SpectraLayers One 10 - Audio/Video Software STEINBERG - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Audio editing software
Version	10
Brand	Steinberg
Category	Audio/Video software
Platform Compatibility	Windows, macOS
Installation Type	Download or physical media
License Type	Single-user license
Key Features	Spectral editing, noise reduction, audio repair, visual audio editing
Supported File Formats	WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, OGG, and more
Sample Rate Support	Up to 192 kHz
Bit Depth Support	16, 24, 32-bit float
Maximum Project Complexity	Handles large multitrack sessions
User Interface	Spectrogram-based, customizable workspace
Plug-in Formats Supported	VST3, Audio Units (AU)
Standalone Operation	Yes
System Requirements (Minimum)	Windows 10/11 or macOS 10.14+, 4GB RAM, 2GB free disk space
Maintenance	Update via Steinberg Download Assistant
Repair Policy	License reactivation available via Steinberg Support
Language Support	English, German, French, Japanese, Spanish, and more

Frequently Asked Questions - SpectraLayers One 10 STEINBERG

What is SpectraLayers One 10 used for?

SpectraLayers One 10 is a spectral audio editor for repairing, restoring, and manipulating audio with visual precision.

Is SpectraLayers One 10 compatible with my DAW?

Yes, it can be used as a standalone application or as a VST3/AU plugin within most DAWs like Cubase, Logic Pro, and Pro Tools.

What file formats does it support?

It supports common formats including WAV, AIFF, MP3, FLAC, OGG, and more.

Can I remove background noise with SpectraLayers One 10?

Absolutely. It offers advanced noise reduction and spectral editing tools to isolate and remove unwanted sounds.

What are the minimum system requirements?

Minimum requirements are Windows 10/11 or macOS 10.14+, 4GB RAM, and 2GB free disk space.

Does it support real-time processing?

Yes, many operations can be applied in real-time with low latency.

Can I edit stereo and surround files?

It supports stereo and multichannel audio up to 7.1 surround.

How do I activate the software?

Activation is done via the Steinberg Download Assistant and requires an internet connection.

Is there a demo version available?

Yes, a fully functional 30-day trial is available on the Steinberg website.

Can I use spectrogram layers for creative effects?

Yes, you can apply creative effects by painting or transforming spectral data for unique sound design.

USER MANUAL SpectraLayers One 10 STEINBERG

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one copy of this document for their personal use.

All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.

© Divide Frame & Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2023. All rights reserved.

Table of Contents

New Features 5

Introduction 7

System Requirements 10

Getting Started....11

The Importance of FFT Size 15

User Interface 17

Menu Bar 18

Tools Area 18

Overview Bar, Timeline and 3D Pad Area....19

Waveform and Spectral Display Area 20

Panels Area 21

Transcript Bar 22

Transport Area 22

Project Handling 23

File Menu 23

Clip Menu 24

Project Menu 25

View and Panels 26

View Menu 26

Display Panel 29

History Panel 29

Channels Panel 30

Layers Panel 30

Layers Management 32

Layer Menu 32

Playback and Transport 34

Transport Menu 34

Transport Bar 36

Tools 37

Transform Tools 37

Selection Tools 38

Modification Tools 39

Drawing Tools 40

Measurement Tools 40

Navigation Tools 40

Editing Selections 42

Edit Menu 42

Select Menu 44

Unmixing 45

Music Unmixers 45

Processing 46

Generate Processes 46

Amplitude Processes 47

Preferences 49

Device Preferences 49

Interface Preferences 49

Display Preferences 51

System Preferences 52

Shortcuts Preferences 53

External Integration 54

ARA2 Plugin 54

AAX Plugin for AVID Pro Tools 58

As an Editor 60

Appendix 63

Keyboard Shortcuts 63

Command Line Options 71

SpectraLayers Editions Comparison 73

Video Tutorials 77

Forum....80

Index 81

New Features

New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.40

• Apple Silicon support for the AAX Plugin for AVID Pro Tools. • Online notifications frequency can now be adjusted

New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.30

- New Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese localizations. See Language setting in Interface Preferences.

New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.20

- New Keyboard Shortcuts to activate individual channels have been added the Channels panel: Alt+Up and Alt+Down.

New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.10

• New "Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix" command to add the content of the clipboard to existing content. See Transferring Content.
• New "Duplicate" button for the Transform Selection tool, to duplicate a selection multiple times.

New features in SpectraLayers One 10.0.0

Highlights

Vocals Unmixing Improved

• Vocals unmixing quality has been significantly improved.

More New Features

Normalize

- New Normalize process.

Multiple Process Dialogs at Once

- Multiple process dialogs can now be opened at once, enabling faster workflow.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Preview, Bypass and Apply

- Shortcuts for current process Preview (Ctrl + Space), Bypass (Ctrl + B) and Apply (Ctrl + Return) have been added.

Value Sliders Ergonomy Improved

- The ergonomy of the value sliders have been improved. For instance text cursor is more visible, and it's easier to go back from the numeric keyboard input behavior to the value dragging by mouse behavior.

Edit > Insert/Delete/Crop Time

- The Edit menu gets 3 new entries for [Editing Time]: Insert Time, Delete Time and Crop Time. Similar to Project > Insert/Delete/Crop Time, but act on the active layer instead of the whole project.

Contextual Cut/Copy/Paste

- Spectrogram contextual menu gets Cut/Copy/Paste actions.

Import Multiple Files at Once

- You can now import multiple files at once in the File > Open and File > Import dialogs (see Saving and Closing a Project and Importing and Exporting Layers). When importing multiple files, the user is asked if all files should be imported in a single project or as multiple projects.

Contextual Help

- Most processes and tools now feature an [Online Help] button linking directly to its corresponding online documentation page. This help button is located in the top right corner of most Processing and Unmixing actions, in the Tools menu (left side of the tools parameters), and the Panels menu (top right corner of panels).

Better Layer Colors

- Layer colors are now more balanced, making it easier to identify different layers. Color auto-assignment is also smarter, avoiding repeating colors as much as possible.

Faster AI Engine and Spectral Engine

- AI processes are now 2 times faster, and can sometimes take advantage of hardware acceleration. The spectral engine is also now 2 to 4 times faster to process and render spectral data.

Introduction

Spectral...

In most audio applications, audio is displayed as a waveform that represents audio in the time domain (amplitude vs. time):

This representation shows the global power of sound; however, it doesn't show what's inside the sound.

Spectral data represents sound in the frequency domain. You can think of it like a musical score: the higher the peaks in the spectrogram, the higher the tones; the stronger the peaks, the stronger the tones. Everything can be analyzed with this representation: music, voice, even noise.

