 or 24-bit conversion, plus a
24-bit capable MME driver. Audio cards with SPDIF digital interfaces can also record
audio material in 24-bit quality.
Note: The recording will be attached at the end of the opened file if the recording
format and the file format are the same. If the formats are different, a new file will be
created automatically.
Audio input: Displays the name of the selected sound card. If you are using several
sound cards (or sound cards with several inputs), you can select one from the menu.
Timer: Enter a starting time for a recording and the length of the recording. The
recording won't begin immediately after pressing the "Record" button, but rather at the
specified time. This way, time-delayed recordings (for example, at night or when
you're out) are now possible. Of course, the system clock has to be set correctly. If
"Duration" is also activated, then the recording will end automatically after the preset
recording time has lapsed.
Auto recording stop: If this button is activated, recording will cease automatically after
approx. 16 seconds of silence. This lets you make long recordings without having to
worry about stopping it once the recording is finished, e.g. recording an entire LP or
cassette.
Record what you hear: The computer's audio output is used as input signal for the
recording.
Remote: Hides the Sound Forge Audio Studio program interface apart from this dialog.
Help: Opens the program's help file for the recording dialog.
Close: Closes the recording dialog.

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Record what you hear

The "Record what you hear" option uses the current output from the computer as a
digital recording source.
Note: Many sound cards let you select the entire sound output as a recording device
- a feature sometimes called "Stereo mix" or "Record what you Hear". While this
does work, the result from this kind of recording is not the same as a real digital
recording made using a DAW. In technical terms, what happens is that the analog
output signal is routed back to the analog input in the sound card, i. e. a double
conversion takes place - from digital to analog and back.
By using "Record what you hear", an actual digital recording is implemented, which
means that the exact digital data delivered to the sound card driver by the playback
software (e.g. player in browser) is stored.
Important: This feature is only available if WASAPI system is selected as driver

system under Options > Preferences... > Audio Setup (view page 145).
The driver is used in "shared" mode, which allows one audio device to be used by
several programs simultaneously. However, all programs must work with the same
sample rate (view page 18). System playback for some sound cards (especially
onboard sound cards) is preset at a sample rate of 48kHz. If this is the case, a warning
will appear and Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 will automatically adjust the sample rate
of the recorded material. For optimal sound quality, we recommend changing the
sample rate to 48kHz in the record dialog or when creating the new file (view page
62).
Monitor while recording

Monitoring while recording can be done in two ways: either directly in the sound card
or via the monitoring option in Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 ("Monitoring" checkbox in
the the record dialog).
Most sound cards—including your computer's onboard sound—provide support for

the Windows sound card mixer. This mixer contains a signal path that leads directly
from the input signal to the sound card output.
To activate monitoring via the sound card:

1. Open the control panel, go to "Sound" and select the "Recording" tab or
right-click on the speaker icon in the lower right hand corner of your screen and
select "recording device" from the context menu.
2. Double-click on the device you want to use. If your audio source is connect and
producing sound, you should see a peak in the peak meter.
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3. Go to the "Listen" tab and activate the checkbox that says "Listen to this device".
4. When you click "Apply", you should be able to hear your input signal.
Monitoring options are not present in some sound cards and audio devices, for
instance USB record players.
For this reason, the toolbar contains a "Monitoring" button and the record dialog
also contains an option for monitoring.
Once this is activated, Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 will route the input signal to the
output.
Note: If the monitoring sound is hollow, strange, or you hear an echo, it is likely that
both monitor paths are active and are interfering with each other. If this is the case,
deactivate the monitoring button or monitoring in the sound card mixer.
Input and level automation

Every sound card has a least two inputs (microphone and line), as well as various
"internal" inputs for the CD drive or the signal from another program, for example,
Internet radio. With input and level automation you can automatically select the
correct input for your recording without having to search and adjust the input level in
order to avoid distortions.
To do so, click on "Audio input" in the record dialog. If you had already connected your
source and begun playback, the correct input will be determined immediately.
Otherwise do this now and click on "Search channel again".
If this didn't work, use the "Windows mixer" button to open the Windows Mixer and
select the channel manually.
Adjusting the recording level is essential when recording digitally via sound cards in
order to achieve optimum sound quality. If the adjustment is set too high, distortion
occurs and the incoming signal must be reduced. If you reduce input sensitivity, the
resolution at which the analog signal is digitized is also reduced. The level controllers
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of your sound card should generally be set as high as possible in order to achieve
optimum results. Yardstick for an optimal level is the loudest part of the material. The
loudest part should be adjusted to the maximum. You can now adjust the recording
level with the help of the LED display in the record dialog.
You can adjust the level of the source manually using the "Volume" controller. If you
activated "Automatic level adjustment", the level controller will automatically be set to
the correct value.
Selection
A selection is a defined section of audio data that can be used as playback range or for
editing. Material within the selection can be cut or copied and pasted in another
position or you can add effects or plug-ins to it.
For stereo material, the selection may include either one channel or both channels
simultaneously.
To select both channels, drag & drop the mouse pointer a little above or below the
channel border.
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You can also use the grid feature when creating a selection ("Edit" > "Selection" >
"Align to Grid").
Lock channel selection: The lock channel symbol on the far left in the upper section of
the manager ensures that only channels switched to audible can be selected for
editing. This avoids the possibility of working on just one channel by accident.
Change selection borders: Place the mouse pointer on the edge of the selection bar
until it turns into a double arrow. You can now reset the selection borders by clicking
and dragging in the horizontal direction.
Move selection: Click inside an existing selection on the timeline, hold the mouse
button down and move the selection horizontally.
Edit selection numerically: The current selection will be displayed numerically in the
"time display". Double click in the display to edit values.
Change selection: There are a range of menu commands and their keyboard shortcuts
under "Edit" > "Selection" for editing the selection further.
Loop selection: The selection can also be played back in a loop. To do this, press the Q
key. Pressing this button again switches back to normal playback.
Extract selection as audio file: Drag & drop the selection up to the line with the file
tabs. This will enter the selection into a separate audio file.
Alternatively, copy the selection to the clipboard (Ctrl + C), and then select "Edit" >
Paste Special" > "Paste to New".
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In addition to commands in the menu Edit > Selection, there are additional commands
for editing the selection using the keyboard. For quick reference use the separate PDF
document, which can be easily accessed via Help > Open shortcut list...
Tips
• You can use the backspace to switch between the previous five selections.
• If you want to mark several selections, it's best to create regions (R key).
Double-click between region markers to restore the selection.
• A third click in a file window selects all.
Selection grid
The selection grid is an additional partition that is drawn dynamically when you drag a
selection. This helps you select beats in rhythmic audio material. In more complex
rhythms, it's not always easy to see whether an entire bar or beat has been selected.
The grid divisions are an additional form of orientation aid.
If you drag a range over a drum loop, you should be able to see beats in the subdivisions.
Activate the selection grid in Options > Selection Grid Lines. Here, you can also
specify the number of grid divisions: 4 is preset.
Zooming
Depending on the editing operations you want to perform, you may want to view the
entire file or only a small section. The zoom level can be changed for each data
window.
Mouse wheel: Move the mouse wheel up and down to zoom in and out. Holding down
the Ctrl button at the same time changes the size of the waveform display itself (zoom
level). This is useful for seeing very quiet material.
Magnify Tool: You can also use the magnify tool in the editing menu for zooming.
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Zooming with the keyboard: "Up arrow" zooms into the current range, "down arrow"
zooms out again. Zoom in or out in a selection using Ctrl + Arrow up/ Arrow down
Zooming with buttons: In the lower right and left corners of the waveform window are
a "+" and "-" button, respectively, for zooming in and out.
Zooming with the scroll bar: You can also zoom with the horizontal scroll bar. To do
this, move the mouse to one end of the scroll bar until the mouse pointer turns into a
double arrow. You can now drag the scroll bar to make it bigger or push it to make it
smaller. The displayed section also changes size.
Zoom with vertical mouse dragging: An elegant method of zooming, which does need
some practice and skill, is to left-click on the timeline, hold down the mouse button
and drag the mouse vertically.
By dragging the mouse up, you can zoom out of the wave form and you can zoom in
with the reverse action. This allows you to position the playback marker precisely "in
one go".
1. Click on the the marker bar to roughly position the playback marker.
2. To zoom into the waveform, hold down the mouse button and move the mouse
downwards.
3. Correct the mouse position by moving it horizontally. Dragging up zooms back
out.
Tip: If you press the Ctrl key before letting go of the mouse button, you will return
to the original zoom level.
Zoom Level
You can zoom vertically within a waveform display when displaying low levels, for
instance at the end of a track. To do this, use keyboard commands Shift+Arrow
up/down. Additional commands for vertical zoom can be found in the View > Vertical
zoom (sample level) and in the toolbar below.
Tip: You can activate grid lines (F7 key) for easier visualization of zooming in the
waveform. dB scale will then be displayed on the left edge of the waveform. When
fully zoomed out of the waveform, the scale will go from -inf to 0dB.
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Edit tools
Tools can be switched via the toolbar.
Alternatively, choose the tool you need from the Edit > Tool submenu.
Edit Tool
The Edit Tool is used for selecting data and moving the playback marker.
Further information about this tool can be found in the Menu chapter (view page 72).
Magnify Tool
The magnify tool lets you zoom into and out of the waveform.
More information on this is available in the Menu Chapter (view page 73).
Pencil (Waveform)
Use the Pencil tool to edit the waveform by drawing on it. If the audio file contains a
short crackling sound, for example, zoom into the crackling and redraw the waveform
as a lower peak.
Spectral Editing
With the Spectral Mode you can remove noise from wave forms. The spectral display
of a wave form shows a graphic of the different frequency proportions in a time curve.
This makes it possible to filter out targeted frequencies.
Preview
This tool enables you to preview and control the playback speed by dragging and
dropping (scrubbing). The project is played forwards or backwards, depending on the
drag direction.
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Cut, copy and paste audio material

To add audio material to a position within an audio file, first choose the audio data that
you want to add.
• Drag a selection (view page 36) using the mouse or select the entire data using
Ctrl + A.
• Copy the audio data to the clipboard (Ctrl + C or "Edit > Copy").
• Then open the file into which you want to insert the material.
• Set the playback cursor to the position where it should be inserted.
Tip: The Home key moves the playback marker right to the start, the End key right to
the end. Ctrl + G open to "Go to" dialog, enabling you to move the playback marker to
a certain position. It's recommended to set markers (view page 47) for all important
positions and navigate them via the Regions List (view page 55).
• Use Ctrl + V (or select Paste from the Edit menu) to insert a copy of the
clipboard contents at the current cursor position. Audio material following it will
be moved to the background.
Pasting into a stereo file will insert data to all channels, as the channels in a stereo file
must always be equal in length.
Further pasting options are available in "Edit" > "Paste Special": "Mixing" mixes
existing audio material with pasted audio material, "Overwrite" overwrites the material
rather than moving it.
From the Edit menu, choose Trim/Crop to remove all data from the audio file except
the current selection.
Soft Cut
This button in the upper toolbar is used to activate the Soft Cut mode.
During all copy & paste operations, deleting or effects editing, short crossfades are
added to the edges between the pasted or editing audio material.
A range in the selected audio file was

selected and then deleted here
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Without Soft Cut, a hard transition is made

at the cut border, which produces a clear
crackling sound.
With Soft Cut activated, a crossfade is

applied to the transition, and the crackling is
harder to hear.
With Slice Editing (view page 44) and the Crossfade Editor (view page 78), you can
adjusts the transitions in much more detail!
Copy and paste by dragging and dropping

It is also possible to copy and paste by dragging and dropping. To copy a selection by
means of drag & drop, drag upward with the mouse before moving it to the left or the
right. This action must be performed in this way, otherwise the selection will be
changed. Now, keep holding the left mouse button down while dragging the selection
to a new location to be pasted.
Drag Mix: This is the standard mode. Releasing the mouse button will mix (view page
70) the audio material. You can drag the selection to the same data window or a
different one.
The selection will appear transparent, and the mouse pointer will display an M for "mixing".
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Drag Paste: Hold down the Ctrl key while dragging the selection upward and then
release to paste the audio material. The audio material located at the end of the pasted
material will also be moved further back.
The blue line will shows the paste position, and the mouse point will display a P for "paste".
Paste to New: Drag the selection to an empty spot above next to the tab with the file
name in order to create a new file from the selection.
Tip: Additionally clicking the right mouse button while dragging will switch between
"mixing" and "pasting".
Tip: Instead of dragging up, you can initiate the drag & drop function by pressing Ctrl
while dragging the mouse. Let go of the mouse button when you want to mix.
Processes, Effects & Plug-Ins

Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 includes many processes and effects that you can use to
manipulate the audio data in your media files. Processes are available in the "Process
(view page 100)" menu, effects are in the "Effects (view page 106)" menu. You can
also use audio plug-ins by going to the "Plug-ins (view page 122)" menu. Sound Forge
Audio Studio 12 supports DirectX and VST effects from third parties.
• First select the data you want to edit by making a drag (view page 36) selection.
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If no data is selected, processing will be applied to the entire file.
Most functions can be applied to the right or left channel or all channels. However,
since the channels in a stereo file must be equal in length, functions that affect the
length of the data cannot be performed on individual channels. These functions include
"Resample" and "Time Stretch".
• Go to the "Process", "Edit" or "Plug-in" menu, select a command and adjust the
settings in the dialog.
The dialog for each included effect contains a list of presets at the top for the effect. If
you would like to save an effects setting for later use, click the entry field, enter a name
and click "Save". The effects setting will then be added to the list.
Click the "Preview" button to hear the effects of your processing settings. Checking the
"Bypass" box lets you listen to the unedited original material for comparison.
• Click the "OK" button to start processing.
During processing, a progress meter is displayed at the bottom of the data window.
You can cancel the operation at any time by clicking the "Cancel" button to the left of
the status display, or you can press the "Escape" key.
Slices
Once you have pasted audio material into an audio file, or have changed a selection
within the audio file, the file will be divided into different sections at the edges of these
edits. In Sound Forge Audio Studio 12, these sections are called "slices".
In this example, the volume of a selected range has been modified. As a result, the file has been
divided into three slices.
The slice icon can be used to select a slice for editing. Selected slices appear in
a different color.
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Selecting a slice opens various handles which can be used to further edit the slice. You
can also fade slices in and out; the result is shown on top of the output material. Slices
can be moved on top of one another, and the slice borders can be changed. If a slice
represents a section of an audio file, the audio material represented by the slice can
also be moved within the slice.
Crossfades have been added to the slice borders.
This can be done using keyboard commands, menu options or even the mouse. To edit
with the mouse, use the handles on the selected slice. The menu commands and
shortcut keys can be found under "Edit" > "Slice".
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Slice Handles
The handles that appear on a selected slice have the following functions
Fade-in: This handle creates fade-ins. To do this, drag the icon slightly to
the right.
Fade-out: This handle creates fade-outs. To do this, drag the icon slightly
to the left.
Fade-in/Crossfade (next Slice): If the slice is not the first slice in the
audio file, then the slice will be crossfaded with the previous slice instead
of being faded in.
Tip: Right-clicking a handle opens a context menu where you can select
various curve forms. The Crossfade Editor (view page 78) lets you edit
crossfades in more detail.
Slice border: This handle lets you correct the front border of the slice. The
previous slice's rear border is moved accordingly.
Move slice: Moves the slice (and all following slices) as a whole. The
previous slice is correspondingly shortened or lengthened.
Slice selection: This icon lets you select a slice and makes all other slice
handles visible.
Move audio material: Moves the slice's audio material along with all the
audio material and slice borders that follow it. (In other words: The
beginning of the slice is shortened or lengthened; the slice border stays in
the same position).
Slice border (end): This handle is used to correct the rear border of a slice
and the front border of the next slice. In the case of the last slice, the
audio file is correspondingly shortened or lengthened.
Move slice (next slice): See
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Notes
Sometimes crossfades can be made, or audio material or slice borders moved, up to a
certain point — or not at all. This is because slices can only refer back to the audio
material from which they were originally created.
Crossfades are made symmetrically by default. This means that the middle point of the
crossfade is placed at the slice border and requires that there is audio material both in
front of and behind the slide border. If the slice is part of a larger audio file, then there
aren't any problems. This won't work, however, if the slice was created as a result of
audio editing, or if it comes from another audio file or the clipboard, and is located at
the beginning or end of the audio file. Be aware of the following:
• If you want to apply an effect to a partial range in an audio file and have it fade
into the surrounding audio material, be sure to select a somewhat larger range
for the effect. Move the slice borders somewhat inward along with the following
effect in order to apply the crossfades.
• Alternatively, you can click on the fade handle to the right and select "Fade
inside" from the context menu. This sets the crossfade to only use audio material
within the slice borders.
• If you want to fade a slice in, but do not want it to crossfade with the previous
slice, deactivate "Crossface active" in the context menu.
Markers and Regions

Markers and regions serve as reference points along the timeline. Markers are
individual points which can be directly jumped to. Regions are specific ranges between
two markers.
Markers
Markers are reference points you can place throughout a file (e.g. to mark positions for
editing).
Inserting Markers
To set a normal playback marker, proceed as follows:
• Set the playback marker where you'd like to place a marker.
• Press the "M" key (you can do this during playback as well).
To place other markers (CD Track Marker, CD Subindex Marker, CD Pause Marker
and CD End Marker), use the icon buttons in the Regions List.
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Naming Markers
You can assign any name you want to an existing marker:
• To do this, double-click the name column in the Regions List (view page 55) and
enter a name in the text field.
Or right-click the marker in the Regions List and go to "Edit" > "Name" in the context
menu.
Changing Marker Types

