Merging Pyramix User manual

6.1
USER MANUAL
User Manual
User Manual

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Contents iii
Contents
Document Version: V9.x User Manual-rev 4
Date: 28th -March-2014

Contents iv
0 Contents iii
1 Introduction 21
Thank you! 22
Contacting Merging 22
International Office: 22
UK: 22
USA: 22
Installation 23
About This Manual 23
Scope 23
Commands Reference 23
MassCore™ 24
Important Note 24
Pyramix Guides 24
Other Pyramix Guides 24
Assumptions 25
Conventions 25
Pyramix Virtual Studio Overview 26
Program Window 26
Project Window 27
Status Bar 27
Project Editing Panel 28
Project Management Panel 28
Tab Windows 29
Toolbars 30
Dual Monitors 31
TimeCode Entry 31
Automatic Fades and Crossfades 32
Summary 32
Sample Rate Conversion 32
2 MassCore 33
Overview 34
Windows Boot Choice 34
Memory 34
Core Load Indicators 35
Pyramix Latency Modes for MassCore 37
3 Projects 38
Overview 39

Contents v
Backward Compatibility 39
Project Files 39
Editing Project 39
User Templates 42
4 Media Management & Libraries 43
Housekeeping 44
Databases 44
Performance Tips! 45
Media Folders 45
Media Target Settings 45
Audition Play 45
Drag and Drop 45
Database Views 46
Search 47
Quick Search 47
Search Media Dialog 47
Search Filters 54
Media Management 55
The Media Menu 55
Media Management and Library Tab Windows 56
Media Management and Library Tab Columns 56
The Trimmer 58
Media Management Tab Window 59
Media Browser 60
Media Management Tab Menus 60
Media Manager File Format Conversions 72
Libraries and other View Windows 73
Other View Windows 75
Library Maintenance 75
Using Global Libraries 75
Useful Library Commands 77
Library Tab Windows 78
Library Menus 78
Offline / Reference Libraries 85
Creating Offline/Reference Libraries 85
Using Offline/Reference Libraries 85
Mounting Rules 86
5 Tracks and Track Groups 88
Tracks 89
Track Numbering 89

Contents vi
Adding Tracks 89
Creating Tracks via Paste 89
Create New Tracks 90
Track Types 91
Audio Tracks 91
Tracks Grouping 92
Synchronized Creation/Deletion of Tracks/Strips 93
Deleting Tracks 93
Routing Tracks to / from the Mixer 93
Track Display Height 94
Track Header Panel 94
Track Header Components 96
Track Record Modes 100
Automation Tracks 100
Automation Sub-Tracks 100
Bus and VCA Group Automation Tracks 102
Tracks Tab Window 103
Track Tab Column Fields 104
Track Envelope and Static Gain 106
Static Gain 106
Envelope 107
Track Groups 110
Track Group Column Fields 110
6 Transport and Navigation 112
Transport Control 113
Navigation 113
Timeline Structure 113
Time Scale Rulers 113
Playhead Cursor Options 120
Cursor & Timescale Ruler Toolbars 121
Cursor Toolbar 121
Other Timescale Ruler Toolbars 123
Bars & Beats Ruler Toolbar 123
Markers 125
Project Markers 125
Track Group Markers 126
Media Markers 127
Markers Tab Window 132
Jog / Shuttle 133
Jog Wheel Settings 133
Mouse Scrubbing Settings 134

Contents vii
Vari Speed Audio Quality 134
Transport Controls 134
Transport Control Panel 136
Zooming and Panning 137
Time Scale Zoom and Pan 137
Track Height Zoom 137
Scroll Wheel 137
The Overview 138
7 Recording and Acquisition 139
Getting Audio into Pyramix Virtual Studio 140
Check Sync 140
File Format and Disk Limitations 140
Pyramix audio file format 141
Recording Audio into a Pyramix Virtual Studio Project 141
Record Source Before or After Effects 141
Track Record Modes 141
After Recording 142
AutoPunch Mode 142
Safety Record Mode 142
Background Recorders 143
Set-up and Operation 144
Edit while Recording 147
Recording Status 148
Take Logger 150
Importing Audio Files into Pyramix Virtual Studio 155
Mounting Media Folders 155
Sample Rate Conversion 155
Digitizing Sessions 158
Manual Digitizing 159
Autoconforming 160
8 Editing 161
Editing in the Timeline 162
Clips and Compositions 162
Clips in a Composition 162
Sample Rate Mismatch 162
Anatomy of a Clip 163
Locking Clips 164
Grouping Clips 164
Gain Window 164
Clip and Selection Editing 165