Spectral analysis uses discrete FFT analysis: you have to choose between time and frequency accuracy. An FFT Size of 2048 or 4096 is usually good for most situations (with a file sampled at 44,100 Hz or 48,000 Hz). Feel free to change the size on the fly as the accuracy of your work highly depends on it (see The Importance of FFT Size).

You should also play with the amplitude settings to see the small peak details in the spectral view.

...Layers

The layer system, similar to tracks in a DAW, allows you to refine your work extensively in a nondestructive way, thanks to transfer operations and the additive and subtractive nature of layer mixing.

If you cut and paste data from one layer to a different layer, you transfer data nondestructively: the sum of the two layers is identical to the source data, but you have full control over the state of the data you extracted to that new layer.

If you copy and paste data from one layer to a different layer, and then invert the phase of that new layer, you subtract the layers nondestructively: the first layer still contains all the original data, and the new, inverted layer acts to subtract the original data. When this negative layer is muted, you get your original data back.

Processes and Tools

Processes work the same way they do in most audio applications: you select an area, and the process is applied to the whole area.

However, the difference is that in SpectraLayers One you can select not only time but also frequency areas, so the process is only applied to a certain range of frequencies.

The processes are also different by nature, because they are designed to use spectral data instead of raw audio data, so the purpose and range is not the same as usual audio processes. You can think of them as photo filters.

Tools work the same way they do in paint applications: they are local to the mouse position and allow you to work on specific frequencies.

• Transform tools allow the user to shift layers and selections in time or to rescale (pitch-shift, time-stretch) them.
• Selection tools allow the user to select spectral data.
• Modification tools allow the user to retouch spectral data.
• Drawing tools generate spectral data from scratch.
• Measure tools give the user specific information about spectral data.
• Navigation tools allow the user to navigate the spectrogram.

System Requirements

Windows

- Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bit)

- Dual-core CPU (10th Generation Intel CPU recommended)

- 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

- 4 GB of free hard disk space (for temporary files)

- OpenGL 3.3 capable graphics adapter (DirectX 12.1 capable with 4GB VRAM or higher recommended for GPU acceleration)

- 1280x720 display resolution

- Windows-compatible audio hardware

macOS

- macOS 10.15 (Catalina), macOS 11 (Big Sur), macOS 12 (Monterey) or macOS 13 (Ventura)

- Dual-core CPU (Apple Silicon CPU recommended)

- 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

- 4 GB of free hard disk space (for temporary files)

- OpenGL 3.3 capable graphics adapter

• 1280x720 display resolution

- CoreAudio-compatible audio hardware

Getting Started

Beneath its streamlined interface, SpectraLayers One provides you with powerful tools for spectral editing.

This topic will help you find your way around the application so you can unlock its full potential.

1. When you first start SpectraLayers One, the tools are unavailable until you open a file or create a project.

1. We'll create a project by opening an existing audio file.

Click File > Open to open an audio file. It will become the first layer of your project.

After you open the file, you'll see it displayed and highlighted in the Layers panel in the bottom-right corner of the workspace. The tools are now available on the left side of the workspace. In the center of the screen is the spectral display.

In the spectral display, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency. The spots you can see correspond to a mix of the various frequencies and noise that compose your audio file. The higher the spots, the higher the

pitch of sounds in your audio file.

You can play your audio file by clicking the ▶Play button at the bottom or pressing Space.

1. Before performing any edits, you need to select a layer.

Click the layer in the Layers panel to select it if it isn't already selected. A selected layer is highlighted in the Layers panel.

1. The first step in most editing is selecting data in the spectrogram. Let's create some selections.

Take a closer look at some frequencies. If your file contains vocals or musical instruments, you'll see horizontal lines that represent syllables or musical notes. Several of these lines on top of each other represent harmonics, and they create the audio signature of each voice and instrument.

1. Zoom the spectral display to find the parts of a spectrogram that you want to edit.

Use the Zoom tool at the bottom of the tools bar on the left to change the magnification of the spectral display.

You can navigate the spectral display using the Hand tool next to the Zoom tool. Drag with the Hand tool to move the spectrogram within the spectral display.

When you zoom in horizontally or vertically, you may notice that the frequencies will appear blurry:

The FFT Size parameter in the Display Panel (top right) allows you to refine the spectral display. You can choose a different resolution by dragging the slider or typing a value in the edit box.

After increasing the frequency resolution, you can see that the frequency lines are thinner.

Experiment with different FFT sizes to find the setting that allows you to see each line clearly.

1. Let's select some frequencies so we can cut them and paste them to a new layer.

Click the Rectangular Selection tool in the Tools toolbar.

With the Add to Selection button in the Tool Settings toolbar selected (or by holding down the Shift key), click a few frequencies on top of each other, and see how they are also highlighted. It means they have been added to the selection. Notice the Play button (or Space) now plays the current selection.

1. Let's cut the selected frequencies to a new layer.

a. Choose Edit > Cut or press Ctrl + X (Windows) Cmd + X (macOS).

Notice that the frequencies you selected in the previous step are removed from the spectral display.

b. Click the 🎨 New Layer button at the bottom of the Layers Panel (or choose Layer > New) to create a new layer. Notice the new layer is highlighted, meaning it's now the active layer.

C. Choose Edit > Paste or press Ctrl + V (Windows) Cmd + V (macOS). Notice the spectral color of that layer matches its color setting in the Layers panel.

TIP

These 3 steps can be replaced by a single action using Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below (Shift + X)

1. Click the M Mute button on the new layer or drag its volume fader to the left to reduce its volume. Notice the content fades away from the spectrogram as well. If you play your project, the frequencies you pasted to the new layer will be removed or attenuated.

NOTE

Creating multiple layers and experimenting with different tools will give you a lot of flexibility to extract, restore or design the exact sound you need. You can also adjust the display settings such as the FFT Size while using a tool if needed.

The Importance of FFT Size

As mentioned in the Getting Started section, the FFT Size parameter (found in the Display Panel) is quite important for several tools and processes in SpectraLayers One.

It could be explained as the equivalent of focus in photography:

When using a lens with a wide aperture, it's almost impossible to get every subject in focus at once, especially when you have close objects and background objects; you have to choose which subject is the most important for that photo and focus on that one, leaving the others blurry.

The same goes for the FFT Size parameter; it's a focus control which instead of choosing a certain depth, chooses a certain time/frequency balance.

• The smaller the FFT Size, the more details you'll get with time-centric events (such as transient sounds) but the blurrier the tones.
• The larger the FFT Size, the more details you'll get with frequency-centric events (such as static tones) but the blurrier the transients.

However spectrograms are not just transients and static tones; there's a wide variety of frequency shapes in a recording.

See the spectrogram of a human voice for instance: it's a lot of frequencies stacked on top of each other, which are not just straight lines but wobbling ones; which means they are not purely horizontal or purely vertical, but a mix of both, and they vary over time.