All markers can be used as CD track markers or region markers. To do this, right-click
the marker in the Regions List (view page 55) and go to "Edit" > "Type" in the context
menu. In the submenu, select the marker type you want.
Moving Markers
Drag and drop the marker to a new position or double-click the column in the Regions
List (view page 55) to enter a new position numerically.
Or set the play cursor to the position you want, right-click the marker on the timeline
or in the Regions List, and select "Upgrade" in the context menu.
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Deleting Markers
Click the marker in the Regions List (view page 55) and press the Del key.
Regions
Regions can be used to save different selection ranges (view page 36) for later
opening.
Create Regions
Drag a selection (view page 36) and press the R key. Alternatively, you can select the
"Region" option in the "Insert" menu. An alternative method is to drag & drop a
selection from the file window into the regions list.
Doing this saves the selection as a region and adds it to the Regions List (view page
55) with a consecutive number. Numbered region markers are placed at the beginning
and end of the saved selection.
In the Tools menu, Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 contains commands for finding breaks
(view page 135) in an audio file and for automatically creating regions over all breaks.
Name Region
You can assign any name you want to an existing region:
• To do this, double-click the region in the name column in the Regions List (view
page 55) and enter a name in the text field.
Or right-click the region in the Regions List and go to "Edit" > "Name" in the context
menu.
Select Region
Double-click on the region in the Regions List (view page 55). This selects the region
and stretches the saved selection.
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Moving Regions
Drag either region marker using the mouse to move the region border and change the
region's size. Or double-click the "Start" or "End" column in the Regions List (view
page 55) to enter a new position numerically.
Or select a new range, right-click on a region marker on the timeline or in the region
list, and select "Upgrade" in the context menu.
Deleting Regions
Click the region in the Regions List (view page 55) and press the Del key.
Edit several regions simultaneously

If you have created a row of regions, for instance individual sections of a longer
recording, you can edit them all in one go. You can start this by using regions to mark
sections in an audio file and then deleting, cutting or cropping these regions at the
same time. Use File > Save regions to save the content of all regions in separate files.
Example: Remove pauses in speech from an interview

1. Upload the recording and select Tools > Find breaks and create regions".
2. Use Edit > Cut regions to delete all regions with this pause.
3. To retain and improve the natural flow of the recording, move the slices with
the interview slightly apart.
Automatically created regions above all breaks
Using "Cut regions" deletes all regions
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Tip: If you have accidentally selected the wrong function, for instance "Find content and create
regions" instead of "Find breaks...", just use the same function in reverse - "Trim regions" - or
select "Invert regions" before cutting.
Delete all markers and regions

Right-click an entry in the Regions List (view page 55) and choose Delete All from the
shortcut menu.
Managers
The managers are located in the bottom third section of the program window.
There are four preset managers available with their own tabs: "Files", "Time Display",
"Region List" and "Visualization". Additional windows can be opened by using the +
button on the right.
Hide Manager: You can click in the tab bar to hide the manager to create more space
for the wave form display. Clicking on the tab bar again reopens the manager window.
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Explorer
Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 contains a file explorer for previewing and quickly loading
files. The integrated display filter limits the files shown to media formats which can be
loaded into the project.
Preview audio files

A selected audio file may be previewed using the arrow.
If the "Autoplay" box is activated, every selected audio file will be automatically
played.
A complete list can be previewed using the cursor keys. Clicking the play button again
stops playback. The fader symbol may be used to control volume.
Note: To preview certain media data, e. g. in WMA format, these files must be
converted to wave format. Conversion is carried out automatically in the background.
Organization
The file manager includes a directory tree that behaves similarly to Windows Explorer.
The following file information can be displayed in the file list:
• Name
• Extension
• Size
• Date
• Length
• Resolution in bits
• Stereo/Mono
• Sample rate
• Timestamp
• Description / Title
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• Originator / Artist
• Path (opened with right click)
• BPM (opened with right click; automatically specified based on loop length)
A drive selection menu found in the toolbar lets you quickly switch between all data
storage devices connected to the workstation.
The "Search" option lets you search the current folder for specific files. Enter a search
term into the box and click on the binoculars. Found directories or files are highlighted.
You can find and highlight several entries that meet this search criterion by entering
one or several first letters.
On the right side of the File Manager you can add or remove the current folder in your
list of favorites. Favorites can be opened by clicking on them in the list.
Underneath the favorites list, a selection menu can be found with a list of recently used
paths. Here you have the option of switching to the current project folder.
Load files from Explorer window

Each file can be loaded from the Explorer to the waveform display window via drag &
drop or the Enter key. Doing so creates a new waveform display window.
If you select several fields in the Explorer and load them via drag & drop, they will all
be loaded in separate waveform display windows. To hang several files in a row in
order to burn them to CD, right-click the files and select "Attach file" or click Shift +
Enter key.
Tip: If you drag & drop a file from the Explorer onto a file that is already open, the file
will paste to the position where it is dropped. You can activate an option to open a
dropped file in a new window in the program preferences (view page 147).
Options
You can open the Explorer options by clicking the gear icon.
Display Folder Structure: Shows/hides the directory tree on the left side.
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Read File Format Information: Turns the automatic audio file format recognition
on/off.
Manager Font: Changes the font in the explorer.
Extended File Search: Enables more advanced searches. Additional criteria are
available for extended file searching, e.g. Date of last file change between, Date of file
creation between, Files with audio length between, and Files with sample rate of, File
name, Project comment, Description / Title and Originator / Artist:
Search in Subdirectories: Limits the search to the current folder without

subdirectories.
Time Display
This function shows a zoomable time display. This makes it possible to maintain a
good overview of the project even at longer distances, which can be useful in some
situations.
The time display is opened with three display fields, one for position, one for range
length and one for the range end.
In the context menu of a field (right-click) you can insert additional fields ("Insert
field..."),remove existing fields ("Remove field") or select the time position to be
displayed in the field ("Current field...").
Additional Settings Options in the Context Menu
Font...: This is the font type for the display

Measurement units: The type of measurement unit used in the display
Current field...: In this submenu you can adjust the display size and assign
individual color settings to each field.
Move field forward / This function can be used to change the order of the fields.
Move field back
New time display: This opens a new time display in a separate window. This may be
necessary when the fields in the dialog can no longer be
displayed properly.
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The following measurement units are available: samples, milliseconds, hour/min/sec,

SMPTE (project frame rate), SMPTE (individual frame rate), SMPTE/milliseconds,
bars, CD MSF, feet & frames 16 mm (40 fpf), feet & frames 35 mm (16 fpf),
independent time format.
Select the option "Independent Time Format" to enable the use of several different
measurement units.
Most sizes can be selected and edited directly in the time display by double-clicking
on them.
Visualization
The visualization displays the audio material in graphic form. You can integrate the
visualization into the Docker (view page 60) or open it in its own window.
Normally the visualization is divided into several display windows. In the context menu
(right-click) you can choose between the following display options:
• Peak Meter (peak meter display)
• Phase oscilloscope (vectorscope)
• Correlation Meter
• Direction meter
• Spectroscope
• Spectrogram
• Bit meter
• Oscilloscope
• Tuner
More information about the individual visualization windows is available under

"View" > "Visualization (view page 83)"
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Regions List
In the Regions List you'll find a list of your markers, regions and CD markers. All
markers and regions can be directly jumped to.
• To jump to a marker, place a check in the selection box.
Export Text
Regions List information can be exported as a text file. Click the "Export text" button in
the Regions List toolbar to do this.
The Windows text editor opens with an excerpt from the Regions List. The following
information will be saved:
• Project name
• Marker position in project
• Marker type
• Marker name
• ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) for CD markers
You can find this file in the project folder (Projectname.txt).
Search feature
As in other file managers, the Regions List also provides a search option which allows
you to search for specific markers in the current window. Enter a search term into the
box and click on the binoculars button.
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CD Index Manager
The third button in the Regiosn List toolbar open the CD Index Manager.
This manager is important for checking the track marker for a file that will be burned to
CD and also for rearranging tracks or the selection fast.
This dialog displays all the CD tracks and sub-indices in the current project in a list. If
you select the markers, you can change their numerical position in the list via the
corresponding time input field and name or rename them.
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CD Index Settings: Here, you can set several options for the individual CD tracks,
including Copy protection (SCMS) ,Pre-emphasis, Second generation protection, as
well as ISRC code:These settings can be transferred to all indices.
Pre-emphasis means that high frequencies are accentuated before A/D conversion
when creating a CD. Even during A/D conversion high frequency quantization noises
will emerge. Now the Audio signal with high accentuation will be written to the CD.
When playing the CD player itself will use "Emphasis Bit", which means that the
frequency accentuation (highs) will be curbed. This guarantees a 'true to original'
sound, likewise Pre-emphasis leads to a reduction in quantization noises.
In practice Pre-emphasis is rarely used owing to the fact that the signal noise gap in
the CD creation process already large enough (16 Bit) that quantization noises are
negligible anyway.
"CD text" opens a separate dialog field for entering CD text information.
You can set new markers, CD tracks, CD sub-indices, and CD pauses by clicking on
the corresponding buttons.
Move the track within the list using the double arrow buttons.
"Delete selected" Deletes the selected markers.
"Delete all markers" Deletes all markers.
"Play marker" starts playback from the position of the selected marker.
"Play loop" plays a loop around the marker.
"Stop" stops playback.
"OK" applies your settings.
Changing and Deleting Markers

• Each marker can be given a name by double-clicking the "Name" column and
entering one.
• To change marker positions, double-click the "Start" column and enter a new
position. Or simply drag the marker to a new position in the timeline.
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• Markers can be redefined in the context menu at any time, e.g. in order to change
them to CD track markers (option: "CD Track Index").
• To delete a marker, select it in the Regions List and press "Del".
Editing Toolbars
Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 offers two toolbars that contain a pre-configured
selection of available icon buttons.
You can customize the toolbars to your requirements by adding icons, changing their
positions, removing the ones you don't need, or changing the arrangement of buttons.
To do this, right-click to open the context menu of any icon and select the option "Edit
Toolbar".
This opens the "Edit Toolbar" window which contains all of the available icons.
Icons that are already on the toolbar are grayed out. The others can be added by
dragging & dropping them onto one of the toolbars.
To remove an icon from a toolbar simply drag it off. To change the position of the icons
simply drag & drop them onto new positions on the toolbar.
Note: When the "Customize Toolbar" window is open, clicking on the icons has no
effect. This helps to prevent unwanted changes to the project.
The easiest way to find out the functions for these button is via the tooltips. A tooltip is
displayed when you move the mouse pointer and hold it over a button in the dialog.
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Modify user interface

You can modify the Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 interface and customize it for your
needs. For example, you could place the waveform display for a file in fullscreen on a
second monitor and arrange the other windows on another monitor.
The Docking feature helps you undock sections of the interface and dock them to
other areas or position them freely.
To undock a window click on the title bar and drag the window out of the interface. In
an undocked state, the corresponding dialog appears with a conventional title bar and
can be positioned freely.
Undocked windows can be docked to the areas provided in the VIP by double-clicking
the title bar or by clicking the title bar and moving with the "Ctrl" key pressed. When
moving windows, an arrow symbol appears on the interface. If you move an undocked
window with the mouse onto one of the arrow symbols, the window will be docked
there. Docking position options for the visualization window can be seen here:
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Menu Reference 61
Menu Reference
Extensive information on the individual menu points of Sound Forge Audio Studio 12
can be found in the following sections.
The menus in Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 can also be individually customized, i. e.
menu items can be hidden or shown. "File" > "Program Preferences" > "Edit
Keyboards Shortcuts and Menu..." (view page 149).
Searching for menu commands and help topics

Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 provides a search field for finding menu commands and
help topics.
Enter a character combination into the search field which is relevant to a search term.
Immediately up to five commands from the main menu will be displayed that contain
the desired character combination.
All results that are listed can be directly selected. The commands in the upper section
are listed immediately. Clicking on the small arrow next to the search button opens a
list of recently performed commands.
Shortcut: Ctrl + F
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File Menu
New...
Creates a new, empty audio file.
In the dialog, the sample rate, bit depth and number of channels can be set. You can
now paste audio material to this file via the clipboard, the recording, or the menu
command "Open and append".
Note: Pasted audio material is automatically converted to the format of the audio file
to which it is pasted. If, for example, you paste mono audio material into a stereo file,
it will appear there in stereo (both channels will have identical contents). The same
applies for bit depth and sample rate.
Open...
You can open various file types here and load them into Sound Forge Audio Studio 12.
The following formats are supported and read directly by Sound Forge Audio Studio 12:
Wave files (.wav), MP3/MPEG files (.mp3, .mpg, .mus), QuickTime files (.aif), MS
Audio files (.asf, .wma), Ogg Vorbis (.ogg), Sound Designer II, FLAC (.flac), video files
(.mp4, .mov, .avi), and playlists (.m3u, .cue).
You can also load several files simultaneously. To do this, expand the selection via
"Ctrl + click" (just like with Windows Explorer), or select a range of files via "Shift +
click".
The option "Load all files in one project" opens all selected files as one large file with
the individual files being arranged one after the other. CD track markers are set at the
start positions of each individual file and assigned the same name as the file.
Clicking the payback button enables each audio file to be listened to in advance. If
"Auto Play" is active, this will happen automatically when you make a selection.
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Menu Reference 63
Open and append...

Works like "Open file", but the file is attached to the end of a file which is already open.
A CD Track Index is generated at the same time. This enables you to create a master
file for burning CDs.
Close
Closes the current file. If changes have been made, you will be asked if you want to
keep them.
Save
Saves the current file in the current file format. All changes that have been made to the
file are final and can no longer be undone.
Save as...
Saves the file under a new name and/or a different format. The original file is kept. It's
also possible to split the file into multiple files.
Tip: Use this feature to convert files to other formats!
In the upper part of the dialog you'll find a file explorer which you can use to set a new
name or target folder for the audio file(s). Under "Last storage location" you can
choose from a list of save locations that are already being used.
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File type: Here you can set the format for the exported file.
Tip: You can quickly save files in specific formats by using the save button
in the menu.
Format settings: Here you can access the configuration options for the format.
Export settings: Various options are available for selection under the button (see
below)
The changes to the settings will be applied to any subsequent exports.
Play back exported file: After saving, the media player is opened to test the results of
the export.
Format
Wave: The audio material is exported as a standard Wave file. This is the conventional
format for further use on Windows PCs. These files are not compressed and retain
their full sound quality.
FLACFLAC is the abbreviation for "Free Lossless Audio Codec". This is a freely savable
format that can be used to compress your audio data to 50% of their original size.
Unlike lossy compression methods like MP3 or OGG, the full sound quality is kept
intact with FLAC.
MP3: Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 contains a high-quality and extremely fast MP3
encoder. This can be used to save complete LPs including cleaning effects as MP3
files. You can also make an MP3 CD, and for that you can use the function "Burn data
CD/DVD".
For good quality, we recommend a setting of at least 192 kbps. Sound quality will
hardly be affected despite the compression. If you have memory to spare, full CD
quality can be retained at 320 kbps – at approximately 1/3 of the original memory.
This is ideal for building up a large high-quality music archive on your hard drive.
AAC: This is a modern competitor format to MP3, which is primarily used for portable
music players (iPod, etc.).
OGGOGG Vorbis files have all of the important characteristics of MP3 files, except
that they do not require any kind of licensing for their codecs. – They can be freely
decoded and encoded. Not all portable devices support this format.
AIFF: The audio material is exported as an AIFF file. This is the most commonly used
audio format for Apple™ computers.
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Menu Reference 65
Windows Media: Exports the arrangement as a WMA format file (Windows Media
Audio).
Format settings
Output format: Here you can set the output bitrate. The bit rate is the data stream
during playback of audio data. It is given in kilobits per second (kbit/s or kbps) and
also determined the file size. An MP3 file that is 3 minutes long and has a constant bit
rate of 128 kbit/s is ca. 2.8 MB in size.
Common bit rates for music are 192 kBit for good quality, 256 kBit and more for
excellent quality. For Internet streaming and speech recording (in mono), 128 kBit are
enough.
Encoder quality: The included MP3 encoder can be operated in three "Gears": An
especially quick ("Fast"), an especially powerful for high sound quality ("Highest"),
which however requires more time, and a compromise between the two.
Format: Here you can set whether your MP3 file is exported in Stereo or Mono format.
Variable bitrate: "Use VBR" adjusts the bitrate of the audio material, which means that
a lower bitrate will be used during quieter parts. Therefore, VBR files are smaller than
files of comparable quality without VBR. Instead of a constant bitrate there is a quality
setting. Not all playback programs can process VBR correctly, some will result in
problems during title length display or when rewinding.
ID3 editor: Opens a dialog, where you can set ID3 meta data for files to be exported.
Save selection...
Saves content of the current selection as a file.
Save copy as...

This command is similar to "Save as...", but opens the saved file in a new file window.
This copy of the file stays open in its window so that you have can undo actions and
edit slices if you need to. This serves as a form of back up for several versions of your
edits.
Save Regions
Saves all section of a file that are marked with regions as individual files. The file name
for the saved section is made up of the name that you enter and the region name.
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Save all
All open files are saved.
Extract audio from CD...