Contents viii
Clip Properties 165
Renaming Clips 166
Selection Tab Window 167
Selections and Region Selections 169
Working with Selections and Regions 170
Dragging Clips into a Composition 171
Copy and Paste 171
Auto-Crossfade By Default 172
Clip Fade Commands 173
Editing Modes 173
Splitting Clips and Regions 175
Editing Context Menu 176
Editing Context Sub-menus 177
Jog-Wheel Editing 179
Edit Command highlights: 180
Auto Silence Removal 184
EDL Tab Window 185
The Placement Tool 187
Source - Destination Editing 188
Concept 188
Setting up a Source - Destination Environment 188
2,3 and 4 Point Edits 190
9 Fade Editor 191
Fade Editor Tab Window 192
Toolbar 192
Undo Note: 194
The Graphical Display 194
The Faders & Control Section 195
Parameters & Options Section 195
Save X Fade 197
Save Fade 198
10 Mixer 199
Overview 200
Mixer Pages 200
Mix ! 201
Basic Mixer 201
Mixer Rows 203
Highlighting 206
Rearranging Strips 210

Contents ix
Multiple Strip Selection and Operations 210
Configure Page 211
Settings 211
Strip and Bus operations 213
Effect Management 215
External Effects Inserts 217
Organize Page 218
Route Page 219
Mixer Components 221
Input Strips 221
Direct Monitoring Input Strips 221
Mixing/Monitoring/Aux Send and SubGroup Buses 222
Groups / VCA 224
Channel Direct Outputs 226
Strip & Bus Channel Types 226
Basic Strip 232
HORUS Preamp Remote Controls 236
Creating and Configuring Mixers 239
Mixer Configuration Wizard 239
I/O Buses Explained 240
Input Strip Types 240
Internal Return Buses 240
Mixer Delay Compensation 241
Summary 241
Delay Compensation Switching 241
Delay Compensation 241
Configuring a Blank or Existing Mixer 245
Adding Strips 245
Mixer I/O Assignments 245
Effects and Plug-ins 245
Further Mixer Configuration Options 251
Dithering Options 252
Mixer Presets 253
Mixer Surround Components 254
Surround Control window 255
Peak Logger 258
Audio Bridge 260
ASIO Device Mode 260
Secondary Audio Device Host Mode 261
Rewire 264
Mixer Sharing 265
Activating Mixer Sharing 265

Contents x
Rewire 267
11 Monitor 268
Monitor ! Window 269
Scope 269
Monitor ! page 269
Speaker Sets 271
Configure page 272
Commands 274
Media Manager and Library Monitoring 276
External Metering 276
External Inputs 277
Adding an External Machine 277
Talkback 277
Setting Up 279
Foldback 285
12 Meter Bridge 286
Meter Bridge 287
Scope 287
Meter Bridge Switch 287
Meter Bridge Window 288
Configuring the Meter Bridge 289
Automation Fader Mode and Group Indicators 293
13 Final Check Metering 294
Final Check Metering 295
Final Check Window 295
Metering Tab 296
Meters 297
History Graphs 301
Setup 303
Loudness Metering Notes 307
Loudness and Peak Metering 308
14 Effects and Plug-Ins 309
Effects and Plug-ins 310
Adding and Managing Effects 310
VS3 Plug-In Support 310
VS3 Plug-ins in DXD Projects 311
Viewing Plug-in Information 312
Common Components 312

Contents xi
Effects Automation 315
Parametric EQ 315
10 Bands EQ 316
Three Band Tone Control 316
Dynamics Processing 317
Delay 319
Flanger 320
MS Encoder 321
AnguDion 321
AnguDion II 322
Mastering Peak/VU Meters 323
Peak-Meter 324
Global Settings and Presets 325
Phase-Oscillo 330
Surround Meter 333
DC Meter 334
Modulometer 334
Function Generator 336
Wordlength Meter 336
Effects and Plug-in Automation 337
Effects Snapshots 337
Optional Plug-ins 338
Merging Technologies 338
EQ-X 338
PanNoir Panner 340
User Interface 341
VoiCode 344
User Interface 344
Flux 349
Algorithmix 352
Arkamys 352
Vincent Burel 352
Cedar Audio Restoration Suite for Pyramix 353
The DSP Dimension 353
Dirac 353
Prosoniq 353
Scopein 355
VST Support 356
VST Plug-ins 356
VST Plug-in Automation 360
Direct X Plug-ins 361