So sometimes you may need to focus on the more horizontal parts, sometimes on more angled parts, or verticals, or find a compromise to see most of what's important nearly in focus.

Here's the same example under 3 different FFT Sizes:

As you can notice, some parts are more precisely defined depending on the FFT Size chosen. It's up to you to decide what is relevant and needs to be the most precisely defined.

User Interface

At the top of the interface, the Menu Bar controls project handling, selection editing, processing and unmixing, layer management, and other interface and project aspects.

1. The Tools Area provides transforms, selections, modifications, drawings, measurements, and navigation tools that can be used in the Spectral Display.
2. The Tool Settings show the parameters of the currently active tool.
3. The Project Tabs manage the different projects of your session.
4. The Overview Bar, Timeline, and 3D Pad Area display a schematic view of your project and help you navigate.
5. The Waveform Display shows the layers' amplitude.
6. The Spectral Display lets you visualize and edit the layers' spectrogram.
7. The Panels Area shows display settings, editing history, audio channels, and layers list.
8. The Transcript Bar displays and lets you adjust layers' transcription.
9. The Transport Area provides access to transport commands, playhead position, output level, and VU Meter.

Menu Bar

The menu bar contains the following items:

• File Menu (or Clip Menu in ARA mode)
• Edit Menu
• Select Menu
• Project Menu
• Layer Menu
• Unmix Menu
• Process Menu
• Transport Menu • View Menu • Help Menu

Tools Area

1. Transform Tools can move and scale layers and spectral selections.
2. Selection Tools offers a variety of shapes and algorithms to select spectral data.
3. Modification Tools apply direct modifications to the spectrogram.
4. Measurement Tools provides measurements and annotations on your spectrogram.
5. Navigation Tools let you visualize and hear your spectrogram in detail.

Overview Bar, Timeline and 3D Pad Area

The Overview Bar shows a schematic view of your project, with layers displayed as horizontal lines, selections highlighted in white, and the playhead as a vertical white line.

You can navigate the whole range of your project by dragging the edge of the surrounding rectangle to zoom, or dragging inside the rectangle to pan.

The Timeline displays precise timings of the waveform and spectral displays below. It also allows you to jump the playhead to any specific position, or to add markers by right-clicking it.

The 3D Pad enables 3D view of your project. When it is centered, your project is seen in flat 2D from the top. When it is moved in any direction, you can see your spectrogram in 3D.

See Navigation Tools.

Waveform and Spectral Display Area

The Waveform Display shows the amplitude of the layers in your project. You can't directly act on it, except for moving individual wave samples. It is more used as a visualization and navigation display.

At the right of the waveform display is the amplitude scale. Use it to zoom vertically, either by using the mouse wheel or the scroll bar on the right side.

The top of the amplitude scale displays the current power unit. See how to Define Units and Scales.

At the center, the initial of the corresponding channel (for instance C for Center, L for Left, etc...). Click that initial to solo the channel. See also the Channels Panel.

The Spectral Display lets you visualize and edit the spectrogram of the layers in your project. Any tool, selection, measurement, process is applied on this display.

At the right of the spectral display is the frequency scale. Use it to pan or zoom vertically, either by dragging it, using the mouse wheel, or the scroll bar on the right side. See the Navigation Tools.

The top of the frequency scale displays the current frequency unit. See how to Define Units and Scales.

At the center, the initial of the corresponding channel (for instance C for Center, L for Left, etc.). Click that initial to solo the channel. See also the Channels Panel.

At the bottom of the frequency scale you'll find the current scale. See how to Define Units and Scales.

Panels Area

1. The Display Panel lets you adjust every display setting in real time: area, amplitude, spectrogram parameters, etc.
2. The History Panel lets you go back in time with your edits: undo or redo any action.
3. The Channels Panel lets you mute, solo, activate or deactivate any channel of your project.
4. The Layers Panel gives you an oversight of your layers and lets you mute, solo, activate them or adjust their phase and volume.

Transcript Bar

The Transcript Bar displays and lets you adjust layers transcription. It's visible only when a transcript exists.

To create a transcript see [Transcription]. The transcripts color matches its source layer color.

When zoomed out sentences will be shown as a single group. When zooming in, sentences will be decomposed into individual words, time-synchronized with audio.

You can adjust the timing of sentences and words by dragging their borders.

To edit sentences and words, click the Edit Transcript button or right-click a word and then click Edit Transcript. See [Transcript Editing].

To delete the transcript associated to the active layer, click the Delete Transcript button. If a time range is selected, only this time range will be deleted.

Transport Area

This area provides access to transport commands, timing information, an output level control, and a VU meter. See Transport Bar for more details.

Project Handling

Managing project files, tabs, and data.

File Menu

The File Menu manages file input and output, as well as new project creation. It is not available in ARA mode.

Creating and Opening a Project

File > New Project

Creates a new project from scratch, with a blank layer. The new project will appear as a new tab in the project tabs.

File > Open...

Opens existing projects or audio files. If opening audio files, one or multiple projects are automatically created. Projects will appear as new tabs in the project tabs (see User Interface).

File > Open Recent

Opens a recently opened project or audio file. It will appear as a new tab in the project tabs.

Saving and Closing a Project

File > Close Project

Closes the active project. If there are unsaved modifications, SpectraLayers One will ask you if you want to save the project first.

File > Close All

Closes all the project tabs. If there are unsaved modifications, SpectraLayers One will ask you if you want to save them first.

File > Save Project

Saves the active project. If the project already existed, it will use the same file name. Otherwise, it will ask you what file name you want for that project.

File > Save Project As...

Saves the active project under a different file name if the project already existed.

Importing and Exporting Layers

File > Import Audio as Layer...

Import audio files as new layers in the active project.

TIP

If this is the first audio file you're importing and you don't have any other layers, you don't need to create a project first. Just use File > Open.

File > Export Audio of Active Layer...

Export the active layer as an audio file.

File > Export Audio of All Layers...

Export all the layers of the current project as audio files.

File > Export Audio of Project...

Export the project as an audio file.

File > Update Host File...

Export back the audio of the project if SpectraLayers One was called as an external editor from another host application.

Exiting the Application

File > Exit

Exit SpectraLayers One. If there are unsaved modifications, SpectraLayers One will ask you if you want to save them first.

Clip Menu

The Clip Menu manages how ARA clips are grouped. It is only available in ARA mode.

Clip > No Grouping

Each imported ARA clip has its own SpectraLayers One project tab.

Clip > Group per Format

All clips sharing the same format are grouped in the same SpectraLayers One project tab.

NOTE Changing clip grouping will lose history.

Project Menu

The Project Menu manages project tabs and data. Some items are not available in ARA mode.