This function allows the import of audio data from CD/DVD drives. The data is
imported digitally which eliminates any loss in sound quality. CD tracks can be created
in all supported audio formats during import.
To import audio tracks in Sound Forge Audio Studio 12, follow these steps:
1. Open the "Extract audio from CD..." dialog in the "File" menu.
2. If you have more than one drive installed, click the button "Drive options" to open
the drive list dialog. Select the desired CD-ROM drive and then close the dialog
by clicking "OK".
Note: The name of the currently selected CD-ROM drive is displayed above the
button "Drive Options".
3. Select a title. For several titles use the Shift or Ctrl keys, for all titles click "Mark
all".
4. Click on "Copy selected CD tracks..."
5. Select a file name for the created audio file. Under "File type and "Format
Settings", you can select another file type as .wav in order to convert CD tracks
to formats such as MP3 during import.
6. By clicking "OK", the audio material is copied onto your hard drive from the CD.
A progress bar indicates the status.
7. Close the track and drive lists. The audio files containing the audio material
selected from CD are now opened in Sound Forge Audio Studio.
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Menu Reference 67
Track List Dialog
Copy Selected CD Tracks: Opens a save dialog where you can assign a name to the
resulting audio file. You can also selected a file type other than .wav under "File type"
and "Format settings" in order to convert the CD tracks to MP3s, for example, during
import. File options: Here you can determine whether all of the CD tracks will be
imported as a single file or each track as a separate file. In the case of separate files
you can select from various file name schemes in the list field. Click "OK" to start the
audio copy process.
Volume controller: Control the playback volume for the digital preview function of the
CD tracks here.
Reverse: Jumps to the previous track.

Play: Starts audio playback of the first selected track in the list.
Pause: Stops playback; start again later at the same position by pressing "Resume".
Stop: Stops playback.
Forward: Jumps to the next track.
Eject: This ejects the CD from the drive.
Read Start / Read End: This defines the read start and read end of the CD track. Isolate
the start and end points in the CD track progress display by dragging with the mouse.
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Select all tracks: Select all tracks in order to copy the entire CD. Track selection is
possible by pressing the Shift key and arrow keys. "Ctrl + mouse click" allows multiple
tracks to be selected.
freeDB Title Info: Clicking on this button takes you to the freeDB database where you
can display the title information for the selected track.
Drive Selection: Here you can select the disc drive to import from.
Read ISRC: This option reads the ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) for the
inserted CD. This is a 12-digit ID number that provides specific information like the
label's country of origin and company number, the release year, and a sequential title
number. The ISRC code is entered into the subcode when the CD is pre-mastered.
Text file: Exports all of the information listed as a text file.
Import CD Track Marker: If this option is activated, track markers will be

automatically placed at the beginning of the imported tracks.
Apply ISRC and Pause Indices: If you activate this option, you'll see the ISRC of the
imported track in the CD track marker of the Regions List even if you haven't activated
the option "Read ISRC". In addition, CD pause indices are also read and listed in the
Regions List.
Attach Video.../Remove Video...

You can create new media files by attaching video to an existing audio file or removing
the video stream from a video file.
If an audio file window is active, you can add a video file to the audio by using this
menu item.
• If the added video file already has an audio stream, it is discarded.
• The length of the audio file determines the total length. If the attached video is
longer, it is shortened; if it is shorter, black frames are added for the rest of the
audio file.
If a video file window is active, the menu command changes to "Remove video...". This
lets you extract the audio component from a video by loading the video in Sound Forge
Audio Studio and then removing the video portion.
Exit
Exits Sound Forge Audio Studio 12.
Keyboard shortcut: Alt + F4
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Menu Reference 69
Edit Menu
Undo
Undo and redo give you the freedom to experiment with your media. Edit to your
heart's content. If you change your mind, you can always undo your changes. If you
change your mind again, you can redo the undone edits.
Shortcut key: Ctrl + Z, Alt + Backspace
Restore
"Redo" recalls the step that was undone immediately before.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Z
Cut
Copies audio material in the selected range to the clipboard and deletes it from the
project. Audio material following it will be moved forward.
Shortcut: Ctrl + X
Copy
Copies the audio material in the selected range to the clipboard. Please note that any
previous contents in the clipboard will be deleted when you do this.
Shortcut key: Ctrl + C, Ctrl + Insert
Insert
Inserts the contents of the clipboard at the position of the mouse cursor; existing audio
material is shifted back.
Shortcut: Ctrl + V, Shift + Insert
Paste Special
The "Insert contents" submenu contains other options for inserting the contents of the
clipboard.
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Mix
Mixes the contents of the clipboard with the audio material at the cursor position.
The mix ratio can be set in the dialog. The "Paste" option corresponds to the normal
paste command (Ctrl+V).
You can load frequently used mix ratios under the presets and save your own ratios.
Shortcut key: Shift + M
Overwrite
Overwrites the audio file within the selection with the contents of the clipboard; as
opposed to normal pasting, the existing content is not shifted back.
The function can only be used when a range is selected and only overwrites the
content within the range. If the clipboard content is shorter than the selected range,
the rest of the range will remain unchanged.
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Menu Reference 71
Paste to New
Opens the contents of the clipboard in a new file window.
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + E
Trim/Crop
Removes all audio material outside of the selection.
Shortcut key: Shift + T
Delete (Clear)
Deletes the selected audio material. Audio material that comes after the deleted
material is pushed forward.
Shortcut key: Del
Select all
The entire audio material is selected.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Del, Ctrl + A, Ctrl + Num 5
Cut Regions
Cuts all sections of a file marked with regions. This also deletes the region markings.
Note: The clipboard will contain only the last region that has been deleted.
Trim Regions
Deletes all sections of a file that lie outside of a marked region. The regions remain
intact and border each other directly.
Invert Regions
Removes all existing region marking in sections not marked with regions (which
contain region markings).
The original region is reverted to if this action is carried out twice (but names for
regions are not recovered).
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Regions List
This submenu contains commands for editing markers and regions in the Regions List
(view page 55). This data can also be edited directly in the file window or the Regions
List; however, the commands here can be assigned shortcut keys (view page 149).
Process only left/right stereo channel

Editing can be limited to only one of the channels. These commands correspond to the
function of the loudspeaker icon below left in the file window.
Tool
Here you can select a tool to work with in the file window. For most tasks, the preset
Edit tool is sufficient. However, there are other modes available for specific tasks.
Depending on the mode, the function of mouse-clicks in the file window changes. The
current tool is indicated by the appearance of the mouse pointer in the track window.
Tip: Right-clicking any tool (except for the magnify tool, see below) opens a context
menu with commands from the editing and view menus.
Edit
The Edit tool is the preset tool. Use the Edit tool to select data and position
the cursor.
Position the cursor by clicking in the waveform. Click and drag to select a range in the
audio material for editing. Double-click in the waveform to select the entire waveform.
For more information about selecting ranges , please read the Selection (view page 36)
chapter.
Shortcut: Ctrl + D
Pencil (Waveform)
Repair short distortions such as crackling directly in the wave form of the
audio file by using the Waveform Pencil.
These distortions usually only last a few sample values, so you can use the mouse and
try to draw along the original waveform without the distortion. As soon as you click in
the waveform display with the pencil, it will automatically zoom in to display individual
sample values.
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Menu Reference 73
Tip: For standard vinyl record crackling, there is the special Declicker/Decrackler tool
located under Extras > Audio Restoration
Zoom In
Use the right mouse button to zoom out of the project, and click with the left
button to zoom into it.
In this mode you can also draw a rectangle around the area you want to zoom in on.
Tip: The Zoom In tool can also be temporarily activated by holding the Z key.
Spectral Editing
You can remove individual noises within the sound spectrum of the audio material
with the help of the "Spectral Editing" mouse mode.
The view of the data window will change to spectral display (view page 93). You can
create an area around the noise with your mouse. Its size is still adjustable
afterwards by simply stretching the handles on the frame.
Four buttons are located around the disturbances:
The upper Play button plays the corresponding part with effects applied; your
edits can be heard immediately.
Clicking the checkbox will include the edits in the audio material.
For comparison's sake, you can use the lower Play button to listen to the same
part without any effects.
Click the X symbol to cancel the edits. If you do this, no filters will be applied.
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Preview
By holding down the mouse button, the project can be previewed at the
point where the cursor is positioned.
The cursor follows the movements of the mouse. This tool is especially suited to
searching for specific parts in audio material. By varying the playback speed, it's
possible to quickly approach a position, but also to arrive at the exact position at a
reduced speed.
There are different scrubbing modes which you can set in the playback options (view
page 146) (Options > Settings > System Options > Playback).
Center Cursor
Places the cursor in the center of the file window.
This command does not actually move the cursor to a new position in the data
window; it simply redraws the display so that you will see the areas of the sound file
equally on either side of the cursor. If the cursor does not seem to center, the cursor
may be very close to the beginning or end of the sound file (and therefore cannot be
centered), or you may be zoomed out so the entire waveform is already visible.
Tip: If you have a range of data selected, you can switch the cursor between selection
points using the Home and End keys.
Shortcut: ., Num *
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Menu Reference 75
Go To...
This dialog lets you move the cursor to a specified position.
If necessary, the view will adjust to make the cursor visible. The (preset) option
"User-defined" lets you enter a specific position numerically. The input format can be
set to time or samples.
Under "Go to" you'll also find the predefined targets File Start, File End, Set Marker (if
applicable), Region Start Point and Region End Point, as well as the play cursor (the
latter merely moves the view).
Keyboard shortcut: Shift + G
Selection
The Selection submenu contains a number of commands for editing the selection
using shortcuts.
Snap to grid
Start and end of the selection will be moved to the nearest snap points.
Shortcut: T
Snap Edge to Grid

Moves only the range edge where the mouse cursor is located to the next snap point.
Tip: Pressing the Num5 key makes the cursor switch range edges.
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Note: Depending on whether you make a range selection from the left to the right, or
the other way around, determines if the cursor will be at the beginning or end of the
range. When you move one of the range edges with the mouse, it always jumps to
the end of the range.
Shortcut: Shift + T
Snap to Zero
Start and end of the selection will be moved to the nearest zero crossovers.
Note: This is done to prevent crackling during editing, which results from jumps in
value during an audio material sequence.
Snap Edge to Zero

Moves only the range edge where the mouse cursor is located to the next zero
crossover.
Extend to Next Zero

The start and end of the selection will be extended to the next zero crossing, meaning
that the start will be shifted to the next zero crossing in front of its initial position and
the end shifted to the next zero crossing at the end of the wave.
The function is almost identical to "Snap to Zero", but also ensures that none of the
original selection is lost during alignment. If no selection has been made, the command
will move the playback marker to the next zero crossing.
Shortcut: Z
Extend Edge to Next Zero

Extends only the range edge where the mouse cursor is located to the next zero
crossover. (Depending on whether the cursor is at the beginning or end of the range, it
will move the edge backwards or forward, respectively)
Shortcut: Shift + Z
Mark In/Out
This sets in and out points like those in cutting programs. Select "Mark In" or click I to
set the start of the range at the cursor position. Select "Mark Out" or press O to set the
end of the range.
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Menu Reference 77
Note: When O is set before I or has not been set, I = File start. For analog, when I is
set behind O, O = File end. You can use commands individually to define a range
from the file start to the cursor, or from the cursor to the file end.
Shortcut: Mark In I
Mark Out O
Halve/Double
Cuts the range length in half or doubles it.
Shortcut key: Halve ;

Double '
Move left/right
Moves the range to the left or right at a distance equal to the length of the range.
Shortcut key: Move range left <

Move range right >
Set...
In this dialog, you can set the selection to a specific range.
78
The (preset) option "User-defined" lets you enter a start and end position numerically.
The input format can be set to time or samples.
Under "Go to" you'll find the saved regions as well as the specified ranges Cursor to
File Start, Cursor to File End and All Sample Data. Under "Channels" you can limit the
selection to individual channels.
Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + D
Switch
Simply clicking inside the file window will relocate the cursor. Doing this will cancel
any existing range selection. If this happens by accident, you can use the "Switch"
command or the S key to restore the previous range selection (the light blue selection
on the timeline).
Note: Using the "Switch" command will also move the curser back to the range edge
it was on before. Using "Switch" again will deactivate the range again, but the cursor
will remain at its (new) position.
Shortcut: S, Num /
Deselect
Cancels any existing range selection.
Shortcut: Ctrl + H
Soft-Cut Mode
Switches Soft-Cut Mode (view page 41) on/off.
Crossfade Edit
Editing audio data creates slices (view page 44) which conatin borders that fade into
each other. The shape, length and position for a crossfade can be set in the crossfade
editor.
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Menu Reference 79
Crossfade length: The length of the crossfade can be set using the fader. The
crossfade length can also be defined by a selected range in the audio file. Before
openign the crossfade editor, mark a range and clicking on the "Get range" button in
the crossfade editor.
Fade In/Fade Out: There are lots of different curve types available for the crossfade:
• Linear
• Exponential
• Logarithmic
• Cosine
The faders can still be used to change the curves in the corresponding available range.
Move crossfade position: The crossfade will be moved together with all the following
audio material. When you use the < > keys step size 1 is used, with << >> step size 2.
These step sizes can be set under "Edit" > "Slice" > "Move Step Settings..." .
Go to crossfade: Switch to the previous or next crossfade using this button.
Play/Stop: This button starts playback in the selected range or at the cursor position.
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Slice
This submenu contains commands for easily managing slice positions and crossfades
(view page 44).
Split at cursor/selection
The audio material will be sliced in two at the marker. In the current range selection,
the audio material is sliced to both range edges, creating 3 slices.
Shortcut: Shift + S
Glue selected slice with previous/next slice
Splices the slice you have selected to the previous/ next slice. The "new" slice then
remains selected, so you repeat this function and glue more slices together.
Glue all slices (render crossfades)
All slices are spliced together with transitions (crossfades) between slices, creating a
single unified file again. This effect can also be achieved if you save the file: this will
undo slice gluing.
Select Slice at cursor/selection

Selects the slice under the playback marker or under a selected range for editing.
Shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + Alt + A
Select previous/next slice

Selects the previous/next slice.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + 3/4
Remove slice selection

Cancels the slice selection.
Shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + Alt + 2
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Menu Reference 81
Play Slice
Places the cursor at the beginning of the selected slice and plays the selected slice.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Spacebar
Move slice left/move slice right

The following commands are used to edit slice and fade positions with the keyboard.
They correspond exactly to the edits performed with the slice handles (view page 46).
Each movement is available in a smaller and a larger step size. The command for the
second step size is located in the "Move Step 2" submenu. You can set the step sizes
in the "Slice-Move Step Settings..." dialog.
Note: For more information, read the chapter entitled Slices (view page 44).
Command corresponds to Shortcut key

slice handle
Slice to left/right Ctrl + Alt + 5/6
Right slice to left/right Ctrl + Alt + 7/8

(right)
Slice start to left/right Ctrl + Alt + Q/W
Slice end to left/right Ctrl + Alt + E/R

(right)
Fade-in handle to left/right Ctrl + Alt + T/Z(Y)
Fade-out handle to left/right Ctrl + Alt + U/I
Slice content to left/right Ctrl + Alt + O/P

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You'll get the same actions with Step Size 2 with the according shortcut key + the Shift
key.
The shortcut key for setting the Slice-move step size is Ctrl + Alt + Shift +1.
Clear Undo History

Recent edits are saved and can be undone step by step by using the undo feature. This
feature can be used to delete the list.
Tip: You can change the number of saved undo steps in the program settings (view
page 147).
View Menu
In the View menu, you can adjust the zoom level of the active file window and open
various windows in the docking area.
Horizontal zoom (time)

Zoom in Full
Sets the zoom level to maximum in order to show individual sample values.
Zoom Out Full

Zooms all the way out in order to show the entire file in the window.
Tip: You can also double-click the scroll bar in the data window to do this.
Normal/Selection
"Selection" zooms the data window into the currently selected range. "Normal"
switches back to the last zoom level.
Shortcut key: Selection Ctrl + Up Arrow, Ctrl + Q

Normal Ctrl + Down Arrow
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Menu Reference 83
Zoom Level
Out Full
Zooms all the way out of the waveform so that the entire waveform can be seen.
Window/Selection
Zooms vertically into the waveform so that the waveform in the selected range is
enlarged to the maximum available height.
Rebuild graphic data

Display inaccuracies after complicated sample processing can be fixed by using this
menu option. The screen (window) will be cleared and redrawn to display the project
properly.
Explorer
Shows or hides the explorer (view page 52).
Shortcut: Alt + 1
Video Preview
Shows/hides the video preview window.
When you load a video file, the corresponding video picture will appear in the video
preview window. Right-clicking the video window lets you toggle the aspect ratio
between 4:3 and 16:9, select a range of video sizes and switch to fullscreen mode.
Tip: If video playback is jerky, decrease the size of the video window.
Shortcut key: Alt + 3
Time Display
Shows the time display (view page 54).
Visualization
Shows/hides a visualization window.

