Merging Pyramix User manual

6.1
USER MANUAL
User Manual
User Manual

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Contents iii
Contents
Document Version: V8.x User Manual-rev 9
Date: 11th-December-2012

Contents iv
Contents iii
1 Introduction 20
Thank you! 21
Contacting Merging 21
International Office: 21
UK: 21
USA: 21
Installation 22
About This Manual 22
Scope 22
Commands Reference 22
MassCore™ 23
Important Note 23
Pyramix Guides 23
Other Pyramix Guides 23
Assumptions 24
Conventions 24
Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview 25
Program Window 25
Project Window 26
Status Bar 26
Project Editing Panel 27
Project Management Panel 27
Tab Windows 28
Toolbars 29
Dual Monitors 30
TimeCode Entry 30
Automatic Fades and Crossfades 31
Summary 31
Sample Rate Conversion 31
2 MassCore 32
Overview 33
Windows Boot Choice 33
Memory 33
Core Load Indicators 34
Pyramix Latency Modes for MassCore 36
3 Projects 37
Overview 38

Contents v
Backward Compatibility 38
Project Files 38
Editing Project 38
User Templates 41
4 Media Management & Libraries 42
Housekeeping 43
Databases 43
Performance Tips! 44
Media Folders 44
Media Target Settings 44
Audition Play 44
Drag and Drop 44
Database Views 45
Search 46
Quick Search 46
Search Media Dialog 46
Search Filters 53
Media Management 54
The Media Menu 54
Media Management and Library Tab Windows 55
Media Management and Library Tab Columns 55
The Trimmer 57
Media Management Tab Window 58
Media Browser 59
Media Management Tab Menus 59
Media Manager File Format Conversions 73
Libraries and other View Windows 74
Other View Windows 76
Library Maintenance 76
Library Tab Windows 76
Library Menus 77
Offline / Reference Libraries 84
Creating Offline/Reference Libraries 84
Using Offline/Reference Libraries 84
Mounting Rules 85
5 Tracks and Track Groups 87
Tracks 88
Track Numbering 88
Adding Tracks 88
Creating Tracks via Paste 88

Contents vi
Create New Tracks 89
Track Types 90
Audio Tracks 90
Tracks Grouping 91
Synchronized Creation/Deletion of Tracks/Strips 92
Deleting Tracks 92
Routing Tracks to / from the Mixer 92
Track Display Height 93
Track Header Panel 93
Track Header Components 95
Track Record Modes 99
Automation Tracks 99
Automation Sub-Tracks 99
Bus and VCA Group Automation Tracks 101
Tracks Tab Window 102
Track Tab Column Fields 103
Track Envelope and Static Gain 105
Static Gain 105
Envelope 106
Track Groups 109
Track Group Column Fields 109
6 Transport and Navigation 111
Transport Control 112
Navigation 112
Timeline Structure 112
Time Scale Rulers 112
Playhead Cursor Options 119
Cursor & Timescale Ruler Toolbars 120
Cursor Toolbar 120
Other Timescale Ruler Toolbars 122
Bars & Beats Ruler Toolbar 122
Markers 123
Markers Tab Window 124
Jog / Shuttle 125
Jog Wheel Settings 125
Mouse Scrubbing Settings 126
Vari Speed Audio Quality 126
Transport Controls 126
Transport Control Panel 128
Zooming and Panning 129
Time Scale Zoom and Pan 129

Contents vii
Track Height Zoom 129
Scroll Wheel 129
The Overview 130
7 Recording and Acquisition 131
Getting Audio into Pyramix Virtual Studio 132
Check Sync 132
File Format and Disk Limitations 132
Pyramix audio file format 133
Recording Audio into a Pyramix Virtual Studio Project 133
Track Record Modes 133
After Recording 134
AutoPunch Mode 134
Safety Record Mode 135
Importing Audio Files into Pyramix Virtual Studio 135
Mounting Media Folders 135
Sample Rate Conversion 135
Digitizing Sessions 139
Manual Digitizing 140
Autoconforming 141
8 Editing 142
Editing in the Timeline 143
Clips and Compositions 143
Clips in a Composition 143
Sample Rate Mismatch 143
Anatomy of a Clip 144
Locking Clips 145
Grouping Clips 145
Gain Window 145
Clip and Selection Editing 146
Clip Properties 146
Renaming Clips 147
Selection Tab Window 148
Selections and Region Selections 150
Working with Selections and Regions 151
Dragging Clips into a Composition 152
Copy and Paste 152
Auto-Crossfade By Default 153
Clip Fade Commands 154
Editing Modes 154
Splitting Clips and Regions 156

