Soundtrack Pro 3 - User Manual - Apple Support
Apple SoundTrack Pro 3.0.1 (MAC): A Powerful Audio Editing Software for Mac Users
If you are looking for a professional audio editing software that can handle multitrack projects, waveform editing, sound design, surround mixing, audio repair and restoration, and seamless integration with other Apple software like Logic Studio and Final Cut Pro, then you might want to check out Apple SoundTrack Pro 3.0.1 (MAC). This software is designed to help you create high-quality audio soundtracks for your video projects, podcasts, music productions, or any other audio needs.
Apple SoundTrack Pro 3.0.1 (MAC)
In this article, we will give you an overview of what Apple SoundTrack Pro 3 is, what are its main features, and how to use it effectively. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this software at the end of the article.
What is Apple SoundTrack Pro 3?
Apple SoundTrack Pro 3 is a part of Apple's Logic Studio suite, which also includes Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, WaveBurner 1.6, Compressor 3.5, Impulse Response Utility, Apple Loops Utility, and additional content such as instruments, effects, loops, and sound libraries. You can buy SoundTrack Pro 3 as a stand-alone application or as part of the Logic Studio suite.
SoundTrack Pro 3 is an audio editing software that allows you to work with both multitrack projects and single audio files in one window. You can import audio files from various formats such as AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC, CAF, SDII, BWF, or ACID loops. You can also import video files from formats such as QuickTime Movie (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), DV Stream (.dv), or MPEG-2 (.m2v). You can sync your audio to your video using Final Cut Pro's Scoring Markers or by adjusting the tempo of your music.
You can edit your audio clips using various tools such as cut, copy, paste, trim, split, join, fade in/out/crossfade/curve fade/linear fade/custom fade/adjustable fade/constant power fade/constant gain fade/s-curve fade/exponential fade/logarithmic fade/sine fade/cosine fade/square fade/triangle fade/sawtooth fade/reverse sawtooth fade/parabolic fade/h hyperbolic fade/arc fade/arc sine fade/arc cosine fade/arc tangent fade/arc cotangent fade/arc secant fade/arc cosecant fade, normalize, silence, reverse, invert, swap channels, convert sample rate/bit depth/channel configuration, or change pitch/tempo/gain. You can also apply effects and processes such as EQ, compression, reverb, delay, modulation, distortion, filter, noise gate, noise reduction, de-esser, de-hummer, de-clicker, de-crackle, de-pop, de-noise, time stretch, pitch shift, vocal transformer, or match EQ. You can use the built-in effects and processes or use third-party Audio Units plug-ins.
You can mix your audio tracks using the Mixer window, where you can adjust the volume, pan, mute, solo, record enable, automation mode, and send levels of each track. You can also insert effects and processes on each track or on the master output. You can use the built-in surround panner to create surround mixes in 5.1 or 7.1 formats. You can also use the built-in level meters and analyzers to monitor your audio levels and frequencies.
You can export your audio or video files in various formats such as AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC, CAF, SDII, BWF, ACID loops, QuickTime Movie (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), DV Stream (.dv), or MPEG-2 (.m2v). You can also export your audio as a Final Cut Pro XML file or as an OMF file for compatibility with other applications.
What are the main features of Apple SoundTrack Pro 3?
Apple SoundTrack Pro 3 has many features that make it a powerful and versatile audio editing software. Here are some of the main features that you should know about:
Audio Editing
SoundTrack Pro 3 allows you to edit your audio clips in both the Multitrack Timeline and the File Editor. The Multitrack Timeline is where you can arrange your audio clips on multiple tracks and sync them to your video. The File Editor is where you can edit your audio clips in detail using waveform editing tools and effects. You can switch between the two modes easily by double-clicking on an audio clip in the Timeline or by pressing Command-E.
You can edit your audio clips using various tools such as cut, copy, paste, trim, split, join, fade in/out/crossfade/curve fade/linear fade/custom fade/adjustable fade/constant power fade/constant gain fade/s-curve fade/exponential fade/logarithmic fade/sine fade/cosine fade/square fade/triangle fade/sawtooth fade/reverse sawtooth fade/parabolic fade/hyperbolic fade/arc fade/arc sine fade/arc cosine fade/arc tangent fade/arc cotangent fade/arc secant fade/arc cosecant fade, normalize, silence, reverse, invert, swap channels, convert sample rate/bit depth/channel configuration, or change pitch/tempo/gain.