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The visualization screen displays the audio material graphically. The interface allows
you to design multi-visualizations individually. You can integrate the visualization
interface into the Docker (view page 60) or open it in its own window.
Normally the visualization is divided into several display windows. You can choose
from the following display options for each window: Peak meter (control display),
Phase Oscilloscope (vectorscope), Correlation meter, Direction meter,
Spectroscope, Spectrogram, Bit meter, Oscilloscope and Tuner.
The visualization display can be adapted easily to your personal presets. To do this
right-click on one of the visualization windows to open up a context menu where you
can change the window settings. The size of the window can be changed by dragging
its edges.
Device: Here you can set which output the visualization should refer to. With this
option you can determine which device should be displayed if multiple audio devices
are available.
Visualization layout: Here you can load the preset Layouts and save your customized
Layouts.
Reset this visualization (double-click): This resets the display of the current
visualization.
Reset (All): This resets all the displays of the opened visualization.
Presets: Here you can choose from various presets for the visualization display. If you
have already saved your own custom presets, they will also be displayed here.
Settings...: Click here to open the visualization settings dialog.
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Menu Reference 85
In the "Instrument" field, look for the desired display instrument. According to the
selection a range of presets is available in the preset list. Confirm your selection with
"Apply".
You can also load or delete the settings using the corresponding buttons.
Peak Meter
The (multi-) peak meter (Instrument multimeter) displays the volume during playback
in dB. The thinner, outer bars show the Program Peak Meter (PPM Meter) and the
thicker, inner bars display the VU meter, which you might be familiar with from analog
equipment.
Both meter displays are based on a standardized peak meter with precisely defined
display characteristics. The PPM meter displays the peaks of an audio signal, whereas
the VU meter displays the metered values over a specific metering time period.
If you only want to see either the PPM display or VU display, select the corresponding
display instrument.
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You can also determine the display configuration for Multimeter.
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Menu Reference 87
PPM-Meter
Headroom (dB): With this you can specify a level offset which will be globally added
before measuring. This is due to the fact that different systems are calibrated
differently. A value of 9.0 (IRT) e.g. ensures that the level is calculated with + 9 dB to
make sure that you have 9 dB more headroom available if your playback device is
accordingly calibrated.
Integration time - PPM (Mms): This constant ensures that the peak meter reaction
time is delayed by the set value, so the display doesn't appear quite as fast for
individual level peaks. The created lag is modeled on the analog behavior of old,
traditional peak meters.
Release time (dB/s): The lower the value, the slower the display bars of the peak
meter will move when descending. A typical value would be e. g. 13.3 which
corresponds to a release time of 1.5 seconds at 20 dB.
Peak hold (ms): With this value you can specify how long the level peaks should
remain.
Cut-off frequency (Hz): With this high-pass filter you can filter out the DC component
so that it doesn't affect peak meter measuring.
Clipping threshold (dB): This values indicates from which dB value clipping is
displayed, i .e. when the display hits the red.
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Minimum number of clipping samples: This value represents the number of

consecutive samples that are allowed to exceed the clipping threshold before the
display hits red.
Activate True Peak Measuring: In True Peak mode peak meter measuring is
performed with fourfold oversampling.
PPM-Meter Scale
You can choose different display options on this page.
Scale: Select from a range or different scale display settings. In the "Presets" you will
find a selection of peak meters with different scales and display characteristics based
on the standards in various European countries.
Reference level (Scale offset): Enter the value for the scale offset and reference level
here (PPM Meter > Headroom). The scale offset will be added to the reference level.
Minimum/Maximum: Here you can set the minimum and maximum display values.
You can restrict or expand the value range of the scale.
Color settings: Enter the colors and thresholds for clipping, critical, optimal and weak
ranges.
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Menu Reference 89
Note: If you define a threshold for the optimal range which is higher than the
reference level minimum, a defined color will be displayed for the weak range when it
falls below the set threshold level.
VU Meter
As with the PPM meter, if you open the tab you will have the following parameters
available: Headroom, Integration Time, Peak Hold and DC Filter Cut-off.
If you check the option +3dB IEC, The set headroom under "PPM Meter" -
standardized according to DIN IEC 60268 - will be increased by 3 dB.
You can also choose between the current peak hold display and the RMS value display.
VU Meter Scale
As with the PPM-meter scale, here you can select the display options and change the
color codes for the bar graph, which employs the same scale representation as the
PPM meter.
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L/R Oscilloscope (phase correlation):
Phase correlation provides information on the distribution of the stereo image in your
recording. A mono recording would be displayed as a vertical bar in this view. A song
produced in stereo is by contrast shown as "diffuse ball," because multiple instruments
were assigned to the mix in different panoramic positions.
The wider the display, the wider the stereo field of the recording. Please note, that a
broadening of the display implies more deletions, and in turn that the signal is not as
mono compatible.
If the signal display tends to be diagonal the stereo mix is not balanced. A channel
would be accordingly louder than the other.
In the settings dialog you can access the various grid settings. You can choose
between Mid/Side, L/R, Hybrid and a mode for measuring signals.
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Menu Reference 91
The image is correspondingly increased in pre-amplification mode, to ensure

readability. You can also switch off this mode and set a constant amplification factor
instead.
Using the "Speed" function you can set the rewind speed at which the curve is
dimmed.
Finally you can set the display color.
Correlation meter
With the correlation meter you can read phase offsets between the two stereo
channels, and examine how much has been deleted. If the signal display is in the left,
red area between 90° and 180° the signal will no longer be reproduced properly over a
mono receiver.
In the settings dialog you can select the colors for Mono and Stereo and mono
compatible ranges, threshold values for the ranges can be set too.
Direction meter
The direction meter displays the signal's detection direction. The width corresponds to
the correlation measurement.
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In the settings dialog you can select the colors for Mono and Stereo and mono
compatible ranges, threshold values can be set too.
Spectroscope
In the Spectroscope the signal is divided up into individual frequency ranges. The level
amplitude of each frequency band displays volume of the relevant frequency range.
This is a way of telling whether certain frequency bands are being strained.
Spectrogram
In the Spectrogram the signal is displayed as frequency proportions in a time curve.

The volume of frequencies is visualized by its brightness.
The spectrogram is designed to be able to immediately detect noise in your recordings.

Audible distortion noises are mostly louder than the music, and are usually limited to a
certain frequency spectrum. They are highlighted with colors in the Spectrogram.
In Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 you can remove unwanted noise with the help of
Spectral cleaning.
Bit Meter
The bit meter shows you the rate at which the signal is
being calculated at and which maximum editing rate is
possible.
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Menu Reference 93
Oscilloscope:
The oscilloscope displays the signal amplitude over the time curve.
Tuner
The tuner shows the respective pitch for the signal. Use the visualization to tune your
guitar or another instrument.
In the middle you will see the current pitch. The calibration marks show the deviation
between the played pitch and the exact pitch. Red triangles to the right and left show
the direction the strings should be tuned. If the tuning is exact, the triangles turn green.
In the default "chromatic" mode, the tuner tries to assign each played string to the
chromatic half-tone steps. You can select other conventional tunings for guitars,
basses and ukuleles from the list. Then, only the notes relevant in each corresponding
tuning will be recognized.
Regions List
Shows the Regions List (view page 55).
Spectral Display
Spectral display equates the X axis (horizontal) to the time dimension. In contrast to
the waveform display, whereby the height of the waveform only indicates the total
level of the signal, the spectral display shows the level of each of the audio signal's
individual frequencies. The actual level of each frequency is indicated by the color of
the points in the spectrogram image.
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The whole color spectrum is used to display the volume of individuals frequencies.
Pink indicates loud sounds in a frequency range, green indicates the areas with middle
volume and red the very quiet sounds (in the preset color palette). Black is used for
silence, and white for maximum volume. Different color palettes can be selected in the
menu "Options" > "Spectral display".
Spectral display of the audio enables specific disturbances in the audio to be detected.
Clicking is shown as vertical lines across the entire frequency spectrum; continuous
disturbing sounds are shown as horizontal lines.
This display also makes it easier to find sections in a song quickly, since instrumental
changes can be clearly seen in the spectrum. On the other hand, the waveform display
will not indicate changes if the volume level does not fluctuate.
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Menu Reference 95
Insert Menu
Markers
A marker is added at the cursor position. The markers are numbered consecutively by
default; double-clicking on the markers allows you to give them custom names.
Markers can be moved with the mouse.
For existing selections, the marker is placed on the same region edge as the cursor.
Tip: The Num5 key switches whether cursor is placed at the beginning or end of the
selection.
Double-clicking between two markers selects the duration as a range.
Markers can be further edited in the Regions List (view page 55).
Shortcut key: M
Region
Region markers are placed at the edges of the selected range. Regions are numbered
consecutively by default (markers and regions are numbered together);
double-clicking on the markers allows you to give them custom names. All markers
can also be moved using the mouse.
Double-clicking between two markers selects the duration as a range.
Regions can be further edited in the Regions List (view page 55).
Shortcut key: R
Set CD title index

Use this function to set a track marker at the position of the playback marker (index
makers). The numbers of previously set markers are adjusted automatically. Each title
of a CD requires a track marker, which is typically placed shortly before the track
starts.
To manage the markers or rename them, use the "CD title/index manager (view page
57)".
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Set CD sub index

Use this function to set a sub index marker. The numbers of previously set sub index
markers are adjusted automatically.
Sub index markers are not essential when creating a CD but are useful for marking
sections within an audio track.
Set CD Pause Index

The CD pause index is a special Sub index (Index 0). Choose this option to place a
pause marker at the current play cursor position.
Pause markers allow CD players to switch their output to absolute silence until the
next Track Marker. and to count backwards to the start of the next track.
Set CD end index

This marker indicates the end of the CD. Setting an end marker is not necessary - if
one is missing, the end of the file will be used as the end of the CD.
You can use the CD end marker to burn a file partially to CD. Remove all track markers
prior to the first track to be burned and then set the end marker after the last track to
be burned.
Silence...
This command inserts silence at the current playback marker or at the beginning of the
selected range; the audio material that follows is shifted back.
If a range is selected, its length is adopted as a guideline. The selection remains intact
even after the operation. It is possible to change the unit in the input field.
Synthesis
Simple
This dialog contains a powerful generator of (several) test tones.
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Menu Reference 97
Select RAM or HD as the type in mono or stereo at a resolution of 16-bit or 32-bit

float.
The following sample rates are available: 22050, 32000, 44100, 48000, 88200,
96000, 176400, 192000, and 384000.
As a waveform you have the choice between rectangle, triangle, sine, cosine, sawtooth
(upwards), sawtooth (downwards), white noise, pink noise, and brown noise.
You can specify the length in samples, milliseconds, or SMPTE code.
The frequency (Hz) and volume (dB) are the final two waveform parameters at your
disposal. The created signal can be further edited as an audio file or a virtual object.
98
Transport Menu
Record...
This command starts a recording in a new file.
More information on recording can be found in the chapter Record audio (view page
31).
Play
Start playback from the cursor position, by selecting from the start of the selection
range.
Shortcut: Spacebar, F12
Play All
Starts playback at the beginning of the file.
Shortcut: Shift + Spacebar, Shift + F12
Play Clipboard
Plays the contents of the clipboard.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar
Pause
Stops playback; the cursor remains at the current playback position.
Shortcut key: Enter, Ctrl + F12
Stop
Stops playback and places the cursor back at its starting position.
Shortcut key: Spacebar, F12
Tip: To switch the stop and pause functions of the spacebar and enter key, activate
the option "Spacebar and F12 Play/Pause instead of Play/Stop" in the playback
settings (view page 146).
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Menu Reference 99
Go to Start
Sets the play cursor at the beginning of the file.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Home
Go to End
Sets the play cursor at the end of the file.
Shortcut: Ctrl + End
Slice edge to left/right

Move the play cursor to the previous/next Slice edge
Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + 1/2
Pre-Roll to Cut/Cursor Start (In Point)

Plays a short duration up to the beginning of the selection.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + J
Play from cut/cursor start (In Point)

Plays a short duration from the start of the selection.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + J
Pre-Roll to Cut/Cursor End (Out Point)

Plays a short duration up to the end of the selection.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + L
Play from cut/cursor end (Out Point)

Plays a short duration from the end of the selection.
Shortcut: Ctrl + Alt + L

100
Preview Cut/Cursor
Plays a short duration up to the beginning of the selection and directly after the end of
the selection. This allows you to hear what it would sound like if the selection were
deleted.
Shortcut key: Ctrl +K
Playback into cut

Plays the selection as well as a short duration before and after the selection.
Playback Settings
See "Options" > "Settings..." > "Playback" (view page 146)
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Menu Reference 101
Process Menu
Contains general audio processing features.
DC Offset...
This function is useful if your sound card overlays your sample with a constant DC
offset during recording, which leads to crackling during playback or editing. (This is
pretty much always the case with recordings that use the integrated sound card of
your PC).
In Adaptive mode (preset) a variable, rather than constant, DC voltage is emanated.

On technical terms, all frequencies under 10 Hz are used as DC. If "Adaptive" is
deactivated, a constant DC is emanated. You can enter a minimum DC offset
threshold, which indicates where DC offset removal will kick in. You can also edit
stereo channels together to reduce computing time.
Fade...
This feature allows you to fade selected sample ranges in an audio file in or out. The
amplitude from the start value at the beginning or the range to the end value at the
end of the range will be changed.
The "Fade In" and "Fade Out" menu commands are shortcuts that allow you to quickly
set linear fade-ins and fade-outs from 0% to 100% of the volume (or the other way
around). "Graphic" opens a dialog where you can select any start and end values you
want and switch the curve progression between logarithmic, linear and exponential as
much as you want.
102
Tip: You can use the fade handles on slices (view page 44) and the Crossfade Editor
(view page 78) to easily make crossfades and change them at a later point in time.
Invert/Flip
This function inverts the sample data within the selected range along the amplitude
axis, i. e. the phase is inverted. Negative values become positive and vice versa.
This allows you to match recordings with different phases to one another. This feature
is reversible and can be applied to both channels in an audio file, or to just the left or
just the right channel.
Mute
The data in the selected range will be deleted. The data behind this will not be moved,
silence will be added behind the affected range. The length of the file stays unchanged.
Normalize
Use this feature to change the amplitude of the sample data. It will be amplified in
such a way that the highest amplitude that appears in the range is set to 100% (or
another value between 1% and 400%) of the value range. The maximum value will
first be determined and calculated using the selected percentage. All values are then
weighted by the new factor.
With this feature you can set samples to maximum gain or even overmodulate them
for targeted sound editing. Note that the noise level also rises during normalizing.
This feature is especially useful before converting high bit resolutions to lower ones.
This guarantees that the low dynamic range is made full use of at lower resolutions.
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Menu Reference 103
Note: If you experience very slight clipping during recording and then proceed to
normalize the material, you won't achieve the same quality as when you produce an
overmodulated recording. For example, if you only modulate half of the material, then
your recording will have a quality of 15-bit samples – normalizing to 100% will not
change anything.
Normalize to: Here you can set the value to which the audio material should be
normalized by entering it into the input field, moving the fader or selecting one of the
presets (50, 95, 100 or 200%). The value can be entered in % or dB. 100% = 0 dB =
full level. Values above 0 dB will cause digital clipping.
Maximum Level: Displays the highest peak in the selected range.
Peak Change: Displays the level change in dB, in accordance with the selected
normalize level and the detected peak maximum.
Normalize (Quick Access)

Quick normalization to 100% without having to open the dialog.
Shortcut key: Normalize Shift + N
Quick Access N
Resample...
This feature lets you change the sample rate of an audio file.
If the sample rate is increased, the change is made almost completely without loss.
However, the required disk space does increase.
104
If you reduce the sample rate, you'll lose overtones. Cutting the sample rate of a 44.1
kHz sample in half to 22.05 kHz limits the frequency response of the resulting signal to
11.025 kHz. The frequency response always corresponds to half of the sample rate.
Quality
Here you can specify, what quality Anti-aliasing filtering or Reconstruction filtering
should be used when increasing or decreasing the sampling rate.
Standard: Here the linear-phase UTR – "Ultra Transparent Resampling" algorithm is

used. This is a relatively new resampling algorithm for considerably faster and even
better linear-phase, high-quality resampling. The quality of resampling also benefits
from the new algorithm, since calculation in higher quality stages is now even more
precise.
High: In addition to the "Standard" quality level, this algorithm works at a higher filter
setting. Doing this increases CPU load.
Very high: In addition to the "Standard" quality level, this algorithm works at a
considerably higher filter setting. This setting is only meant for use with 32-bit float
files because the maximum possible artifacts from aliasing are below 96 dB.
Reverse Play
With this feature, the sample data in an audio file within the selected range along the
timeline is reversed so that it can be played from the end to the beginning.
Smooth/enhance...
This feature allows you to add or remove high-frequency content to/from an audio file.
Drag the Operation slider toward "Smooth" or "Enhance"
The "Smooth" feature will smooth fast-changing transients in a sound and is useful for
removing glitches.
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Menu Reference 105
The "Enhance" feature boosts the very highest frequencies (close to the Nyquist
frequency, i.e. 1/2*sample rate) in the sound file, making the sound file sound more
vivid. It is useful for compensating for the effects of downsampling or for bringing out
very fast transients in a sound file.
Note: Since the Enhance feature boosts frequencies near the Nyquist frequency, the
current sample rate will determine what frequencies will be affected. At 44,100 Hz,
the effect can be very subtle.
Swap Channels
This feature lets you swap the right and left channels on stereo samples in order to
correct channel swapping that may have occurred during recording.
This feature can be reversed, i. e. if you don't re-select the range, opening it again will
restore the original material.
Time Stretch...
The pitch shifting/time stretching/resampling editor opens. This effect can change the
tempo and pitch of the audio material separately.
Algorithm: Selects the applied time stretching process.
Time factor calculation: All algorithms in this dialog apply a time factor as the input
parameter. The input fields for the group "Time factor calculation" enable convenient
detection of the time factor from the desired new length or a new tempo in BPM in
relation to an old tempo (required beforehand).
Pitch (semitones): For any algorithm except resampling, the pitch can also be set
independent of the tempo. Use the pitch fader beside the time factor to experiment.
106
Preview/Original: With "Preview" you can immediately control the result of the
algorithm. "Original plays the unedited material for comparison.
Algorithms for timestretching/pitchshifting