Contents viii
Editing Context Menu 157
Editing Context Sub-menus 158
Jog-Wheel Editing 160
Edit Command highlights: 161
Auto Silence Removal 165
EDL Tab Window 166
The Placement Tool 168
Source - Destination Editing 169
Concept 169
Setting up a Source - Destination Environment 169
2,3 and 4 Point Edits 171
9 Fade Editor 172
Fade Editor Tab Window 173
Toolbar 173
Undo Note: 175
The Graphical Display 175
The Faders & Control Section 176
Parameters & Options Section 176
Save X Fade 178
Save Fade 179
10 Mixer 180
Overview 181
Aux v SubGroup 181
Synchronized Creation/Deletion of Tracks/Strips 181
Mixer Pages 181
Configure Page 182
Settings 182
Strip and Bus operations 184
Effect Management 186
External Effects Inserts 188
Organize Page 189
Route Page 190
Automate Page 191
Mix ! 192
Mixer Components 196
Input Strips 196
Direct Monitoring Input Strips 196
Mixing/Monitoring/Aux Send and SubGroup Buses 197
Groups / VCA 199

Contents ix
Channel Direct Outputs 200
Strip & Bus Channel Types 200
Basic Strip 206
Creating and Configuring Mixers 209
Mixer Configuration Wizard 210
I/O Buses Explained 211
Input Strip Types 211
Internal Return Buses 211
Mixer Delay Compensation 212
Summary 212
Delay Compensation Switching 212
Delay Compensation 212
Configuring a Blank or Existing Mixer 216
Adding Strips 216
Mixer I/O Assignments 216
Effects and Plug-ins 216
Further Mixer Configuration Options 222
Dithering Options 223
Mixer Presets 224
Mixer Surround Components 225
Surround Control window 226
Peak Logger 228
Audio Bridge 230
ASIO 230
Rewire 231
Mixer Sharing 232
Activating Mixer Sharing 232
Rewire 234
11 Monitor 235
Monitor ! Window 236
Scope 236
Monitor ! page 236
Speaker Sets 238
Configure page 239
Commands 241
Media Manager and Library Monitoring 243
External Metering 243
External Inputs 244
Adding an External Machine 244
Talkback 244
Setting Up 246

Contents x
Foldback 252
12 Meter Bridge 253
Meter Bridge 254
Scope 254
Meter Bridge Switch 254
Meter Bridge Window 255
Configuring the Meter Bridge 256
Automation Fader Mode and Group Indicators 260
13 Final Check Metering 261
Final Check Metering 262
Final Check Window 262
Metering Tab 263
Meters 264
History Graphs 268
Setup 270
Loudness Metering Notes 274
Loudness and Peak Metering 275
14 Effects and Plug-Ins 276
Effects and Plug-ins 277
Adding and Managing Effects 277
VS3 Plug-In Support 277
VS3 Plug-ins in DXD Projects 278
Viewing Plug-in Information 279
Common Components 279
Effects Automation 282
Parametric EQ 282
10 Bands EQ 283
Three Band Tone Control 283
Dynamics Processing 284
Delay 286
Flanger 287
MS Encoder 288
AnguDion 288
AnguDion II 289
Mastering Peak/VU Meters 290
Peak-Meter 291
Global Settings and Presets 292
Phase-Oscillo 297

Contents xi
Surround Meter 300
DC Meter 301
Modulometer 301
Function Generator 303
Wordlength Meter 303
Effects and Plug-in Automation 304
Effects Snapshots 304
Optional Plug-ins 305
Merging Technologies 305
EQ-X 305
Noir Advanced Panner 307
User Interface 308
VoiCode 311
User Interface 311
Flux 316
Algorithmix 319
Arkamys 319
Vincent Burel 319
Cedar Audio Restoration Suite for Pyramix 320
Prosoniq 320
Scopein 322
VST Support 323
VST Plug-ins 323
VST Scanner 325
VST Plug-in Automation 327
Direct X Plug-ins 328
External Effects 329
15 Automation 330
Scope 331
Master Automation Controls 331
Global Dynamic Automation Modes 331
Snapshot Automation 331
Dynamic Automation Modes 332
Selecting Automation Modes 332
Auto-Write and Release Modes 334
Projects With Existing Automation 335
Display and Editing of Automation Data 335
Automation Curve Colors 335
Track Automation Menu 336
Automation Tracks Versions 339

