Tag Archives: Software

Which video format to use with Nuendo/Cubase

Nuendo (Screenshot)

Nuendo (Screenshot)

Last week I tried to make my first sound design demo using Nuendo3 teamed up with Reason4. It was a makeover of all sound in NBA Live 10 trailer. The original video was downloaded in WMV format which I thought it should compatible with my Nuendo on Windows. After imported WMV into Nuendo, it could be played but came many problems.

In edit mode, when I move any events to sync with video, the video was very very slow to update the current frame showing on video player. I don’t know why DirectShow video player can’t playback this WMV, I had to use DirectX instead. Furthermore, when I played the video after some SFX was placed in a right spot, everything was off-sync. How Come? I assumed that WMV required much processing power to decode. So, I decide to convert the video to something which requires the least processing power. Therefore I convert it to AVI (Uncompressed). It came up with 800MB for 30-sec video.

AVI (Uncompressed) worked very well in Nuendo but its size was what I concerned. Searching in Google for suitable video format for Nuendo/Cubase took me to this page. (http://knowledgebase.steinberg.net/253_1.html) It’s such a useful information from Steinberg’s knowledgebase.

Nuendo : Video Player

Nuendo : Video Player

According to the knowledgebase, AVI format with Cinepak codec was recommended for Windows PC. Indeo video codec from Intel was also mentioned. I tried them both. Both Cinepak and Indeo still worked really nice in Nuendo, compare with AVI(Uncompressed), yet much smaller in size. They were about 30MB each. AVI with Indeo codec was a bit smaller, so I used it. I finished this 30-sec demo using AVI(Indeo) video with no problem at all.

I’m starting new demo. Of course, the video was converted to AVI with Intel Indeo codec again. It’s my codec of choice in working with Nuendo on Windows so far.

Link : http://knowledgebase.steinberg.net/253_1.html

New UAD plugins : Fatso and EMT250

I’m always excited everytime Universal Audio (UA) releases new UAD plugin. I love to watch video demo from UA. Today UA releases version 5.4 software update for UAD platform together with 3 new plugins; Fatso, EMT250 and Neve 31102EQ. Video of the 31102 is not available yet, but the others are here.

I feel like watching an engineering documentary. It’s mostly about science, electronic and engineering. Furthermore, the quality of audio in every UA video is very good. Of course, they’re audio specialists. I’ve never tried UAD plugin but I’ve read a lot from magazines and websites about their stellar audio quality.

If I could have my own workstation for sound design in the future, UAD-powered DSP must be one of my important tools.

Links :

Korg R3 Editor software screenshots

Korg R3 : Editor Software

I’m now considering to buy new synth which is just a compact synth but with full-sized key. There’re 2 candidates; Korg R3 and Roland SH-201. I can easily find information of SH-201 on Roland’s website. But for R3, I think Korg’s website is not good at usability. Since R3 doesn’t have many knobs to edit its sound, so the software editor is needed. I need to see how R3 software looks like but I can’t see any screenshots in Korg website, even googling around.

What I did is download the software from Korg.com and installed into my mac. This is the only way for me to see it. So I took screenshots and post them here. Hope this would be useful for those who want to see Korg R3 editor software which can’t find on Korg.com.

Propellerhead Record Open Beta

Record Open Beta

Prepellerhead has just announced a moment ago on Twitter that beta version of Record is now open for everyone. I’ve been invited by @theaudiogeek last week to be a beta tester of Propellerhead Record (thanks Jon). But now if anyone want to try Record, you don’t need an invitation.

Record Open Beta lets you download the RC4 version of Record and fully use it without limitations until the official release on Sep 9, 2009. The software itself is really nice and I love it. Please note that if you’ve Reason installed on your machine, you can use Reason’s modules inside Record. If not and you want to experience Record teamed up with Reason, you can download the demo of Reason and use it together. But, Record have to be in demo mode to work with Reason’s demo.

The latest part of Record Micro Tutorial is about setting up Record Open Beta. It shows what to do when you open Record for the first time.

As a Reason user, I’d like to recommend all Reason users to try Record, even you don’t want to record anything. The way Record handles instrements and effects helps you organize your messy Reason racks. Record racks and the gorgeous mixer benefit Reason users in many ways. Try it and you’ll love it.

Link : http://www.recordyou.com/

Free guitar amp modeling software

Many audio-software developers release the cut-down version of their product for free as a part of marketing strategy. Native Instruments announced Guitar Rig Go last week. I’m considering to download and try it. This announcement remind me another free guitar amp modeling software from Waves, the Waves GTR Solo. Actually it isn’t completely free, Waves allows users to download and use GTR Solo for free just for only one year.

If anyone want to look for amp simulator software to create guitar sound, these two are interestng and free choices from big-name developer.

Links :

Native Instruments : Guitar Rig GO

Waves GTR Solo