• Élastique Pro:This algorithm is used by default and provides optimal results for
most audio material.
• Élastique Efficient: This is a version of the algorithm that saves computer power
and has reduced sound quality as a result.
• Monophonic voice: Timestretching and pitchshifting for vocal solos, speech, or
solo instruments. The material must not contain background noise, and excessive
reverb may also be detrimental to the use of this method. With suitable material
the audio quality is very high. The "Correct formant factor" option preserves
formants if pitches are changed. These are characteristic basic frequencies of the
voice that are independent of the pitch that is sung. In other words, the
characteristic discoloration of pitch ("Mickey Mouse") effect does not occur in
this case. The formants, however, can be shifted by +/- 12 half tones. This
achieves suitable vocal distortions. Beat markers are not evaluated.
• Resampling: Pitch shift and tempo cannot be changed individually. This method
requires considerably less CPU time. If the pitch is increased or the sample is
shortened, then resampling is almost completely free of loss, and the sample
material will suffer almost no damage. In other cases, resampling causes loss of
overtones. For example, if the length of a 44.1 kHz sample is doubled, then the
frequency level of the result will be limited to 11.025 kHz. The sound is the same
as when the playback speed of a record player or tape recorder is changed.
Volume
The Volume dialog allows you to change the volume of a selection.
Attention: Excessive volume increases may cause distortion. You can also use the
Normalize dialog to maximize the volume of a sound file. This will calculate the
maximum level increase that does not result in clipping.
Drag the Gain fader to adjust the volume of the selection:

• Positive values boost the volume.
• Negative values attenuate the volume.
• A value of negative infinity (-Inf.) mutes the selection (0%).
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Menu Reference 107
Effects Menu
This menu contains all the effects included with the program that can be used to
modify sound.
Amplitude Modulation...
Use the command "Amplitude Modulation" to modulate volume for the input signal
with a waveform. Different waveforms are possible: Sine, Square, Sawtooth, Triangle
and Random. The frequency of the modulation can be adjusted to create effects within
the range varying from a slow tremolo to unusual sound distortions.
Rate: Sets frequency for the Modulator waveform that will be applied to the input
signal. To achieve a slow tremolo, use a low frequency. Higher frequencies will create
extreme sound distortion. As frequencies exceed 20 Hz, modulation is audible not as a
change in amplitude, but as additional frequency side bands.
Shape: Distorts the Modulator waveform. E.g. Pulse width will be used for Square.
Depth: Controls Modulation strength, i.e. the strength of the waveform on the
amplitude for the signal.
In/Out: Controls input and output level for the effect.
Note: As frequencies exceed 20 Hz, modulation is audible not as a change in

amplitude, but as additional frequency side bands.
108
Chorus/Flanger...
This plug-in offers a simple way to make signals sound more interesting, "spacier",
thicker, etc. by modulating or delaying the pitch - the classical domain of application is
for guitars, Hammond organs, electric pianos, or synths.
Chorus and flanger are two closely related effects, which are combined into a single
plug-in. They normally differentiate in terms of delay time, type of modulation, and
degree of internal feedback.
Mode:
• Chorus: Compared to mono chorus, two copies of the original are created,
modulated against each other in pitch, and then fed accordingly to the set mix
ratio to the left and right output channel.
• Flanger: In contrast to the Chorus Effects the lower delay periods and a slightly
changed modulation are processed.
• Ensemble: This creates a denser chorus, similar to Boss/Roland CE-1: Instead of
two voices, six are generated. Two internal sine LFOs for de-tuning, whereby for
both LFOs the second and third voice phase length by 120°. This results in a
denser-sounding effect that is also less warped.
Frequency: This specifies the speed of the modulation. Lower rates provide slight
hovering effects, and high speeds produce a wobbling, typically distorted "underwater"
sound.
Depth: This parameter specifies the depth of the modulation, i. e. the maximum
deviation of the modulation and the resulting pitch bending.
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Menu Reference 109
Phase offset: This fader moves the right channel's oscillator phasing relative to the left,
wave is put back to the right. So that the Tremolo effect drifts apart in the stereo field
with ever increasing values. At 180° both oscillators work in reverse, therefore the
stereo effect is at its strongest.
Feedback: This parameter defines the portion of the delay that is sent back to the
input. Feedback causes the effects of modulation to be more drastic and cutting.
Nullification of the feedback is set at the middle of the fader. Set to the right, the
feedback is fed to the input equi-phasal; to the left, the feedback occurs. Both variants
may sound very different depending on the signal, since they prefer different frequency
ranges for dissonance.
Dry/Wet: Regulates the mix ratio of the original signal and the delayed portion.
IN / OUT: Here you can set the input and output level.
Delay...
You can use the Delay effect to create subtle ambiance, slap-back echoes, and
interesting effects.
Delay: This fader sets the delay between single echoes or the original signal and the
first echo in milliseconds.
110
Feedback: Sends a portion of the output of the right channels back into the input of the
delay line, which create repeating echoes. The higher the percentage value, the longer
the length of the repetitions.
Effect/Original: Set the mix ratio from the original signal to the effect signal in
percentage here.
Distortion...
Distortion is the virtual simulation of a tube amp and can be used to create pleasant
and "warm" sounding distortion.
Input EQ: This knob (called "Tilt" or "Level" on some devices) controls the effect of a
soft, passive 6 dB filter for prefiltering signals before the (first) tube stage. If turned to
the left the bass is emphasized and the highs are dampened. To the right the inverted
filtering happens. With this filter the signal can be correspondingly processed before
"Warming up" by selecting the prominent of desired section. Compared to a standard
EQ the effect of this filter is more subtle, but it does possess a high 'musicality', by the
internal circuitry and also because of the slightly different phase response.
Gain: This sets the entire amplification factor. If two two tube stages are selected
using 'stages', the available gain is divided by two and is distributed equally over both
stages.
Output EQ: Operation and function is like Input EQ, however, this filter is placed
behind the (second) tube stage.
Stages: In signal section 1 the signal only passes through the tube stage. In the second
stage two stages are cascaded. This divides up the available gain. This increases the
signal complexity and any tube artifacts.
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Menu Reference 111
Class A/AB: Optionally, a simple gain stage with asymmetric reference line (Class A)
or symmetric AB mode. In the A-mode odd and even harmonics emerge, the sound
image is similar to a 'warm' tube guitar amp. In the AB section only uneven harmonics
are created. The sound image is somewhat 'colder', but more transparent with
complex materials and can also be driven louder.
Oversample: If this switch is active, the virtual tube stages are controlled with one-to
four-times the project sampling rate, i.e with an internal sampling rate of 176 - 192
kHz.
Dynamics...
With Dynamics you can reduce the dynamic of your audio signal and, hence, the
differences between quiet and loud signals. This allows you to turn up the overall
signal higher without exceeding the available headroom and causing unwanted
distortion. The result is more presence and punch in your audio signal.
Threshold: This sets the response threshold for regulation. For example, -20dB means
that the input signal is only compressed once it reaches -20dB; below this level, no
change or hardly any change will take place. Note that this plug-in deals with the
threshold window independent of the program. It can be the case that a small
regularization has already taken place at -25 dB. This so-called soft-knee characteristic
ensures a soft, musical compression process.
Attack / Release: This parameter specifies how quickly the compressor responds
when the threshold is reached (Attack) or how quickly the signal applies normal
amplitude once the signal drops below this level (Release). The transient time settings
can be defined in a wide range. Note that due to the adaptable plug-in leveling, actual
times may differ. This semi-automatic process favors quick adjustment without
112
causing dreaded artifacts (rough sound image with rushed regulation, overly
low/inefficient compression with long time constants).
Ratio: This parameter regulates the compression ratio. For example, a value of 10:1
means that when the threshold level is reached, the input level is increased by 10dB,
while the output is only 1dB louder. A lower compression, e. g. 2:1, is recommended for
subtle compression, while 50:1 produces a very hard limiting that cannot be made
inaudible by even the most transparent compressor.
Side chain filter: This fader determines the application/middle frequencies which are
used to filter the control signal for level detection. The filter works selectively as a
high-pass, band-pass or low-pass filter. In many cases, weighting of the detection is
good for optimizing the leveling process. Thus, for example, "high-pass" filtering
enables complex sources (drums or sum signals) to achieve consistent regulation
without typical pumping artifacts, since the process is mainly activated by mids and
highs. The properties of the detector circuit can be drastically changed by means of the
filter type switch. Listen SC is used to listen to the detector signal.
soft clip: Soft clip circuit is switched on directly at the output in order to catch any
clipping.
Elastic Audio (Pitch Bend)...

Elastic Audio is a specialized editor which lets you change the pitch of audio material.
The pitch envelope can be drawn, allowing you to edit the temporal progression of the
pitch changes in detail.
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Menu Reference 113
Editing can be done with a free-hand curve, quantized "step" curves, or using the
Curve Bend tool. The “curve smooth” tool enables the equalization of the automation
curve. This smoothes pitch curve value changes that are too steep during playback.
Graphical display overview

Y-axis: Displays the pitch shift in semitone steps (within the range of -24 to +24
semitones).
Orange curve: Editable pitch and automation curve as relative detuning of the original
note.
Dark blue line: 0-line as a reference for the edited pitch curve.
Elastic Audio Control Elements

View
Waveform: This turns the waveform display on and off.

Zoom buttons: Here you can save the zoom depth and position of the current window
view. Buttons 1-4 or numbers 4, 5, and 6 on the number pad can be used to save
presets. These correspond to the zoom buttons 1, 2 and 3. There is no assignment to
the number pad for the fourth zoom button.
Save zoom levels:

Shortcut: Ctrl + Numeric keypad 4
Ctrl + Numeric keypad 5
Ctrl + Numeric keypad 6
The numbers 4, 5, and 6 on the number pad can be used for the first three zoom
buttons.
Get zoom level:

Shortcut: Numeric keypad 4
Numeric keypad 5
Numeric keypad 6
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Clicking on the zoom button while holding down the Shift key overwrites the last zoom
level.
Clicking on the button while holding down the Ctrl key opens only the horizontal
position of the respective zoom level.
Zoom 100%: Horizontally zooms the entire audio material of the currently loaded
track.
Refresh: This updates the graphical display of the material. Resulting changes to length
are adapted.
Edit object
Algorithm: You can choose between the modes élastique Pro, élastique Efficient,
Resample and Monophic Voice.
Detailed information about these algorithms is provided under "Process" > "Time
Stretch...".
Curve smoothing: This parameter brings about the smoothing of the given pitch curve
using a time constant (in ms). When smoothing to a large extent, even jump-like
pitch shifts are changed to a "glissando".
Reset: Here you can undo all changes made to automation curves or the tuning of
selected objects.
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Menu Reference 115
Toolbar
Several tools are available for processing the pitch envelope. It is possible to select
different tools for the left and right mouse buttons. The tool assigned to the left mouse
button turns blue; the function assigned to the right button is marked in red. To make
an assignment, click with the corresponding mouse button on the desired console
button. Only in the case of the zoom tool are both mouse keys automatically assigned
functions.
Selection Tool (arrow): Use this tool to move slice objects (see "Cut") vertically. This
modifies the pitch of slice objects as a whole. Slice objects and curve handles can also
be selected, and a slice object lasso can be dragged out by holding down the left
mouse button and drawing a rectangle around the objects you want to select. Multiple
selection is possible with the Ctrl or Shift key.
Freehand drawing function: You can use the Pencil Tool to draw the pitch curve freely.
If you press the Shift key, a straight line is drawn from the starting position to the
current position of the mouse. If the Ctrl key is pressed, the slice objects are combined
when you draw.
Pencil Tool for Quantized Drawing: Quantized drawing means that the drawn line is
vertically gridded at half steps.
Drawing a straight line using the Shift key and compiling slice objects with the Ctrl key
is also possible in quantized draw mode.
Rubber Handle Tool: You can use this tool to bend the pitch envelope between two
neighboring handles. Here the range between the curve handles is moved, the handles
themselves remain unchanged. The curve is bent inwards at the handle point. In
combination with moving the curve handles at the Slice Object's boundaries you can
bend the tone envelope and thereby maintain the microtonal structures (vibrato).
Double-clicking an edited position like this opens a dialog box in which you can see the
pitch changes in cents and adjust them.
Cut: Use this tool to manually split the audio material into slice objects. To recompile
slice objects, use the pencil tool to drag along the slice while holding down the "Ctrl"
key.
Eraser: Use the eraser to reset the output value of the orange curve. The pitch
envelope will correspond to its original curve again.
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Navigation Tool: Use the Navigation Tool to move the visible selection vertically and
horizontally.
Zoom Tool: Click with the left mouse button to zoom into the display; zoom out with
the right mouse button. By clicking and dragging you can stretch a range which will
then be displayed as a zoom range.
EQ
Graphic...
The graphic equalizer subdivides the frequency spectrum into ten areas (bands) and
equips them with separate volume controls. This makes it possible to create many
impressive effects, from a simple boosting of the bass to complete distortion. Note: If
low frequencies are boosted too much, the overall sound level is heavily increased,
which may cause distortion. In this event, adjust the overall volume downward by
using the "Output Gain" controller.
Band coupling: Using this feature randomly combines the frequency ranges with each
other in order to avoid artificial-sounding overemphasis of an individual frequency
range.
Simple...
The simple version of the EQ divides the frequency spectrum into only 3 bands. Using
the "EQ/Original" controller, you can set the mix to the editing signal or the unedited
signal.
Gate...
This effect can be used to remove noises in the pauses between audio material, e.g. a
pause in speech during commentary. When the signal level falls below a certain
threshold, the entire audio signal is faded out. The assumption is that there is no
wanted signal present. The noise gate can be used in situations for original audio
recordings with noise that is so strong that it cannot be removed using the DeNoiser
without leaving the wanted signal muffled and hollow. For certain types of instrument
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Menu Reference 117
recordings it is also not a good idea to remove all of the "dirtiness" from the sound, e.g.
distorted guitar. With the gate you can at least clean up the sound during the pauses.
The Gate is operated in much the same way as the Dynamics effect.
Threshold: This fader defines the threshold beneath which the gate should be applied.
Soft knee: Normally the Gate has a hard characteristic, i. e. below the threshold this
signal is cut hard, in addition it is transmitted in an unchanged form. "Hard Knee" deals
with abrupt transitions. "Soft Knee", however, allows the signal to be modified by
"gating" in the pass so that transitions can be softer and less detectable. This is
particularly recommended for work with acoustic instruments such as drums where
the signal levels can fluctuate a lot.
Attack: Regulates the attack time from the closed gate to the point at which signal is
let through again.
Release: Sets the time that the gate requires to go from a normal state to gating.
Range: Here you can set the gating strength. When it is set fully to the right, the signal
beneath the threshold is cut out completely. Subtly attenuating the signal can remove
background noises or breathing from vocal tracks. Where necessary, the process can
be attenuated even further by switching on the soft knee mode.
Side chain filter: Operation is the same as the dynamics effects (view page 111).
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Limiter...
This effect is a simple yet effective tool for increasing the loudness of your audio
signal. This creates a compressed, but loud, signal without allowing the defined output
volume to be exceeded. The limiter operates with a soft curve and an adaptive
regulator that ensures that the sound remains absolutely musical.
Threshold: This sets the threshold; the effect will be applied above this level.
Release: This sets the time frame between the point when the signal drops below the
threshold and the complete reduction of the effect.
Clip Gain: This sets the amplification factor.
Peak vs. RMS: Here you can choose whether to display the eFX_Limiter peak levels
(slider completely to the left) or the RMS levels (slider completely to the right). You
can also set the display between peak level and RMS values to any ratio you like.
SC Low-Cut: This sets the filter frequency of a high-pass filter for the internal sidechain
signal. Signal components below this frequency will be filtered out.
Auto Makeup Gain: Here you can set the automatic tracking of the output
amplification during level reduction in order to maintain compression at the same
maximum level. The volume difference expected from the set working parameters is
determined and applied as an output factor after master regulation. If you prefer to
adjust the level reduction and amplification manually, you can deactivate this feature.
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Menu Reference 119
Resonant Filter...
The Resonant Filter plug-in makes it possible to restrict the range of a sound using
low-pass, band-pass, or high-pass filtering, and then boost and add oscillation to the
resonant frequency.
Drag the Frequency slider to set the frequency at which the filter oscillates (rings).
Depending on how the Filter Type radio buttons are set, frequencies below this
frequency will be played (Low Pass), the frequency band will be played (Band Pass), or
frequencies above this frequency will be played (High Pass).
Drag the Resonance slider to set the level of the effect.
Drag the Dry/Wet slider to set the balance of the processed and unprocessed signals
mixed into the output.
Filter order: "Second" applies a second-order filter (12 dB per octave) for low-pass and
high-pass filters. "Fourth" applies two second-order filters in series (24 dB per octave).
This setting will produce higher peaks and a more pronounced effect.
Attention: Higher resonance values can quickly lead to clipping. Lower the volume, if
needed, before using the effect!
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Reverb...
The reverb effect offers realistic reverb algorithms to add more room depth to your
recording.
You can control the sound of the reverb effect using the following parameters:
Room Size: Defines the size of the room (or the system for the plate and spring). The
larger a room, the longer the sound travels between walls or objects. With some low
"size" settings you can also reduce the distance between the individual reflections.
This allows resonance to develop (accentuated frequency ranges), which can sound
oppressive if the reverb sustain is too long.
Tone Quality: You can manipulate the sound characteristics of the effect to an extent.
The effect of this controller depends on the used preset. In rooms, "tone quality"
controls the dampening of the highs in the reverb (from dark to bright) as well as
pre-filtering of the signal. With plate and spring presets, this fader determines the
dampening of the basses as well.
Reverberation Time: With this knob you can adjust the reverberation time and
determine how much of it will be absorbed and, simultaneously, the reverb's decay.
Pre-Delay: The reverb portion ("Mix") and the early reflections play a big role in the
spatial perception of the sound. Here the time required for the perception of the early
reflection is know as "pre-delay". For sound sources that are close, the reverb portion
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Menu Reference 121
is usually low, and the early reflections reach the ear noticeably later than the direct
sound. By contrast, sound sources that are far away usually have a high reverb portion,
and the early reflections reach the ear almost simultaneously with the direct sound.
The length of the pre-delay can be used to influence the perceived "distance" between
the sound source and the listener.
Effect/Original: This controller sets the mix ratio between the original and the edited
signal. For rooms, you can move a signal further into the room by increasing the effect
share.
Note: The presets contain basic settings for different room algorithms which can be
varied with the parameters above. The presets need to be used in order to achieve all
the reverb effect variations.
Stutter...
The Stutter effect works by periodically muting the sound signal. Using longer Silence
and Sound times produces a noticeable stuttering effect. As the period decreases, the
stutter becomes unnoticeable, and instead adds overtones to the sound. Very short
periods produce a pitching effect.
Silence: Set the duration of the muting that is applied periodically to the signal.
Sound: Set the duration of the sound output between periods of muting.
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Dry/Wet: Set the balance of the processed and unprocessed signals mixed into the
output. Select 100% for an audible stutter effect. For more subtle sound effects with
very short periods, use this feature to control the intensity of the effect.
If you're working with a stereo file, select the Channel Offset check box to cause the
stutter to alternate between the left and right channels, which serves to widen the
sound.
Plug-Ins Menu
All installed plug-ins are sorted in this menu, along with all the plug-ins found by
Sound Forge Audio Studio 12.
VST plug-ins can be used for effects calculation in Sound Forge Audio Studio 12. This
allows you to use almost any effect algorithms and VST instruments from third-party
developers in addition to the effects included in Sound Forge Audio Studio 12.
Installing Plug-Ins
Install every VST plug-in according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
VST instruments and VST effects are not added to the Windows Registry; rather, they
must be installed in a specific folder.
Following installation, have Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 scan for new plug-ins (see
below).
Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 will search for installed VST instruments in the "VST
plug-ins" program subfolder. You can either install your VST instruments in this folder
or use any other path to an already existing folder. If you already have VST plug-ins
installed on your system, it is best to use the existing folder. You can enter the path in
the subdialog "Effects" > "VST" (view page 152) in the program settings ("Options" >
"Settings...").
Following the scan, all the plug-ins that were found that can be used in Sound Forge
Audio Studio are displayed in the menu. VST3 plug-ins are sometimes assigned a
category by the manufacturer. This category is detected by the program and used to
categorize the plug-ins in submenus at the very top of the plug-ins menu. All other
plug-ins are listed after in the VST-FX menu. If there are VST plug-in subfolders in the
main VST folder (e. g. "Equalizer", "Filters", "Modulation", etc.), these will be displayed
there as submenus.
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Menu Reference 123
VST Plug-in Editor