You can also apply effects and processes such as EQ, compression, reverb, delay, modulation, distortion, filter, noise gate, noise reduction, de-esser, de-hummer, de-clicker, de-crackle, de-pop, de-noise, time stretch, pitch shift, vocal transformer, or match EQ.
You can use the built-in effects and processes or use third-party Audio Units plug-ins. You can also use the Action List to view and edit the history of all the edits you have made to an audio clip. You can undo or redo any action in the list or save it as a preset for future use.
Dialogue Tools
SoundTrack Pro 3 has some useful tools for editing dialogue tracks. You can use the Voice Level Match feature to automatically adjust the volume of different dialogue clips to match each other. You can also use the Lift and Stamp tool to copy the EQ curve of one dialogue clip and apply it to another one. This can help you make different dialogue clips sound more consistent and natural.
You can also use the Replace with Ambience feature to fill in gaps or silence in your dialogue tracks with ambient noise from other parts of the same track. This can help you create a smoother and more realistic dialogue track without any noticeable cuts or jumps.
Sound Design
SoundTrack Pro 3 has some powerful tools for creating sound effects and soundscapes for your video projects. You can use the Sound Library Browser to access thousands of royalty-free sound effects and loops that are included with SoundTrack Pro 3 or Logic Studio. You can also import your own sound files or loops from various formats.
You can use the Loop Utility to create your own loops from any audio file. You can adjust the tempo, pitch, and length of your loops and export them as ACID loops. You can also use the Apple Loops Utility to tag your loops with metadata such as genre, mood, instrument, key, and tempo. This can help you organize and search your loops more easily.
You can use the MultiTake Editor to create composite sound effects from multiple takes of the same sound. You can layer, blend, and crossfade different takes to create a richer and more complex sound effect. You can also use the Conform feature to automatically align different takes of the same sound based on their waveform or frequency.
You can use the Soundtrack Loop Utility to create ambient soundscapes from multiple loops. You can arrange your loops on different tracks and adjust their volume, pan, and fade settings. You can also use the Randomize feature to create variations in your soundscape by randomly changing the order, timing, and pitch of your loops.
Surround Mixes
SoundTrack Pro 3 allows you to create surround mixes in 5.1 or 7.1 formats. You can use the built-in surround panner to position your audio tracks in the surround field. You can also use the surround balance and divergence controls to adjust the level and width of your audio tracks in the surround field.
You can use the built-in level meters and analyzers to monitor your audio levels and frequencies in the surround field. You can also use the built-in surround encoder and decoder to encode and decode your surround mixes in Dolby Digital (AC-3) or DTS formats.
Customizable Interface
SoundTrack Pro 3 has a customizable interface that allows you to adjust the layout and appearance of your workspace. You can resize, rearrange, hide, or show different windows and panels according to your preferences. You can also use the dual-screen mode to extend your workspace across two monitors.
You can use the built-in themes to change the color scheme of your interface. You can also use the built-in keyboard shortcuts to access different commands and functions quickly. You can also customize your own keyboard shortcuts using the Keyboard Shortcuts Editor.
Multitrack Timeline and File Editor
SoundTrack Pro 3 has a multitrack timeline and a file editor that allow you to work with both multitrack projects and single audio files in one window. You can switch between the two modes easily by double-clicking on an audio clip in the timeline or by pressing Command-E.
The multitrack timeline is where you can arrange your audio clips on multiple tracks and sync them to your video. You can import audio files from various formats such as AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC, CAF, SDII, BWF, or ACID loops. You can also import video files from formats such as QuickTime Movie (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), DV Stream (.dv), or MPEG-2 (.m2v). You can sync your audio to your video using Final Cut Pro's Scoring Markers or by adjusting the tempo of your music.