Contents xii
External Effects 362
15 Automation 363
Scope 364
Master Automation Transport Controls 364
Global Dynamic Automation Modes 364
Snapshot Automation 364
Dynamic Automation Levels 365
Automation Modes 366
Dynamic Automation Transport Modes 367
Preview Automation Mode 371
Projects With Existing Automation 372
Display and Editing of Automation Data 372
Automation Curve Colors 372
Track Automation Menu 373
Automation Tracks Versions 376
View Several Parameters 377
Undo/Redo 377
Editing and Automation 377
Editing Automation Data 378
Filter Automation Tracks to Snapshot Dialog 381
Filter Automation Tracks to Snapshot Dialog Options 382
Automation Editing 383
VCA Group Automation Editing 383
Automation Editing Between Strips/Projects 384
Automation Settings 385
Automation in Editing and Libraries 386
Mixer and Plug-in Snapshots 386
16 Strip and Bus Tools 388
Strip and Bus Tools 389
Eq, Comp/Limiter/Expander 389
Sections 390
Common Features 390
Bus Tools 396
Delay Compensation 400
Delay Compensation / Pre-Anticipation 402
17 Project Processes 403
Dither 404
Mixing Down Projects 405

Contents xiii
Non Real-Time Mixdown 407
Archiving Projects 408
Consolidating Projects 409
Converting Projects 410
Changing Project Length / Pitch 410
Reconforming a Project 410
Surround Post-Processing Projects 410
Rendering Projects 411
Process Plug-ins 412
Glitch Detector 412
Dirac 413
Effects Rack 414
Levelizer 415
Nova 415
Pencil 416
Prosoniq MPEX 4 417
ReNOVAtor 417
Cleaning Up Project media 417
Project Notes 417
18 File and Project Interchange 418
File Interchange - Formats 419
File Size Limitations 419
Hard Drive Limitations 420
PMF 420
WAV and BWF 420
Broadcast WAV file Tips. 421
Quicktime 421
MTFF 422
DSD 422
Compressed Audio File Formats 423
Codecs 423
Compressed Audio Support for formats not supported directly 424
MXF 425
Dolby 425
Simple File Conversion 425
File & Project Interchange with Apple Macintosh 426
Project Interchange 427
Import / Export 429
Import 429
Export 431
AAF 432

Contents xiv
AES-31 440
AKAI DD/DR 441
CD Import 443
CMX EDL 446
Cue Sheets Printer 447
DAR Reel/Segment 448
DDP Import 448
Final Cut Pro XML 448
OMF 449
Open TL 450
Pro Tools 450
Report Printer 452
SACD Edited Master Import 452
Sonic Solutions 452
Video Clips 452
XML 453
Cue Sheet Printer 453
19 Customizing Pyramix 455
Customizing the User Interface 456
Toolbars and Menus 456
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts 457
User Macros 459
20 Applications 460
Project Templates 461
Virtual Multi-track 461
Player/Recorder Mode 463
Multitrack Editing 463
Pyramix With VCube 463
VCube Essentials 463
Sony 9-pin (P2) Protocol Support Over IP 463
LTC sync 464
Dubbing Mode 464
Virtual Tape Mode 464
Discontinuous TimeCode 466
Reconforming to Original Media from Avid &/or OMF 467
Digitizing a Tape with Discontinuous TimeCode 468
Loop Recording With Simultaneous Playlist Creation 468
TimeCode Midnight 468
Editing Multitrack Recordings 468
Film 24 to NTSC Sync 469

Contents xv
Checking AC3 encoded files in Pyramix 469
Working with External Machines 470
Use Auto-chase 470
Using Freeze Mode 470
Versioning 470
21 Conforming and Reconforming 471
Conforming 472
CMX EDLs 472
Importing a CMX EDL 472
CMX EDL Format 474
CMX Autoconform 475
Reconform 476
Introduction 476
Reconforming with an Existing Change EDL 476
Reconforming Using Pyramix for Picture Change Detection 480
Reconforming Using VCube for Picture Change Detection 488
Relink to New Media 497
22 Machine Control 499
Control of External Device 500
External Machines 500
9-pin (Sony P2 protocol) 500
Setting up an external machine 500
Sony P2 Protocol Over IP 500
Linking Functions of External and Internal Machines 503
Synchronizer 503
Chase Synchronizer 504
9-Pin Controller/Synchronizer Explained 504
Transport Control Panel 505
Internal / External Machine panels - Features 506
Internal Machine panel - Features 508
External Machine panel - Features 509
TimeCode Registers 512
Controllers Section 512
Examples: 513
23 Remote Control 514
Generic Control 515
Ramses MSC 515
Hardware Control Surfaces 515
ISIS 515