The Editor contains three views, the plug-in dialog, the GUI (graphical user interface)
of the plug-in itself, the parameter view and the standard parameter view. The
parameter view is either automatically activated when the VST plug-in does not have
its own GUI or can be used if the GUI of the plug-in is too unclear or takes up too much
space on the screen. The parameter view displays eight parameters of the plug-in as
sliders. The standard parameter view displays all parameters as sliders. You can switch
between these views in the Plug-in menu.
Load/save patch/bank: The instrument settings can be saved and loaded in the patch
formats typical for VST plug-ins (*.fxp) and bank formats (*.fxb).
Random parameters: This function can serve as a useful source of inspiration. If using
it, however, please save the preset you have just created first, as the program does not
ask you for confirmation before applying this function.
Program menu: Here you can select the included plug-ins or the presets loaded via the
plug-in menu.
Selection: Switch the range selection in the file to "All" for previewing the effect. Click
"Original" to restore the selection you want to edit.
124
VST Plug-In Rack

The plug-in rack lets you apply multiple plug-in effects at once and save these
combined plug-ins and their respective settings as a preset.
Add VST plug-in: Opens the plug-in selection menu.
On/Off: The respective activated effect or the activated plug-in can be switched on or
off by clicking on this checkbox in front of the effect/plug-in.
Edit: Opens the dialog of the selected effect/plug-in. Another way to open an effect or
plug-in dialog is to right-click on the name of the effect or plug-in.
Delete: Removes the plug-in.
Move: Change the position of an effect or plug-in with the up/down arrows.
Crossfade: Activates the Auto Crossfade mode. Short crossfades are applied between
the effects editing and the rest of the audio material.
Bypass all: Temporarily deactivates all effects.
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Menu Reference 125
Tip: The rack can be closed intermittently. The plug-ins are kept in place for when
you want to use the rack again. The rack is also good for temporarily saving the
settings of a specific plug-in if you want to use it more than once in different areas of
the project.
Scan VST Folder for New Plug-Ins

When you start Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 for the first time after installing new
plug-ins, you can run a plug-in scan here. The program scans for new plug-ins in the
directory specified under "Options" > "Settings..." > "Effects" > "VST" (view page 152)
and adds them to the menu.
In the settings you can also use the option "Scan user and system VST folders
automatically for new plugins" to run an automatic scan for plug-ins each time the
program is started. This can slow down the program start considerably, especially if
you have a lot of plug-ins installed.
VST Setup...
Opens the program settings under Effects > VST (view page 152).
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Extras Menu
Burn audio CD
This menu item lets you burn the current audio file to CD. The right CD track marker
must be set first. More information can be found in the section Region List (view page
55).
"On the fly": Use this mode if you want to write a CD directly from the project. Here all
necessary calculations are made in real-time during the burning process.
Generate a complete new file for the whole CD: Use this function to create the CD in
case the computer is not fast enough to burn on-the-fly. This mode calculates your
project including all effects and creates a new file. Make sure there is enough space on
your hard disk for this file (ca. 700 MB for a complete CD).
Burn MP3 CD/DVD: All tracks are exported as individual MP3 files according to the
selected format options and then loaded into the MAGIX Speed burnR tool. Here you
can load more files or begin burning a data CD.
Dithering: Detailed information about dithering options can be found in "Options >
Preferences > "Dithering" (view page 151).
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Menu Reference 127
Show TOC...
This button leads to the TOC (table of contents) dialog.
Under "Display" you can select what extra information should be displayed.
• Pause
• Track Flags / ISRC
• Sub-index position in the Track
Under "Length calculation" you can select the "CD track length includes pauses"
checkbox. This means that the time span between CD pause index and CD track index
is factored into the length of the track.
The following measurement units are available: "CD MSF", "Hours/Min/Sec" and
"Min/Sec/Millisec".
Using the "External editor" button you can call up a text editor of your choice, in which
the TOC information should be opened.
128
"Sonic Style" displays the TOC information in another layout. You can enter a working
advice for the pressing plant in "Client/Label" field as well as the "Working order" field.
With the "Adopt" button, this information will be included in the CD contents.
TOC Export
Clicking on the „TOC Export“ button saves the information from the CD content folder
in a *.toc file (view page 127).
Burn CD
CD-R Recording Options
Simulate recording: Use this option to test the various write speeds.
Prepare CD-R for additional data session(s): The audio CD is not finalized and data
may be added to it by an external burn program.
Note: The non-final audio CD should not be used as a multi-session disc. Use it as a
blank disc with less capacity.
Activate Burn Proof: This option activates a quantization check after the burning
process.
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Menu Reference 129
Burn with CD Text: CD text information is saved in the CD audio format for export via
the "Load audio CD track(s)" function.
CD Text Settings: This opens the CD-Text/MP3 ID editor.
Note: Windows Media Player (up to version 10) cannot analyze CD-Text
information.
CD Track/Index Manager
Opens the CD track/Index manager (view page 57).
CD disc options
This dialog opens the settings for the current CD.
CD title: The title which will be written to the CD with the CD text.
UPC/EAN Code: The EAN code (European Article Code) is a 13 digit number which is
used in retail. The 12 digit UPC (Universal Product Code) is exclusively used in Canada
and America and can, if necessary, be extended with a final '0'.
Number of first CD track: Under some circumstances (such as "track at once"

writing), the title number of the first CD track may be set. This is not important in "disc
at once" mode, since the CD will always start with title no. 1.
Allow bonus tracks before track 1: If this option is active, a so-called "hidden track"
may be burned on the CD. The first track marker will now be applied to the second
audio object. The "hidden track" may only be accessed on standalone CD players via
the "STEP BACKWARD" button.
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CD Text Editor
Here you can enter text information for the CD you want to burn. CD track names are
transferred from the CD track marker's labeling in the project. All the information is
also contained within the project, but in this dialog window you also have the option to
save all entries in a separate file. (*.cdt)
Note: The number of maximum available characters for the entire CD is 2824.
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Menu Reference 131
ID3 editor
In the ID3 editor dialog, you can enter information such as artist, album, year and
genre. This info will be included as ID3 tags when the file is exported as an MP3. This
data is used by databases and search functions in music management software.
Track name/artist/album/year/genre: More details about the tracks (ID3 tags).
Apply to all: Applies all entries apart from track names to all the tracks in the project.
This way you can standardize information which is imported from different files, e.g.
the spelling of an artist's name etc.
Write ID3 tags to original files: If you have loaded MP3s that contain ID3 tags, you
can use this button to ensure that the MP3 file is rewritten with the corresponding ID3
editor data without exporting this separately.
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Metadata editor
You can save metadata such as comments, featured artists and other information
about the audio files in this dialog.
Data that will be required again in future, such as your name or the engineer or
copyright details, can be entered and saved for future use with "Save data for later...".
This data can then be entered in other projects via the "Get saved data" button.
Note: This data cannot be transferred to a new file when you select "Save as..." or
when exporting in another file format. We recommend you enter this data only at the
end of your project.
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Menu Reference 133
Statistics
The statistics dialog displays information about the selected range in the audio file.
Time format Format for displaying values for cursor position, minimum
and maximum sample position (time or samples).
Level format Format for displaying values for sample value at the cursor
position, minimum and maximum sample position, RMS
level and average.
Sample value: Displays audio levels as integers.
In 32-bit (IEEE float) audio, these values range from
-1.0000000 to 1.0000000.
For 24-bit audio, they range from -8388608 to 8388607.
Percent: Displays audio levels as percentages of the
maximum allowed sample value. The value is from -100 to
100 percent.
134
Decibels (dB): Displays audio levels in decibels. A value of

0 dB corresponds to maximum absolute amplitude and
negative infinity (-Inf.) corresponds to complete silence. In
16-bit audio, -90.3 dB is the lowest possible dB value
(sample value of 1).
Cursor Position Displays time position of the cursor from the start of the
audio file
Sample value at cursor Displays sample value at cursor position
position
Maximum/Minimum The maximum and minimum sample values and the
sample position and locations where they occur.
sample value
These values can help you determine if any clipping occurs
in the sound file. It can also be used to determine the noise
level of a signal for use with the Noise Gate effect. For
example, to find the noise amplitude, run the Statistics
function on a region of noisy silence.
RMS Level The Root Mean Square of the sample values relative to the
RMS value of a maximum-amplitude square wave (the
loudest possible recording).
When used on short intervals, this value relates to the
volume level of the sound file. However, if used on a large
selection with large volume variation, this value becomes
less meaningful.
Average The sum of all sample values in the selected region divided
by the number of samples.
An average value that does not equal zero (-inf dB) can
indicate a DC offset (view page 101).
Periodic Zero Crossing The number of times per second that the waveform
changes from a negative value to a positive value. This
value can be used as a rough estimate of the frequency of
the audio data for very simple waveforms.
Zero position Enters the number of sample data with the value 0 (-inf
dB) in the range. This enables you to locate drop-outs in
the recordings, which can't be identified with the naked
eye due to the zoom level.
Copy to clipboard Copies the contents of the window to the clipboard —
especially handy if you want to compare statistics from
multiple files in a spreadsheet. If you want to copy only the
data in the table (or specific data cells), select the cells
you want to copy and press Ctrl+C.
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Menu Reference 135
Find audio material and create regions/Find breaks and

create regions/Find breaks and create CD track markers
Analyzes audio material breaks. Use these three functions to either create regions
above the audio material ("Find audio material and create regions"), find breaks in
material ("Find breaks and create regions") or set CD track markers at the beginning of
individual tracks. You can define precise criteria for identifying a break in the "Find
breaks - Set criteria" dialog.
You can then record vinyl, for instance, and automatically set the track marker to Burn
to CD. Alternatively, for a longer recording session with several takes, create regions
over the individual recordings and save the takes as separate files ("File > Save
regions...).
Criteria for "Find breaks"

In this dialog you can set criteria for commands for creating automatic region and
track markers. The three buttons below in the dialog correspond to these menu
commands.
Settings for recordings: These are presets for various types of media. If you make
adjustments to the following parameters, these changes will be saved in the presets.
"Reset" restores the standard settings in the presets.
Minimum pause length: The higher this value is set, the fewer the number of breaks
that will be detected. If the value is set too low, it can also happen that very short
breaks during a song will be recognized as pauses.
136
Maximum (Minimal) level for breaks: Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 searches for
logical volume levels during pause recognition. If too many (and therefore incorrect)
breaks are found, you should move both sliders further to the right. If not enough
breaks are marked, you should move the sliders to the left.
Minimum track length: A new marker will only be set when the time between the last
track marker and the break is at least this value. This option only applies to setting
track markers.
Delete existing markers/regions: Existing markers or regions can be deleted. You can
access this setting via the program preferences (view page 147) and it remains on
screen once the dialog has been closed.
Audio restoration
This submenu contains special effects for audio restoration.
DeClicker/DeCrackler
This functions removes crackling and clicking noises which are typical on scratched
records. The DeCrackler has been specifically developed to remove crackling noises
from old records.
For "crackling" and "clicking" noise types, there is a fader for controlling the strength of
the effect.
You can also use the button "Preview Artifacts" for help with acoustic editing. When
this is activated, you can hear the crackling or clicking noise that you have removed,
not the edited audio. You can then decide whether the noise that has been filtered out
contains too much of the original material, and go back and decrease the effect
strength.
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Menu Reference 137
DeHisser
The DeHisser eliminates regular "white" noise typically produced by analog tape
recordings, microphone preamplifiers, or AD transformers.
Audio type: Here you can set the type of edited audio material, the algorithm will be
customized accordingly.
Noise Level: Here you should set the threshold of the DeHisser as precisely as
possible. Setting the value too low will result in only partial removal of the hissing.
Incomplete removal of hissing produces artefacts and should be avoided. Setting the
values too high leads to dull results – parts of the wanted signal that are similar to
noise, such as the blow-off from wind instruments, are filtered out.
The setting doesn't cause any problems at a reduced hissing level.
Adaptive: The value for the noise level parameter is set automatically by determining
the level of the hissing present in the signal. The setting on the noise level has a
relative effect, i.e. the used value will be derived from the automatic setting and the
setting of the noise level fader.
An advantage of this you no longer have to adjust the noise level manually and the
values are adjusted for fluctuating noise levels, e. g. if you use different tracks with
varying noise levels in one project.
If the noise volume is constant, you may be able to achieve better results by setting
things up manually (adaptive off). The value for noise level must be set exactly.
Noise Reduction: Here you can adjust the dampening of the hissing in decibels. It is
often better to reduce hissing in smaller increments, e. g. -3- to -6 dB, rather than as
much as is possible to keep the sound natural.
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DeClipper
If the input level of an audio recording is too high, distortion may result at the louder
parts (the signal peaks). This digital distortion is also called "clipping". At the
overmodulated area, the values that are too high are simply cut off and the typical,
annoying crackling and distortions are heard.
Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 has a special function for dealing with digital clipping.
Distorted sections are discovered and filtered out based on the material in the selected
object. Lastly, the master volume of the material can be reduced so that the
interpolated parts can be played back without distortion.
The declipping algorithm is particularly good for audio material with clearly audible
clipping, e.g. distorted piano or vocals. The sound of distorted drumbeats on the other
hand is hardly ever improved.
Clip Level: Enter the level at which the algorithm registers the samples as distorted
and corrects them if necessary here. This is important, as different sound cards show
different clipping behavior.
Get: Here you can determine the clip level automatically.
Output Level: The interpolated signal peaks create a change in the master volume that
must be balanced with the output level fader to avoid further distortion. Watch the
peak meter (if a peak meter is not open, you can open a new visualization window with
Alt + F5).
To be safe you can activate the "Limiter" which reliably prevents clipping.
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Menu Reference 139
DeEsser
The DeEsser filters/attenuates sibilants in vocal recordings in a simple yet effective
way. Since the underlying process operates on the basis of a dynamic filter, other
signals are weakened such as cymbals in drum recordings or other signals in a similar
frequency range.
Frequency: Determines the frequency of the filter used for detection, and filter
blocking in the signal route. Typically the sibilants in speech or singing voices are in the
6-8 kHz range.
Reduction: Regulates the filter attenuation in the signal route.
DeNoiser
The DeNoiser removes persistent background noise like computer humming, hissing,
noises from sound cards, disturbance from ground wires, interference from audio
equipment with high-impedance outputs (e.g. turntables). Low frequency impact
sound or rumbling can be removed effectively from LPs with the DeRumble rumble
filter.
The DeNoiser requires a short section from your music which contains a sample of the
audio noise, usually from the start or end of the recording.
140
The DeNoiser can be closed at any time by clicking OK and the noise removal will be
applied. For optimal results, however, it's best to follow the settings step by step. You
can preview your editing results at any time by pressing the Preview button. You can
also use the button "Preview Artifacts" for help with acoustic editing. When this is
activated, you can hear the noise that you have removed, not the edited audio. You
can then decide whether the noise that has been filtered out contains too much of the
original material.
Step 1 - Choose noise sample