The file editor is where you can edit your audio clips in detail using waveform editing tools and effects. You can edit your audio clips using various tools such as cut, copy, paste, trim, split, join, fade in/out/crossfade/curve fade/linear fade/custom fade/adjustable fade/constant power fade/constant gain fade/s-curve fade/exponential fade/logarithmic fade/sine fade/cosine fade/square fade/triangle fade/sawtooth fade/reverse sawtooth fade/parabolic fade/hyperbolic fade/arc fade/arc sine fade/arc cosine fade/arc tangent fade/arc cotangent fade/arc secant fade/arc cosecant fade, normalize, silence, reverse, invert, swap channels, convert sample rate/bit depth/channel configuration, or change pitch/tempo/gain.
You can also apply effects and processes such as EQ, compression, reverb, delay, modulation, distortion, filter, noise gate, noise reduction, de-esser, de-hummer, de-clicker, de-crackle, de-pop, de-noise, time stretch, pitch shift, vocal transformer, or match EQ.
You can use the built-in effects and processes or use third-party Audio Units plug-ins. You can also use the Action List to view and edit the history of all the edits you have made to an audio clip. You can undo or redo any action in the list or save it as a preset for future use.
Frequency Spectrum View
SoundTrack Pro 3 has a frequency spectrum view that allows you to see the frequency content of your audio clips in real time. You can use the frequency spectrum view to identify and isolate specific frequencies in your audio clips. You can also use the frequency spectrum view to apply effects and processes such as EQ, filter, noise reduction, de-esser, de-hummer, de-clicker, de-crackle, de-pop, or de-noise. You can adjust the parameters of these effects and processes using the frequency spectrum view or the parameter controls.
You can also use the frequency spectrum view to analyze the frequency content of your audio clips. You can use the built-in frequency analyzer to see the frequency spectrum of your audio clips in different modes such as linear, logarithmic, or mel scale. You can also use the built-in spectrogram to see the frequency spectrum of your audio clips over time. You can adjust the resolution, color, and contrast of the spectrogram to see more details.
Quick Navigation
SoundTrack Pro 3 has some features that allow you to navigate your audio clips quickly and easily. You can use the built-in transport controls to play, pause, stop, rewind, fast forward, or record your audio clips. You can also use the built-in jog shuttle wheel to scrub through your audio clips at different speeds. You can also use the built-in zoom slider to zoom in or out of your audio clips.
You can also use the built-in markers and regions to mark and organize your audio clips. You can add markers to your audio clips to indicate important points or events. You can also add regions to your audio clips to define sections or segments. You can name, color-code, and edit your markers and regions. You can also use the built-in marker list and region list to view and manage your markers and regions.
You can also use the built-in search field to find any audio clip, marker, region, effect, process, or plug-in in your project. You can type in keywords or phrases in the search field and SoundTrack Pro 3 will show you all the matching results. You can also use filters and categories to narrow down your search results.
Audio Repair and Restoration
SoundTrack Pro 3 has some tools that allow you to repair and restore your audio clips from various problems such as noise, clicks, pops, crackles, hums, hisses, distortions, or clipping. You can use the built-in noise reduction feature to reduce or remove unwanted noise from your audio clips. You can also use the built-in de-esser feature to reduce or remove sibilance from your audio clips.
You can also use the built-in de-hummer feature to reduce or remove hums from your audio clips. You can also use the built-in de-clicker feature to reduce or remove clicks from your audio clips. You can also use the built-in de-crackle feature to reduce or remove crackles from your audio clips. You can also use the built-in de-pop feature to reduce or remove pops from your audio clips.
You can also use the built-in de-noise feature to reduce or remove noise from your audio clips using spectral editing. You can use the frequency spectrum view to select and isolate specific frequencies in your audio clips that contain noise. You can then apply effects and processes such as EQ, filter, noise reduction, de-esser, de-hummer, de-clicker, de-crackle, de-pop, or de-noise to those frequencies.
Logic Studio Integration
SoundTrack Pro 3 is a part of Apple's Logic Studio suite, which also includes Logic Pro 9, MainStage 2, WaveBurner 1.6, Compressor 3.5, Impulse Response Utility, Apple Loops Utility, and additional content such as instruments, effects, loops, and sound libraries. You can buy SoundTrack Pro 3 as a stand-alone application or as part of the Logic Studio suite.