Contents xvi
Supported Controllers Table 515
Controllers Table 516
Control by External Device 517
Control by Another Pyramix or VCube 517
EMC 518
OASIS Protocol 519
EuCon Control Surfaces 521
24 GPI / GPO Control 524
GPI / GPO Support 525
25 CD/SACD Mastering and Album Production 528
Mastering a Composition to CD-R 529
IMPORTANT! - First Steps 529
CD Markers 529
Convert Text Markers to CD 530
CD/SACD Tab Window 530
Album Section: 531
Tree Info/Track Inspector Section 531
PQ Markers Section 532
Tracks List Section 533
CD/SACD Tab Window Menus 534
Default Settings 536
Show CD Player 537
Ghost Track 538
Multiple CDs or versions in one Project 538
Red-Book Validation 538
DDP Import 539
CD Image File / SACD Edited Master Import 539
SACD Functions 539
Exporting Projects to CD Image Files 540
Album Publishing 544
Digital Release 544
Album Publishing Settings 545
Cue Sheets 550
Generating Album(s) 552
DiscWrite 554
Optical Drives - Important Note: 558
CD Text 558
Burning a CD-R 558
DDP Masters 559

Contents xvii
Red Book Compatible Masters 559
CD Copy 559
TOCs 559
Importing a U-Matic Tape 560
26 Productivity 565
Locating Clips 566
Waveform Generator Utility 566
Playlists 568
Playlists Tab Window 568
Bars & Beats 570
Bars & Beats Settings 571
Bars & Beats Ruler Toolbar 573
Tempo Map 576
Tab Windows 578
Tab Arrangement 578
Workspaces 586
Workspaces Tab Window 586
Optimizing Pyramix 588
PC/OS Setup 588
Housekeeping 588
Use Templates 588
Pyramix File Format .PMF 588
One File Per Track option 589
Reducing Unnecessary Disk Access 589
DSP optimization 590
MassCore & VST Core Allocation 590
Use Work Spaces 594
Creating Tracks via paste 594
Disable Skin 594
27 Menus 595
Pyramix Default Menus 596
Project 596
Edit 599
View Menu 605
Clips 610
Tracks 614
Cursor & Marks 616
Markers 619
Selection 622

Contents xviii
Fade Editor 623
Media 627
Automation 628
Workspaces 630
ADR 630
Machines 630
Monitor 636
Macros 636
Settings 637
Window 637
Help 637
28 Settings 638
Configuration - The Settings Dialog Window 639
Settings Buttons 639
Hardware 641
Formats and Sync 641
Secondary Audio Device Bridging 643
MassCore 644
I/O Interfaces 645
Mykerinos 645
Master Board(#Serial No.) 645
ADAT Board Settings 646
AES II and AES II SRC Board Settings 647
I/O Interfaces 647
AES/EBU 647
DUAL Board Settings 649
MADI Board Settings 650
SDIF Board Settings 652
TDIF Board Settings 653
Routing 655
Routing Page 655
Mic/Pre Remote 657
TimeCode 658
Mixer 661
Level Meter 661
DSP Power Saving 663
Mixer Settings 664
VST Plug-ins Settings 665
Project 667
General 667
Record 669

Contents xix
Controller Mapping 675
Application 676
General 676
Editing 679
Playback/Record 681
Jog/Chase 684
CD/SACD 687
Desktop Layout 688
TimeLine layout 690
Keys 693
Location 694
Automation 696
Background Recorders 698
Time Stretch 700
Dirac Settings 700
Prosoniq MPEX4 Settings 701
Remote Control 702
Machine 702
Controller 707
Virtual Transport 2 712
29 Troubleshooting 713
Keeping Up To Date 714
Pyramix Busy Warning 714
Error Messages 714
Multi-channel Audio Files 715
No Sound on Live Inputs 716
Clip Display Problems 717
Relaunch After Improper Exit 718
The I/O Status window 718
Input Sources 718
Debug Menu 718
ADAT Daughterboard and XDTDM 720
General Troubleshooting 721
30 Appendices 723
Appendix I - Mouse Modifier Keys 724
Main Editor 724
Overview 726
Notes 726
Media Folder 726
Appendix II Legacy Mykerinos I/O Daughter-card Options 727

Contents xx
Daughter Card Support in Pyramix 8 MassCore 730
Appendix III VS3 Control Panel 731
Audio Bridge 733
Saving Settings 733
Routing 733
Appendix IV Optional Features 734
Pyramix DSD / DXD / SACD 734
Time-code Sync 737
Appendix V 9 - Pin connection 738
PC RS-232 Serial Port to External Sony P2 RS-422 Controller 738
Connecting an RS422 device using a direct cable 738
Appendix VI - Mykerinos Latencies 740
Appendix VII - Network Connections 741
Ethernet Connection & Settings 741
Synchronization with Virtual Transport 742
Appendix IIX - Pyramix iXML Implementation 744
31 Index 745