Project Management

Project > Duplicate

Duplicates the current project into a new project tab. The current project history is not duplicated.

Project > Rename...

Rename the current project.

Time Editing

Project > Insert Time...

Insert a time range at any point in your project. Silence will be created. All layers of the project are affected.

Project > Delete Time...

Delete a time range at any point in your project. All layers are affected.

Project > Crop Time...

Crop a time range (leave only a certain time range) at any point in your project. All layers are affected.

Reformatting

Project > Reformat...

Change the project format.

• Mode: Choose how to change the format. Resample will recompute the project data to the new format based on the current format. Reinterpret doesn't change the original data, it just changes how SpectraLayers One sees that data. • Sample Rate: New sample rate.
• Configuration: New channels configuration.

NOTE: Changing the project format will lose the current history.

View and Panels

Manages the user interface and your project states.

View Menu

The View Menu manages the user interface.

Show and Hide Guides

View > Cursor Crosshair

Show or hide cursor crosshair.

Cursor Crosshair and Coordinates | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

View > Cursor Coordinates

Show or hide coordinates next to the cursor.

Cursor Crosshair and Coordinates | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

View > Unit Grid

Show or hide unit grid. The subdivision is based on the timeline, amplitude scale and frequency scale.

View > Time Markers and Regions

Show or hide time markers and regions.

View > Spectral Markers and Regions

Show or hide spectral markers and regions.

View > Snap to Grid and Markers

Snap the mouse cursor to the unit grid, time markers and regions and spectral markers and regions.

Define Units and Scales

View > Time Unit

Choose the time unit: Samples, Decimals, Seconds, Beats, Frames, Pixels.

The pixels unit is based on the FFT Size and Resolution parameters of the Display Panel.

NOTE

For the Beats and Frames units, you can also define the tempo and frame rate.

View > Power Unit

Choose the power unit: Decibel, Percents, Normalized.

TIP You can lock the center of the waveform display to zero.

View > Frequency Unit

Choose the frequency unit: Hertz, Pixels, Octave, Notes, Normalized.

The pixels unit is based on the FFT Size and Resolution parameters of the Display Panel.

TIP You can lock the bottom of the spectral display to 0Hz.

View > Frequency Scale

Choose the frequency scale: Linear, Mel, Bark, ERB, MIDI-logarithmic.

The scales are ordered from the most linear to the most logarithmic. A linear scale spaces frequencies equally, while a logarithmic scale enlarges the lower frequencies and compresses the higher frequencies. Note that when the MIDI-logarithmic scale is used, musical notes are equally spaced.

The default is Mel, which gently emphasizes lower frequencies without compressing higher frequencies too much.

View > Smoothing Methods

Choose the smoothing method: None, Linear, Cubic.

This defines how the spectral pixels are rendered in the spectral display. None will display the raw pixels, and Cubic is the highest-quality rendering.

Show and Hide Interface Elements

View > Always Show Scroll Bar

Keep the frequency scale and power scale scroll bar visible even when not hovered.

View > Toolbars

Show and hide toolbars: Tool Settings, Tools, Transport.

View > Panels

Show and hide panels: Display, History, Channels, Layers.

View > Interface Layout

Load and save interface layouts. The position and visibility state of toolbars and panels is saved and recalled.

Display Panel

Selection Tools Overview and the Concept of Layers | Getting Started With SpectraLayers

Controls the project display parameters.

NOTE

Not all parameters are visible by default. More parameters can be shown using the Display Panel Menu.

Color Mapping: Enables and disables the Composite View mode. Composite View shows all layers mixed and assigns a color map to the spectral display. The Color Map increases the visual dynamic range. When Composite View is disabled, each layer shows its own color, as seen in the Layers Panel.

Amplitude: Set the minimum and maximum amplitude shown in the spectral display.

Selection Opacity: Set the opacity of selections. It has no effect on the selection itself.

FFT Size: Set the size of the FFT analysis. The size has an impact on the time and frequency accuracy. The larger the size, the sharper the frequency but the blurrier the time. The smaller the size, the sharper the time but the blurrier the frequency. It's like defining the focus point in photography. See The Importance of FFT Size.

NOTE Increasing resolution and refinement requires more computing power.

History Panel

Move back in time with your edits.

Clicking the previous action or the Undo button is equivalent to clicking Edit > Undo or pressing Ctrl + Z (Windows) Cmd + Z (macOS) Clicking the next action or the Redo button is equivalent to clicking Edit > Redo or pressing Ctrl + Y (Windows) Cmd + Shift + Z (macOS) The

Duplicate Project button is equivalent to clicking Project > Duplicate. See Project

Management.

The Delete Current State button will undo the current action, remove it and any action after it.

Channels Panel

Manage channels.

The Mute buttons and S Solo buttons allows you to mute or solo specific channels.

NOTE

When a channel is muted, it becomes invisible in the waveform and spectral display. When a channel is soloed, non-soloed channels becomes invisibles in the waveform and spectral display.

TIP

You can mute or solo a single channel regardless of all other channels state by pressing Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) while clicking the Mute or Solo button. To clear mute and solo states on all channels, click the Mute and Solo buttons at the bottom of the panel.

Active channels are highlighted in white. When a channel is active, you can perform edits on it. By default, all channels are active. To activate a single channel, click that channel. To activate all channels, click an empty area or click the Select All Channels button or drag a rectangle across the channels you want to activate.

You can change the number of channels by clicking the Reformat button. This is equivalent to clicking Project > Reformat. See Reformatting.

Layers Panel

Manage layers.

The M Mute buttons and S Solo buttons allow you to mute or solo specific layers.

NOTE

When a layer is muted, it becomes invisible in the waveform and spectral display. When a layer is soloed, non-soloed layers become invisible in the waveform and spectral display.

TIP

You can mute or solo a single layer regardless of all other layers' state by pressing Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (macOS) while clicking the Mute or Solo button. To clear mute and solo states on all layers, click the Mute and Solo buttons at the bottom of the panel.

The phase buttons invert the phase (polarity) of the audio content. When two layers share identical content but are opposed in phase, this shared content gets cancelled in the final mix.

The Volume sliders let you adjust precisely the volume of each layer.

Active channels are highlighted in white. When a channel is active, you can perform edits on it. Only one layer can be active at a time.

You can create new layers by clicking the New Layer button. This is equivalent to clicking Layer > New Layer or pressing Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (macOS).

You can create new groups by clicking the New Group button. This is equivalent to clicking Layer > New Group. Groups can contain multiple layers. To add existing layers to a group, you can drag layers inside that group. When a group is closed, instead of displaying each layer individually within that group, SpectraLayers One will show the mix of all its layers with the color of that group.

You can delete a layer or a group by clicking the Delete Layer or Delete Group button.