SoundTrack Pro 3 has a seamless integration with Logic Studio, which means you can easily transfer your audio projects between SoundTrack Pro 3 and Logic Pro 9. You can use the Send to Logic command to send your multitrack project from SoundTrack Pro 3 to Logic Pro 9 as a Logic project file. You can also use the Open in SoundTrack Pro command to open your audio file from Logic Pro 9 in SoundTrack Pro 3 as a file editor project.
You can also use the built-in bounce feature to export your audio tracks from SoundTrack Pro 3 to Logic Pro 9 as audio files. You can also use the built-in import feature to import your audio files from Logic Pro 9 to SoundTrack Pro 3 as audio clips. You can also use the built-in round-trip editing feature to edit your audio files in SoundTrack Pro 3 and update them automatically in Logic Pro 9.
You can also use the built-in content browser to access thousands of royalty-free instruments, effects, loops, and sound libraries that are included with Logic Studio. You can also import your own content from various formats.
Final Cut Pro Integration
SoundTrack Pro 3 has a seamless integration with Final Cut Pro, which is Apple's professional video editing software. You can easily transfer your audio and video projects between SoundTrack Pro 3 and Final Cut Pro using the Send To and Open In commands. You can also use the round-trip editing feature to edit your audio files in SoundTrack Pro 3 and update them automatically in Final Cut Pro.
You can use the Send to Final Cut Pro command to send your multitrack project from SoundTrack Pro 3 to Final Cut Pro as a Final Cut Pro XML file. You can also use the Open in SoundTrack Pro command to open your audio or video file from Final Cut Pro in SoundTrack Pro 3 as a multitrack or file editor project.
You can also use the built-in bounce feature to export your audio tracks from SoundTrack Pro 3 to Final Cut Pro as audio files. You can also use the built-in import feature to import your audio or video files from Final Cut Pro to SoundTrack Pro 3 as audio clips or video clips.
You can also use the built-in scoring markers feature to sync your audio to your video using markers that are created in Final Cut Pro. You can also use the built-in conform feature to automatically align your audio clips to match the edits made in Final Cut Pro.
How to use Apple SoundTrack Pro 3?
Now that you have learned about the main features of Apple SoundTrack Pro 3, you might be wondering how to use it effectively. Here are some basic steps that will help you get started with this software:
Creating a new project
To create a new project in SoundTrack Pro 3, you need to choose File > New > Multitrack Project or File > New > File Editor Project. A multitrack project is where you can work with multiple audio tracks and sync them to your video. A file editor project is where you can work with a single audio file and edit it in detail.
You need to name your project and choose a location where you want to save it. You also need to choose a sample rate, bit depth, and channel configuration for your project. The sample rate is the number of samples per second that are used to represent your audio digitally. The bit depth is the number of bits that are used to represent each sample. The channel configuration is the number and arrangement of channels that are used for your audio.
The default settings for these parameters are 48 kHz, 24-bit, and stereo, which are suitable for most projects. However, you can change them according to your needs and preferences. For example, if you are working with surround sound, you might want to choose a 5.1 or 7.1 channel configuration. If you are working with high-resolution audio, you might want to choose a higher sample rate and bit depth.
After you have created your project, you will see the main window of SoundTrack Pro 3, which consists of different windows and panels such as the Multitrack Timeline, the File Editor, the Mixer, the Browser, the Transport, the Toolbar, the Inspector, the Action List, the Marker List, the Region List, the Level Meters, and the Frequency Spectrum View. You can resize, rearrange, hide, or show these windows and panels according to your preferences. You can also use the dual-screen mode to extend your workspace across two monitors.
Importing audio files or loops
To import audio files or loops to your project, you need to choose File > Import > Audio File or File > Import > Loop. You can also drag and drop audio files or loops from your computer or from the Browser to your project. You can import audio files from various formats such as AIFF, WAV, MP3, AAC, CAF, SDII, BWF, or ACID loops. You can also import video files from formats such as QuickTime Movie (.mov), MPEG-4 (.mp4), DV Stream (.dv), or MPEG-2 (.m2v).
When you import an audio file or loop to your project, it will appear as an audio clip in the Multitrack Timeline or in the File Editor. You can rename, color-code, and edit your audio clips using various tools and effects. You can also adjust the volume, pan, mute, solo, record enable, automation mode, and send levels of each audio clip using the Mixer or