Contents xii
View Several Parameters 340
Undo/Redo 340
Editing and Automation 340
Editing Automation Data 341
Filter Automation Tracks to Snapshot Dialog 344
Filter Automation Tracks to Snapshot Dialog Options 345
VCA Group Automation Editing 346
Automation Editing Between Strips/Projects 347
Automation Settings 348
Automation in Editing and Libraries 349
Mixer and Plug-in Snapshots 349
16 Strip and Bus Tools 350
Strip and Bus Tools 351
Eq, Comp/Limiter/Expander 351
Sections 352
Common Features 352
Bus Tools 358
Delay Compensation 362
Delay Compensation / Pre-Anticipation 364
17 Project Processes 365
Dither 366
Mixing Down Projects 367
Non Real-Time Mixdown 369
Archiving Projects 369
Consolidating Projects 370
Converting Projects 371
Changing Project Length / Pitch 371
Reconforming a Project 371
Surround Post-Processing Projects 371
Rendering Projects 372
Process Plug-ins 373
Effects Rack 373
Glitch Detector 375
Levelizer 375
Nova 375
Pencil 376
Prosoniq MPEX3 377
Cleaning Up Project media 377
Project Notes 377

Contents xiii
18 File and Project Interchange 378
File Interchange - Formats 379
File Size Limitations 379
Hard Drive Limitations 380
PMF 380
WAV and BWF 380
Broadcast WAV file Tips. 381
Quicktime 381
MTFF 382
DSD 382
Compressed Audio File Formats 383
Codecs 383
Compressed Audio Support for formats not supported directly 384
MXF 385
Dolby 385
Simple File Conversion 385
File & Project Interchange with Apple Macintosh 386
Project Interchange 387
Import / Export 389
Import 389
Export 391
AAF 392
AES-31 400
AKAI DD/DR 401
CD Import 403
CMX EDL 406
Cue Sheets Printer 407
DAR Reel/Segment 408
DDP Import 408
Final Cut Pro XML 408
OMF 409
Open TL 410
Pro Tools 410
Report Printer 412
SACD Edited Master Import 412
Sonic Solutions 412
Video Clips 412
XML 413
Cue Sheet Printer 413
19 Customizing Pyramix 415
Customizing the User Interface 416

Contents xiv
Toolbars and Menus 416
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts 417
User Macros 419
20 Applications 420
Project Templates 421
Virtual Multi-track 421
Player/Recorder Mode 423
Multitrack Editing 423
Pyramix With VCube 423
VCube Essentials 423
Sony 9-pin (P2) Protocol Support Over IP 423
LTC sync 424
Dubbing Mode 424
Virtual Tape Mode 424
Discontinuous TimeCode 426
Reconforming to Original Media from Avid &/or OMF 427
Digitizing a Tape with Discontinuous TimeCode 428
Loop Recording With Simultaneous Playlist Creation 428
TimeCode Midnight 428
Editing Multitrack Recordings 428
Film 24 to NTSC Sync 429
Checking AC3 encoded files in Pyramix 429
Working with External Machines 430
Use Auto-chase 430
Using Freeze Mode 430
Versioning 430
21 Conforming and Reconforming 431
Conforming 432
CMX EDLs 432
Importing a CMX EDL 432
CMX EDL Format 434
CMX Autoconform 435
Reconform 436
Introduction 436
Reconforming with an Existing Change EDL 436
Reconforming Using Pyramix for Picture Change Detection 440
Reconforming Using VCube for Picture Change Detection 448
Relink to New Media 457

Contents xv
22 Machine Control 459
Control of External Device 460
External Machines 460
9-pin (Sony P2 protocol) 460
Setting up an external machine 460
Sony P2 Protocol Over IP 460
Linking Functions of External and Internal Machines 463
Synchronizer 463
Chase Synchronizer 464
9-Pin Controller/Synchronizer Explained 464
Transport Control Panel 465
Internal / External Machine panels - Features 466
Internal Machine panel - Features 468
External Machine panel - Features 469
TimeCode Registers 472
Controllers Section 472
Examples: 473
23 Remote Control 474
Generic Control 475
Ramses MSC 475
Hardware Control Surfaces 475
ISIS 475
Supported Controllers Table 475
Controllers Table 476
Control by External Device 477
Control by Another Pyramix or VCube 477
EMC 478
OASIS Protocol 479
24 GPI / GPO Control 481
GPI / GPO Support 482
25 CD/SACD Mastering and Album Production 485
Mastering a Composition to CD-R 486
IMPORTANT! - First Steps 486
CD Markers 486
Convert Text Markers to CD 487
CD/SACD Tab Window 487
Album Section: 488
Tree Info/Track Inspector Section 488