NOTE

You can't delete an external layer or group, such as layers or groups created by an external host DAW when SpectraLayers One is used in ARA mode.

TIP

You can color the active layer only by clicking the Color Active Layer Only button. All the other layers will be greyed out. This can help you identify and focus on the active layer without muting the other layers.

TIP

The Layer Panel Menu offers a Compact Layout mode: the layers will take half the size in the panel, hiding phase and volume parameters. Compact Layout is the default mode in ARA mode, where vertical space is limited.

Layers Management

Layers management in SpectraLayers One is done both in the Layers Panel and the Layer Menu.

Layer Menu

The Layer menu manages layers and groups.

NOTE

You can't delete, rename or group external layers managed by an external host DAW when SpectraLayers One is used in ARA mode.

Creating New Layers and Groups

Layer > New Layer

Creates a new blank layer in the current project.

Layer > New Group

Creates a new group in the current project. Groups can contain multiple layers.

Duplicating, Deleting and Renaming Layers

Layer > Duplicate

Duplicate the active layer.

Layer > Duplicate To...

Duplicate the active layer to a different project. The project can be already opened, or a new one.

Layer > Delete

Delete the active layer.

Layer > Rename...

Rename the active layer.

Grouping and Ungrouping Layers

Layer > Group

Create a new group and put the active layer inside that group.

Layer > Ungroup

Delete a group without deleting its layers.

Merging Layers

Layer > Merge Up

Merge the active layer into the layer above.

Layer > Merge Visible

Merge all visible layers (non-muted layers, or soloed layers).

Layer > Merge All

Merge all layers into a single layer.

Playback and Transport

Controls playback and recording using the Transport Menu and the Transport Bar.

Transport Menu

The Transport menu manages playback, recording and the playhead.

Basic Transport Controls

Transport > Stop

Stop the playback or recording.

Transport > Play

Plays the project.

TIP You can press Space to start and stop playback.

Transport > Record

Record to the active layer.

Moving the Playhead

Transport > Previous Time Marker Transport > Next Time Marker

Move the playhead to the previous or next time marker or region.

Transport > Previous Time Event Transport > Next Time Event

Move the playhead to the previous or next time event.

A time event can be a time marker or region, a spectral marker or regions, the start or the end of a layer, the start or the end of a project.

Playhead Behavior

Transport > Loop Selection

Loop playback or record over the selected time range. If no time range is selected, it will loop

the whole project.

Transport > Return to Start on Stop

Return the playhead to its start position when you stop playback or record.

Transport > Scrolling

Choose how to scroll the display when the playhead goes beyond the displayed time range.

Can be None (no scrolling), Page (shift the display when the playhead leaves the display), Continuous (continuously scroll the display so that the playhead remains centered).

Adding Markers and Regions

Transport > Add Time Marker

Add a time marker where the playhead is positioned.

Transport > Add Time Region

Add a time region to the boundaries of the current selection.

Transport Bar

The ▶ Previous Time Event button and ▶ Next Time Event button move the playhead to the previous or next time event. This is equivalent to clicking Transport ▶ Previous Time Event or Transport ▶ Next Time Event.

A time event can be a time marker or region, a spectral marker or region, the start or the end of a layer, the start or the end of a project.

The Loop Selection button loops playback or record over the selected time range. If no time range is selected, it will loop the whole project. This is equivalent to clicking Transport > Loop Selection.

The ■ Stop button stops the playback or recording. This is equivalent to clicking Transport > Stop.

The ▶ Play button plays the project. This is equivalent to clicking Transport > Play.

TIP: You can press Space to start and stop playback.

The ● Record button records to the active layer. This is equivalent to clicking Transport > Record.

The Playhead Position text field shows the timing of the playhead. You can edit that field with any time value to reposition the playhead.

The VU Meter shows the current signal amplitude during playback and record.

You can set the gradient of the VU Meter in the Interface Preferences.

Tools

The Tools provide direct access to spectral transforms, selections, modifications, drawings, measurements, and navigation.

They are meant to be used in the Spectral Display. See User Interface.

Some tools are grouped at the same location. When multiple tools are available, a small triangle appears in the bottom right corner of the tool icons. Long-click or right-click these icons to reveal the other tools.

The tool icon shown on the left side of the Tool Settings area allows you to load and save presets, and request the online documentation page corresponding to this tool.

Some of these tools depend on the FFT Size parameter; see The Importance of FFT Size for more information.

Transform Tools

Move and scale selections, data, and layers.

Transform

Moves and scales selections and data from the active layer if a selection exists, otherwise moves and scales the data from the entire active layer.

When manipulating spectral data, scaling vertically translates directly to pitch modification, and scaling horizontally to time-stretching. It's a visual approach to time-stretching and pitch-shifting, similar to resizing an image in a picture editing application.

Auto-Activate Layer: Activate the layer under the mouse cursor when clicked.

[Duplicate]: When pressed, clicking and dragging will duplicate the current selection or layer. After the copy, the button will return to its initial, non-pressed state. Equivalent to pressing Alt before clicking and dragging.

Time Shifting: Time shifting applied to the current selection or layer, in seconds.

Time Stretching: Time stretching applied to the current selection or layer, in percent.

Stretch and pitch proportionally: When pressed, time and pitch will scale proportionally: time-stretching by 200% will pitch-shift by 50%, as if you were slowing down a record, for instance, where the pitch gets lower when time is slowed down.

Pitch Shifting: Pitch shifting applied to the current selection or layer, in percent or semitone.

Pitch Shifting Unit: Unit to be used for the pitch shifting (percent or semitone).

Axis Lock: Define what axis is active when clicking and dragging: horizontal, vertical, or both (bidirectional).

Loudness Contour: When checked, perceived loudness is preserved when pitching up or down.

Preserve Formant: When checked, formant is preserved when pitching up or down.

Transform Selection

Moves and scales selections without affecting layer data.

[Screen Space / Spectral Space] : Choose what reference scale is used when moving selections up or down. When Screen Space is active, selection height on screen won't change when moved up or down. When Spectral Space is active, selection frequency range won't change when moving up or down.

[ Duplicate ]: When pressed, clicking and dragging will duplicate the current selection (but not its content). Equivalent to pressing Alt before clicking and dragging.

Selection Tools

Selection Tools Overview and the Concept of Layers | Getting Started With SpectraLayers

Select spectral areas using different shapes and detection algorithms.

Time Range Selection

I

Select a time range. Click and drag to define the time range.

• Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection.
• Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift).
• Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press Alt). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press Shift + Alt). This will keep the common areas between the two selections.

Time Fade: Fading time at the borders of the new selection.

Frequency Range Selection

I

Select a frequency range. Click and drag to define the frequency range.

• Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection.
• Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift).
• Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press Alt). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press Shift + Alt). This will keep the common areas between the two selections.