When the DeNoiser is opened, it will search for a sample of the noise in the audio
material under the playback marker.
Use the Play button to preview the noise samples, select one of these and go to Step 2.
If you haven't found the right sample, you can choose one of the noise samples
supplied in the "Standard Noise Samples" tab. You can also adjust the Noise sample
manually by selecting a position and then choosing "Extras" > "Audio Restoration" >
"Take Noise Sample".
Step 2 - Select audio material type

Set the type of edited audio material here, and the algorithm will be adjusted
accordingly.
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Menu Reference 141
Step 3 - Select editing mode
In Anti-noise mode the DeNoiser works in an optimized mode to remove noise. In

Anti-hum mode the DeNoiser works in an optimized mode to remove tonal
interference. This includes feedback from power cables, mains hum, PC fans, video
cameras, or ventilation noises.
DeRumble: Here you can activate a special filter for deep-frequency rumbling noises.
Examples of these noises are mechanical noises from old record players, wind, and
subsonic noises in microphone recordings.
142
Step 4 - Customize parameters
Tonal: Tonal disturbance will be removed completely when this option is activated.
The "Reduction" controller now affects all possible existing noise components
simultaneously. This makes sense because tonal disturbances are much more
annoying than other noise - a small amount of "extra" noise in the recording may be
allowed in order to avoid a greater loss of highs in the wanted signal.
Note: For this option it is recommended to select "Anti-hum" mode as the DeNoiser
works at an optimized level to remove tonal interference.
Adaptive: The value for the noise level parameter is set automatically by determining
the level of the hissing present in the signal. More information about this option can be
found in the DeHisser section.
Noise level: The threshold of the noise reduction function should be set as precisely as
possible. Values that are too low will result in insufficient noise dampening which
causes artefacts like interference or "twittering" (see below). High settings produce
dull results – useful signals that sound similar to hissing noises are also filtered away.
Take your time to find the best setting for the individual case.
Noise reduction: This sets the balance between the original signal and the signal with
the applied noise reduction. It's often better to reduce interference signals in small
increments, e. g. 3 to 6 dB, rather than as much as is possible to keep the sound
"natural". For buzzing, it’s best to apply complete removal.
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Menu Reference 143
Options menu
Status Format
Here you can enter a measurement unit for how the time is displayed on the timeline,
in the position fields under the waveform and in the time display window.
Edit Tempo
If the timeline format is set to beats, Sound Forge Audio Studio requires a tempo in
order to know what the duration of a beat is. This dialog lets you specify the tempo or
obtain the tempo from the current selection.
You can also specify a beat type and manually enter the tempo in BPM. PPQ specifies
the number of ticks within a quarter note and also specifies the precision of the beat
display.
"Get BMP from Range" uses a selection and the specification "Beat hit in range" to find
the tempo. "Grid/Align" sets grid resolution in musical beats. "Snap offset to project
start" sets an interval where the first bar in the file should begin.
Loop Playback
Turns the loop playback on and off.
Shortcut key: Q
144
Scroll Playback
When activated, the visible section moves so the cursor remains visible. Learn more in
the Playback settings (view page 146).
Shortcut: F6
Draw Gridlines
Turns gridlines on/off.
Shortcut key: F7
Gridlines
Here you can choose between various patterns of gridlines.
Selection Grid Lines

Activates the Selection Grid (view page 38). Set the number of subdivisions in the
submenu "Set Grid Divisions".
Snapping
Snapping makes it easier to position the play cursor and select the exact range. When
"Snapping" is enabled, the selection or play cursor "snaps" to a time position. The
"Grid" and "Markers/Slice edges" snapping functions can be enabled separately.
Grid
The grid aligns to the measurement unit selected. You can set this unit under
"Options" > "Status Format" or by right-clicking on the grid and marker bar. The time
format settings correspond to the following grids:
Status Format Grid

Samples 1000 Samples
Hour/Min/Sec 1s
Milliseconds 1s
SMPTE (individual frame rate) 1 Frame
SMPTE/Milliseconds 1 ms
Bars/Beats 1/4 bar
CD MSF 1 CD frame
Feets/Frames 1 Frame
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Menu Reference 145
Markers/slice edges
Snaps to all markers (marker, regions, CD indices) and slice edges (view page 44).
Snap to zero crossings

Snaps selection to sample value 0. This prevents crackling during editing.
Shortcut: Align In/Out F8

Snap to Grid Ctrl + F8
Snap to Markers/Slice edges Shift + F8
Snap to zero crossings Ctrl + Alt + F8, Ctrl + B
Toolbars
Edit Toolbar lets you add, move and remove toolbar icons. More information on this is
available in the Toolbars section. Reset Toolbars sets the toolbars back to their factory
settings. The two lower menu entries can be used to hide both toolbars and the status
bar down below.
Settings...
All Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 settings are contained in this dialog.
Audio Setup
Driver system: You may select WASAPI, ASIO, WDM or MME for communication
between Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 and your sound card. Choose the sound card
driver that you would like to work with here. The drivers for all devices installed on the
system will be listed here. We recommend using WASAPI or ASIO drivers.
ASIO settings: Clicking the "Settings" button opens the settings dialog for the sound
card driver. In the display field beside "ASIO buffer", you'll see the buffer size and bit
rate set for the driver.
16/24/32-bit device/driver communication: If your sound card is able to play 24-bit

audio, your project will be played at this higher resolution (internal 32-bit float
calculation). This is applicable only to MME drivers.
Standard device: If the driver has several outputs, select the device that will be used
for playback.
Metronome
This is where you activate the metronome.
146
Active During Playback: This option activates the metronome click during playback.
Under Beat you can specify the audio file you want to play for the first beat hit in the
beat; under Beat Hit you can specify the audio file for the other beat hits. You can also
adjust the volume of the metronome and specify which audio output to use.
Playback
Spacebar and F12 Play/Pause instead of Play/Stop: Check the box if you want the
playback marker to remain at the same position after stopping playback. If this option
is not active, the playback marker will jump to the original position or back to the start
of the range when playback is stopped.
An additional function can be used in the case of CPU overload, i.e. "Escape key stops
playback and recording (for overload situations)".
Scroll Playback: The graphical display constantly moves even before the playback
marker leaves the visible section. This provides a constant overview. You can switch to
scroll mode by checking the box next to "Active" (you can also do this outside of the
dialog by pressing F6).
"Active for zoom < 1s" causes autoscrolling to begin at very high zoom levels of less
than a second.
You can choose between Page and Soft modes. With page scrolling, the section
changes before the playback marker moves outside the section, while with soft
scrolling, the playback marker slowly navigates towards the middle of your chosen
section and remains there while the arrangement moves along beneath it.
Tip: If autoscrolling is activated and you drag across the scroll bar during playback,
autoscroll is deactivated for the playback process.
Scrubbing
Here can adjust the scrubbing mode settings for the preview tool. See "Edit" > "Tool"
(view page 74).
Shuttle: This mode allows you to use the absolute position of the mouse in the window
to control the speed. The mouse positions can be understood as follows:
Mouse pointer on the left border = double speed backwards

Mouse pointer in the middle = no movement
Mouse pointer on the right border = double speed forwards
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Menu Reference 147
Absolute: The distance between the playback marker and mouse position is used for
tempo control. This means that the play cursor follows the movements of the mouse
at max speed and automatically slows down when it gets close to the mouse.
One Speed: Playback follows the movements of the mouse at original speed. Holding
the Shift key uses half original speed. The "Ctrl" key applies the speed set in the
"Speed" field.
Two Speed: Here you can use two speeds for scrubbing. If the mouse pointer is moved
a bit away from the cursor, playback happens at original speed. Playback slows down
according to the value set under Scrubbing Speed when the mouse pointer is close to
the cursor (default is 0.25, i.e. 1/4 of the original speed).
Note: If a scrubbing speed greater than 1 is set, this speed will be used for the faster
scrubbing. The slower scrubbing will happen at original speed.
Scrubbing Speed: Here you can specify a speed relative to the original speed for the
second scrubbing tempo. The range of values stretches from 0.01 to 10.0, i.e. 1/100 of
the original speed up to ten times the regular speed.
Default Device
If you are using a sound card with multiple outputs, or multiple sound cards (e.g.
onboard + external), select the output you want to use for playback.
Program
Auto play on external launch: If Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 is launched with an
audio file as an argument and this option is active, playback of this file will start
automatically, allowing Sound Forge Audio Studio to be used as an audio player.
Open default Workspace on startup: All files that were open when the program was
closed will be reopened when the program starts.
Ctrl + Shift + Left/Right factors in slice edges (otherwise only markers and regions):
When this option is activated, the shortcut for fast use of play cursor or for dragging a
selection between markers/regions also includes slice edges.
Tip: You can control slice edges independently using the shortcuts Ctrl + Alt 1/2.
Automatically adjust sample rate when inserting: If you insert audio material from
files with differing sample rates into another file, resampling will occur automatically. If
you don't want this to occur, you can deactivate this option.
148
Show News: Current news about Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 is occasionally
displayed when the program is launched. This option can be deactivated here if you
don't want to see these messages.
Send usage data to MAGIX: Anonymous data is sent to MAGIX for improving product
quality. This option can be deactivated here.
Always open dropped files in new window: When you drag & drop a file into a file
window, it is pasted into the dropped position in the file by default. To open the
dropped file in its own window, you normally need to drop it above next to the tabs
with the file name. If this option is activated, dropped files will open in their own
window.
Automatically select dropped files: Automatically selects the corresponding range

when a file or file selection is pasted or mixed into a file via drag & drop.
Peak level scan time: This sets precise peak value calculations for the graphic display.
Selection Grid Lines/Grid Division: The setting for selection grid lines (view page 38)
is directly available in the options menu.
Find breaks: Remove old CD indices or regions: If CD indices or regions are created
automatically because of breaks (view page 135) in audio material, you can specify
here if you want to keep the existing markers/regions.
New Projects: Standard storage location for new projects.
Help files: Standard storage location for help files.
Temporary Files: This preset path is directed to the standard temporary files folder.
Please ensure that this folder is on a hard drive or partition with sufficient free storage
space.
Reset all "Don't show this message again" boxes: Pressing this button reactivates all
tips dialogs which you have deactivated over time.
Undo
Undo Active: This allows you to deactivate the undo feature entirely.
Undo for plug-in settings: You can also turn on the undo feature for plug-in settings.
Undo Steps: You can also set the number of undo steps that are saved. A value of 20
means that the last 20 changes to a project may be undone.
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Menu Reference 149
Keyboard / Menu
This dialog allows you to specify keyboard shortcuts for every menu function in Sound
Forge Audio Studio 12. You might also find it useful to set hotkeys for the functions
you use most often in order to enable quick access.
You can also hide menus that you don't really use.
When you close Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 the shortcut and menu settings will be
saved automatically, so you can continue using them when you next open the
program.
The main part of the dialog is the display of the complete Sound Forge Audio Studio 12
menu. Here you can select for which menu item you want to create a new shortcut or
if the menu item should appear in the main menu of Sound Forge Audio Studio 12.
Displaying and Searching for Menu Items

The menu is displayed in tree form, and submenus can be opened by clicking on the
"+" symbol. You can search for a specific menu item by entering a keyword in the
search box in the upper menu bar and then clicking on the binoculars.
Show/hide menu item: Select a menu item which you would like to hide. "Hide menu
point" removes the menu item from the menu. This menu item will appear grayed-out
in the dialog's menu tree.
150
If you do hide a menu item, you won't be able to use a shortcut to select it. You can
reactivate hidden menu items using "Show menu". "Restore default" resets the menu
item to its default setting and makes the command visible again.
Creating shortcuts
Step 1: Click on the menu item you want to create a shortcut for.
Step 2: Now click on the entry box underneath the bar "Shortcut:..." and enter the
desired key combination for the new keyboard shortcut.
Combinations of any key with "Shift", "Alt", or "Ctrl" can also be used.
If one of the shortcuts you choose is already assigned to another command, a dialog
will appear which allows you to re-assign the shortcut or to choose a new one
Step 3: Activate the new keyboard shortcut by clicking on the "Assign" button. If one
of the shortcuts you choose is already assigned to another command, a dialog will
appear which allows you to re-assign the shortcut or to choose a new one
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Menu Reference 151
Deleting a shortcut
Click on the "Delete" button to remove the selected shortcut.
Export list: With this button you can call up and print a complete list of current
shortcuts as a text file, Excel list or shortcut dialog.
Save/Load: Save your custom shortcut and menu settings by clicking on the "Save"
button. You can load previously saved dialog settings by clicking on the "Load" button.
Colors
This is where you adjust all the colors used in the program. These color settings can be
optionally loaded and saved as presets.
Restore
Restore last state: Restores the last status of the color settings before the dialog was
opened.
Reset...: Here you can reset the color settings to those of the previous or original color
state.
• Previous state: The previous color settings will be restored.
• Original state: Resets all colors to their default setting.
Dithering
No dithering, math. rounding of sample value: This mode converts the signals of
32-bit float via precise mathematical rounding without dithering. This rounding makes
sure that surplus commas are not simply cut away, and it also prevents signal
distortions.
Dithering with linear spread noise: This converts audio data at 32-bit float via
dithering with noise featuring amplitude values that occur at regular intervals. The
noise level may be set via the "Dithering depth in bits" option.
Dithering with triangular spread noise (standard dithering): In this mode, audio data
at 32-bit float is converted via dithering with noise featuring amplitude values split into
triangular intervals. Values in the medium range appear more frequently, and
maximum or minimum values appear less frequently. This type of dithering typically
produces more subtle results than linear dithering. The noise is not modulated through
the signal, which results in a fading signal being enveloped by one constant noise
signal.
Dithering depth in bits: This sets the level of the noise used in dithering. Input is in
bits. Use this option to specify how many bits of the resulting 16-bits you want to be
152
affected by dithering. In most cases, values between 0.5 and 2 will produce good
results. Increase the value until you no longer hear any distortion effects. If you don't
find any distortion effects, values below 0.5 should suffice. If you would like to add
more noise to your signal, try entering values between 8 and 12.
VST
User VST Plug-in Folder: Set the path to your VST plug-in effects and VST
instruments here. When you click the folder icon, a context menu will appear. This
allows you to use the VST folder already set for your system as the plug-ins path or
select any other VST folder. Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 then scans the selected
folder for VSTs. Not only are all the plug-ins imported, but they are also checked for
usability within Sound Forge Audio Studio 12. This scan is only necessary once per
folder, since available VST plug-ins are saved during this process.
If multiple VST plug-in folders are present on your computer, you can enter additional
sources by scanning them with the option "(Re-) Scan selected VST folder". If
individual plug-ins are not integrated as expected, then try using the option "(Re-)
Scan selected VST folder including failed plug-ins" to check them. Sound Forge Audio
Studio 12 only detects plug-ins in the specified folders. The corresponding data is
saved in the file "VSTplug-ins.ini" in the folder "Program Files" > "MAGIX" > "Sound
Forge Audio Studio 12".
The option "Scan user and system VST folders automatically for new plugins" runs an
automatic scan for plug-ins each time the program is started. This can slow down the
program start considerably, especially if you have a lot of plug-ins installed.
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Menu Reference 153
Window Menu
This menu contains commands for activating and arranging windows. All open file
windows are listed in the bottom area of the menu.
New Window
Opens a new, empty window. This corresponds to the "New File..." command, but
without the dialog for setting the sample rate, number of channels and bit depth. The
previously selected values are used instead.
Shortcut key: Ctrl + Shift + N
Arrange/maximize
Switches between the maximized audio file window display and a display that
arranges all windows next to and underneath each other.
Shortcut: Shift + F4
Activate Data Window/Activate Docking Window

These commands let you switch between the above section with the audio file
windows and the docking window below.
Tip: Within these sections, you can switch between the windows with "Go to the
next window" (Ctrl + Tab). This allows you to navigate between the different
windows in Sound Forge Audio Studio using just your keyboard.
Shortcut: Activate audio file window Ctrl + P

Activate Docking Window Alt + P
Close docking window

Closes the current window in the docking area
Shortcut key: Ctrl + Alt + F4
Maximize/minimize docking window

Switches the height of the docking area between a maximized view and minimized
view in which only the tabs in the docked window are visible. (This action is the
equivalent of simply clicking on the tab).
154
Tip: You can adjust the height of the maximized view by dragging the border
between the docking area and the file windows!
Shortcut key: Shift + F11
Go to Next Window
Switches to the next file window or docker area window, depending on which area is
active. (see below)
Shortcut key: Ctrl + F6, Ctrl + Tab
Close All
Closes all file windows. If changes have been made, a query will first ask you whether
you would like to save these first.
Help Menu
Contents and Index
This command displays the overview page of the help feature. You can jump to
specific commands or read instructions on this page.
Shortcut key: F1
Search
You can look for menu commands and help topics using the search field (view page
61).
Shortcut: Ctrl + F
Open manual...
Opens the manual in PDF format. The manual includes the same information as the
program help, but in printed form.
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Menu Reference 155
Open shortcut list...