Contents xvi
PQ Markers Section 489
Tracks List Section 490
CD/SACD Tab Window Menus 491
Default Settings 493
Show CD Player 494
Ghost Track 495
Multiple CDs or versions in one Project 495
Red-Book Validation 495
DDP Import 496
CD Image File / SACD Edited Master Import 496
SACD Functions 496
Exporting Projects to CD Image Files 497
Album Publishing 501
Digital Release 501
Album Publishing Settings 502
Cue Sheets 507
Generating Album(s) 509
DiscWrite 511
Optical Drives - Important Note: 515
CD Text 515
Burning a CD-R 515
DDP Masters 516
Red Book Compatible Masters 516
CD Copy 516
TOCs 516
Importing a U-Matic Tape 517
26 Productivity 522
Locating Clips 523
Waveform Generator Utility 523
Playlists 525
Playlists Tab Window 525
Bars & Beats 527
Bars & Beats Settings 528
Bars & Beats Ruler Toolbar 530
Tempo Map 533
Tab Windows 535
Tab Arrangement 535
Workspaces 543
Workspaces Tab Window 543
Optimizing Pyramix 545

Contents xvii
PC/OS Setup 545
Housekeeping 545
Use Templates 545
Pyramix File Format .PMF 545
One File Per Track option 546
Reducing Unnecessary Disk Access 546
DSP optimization 547
MassCore & VST Core Allocation 547
Use Work Spaces 551
Creating Tracks via paste 551
Disable Skin 551
27 Menus 552
Pyramix Default Menus 553
Project 553
Edit 556
View Menu 562
Clips 567
Tracks 571
Cursors & Marks 573
Selection 577
Fade Editor 578
Media 582
Automation 583
Workspaces 585
ADR 585
Machines 585
Monitor 591
Macros 591
Settings 592
Window 592
Help 592
28 Settings 593
Configuration - The Settings Dialog Window 594
Settings Buttons 594
Hardware 596
Formats and Sync 596
MassCore 600
I/O Interfaces 601
Master Board(#Serial No.) 601

Contents xviii
ADAT Board Settings 602
AES II and AES II SRC Board Settings 603
I/O Interfaces 603
AES/EBU 603
DUAL Board Settings 605
MADI Board Settings 606
SDIF Board Settings 608
TDIF Board Settings 609
Routing 610
Routing Page 610
TimeCode 612
Project 615
General 615
Record 616
Controller Mapping 621
Mixer 622
Level Meter 622
DSP Power Saving 624
Mixer Settings 625
Plug-ins Settings 626
Application 627
General 627
Editing 630
Playback/Record 632
Jog/Chase 634
CD/SACD 637
Desktop Layout 638
TimeLine layout 639
Keys 641
Location 642
Automation 643
Time Stretch 645
TimeZone Settings 645
Prosoniq MPEX3 Settings 646
Remote Control 647
Machine 647
Controller 652
Virtual Transport 657
29 Troubleshooting 659
Keeping Up To Date 660
Pyramix Busy Warning 660
Error Messages 660

Contents 0 - xix
Multi-channel Audio Files 661
No Sound on Live Inputs 662
Clip Display Problems 663
Relaunch After Improper Exit 664
The I/O Status window 664
Input Sources 664
Debug Menu 664
ADAT Daughterboard and XDTDM 666
General Troubleshooting 667
30 Appendices 669
Appendix I - Mouse Modifier Keys 670
Main Editor 670
Overview 672
Notes 672
Media Folder 672
Appendix II Legacy Mykerinos I/O Daughter-card Options 673
Daughter Card Support in Pyramix 8 MassCore 676
Appendix III VS3 Control Panel 677
Audio Bridge 679
Saving Settings 679
Routing 679
Appendix IV Optional Features 680
Pyramix DSD / SACD 680
Time-code Sync 681
Appendix V 9 - Pin connection 682
PC RS-232 Serial Port to External Sony P2 RS-422 Controller 682
Connecting an RS422 device using a direct cable 682
Appendix VI - Mykerinos Latencies 684
Appendix VII - Network Connections 685
Ethernet Connection & Settings 685
Synchronization with Virtual Transport 686
Appendix IIX - Pyramix iXML Implementation 688
31 Index 689

USER MANUAL
www.merging.com/Pyramix
Introduction