Frequency Fade: Fading frequencies at the borders of the new selection.

Rectangular Selection

□

Select a rectangular time and frequency range. Click and drag to define the rectangle.

• Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection.
• Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift).
• Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press Alt). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press Shift + Alt). This will keep the common areas between the two selections.

Time Fade: Fading time at the borders of the new selection. Frequency Fade: Fading frequencies at the borders of the new selection.

Elliptical Selection

Select an elliptical time and frequency range. Click and drag to define the ellipse.

• Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with a new selection.
• Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current selection (or press Shift).
• Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current selection (or press Alt). Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current selection (or press Shift + Alt). This will keep the common areas between the two selections.

Time Fade: Fading time at the borders of the new selection. Frequency Fade: Fading frequencies at the borders of the new selection.

Modification Tools

Perform direct modifications on the spectrogram.

Drawing Tools

Draw new content from scratch.

Frequency Pencil

Draw a continuous frequency. Click and drag to draw.

Level: Amplitude of the frequency.

Pressure Controls Strength: When pressed, this enables devices with pressure control to set the strength of the tool.

TIP

You can click a first point, then press Shift and click a second point. A frequency will be drawn between those two points.

Measurement Tools

Measure and annotate the spectral display.

Navigation Tools

Navigate and listen to your spectral display.

Hand

Pan around your spectral display. Click and drag to move the view.

[ Reset Zoom ]: Reset the zoom level to see the entire spectrogram.

Zoom

Zoom in and out of your spectral display. Click and drag to zoom the view, or single-click to incrementally zoom in and out.

Zoom Out: When pressed, single-clicks will incrementally zoom out.

☑ Scrubby Zoom: When checked, clicking and dragging will continuously zoom in or out. When unchecked, clicking and dragging will draw a zoom rectangle.

[Zoom Selection]: Adjust the view to the current selection.

[Zoom Active Layer]: Adjust the view to the current active layer.

[ Reset Zoom ]: Reset the zoom level to see the entire spectrogram.

3D Perspective

Set a 3D perspective effect on the spectral display, based on spectral amplitudes.

Click and drag to set the 3D perspective effect. Double-click to reset to a 2D view.

[ Reset 3D ]: Reset to a 2D view.

Playback

Playback Tool | Spectralayers Pro 7 Tutorials

Play specific parts of the spectral display.

☑ Scrubbing: When checked, plays continuously starting from where the mouse cursor is located. When the mouse is moved, playback continues from the new location. When unchecked, keep the first clicked position as the start position. ☑ Hold to Play: When checked, keep mouse the button pressed to play. When unchecked, the first click starts playback, and the second stops it. ☑ Frequency Range: When checked, plays a specific frequency range. When unchecked, plays the entire frequency range of your project.

[Screen Units / Spectral Units]: Defines the units used to set the frequency range.

Range: Set the frequency range in pixels (Screen Units) or hertz (Spectral Units)

√ Ignore Selection: When checked, the playback is not restricted by any selection.

See also Playback and Transport

TIP

You can also summon the Playback tool by holding Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) without losing your current active tool.

Editing Selections

Editing using spectral selections. See Selection Tools.

Edit Menu

Undoing and Redoing Edits

Edit > Undo

Undo the last action. See History Panel.

Edit > Redo

Redo the next action. See History Panel.

Transferring Content

Edit > Cut

Cut the selected area from the active layer to the clipboard.

Edit > Cut Special > Cut to New Layer

Cut the selected area from the active layer to a new layer below the active layer.

Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below

Cut the selected area from the active layer to the layer below the active layer. If there is no layer below the active layer, one is created.

Edit > Copy

Copy the selected area from the active layer to the clipboard.

Edit > Copy Special > Copy from All Layers

Copy the selected area from all visible layers to the clipboard.

Edit > Copy Special > Copy to New Layer

Copy the selected area from the active layer to a new layer below the active layer.

Edit > Copy Special > Copy to Layer Below

Copy the selected area from the active layer to the layer below the active layer. If there is no layer below the active layer, one is created.

Edit > Paste

Paste the clipboard content to the active layer.

Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix

Add the clipboard content to the content of the active layer.

Edit > Paste Special > Paste to New Layer

Paste the clipboard content to a new layer below the active layer.

Edit > Paste Special > Paste to Layer Below

Paste the clipboard content to the layer below the active layer. If there is no layer below the active layer, one is created.

Removing Content

Edit > Delete

Delete the selected area from the active layer.

It is replaced by silence.

Select Menu

Modify and manage selections.

Modifying a Selection

Select > Select All

Select the entire project time and frequency range.

Select > Deselect

Deselect any selection.

Select > Reselect

Reselect the last selection, if it was deselected.

Select > Invert Selection

Invert the selection over the entire project time and frequency range.

Select > Invert Selection Frequencies

Invert the selection over the entire frequency range.

Loading and Saving Selections

Select > Load Selection...

Load a previously saved selection.

• Project: From which project to load a selection.
• Selection: Which selection to load.
• Replace Selection: Replace the current selection with the new one.
• Add to Selection: Add the new selection to the current one.
• Subtract from Selection: Subtract the new selection from the current one.
• Intersect with Selection: Intersect the new selection with the current one.

Select > Save Selection...

- [Selection Name]: Choose a name for the selection to save.

NOTE Selections are not saved with projects. They are only valid during the session.

Unmixing

Unmix a time selection or an entire layer into multiple layers, using artificial intelligence and algorithms. All unmixing produces a non-destructive decomposition (the sum of all unmixed layers is equal to the original layer).

Most unmixers features:

• Preset: Select a factory or an user-defined preset.
• [Add...]: Add a user-defined preset to the presets list, based on the current process settings.
• [Delete...]: Delete a user-defined preset from the presets list.
• [Online Help]: Open the online documentation page corresponding to this process.
• [Preview]: Preview in real-time one of the layers of the unmixed signal before applying the unmix. Unmix settings can be changed dynamically during preview.
• Bypass: Option to temporarily bypass unmixing during real-time preview, in order to listen to the original.
• [OK]: Unmix the active layer into multiple layers and close the dialog. If a selection exists, only unmix the current selection.

Music Unmixers

Unmixers dedicated to musical content.

Vocals

Unmix > Vocals...

Unmix the active layer into Vocals and Non-Unmixed layers.

The Non-Unmixed layer receives everything that is not identified as vocals.

Processing

Process a selection or an entire layer.