Opens a separate PDF document with a list of all available shortcuts.
Tip: Many of the keyboard commands have a corresponding entry in the menu, but
not all - in particular commands for moving the play cursor and range selection.
While these commands are referred to throughout this documentation, there is a
more comprehensive overview of all of them in the keyboard shortcut PDF.
Tutorial videos...
This plays a tutorial video for Sound Forge Audio Studio 12. An Internet connection is
required.
Deactivate Program
This menu item deactivates Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 with immediate effect. After
deactivation, it is possible to immediately install and activate Sound Forge Audio
Studio 12 on another computer
Restore original program behavior

This command resets all settings of the program to the delivery status.
About Sound Forge Audio Studio 12

This displays copyright information and the version number of Sound Forge Audio
Studio 12. At the very bottom, you can see the serial number required for support
purposes.
Update online
This command lets you update Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 at any time. This feature
checks online for available updates and installs them automatically.
Language
Here you can select the language for the program interface. Sound Forge Audio Studio
12 restarts in the updated language.
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Index
A
About Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 ...................................................................................155

Activate Data Window/Activate Docking Window.......................................................153
Additional Steps......................................................................................................................... 20
Algorithms for timestretching/pitchshifting.................................................................... 106
Amplitude Modulation........................................................................................................... 107
Arrange/maximize...................................................................................................................153
Attach Video.../Remove Video.............................................................................................. 68
Audio cleaning ............................................................................................................... 9, 20, 27
Audio restoration......................................................................................................................136
Audio Setup ................................................................................................................. 19, 34, 145
Basic knowledge about recording with the PC ......................................................18, 31, 34

Bit Meter...................................................................................................................................... 92
Burn audio CD ...........................................................................................................................126
Burn audio CD or export file list ............................................................................................ 26
Burn audio CD/Export MP3 song list..................................................................9, 18, 20, 21
Burn CD.......................................................................................................................................128
CD disc options.........................................................................................................................129
CD Index Manager .................................................................................................... 57, 95, 129
CD Text Editor.......................................................................................................................... 130
CD Track/Index Manager ......................................................................................................129
Center Cursor ............................................................................................................................. 74
Changing and Deleting Markers............................................................................................ 58
Changing Marker Types .......................................................................................................... 48
Checking and Moving Tracks .......................................................................................... 22, 25
Chorus/Flanger........................................................................................................................ 108
Cleaning functions...................................................................................................................... 13
Clear Undo History ................................................................................................................... 82
Close ............................................................................................................................................. 63
Close All......................................................................................................................................154
Close docking window ............................................................................................................153
Colors ...........................................................................................................................................151
Connecting the recording sources ................................................................................... 19, 31
Contents and Index..................................................................................................................154
Copy.............................................................................................................................................. 69
Copy and paste by dragging and dropping......................................................................... 42
Copyright ........................................................................................................................................2
Correlation meter ....................................................................................................................... 91
www.magix.com
Index 157
Create Regions............................................................................................................................49
Criteria for.................................................................................................................................. 135
Crossfade Edit..................................................................................................... 42, 46, 78, 102
Cut .................................................................................................................................................69
Cut Regions ..................................................................................................................................71
Cut, copy and paste audio material .......................................................................................41
DC Offset... ........................................................................................................................ 101, 134

Deactivate Program................................................................................................................. 155
DeClicker/DeCrackler ............................................................................................................ 136
DeClipper ................................................................................................................................... 138
DeEsser....................................................................................................................................... 139
DeHisser..................................................................................................................................... 137
Delay... ........................................................................................................................................109
Delete (Clear) ..............................................................................................................................71
Delete all markers and regions................................................................................................51
Deleting Markers .......................................................................................................................49
Deleting Regions ........................................................................................................................50
DeNoiser .................................................................................................................................... 139
Deselect........................................................................................................................................78
Direction meter ...........................................................................................................................91
Distortion... .................................................................................................................................110
Dithering............................................................................................................................. 126, 151
Drag a selection............................................................................................................................11
Draw Gridlines ..........................................................................................................................144
Dynamics... .......................................................................................................................... 111, 117
Edit......................................................................................................................................... 40, 72
Edit Menu.....................................................................................................................................69
Edit several regions simultaneously......................................................................................50
Edit Tempo ................................................................................................................................ 143
Edit Tool ...................................................................................................................................... 40
Edit tools ..................................................................................................................................... 40
Editing Toolbars..........................................................................................................................59
Effects Menu ......................................................................................................................43, 107
Elastic Audio (Pitch Bend)...................................................................................................... 112
Elastic Audio Control Elements............................................................................................. 113
EQ ................................................................................................................................................. 116
Exit .................................................................................................................................................68
Explorer...................................................................................................................... 9, 27, 52, 83
Export Text ..................................................................................................................................56
Extend Edge to Next Zero........................................................................................................76
Extend to Next Zero ..................................................................................................................76
Extract audio from CD... ...........................................................................................................66
Extras Menu .............................................................................................................................. 126
158
Fade.............................................................................................................................................. 101
File Menu ..................................................................................................................................... 62
Find audio material and create regions/Find breaks and create regions/Find breaks
and create CD track markers................................................................................ 49, 135, 148
Format .......................................................................................................................................... 64
Format settings .......................................................................................................................... 65
Gate.............................................................................................................................................. 116
Glue all slices (render crossfades)........................................................................................ 80
Glue selected slice with previous/next slice...................................................................... 80
Go to End ..................................................................................................................................... 99
Go to Next Window.................................................................................................................154
Go to Start ................................................................................................................................... 99
Go To... ......................................................................................................................................... 75
Gridlines..................................................................................................................................... 144
Group audio files......................................................................................................................... 21
Halve/Double............................................................................................................................. 77
Help Menu..................................................................................................................................154
Horizontal zoom (time) ........................................................................................................... 82
ID3 editor.....................................................................................................................................131
Input and level automation ....................................................................................... 20, 32, 35
Insert............................................................................................................................................. 69
Insert Menu................................................................................................................................. 95
Inserting Markers ...................................................................................................................... 47
Invert Regions.............................................................................................................................. 71
Invert/Flip.................................................................................................................................. 102
Keyboard / Menu ....................................................................................................... 61, 72, 149
L/R Oscilloscope (phase correlation):................................................................................. 90

Language.....................................................................................................................................155
Limiter... ...................................................................................................................................... 118
Load and play audio files ............................................................................................................9
www.magix.com
Index 159
Load files from Explorer window ........................................................................................... 53

Loading audio files .................................................................................................. 9, 10, 27, 30
Loop Playback ........................................................................................................................... 143
Magnify Tool .............................................................................................................................. 40

Managers ...............................................................................................................................28, 51
Mark In/Out................................................................................................................................76
Markers .......................................................................................................................... 41, 47, 95
Markers and Regions ................................................................................................................47
Maximize/minimize docking window ................................................................................ 153
Menu Reference ..........................................................................................................................61
Metadata editor........................................................................................................................ 132
Metronome................................................................................................................................ 145
Mix......................................................................................................................................... 42, 70
Modify user interface................................................................................................. 55, 60, 84
Monitor while recording....................................................................................................32, 34
Move left/right ........................................................................................................................... 77
Move slice left/move slice right .............................................................................................81
Moving Markers.........................................................................................................................48
Moving Regions..........................................................................................................................50
Mute ............................................................................................................................................ 102
Name Region...............................................................................................................................49
Naming Markers ........................................................................................................................48
New Window ............................................................................................................................ 153
New... .....................................................................................................................................34, 62
Normalize................................................................................................................................... 102
Notes.............................................................................................................................................47
Open and append.......................................................................................................................63

Open manual............................................................................................................................. 154
Open shortcut list... ................................................................................................................. 155
Open..............................................................................................................................................62
Options ......................................................................................................................................... 53
Options menu ........................................................................................................................... 143
Organization................................................................................................................................ 52
Oscilloscope:...............................................................................................................................93
Overwrite .....................................................................................................................................70
Paste Special ...............................................................................................................................69

Paste to New ................................................................................................................................71
160
Pause............................................................................................................................................. 98
Peak Meter .................................................................................................................................. 85
Pencil (Waveform) ............................................................................................................40, 72
Play................................................................................................................................................ 98
Play All ......................................................................................................................................... 98
Play Clipboard ............................................................................................................................ 98
Play from cut/cursor end (Out Point) ................................................................................. 99
Play from cut/cursor start (In Point) ................................................................................... 99
Play Slice ....................................................................................................................................... 81
Playback .................................................................................................... 74, 98, 100, 144, 146
Playback into cut...................................................................................................................... 100
Playback Settings..................................................................................................................... 100
Plug-Ins Menu ....................................................................................................................43, 122
Pre-Roll to Cut/Cursor End (Out Point).............................................................................. 99
Pre-Roll to Cut/Cursor Start (In Point) ............................................................................... 99
Preview.........................................................................................................................40, 74, 146
Preview audio files .................................................................................................................... 52
Preview Cut/Cursor................................................................................................................ 100
Process Menu..................................................................................................................... 43, 101
Process only left/right stereo channel................................................................................. 72
Processes, Effects & Plug-Ins ................................................................................................. 43
Program................................................................................................................53, 82, 136, 147
Program interface overview.................................................................................................... 28
Quick Start .....................................................................................................................................9
Rebuild graphic data ................................................................................................................. 83

Record audio ......................................................................................................................... 31, 98
Record vinyl/cassettes/podcasts ..................................................................................... 9, 18
Record what you hear .............................................................................................................. 34
Record... ....................................................................................................................................... 98
Recording Dialog ....................................................................................................................... 32
Region........................................................................................................................................... 95
Regions......................................................................................................................................... 49
Regions List ................................................................ 41, 48, 49, 50, 51, 56, 72, 93, 95, 126
Remove slice selection............................................................................................................. 80
Resample... ................................................................................................................................ 103
Resonant Filter... ....................................................................................................................... 119
Restore ......................................................................................................................................... 69
Restore original program behavior.......................................................................................155
Retouching short noises such as clicks or pops ................................................................. 15
Reverb......................................................................................................................................... 120
Reverse Play.............................................................................................................................. 104
www.magix.com
Index 161
Save ...............................................................................................................................................63
Save all..........................................................................................................................................66
Save as... .......................................................................................................................................63
Save copy as................................................................................................................................65
Save or render audio files or burn to CD....................................................................... 18, 20
Save Regions ...............................................................................................................................65
Save selection... ..........................................................................................................................65
Scan VST Folder for New Plug-Ins ...................................................................................... 125
Scroll Playback..........................................................................................................................144
Search ......................................................................................................................................... 154
Search feature.............................................................................................................................56
Searching for menu commands and help topics .......................................................61, 154
Select all ........................................................................................................................................71
Select previous/next slice ...................................................................................................... 80
Select Region...............................................................................................................................49
Select Slice at cursor/selection............................................................................................. 80
Selection...................................................................................... 13, 28, 36, 41, 43, 49, 72, 75
Selection grid ............................................................................................................38, 144, 148
Selection Grid Lines.................................................................................................................144
Set CD end index .......................................................................................................................96
Set CD Pause Index ...................................................................................................................96
Set CD sub index........................................................................................................................96
Set CD title index .......................................................................................................................95
Set Track Marker........................................................................................................................24
Set... ............................................................................................................................................... 77
Settings....................................................................................................................................... 145
Show TOC..........................................................................................................................127, 128
Silence...........................................................................................................................................96
Slice .............................................................................................................................................. 80
Slice edge to left/right..............................................................................................................99
Slice Editing ................................................................................................................................. 22
Slice Handles........................................................................................................................ 46, 81
Slices ....................................................................................... 28, 42, 44, 78, 80, 81, 102, 145
Smooth/enhance... ..................................................................................................................104
Snap Edge to Grid ...................................................................................................................... 75
Snap Edge to Zero......................................................................................................................76
Snap to grid ................................................................................................................................. 75
Snap to Zero................................................................................................................................76
Snapping.....................................................................................................................................144
Soft Cut.................................................................................................................................. 41, 78
Soft-Cut Mode............................................................................................................................78
Spectral Display...................................................................................................................73, 93
Spectral Editing............................................................................................................. 17, 40, 73
Spectrogram................................................................................................................................92
Spectroscope...............................................................................................................................92
Split at cursor/selection.......................................................................................................... 80
Statistics..................................................................................................................................... 133
162
Status Format ............................................................................................................................143

Stop ............................................................................................................................................... 98
Stutter...........................................................................................................................................121
Support............................................................................................................................................5
Swap Channels......................................................................................................................... 105
Switch ........................................................................................................................................... 78
Synthesis...................................................................................................................................... 96
Time Display........................................................................................................................ 54, 83

Time Stretch... .......................................................................................................................... 105
Tips................................................................................................................................................ 38
TOC Export ................................................................................................................................128
Tool ............................................................................................................................................... 72
Toolbar .........................................................................................................................................115
Toolbars ......................................................................................................................................145
Track List Dialog ........................................................................................................................ 67
Transport Menu ......................................................................................................................... 98
Trim Regions................................................................................................................................ 71
Trim/Crop .................................................................................................................................... 71
Tuner............................................................................................................................................. 93
Tutorial videos...........................................................................................................................155
Undo .................................................................................................................................... 69, 148

Update online ............................................................................................................................155
Video Preview............................................................................................................................. 83
Video Sound Editing .............................................................................................................9, 27
View Menu.................................................................................................................................. 82
Visualization ........................................................................................................................ 55, 83
Volume....................................................................................................................................... 106
VST..............................................................................................................................122, 125, 152
VST Plug-in Editor ....................................................................................................................123
VST Plug-In Rack ......................................................................................................................124
VST Setup...................................................................................................................................125
What is Sound Forge Audio Studio 12? .................................................................................. 7

What's new in this version? ......................................................................................................8
Window Menu ..........................................................................................................................153
Working with Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 ...................................................................... 30
www.magix.com
Index 163
Zoom In ................................................................................................................................ 40, 73

Zoom Level ...........................................................................................................................39, 83
Zooming .......................................................................................................................................38

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VERSION 12 SOUND FORGE

No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms or

Other mentioned product names may be registered trademarks of the respective

Copyright © MAGIX Software GmbH, 2017.

What is Sound Forge Audio Studio 12? 7

What's new in this version? 8

Program interface overview 28

Working with Sound Forge Audio Studio 12 30

Effects Menu 107

Please make sure you have the following information at hand:

MAGIX Sales Department

U.K.: 0203 3189218

What is Sound Forge Audio Studio 12?

What's new in this version?

We'll explain all of these applications here step by step.

There are two ways to load an audio file:

Drag & drop the selected files to the upper section.

The waveform provides you with an image of your audio material.

Drag a rough selection around the passage you want to edit.

• To deselect the current selection, click in the timeline.

Follow the next steps to get rid of it:

Here's a basic overview, however:

• For more severe crackling, use the DeClipper.

Retouching short noises such as clicks or pops

You can now edit this position using a pencil tool.

Select the pencil tool under "Menu" > "Tool".

Save or render audio files or burn to CD

Basic knowledge about recording with the PC

Connecting the recording sources

This dialog can be accessed via the toolbar.

After recording, we recommend the following actions:

Burn audio CD/Export MP3 song list

Group audio files

Set Track Marker

Checking and Moving Tracks

Burn audio CD or export file list

Video Sound Editing

Program interface overview

Working with Sound Forge Audio Studio 12

Loading audio files

Connecting the recording sources

case, connecting through the headphone jack or an external preamp is

Monitoring: Switches on software monitoring. Learn more under Monitor while

Pause: Stops the recording. Click the button again to resume.

Stop: This button ends recording.

Close: Closes the recording dialog.

Record what you hear

Important: This feature is only available if WASAPI system is selected as driver

Monitor while recording

Most sound cards—including your computer's onboard sound—provide support for

To activate monitoring via the sound card:

Input and level automation

Cut, copy and paste audio material

A range in the selected audio file was

Without Soft Cut, a hard transition is made

With Soft Cut activated, a crossfade is

Copy and paste by dragging and dropping

Processes, Effects & Plug-Ins

If no data is selected, processing will be applied to the entire file.