Workflow and Speed Improvements | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

All processes features:

• Preset: Select a factory or a user-defined preset.
• [Add...]: Add a user-defined preset to the presets list, based on the current process settings.
• [Delete...]: Delete a user-defined preset from the presets list.
• [Online Help]: Open the online documentation page corresponding to this process.
• [Preview]: Preview the processed signal in real-time before applying the process. Process settings can be changed dynamically during preview.
• Bypass: Option to temporarily bypass processing during real-time preview, in order to listen to the original.
• [Apply]: Apply the process to the active layer. If a selection exists, only apply to the current selection. This does not close the process dialog.

Some of these processes depend on the FFT Size parameter, see The Importance of FFT Size for more information.

TIP

Multiple process dialogs can be opened at once. You can preview the current process using Ctrl + Space, Bypass it during preview with Ctrl + B, and apply it using Ctrl + Return.

Generate Processes

Processes that generate signals from scratch.

Silence

Process > Generate > Silence...

Generate a silence.

• Offset: DC offset of the silence, in percents.
• Mode: When set to Replace it will replace the existing content. When set to Mix it will add to the existing content. When set to Insert it will insert time before adding the new

content.

- Length: (Only in Insert mode, otherwise defined by the size of the layer or the selection) Length of the silence.

Tone

Process > Generate > Tone...

Generate a tone.

• Type: Type of tone. • Level: Amplitude of the signal.
• Offset: Offset the signal by a percentage of the amplitude.
• Start Frequency: Frequency at the beginning of the signal.
• Start Phase: Phase at the beginning of the signal. • End Frequency: When checked, you can specify an end frequency. • End Frequency: Frequency at the end of the signal.

- Mode: When set to Replace it will replace the existing content. When set to Mix it will add to the existing content. When set to Insert it will insert time before adding the new content.

- Length: (Only in Insert mode, otherwise defined by the size of the layer or the selection) Length of the silence.

Noise

Process > Generate > Noise...

Generate noise.

• Type: Type of noise. • Level: Amplitude of the signal.
• Offset: Offset the signal by a percentage of the amplitude.
• Mode: When set to Replace it will replace the existing content. When set to Mix it will add to the existing content. When set to Insert it will insert time before adding the new content.
• Length: (Only in Insert mode, otherwise defined by the size of the layer or the selection) Length of the silence.

Amplitude Processes

Change and remix channels amplitude.

Normalize

Process > Amplitude > Normalize...

Normalize to the defined level.

- Gain: Normalization level.

Gain

Process > Amplitude > Gain...

Apply an uniform gain.

- Gain: Gain applied.

Channels Remixer

Process > Amplitude > Channels Remixer...

Remix channels by defining a percentage for each channel.

The tabs at the top are the output channels. In each tab, you can define a percentage for each input channel.

Preferences

Set application preferences, accessible via Edit > Preferences... (Windows) SpectraLayers One > Preferences... (macOS).

Device Preferences

Set playback (output) and record (input) device preferences.

• Type: Device API type.
• Input: Input device for record.
• Output: Output device for playback.
• Buffer Size: Size of the buffer for playback and record.
• Use Preferred Buffer Size: (ASIO Only) Use the ASIO device preferred buffer size instead of the user defined buffer size.
• Sample Rate: (ASIO Only) Sample rate of your ASIO device. Your project sample rate won't be affected. • [Show ASIO Panel]: (ASIO Only) Show the configuration panel for the ASIO device you selected.

- Input Channel Mapping: Mapping of project channels to input device channels.

- Output Channel Mapping: Mapping of project channels to output device channels.

- ☑ Smart remapping of unassigned project channels: Automatically reassign project channels to the device channels you defined.

Reset: Reset device preferences.

Interface Preferences

Set interface colors, behavior and layout.

Colors

• Selection Border Color: Set the color of the selection border.
• Selection Mask Color: Set the color of the selection mask (inside of the selection).
• Selection Border Style: Set the style of the selection border (animated marching ants, solid line, or nothing).
• Selection Blending Mode: Set the visual blending mode of the selection (normal or

additive).

• Cursor Crosshair Color: Set the color of the cursor crosshair, when it is shown.
• Cursor Coordinates Color: Set the color of the cursor coordinates, when it is shown.
• Grid Color: Set the color of the unit grid, when it is shown.
• Drawing Color: Set the color of tools drawings (such as when defining a rectangle or any other shape).
• Transport Color: Set the color of the vertical playhead line.
• Controls Color: Set the color of the tools controls (such as when changing the corners of a rectangle or any other shape).
• Markers Color: Set the color of markers (both time and spectral).
• Regions Color: Set the color of regions (both time and spectral).
• Mute Button Color: Set the color of mute buttons in the Channels Panel and Layers Panel.
• Solo Button Color: Set the color of solo buttons in the Channels Panel and Layers Panel.
• Phase Button Color: Set the color of phase buttons in the Layers Panel (when viewed with the Standard Layout).
• Active Item Color: Set the color of active items in the History Panel, Channels Panel and Layers Panel.

See Panels Area.

• Waveform Luminosity: Brightness of the waveform as shown in the Waveform Display. See Waveform and Spectral Display Area.
• Uncolored Layers Luminosity: Brightness of layers when Color Active Layer Only is pressed. See Layers Panel.
• Interface Luminosity: Brightness of the user interface.
• VU Meter Gradient: Gradient used by the VU Meter. See Transport Bar.
• Tooltips: Enable or disable popup tooltips when hovering controls and widgets.

Default Transport Options

• Return to Start Position on Stop
• Scrubbing
• Scrolling

See Playhead Behavior for a description of these options.

Default View Layout

• Layout File: Layout file to load on SpectraLayers One startup. See Show and Hide Interface Elements.
• Layout Mode: (Windows only) Choose between the standard Desktop layout, or Tablet layout with bigger icons and controls for computers with a touch screen.
• DPI Scaling: (Windows only) DPI scaling of the user interface. Auto will use the system or host DPI ratio.
• Waveform Display Size: Default vertical ratio between the Waveform Display and the Spectral Display
• Language: User interface language. A restart is needed if you change this setting.

Reset: Reset interface preferences.

Display Preferences

Set default display units, guides and parameters.

Default Unit and Scales

• Time Unit - Frequency Unit - Lock Spectrogram to 0Hz - Power Unit • Ways Center Waveform - Frequency Scale - Smoothing Method

See Define Units and Scales for a description of each setting.

Default Display Options

• Cursor Crosshair
• Cursor Coordinates
• Markers and Regions • Spectral Markers and Regions • id
• Snap to Grid and Markers • Ways Show Scroll Bar

See Show and Hide Guides for a description of each setting.

Default Display Settings

Set the default values for each setting of the Display Panel.

• Color Mapping - Amplitude - Brightness Curve - Selection Opacity - FFT Window - FFT Size - Resolution

See Display Panel for a description of each setting.

System Preferences

Set application paths and resource management.

Paths

• Cache Path: Folder where temporary sessions and layers data are stored. You should not store permanent files here or in subfolders of this path.
• Max Cache Recovery: How long data in the cache path should be kept before automatic cleaning.
• Logs Path: Folder where SpectraLayers One logs are stored. Logs are useful for debugging.
• Maximum Logs: Maximum number of logs to store. Older logs get deleted.
• Presets Path: Folder where to store layout, shortcuts and tools presets.
• External Edits Path: Folder where to store external edits, such as when calling an external editor or dragging a layer to the host in ARA mode.
• Drag Mode: Define the protocol to transfer layers to the host in ARA mode. VST-XML provides the best interaction, but may not be supported by all hosts. • VST3 Path: Folder where VST3 plugins are stored.

Miscellaneous

• Clips Grouping: When used in ARA mode, you can choose to group imported clips sharing the same format into a single project (default behavior in SpectraLayers One 7 and earlier, best suited for music production) or import each clip into separate SpectraLayers One projects (best suited for post production). • Maximum Recent Projects: Maximum number of projects to show in File > Open Recent See Creating and Opening a Project. • Maximum History Actions: Maximum number of actions to show in the History Panel.
• Realtime Brush Preview Limit: Maximum number of samples a tool can handle for its realtime preview.
• Free Space Warning Limit: Minimum free space on your hard drive (where the cache folder is located) before the application triggers a warning.
• AI Processing Device: (Windows only) Select a GPU to accelerate AI processing. Supported GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce 900 (2015) and higher with at least 4GB VRAM, AMD Radeon RX (2017) and higher with at least 4GB VRAM, Intel Arc (2022) and higher with at least 4GB VRAM

External

• Check Notifications...: Check if there's any SpectraLayers One news or update.
• Check notifications at startup: Automatically check for news or updates.

Reset: Reset system preferences.

Shortcuts Preferences

Set application keyboard shortcuts and mouse behavior.

Keyboard

• Filter: Type here to quickly search for an action shortcut.
• Reset: Reset the selected action to its default shortcut.

- Press shortcut: Define a new shortcut for the selected action by pressing keys in this field.

See Keyboard Shortcuts.

Mouse

• Left Button: Define what quick tool to invoke when using the left mouse button and pressing Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS) or Ctrl + Alt (Windows) Cmd + Alt (macOS)
• Wheel: Define what navigation action to invoke when using the mouse wheel and pressing nothing or Alt or Ctrl (Windows) Cmd (macOS)
• Invert Wheel Axes: Invert vertical and horizontal mouse wheel axes when browsing the Spectral Display. Define accordingly when you have a single axis wheel mouse or a dual axes wheel mouse.

Load...: Load shortcuts preferences

Save...: Save shortcuts preferences

Reset: Reset shortcuts preferences.

External Integration

SpectraLayers One can be called and embedded directly from and within other DAWs.

This allows quick round-trip modifications without leaving your host DAW.

ARA2 Plugin

Adding SpectraLayers as an ARA Extension to Your Project | Getting Started With SpectraLayers SpectraLayers Pro 7: ARA 2 Support in Cubase Pro 11 | Live Session November 28, 2020

SpectraLayers One is available as a VST3 ARA2 plugin for DAWs and audio editors that support it.

ARA2 provides the tightest integration with DAWs, literally making SpectraLayers One an extra editing feature embedded within your DAW. With ARA2 you can send multiple clips to SpectraLayers One, move them or resize them in the DAW timeline, change their color and name, move the playhead, and everything will remain synchronized with SpectraLayers One.

It is currently supported by the following hosts:

• Steinberg Cubase 10.0.30 and higher • Steinberg Nuendo 10.0.30 and higher • Magix Samplitude Pro X5 and higher • Magix Sequoia 16 and higher • Magix Sound Forge Pro 14 and higher • Presonus Studio One 4.6 and higher • Cockos Reaper 5.98 and higher • BandLab Cakewalk 2019.05 and higher • MOTU Digital Performer 11.2 or higher

Starting with SpectraLayers One 7.0, you can now also create internal layers in addition to the external layers controlled by the DAW. These internal layers rely on their parent external layer for playback.

NOTE

Starting with Cubase 11 and Nuendo 11, you can drag and drop internal layers back into the Cubase and Nuendo timeline.

NOTE

In ARA mode, the File Menu and Project Menu aren't available as

SpectraLayers One data is fully synchronized at all times with the host DAW. The DAW will automatically save SpectraLayers One modifications within its project.

Steinberg Cubase

Starting with Cubase 10.0.30, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.

1. Select an audio region.
2. Click [Extensions] and then SpectraLayers One, or go to Audio > Extensions > SpectraLayers

TIP

You can also Ctrl right-click an audio region, and then click Extensions > SpectraLayers

TIP

Starting with Cubase 11, you can drag and drop layers from SpectraLayers back into the Cubase timeline.

Steinberg Nuendo

Starting with Nuendo 10.0.30, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.

1. Select an audio region.
2. Click [Extensions] and then SpectraLayers One, or go to Audio > Extensions > SpectraLayers

TIP

You can also Ctrl right-click an audio region, and then click Extensions > SpectraLayers

Magix Samplitude Pro

Starting with Samplitude Pro X5, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.

1. Right-click an audio region and then Edit audio file in Steinberg SpectraLayers...

Magix Sequoia

Starting with Sequoia 16, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.

1. Right-click an audio region and then Edit audio file in Steinberg SpectraLayers...

Magix Sound Forge Pro

Starting with Sound Forge Pro 14, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your audio files.

1. Go to Tools > Edit in SpectraLayers (ARA)...

Presonus Studio One

Starting with Studio One 4.6, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your regions.

1. Go to the Effects tab on the right side of the screen.
2. Hold Alt, and drag SpectraLayers onto an audio region.

Cockos Reaper

Starting with Reaper 5.98, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your tracks or regions.

To assign SpectraLayers One to a track:

1. Click the FX button of a track
2. Select VST3: SpectraLayers

To assign SpectraLayers One to a region:

1. Right-click an audio region, Item Properties...
2. Click Take FX...
3. Select VST3: SpectraLayers

BandLab Cakewalk

Starting with Cakewalk 2019.05, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your

regions.

1. Right-click an audio region, Region FX > SpectraLayers > Create Region FX

MOTU Digital Performer

Starting with MOTU Digital Performer 11.2, you can assign SpectraLayers One as an ARA plugin to your Soundbites or Tracks.

1. Select a soundbite or a track
2. Click Audio > ARA
3. Click either Set SpectraLayers on Soundbites or Set SpectraLayers on Tracks.

AAX Plugin for AVID Pro Tools

You can call SpectraLayers One from within Pro Tools 12 and higher by using the AAX AudioSuite plugin.

Editing Pro Tools audio in SpectraLayers One

In Pro Tools, choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Edit to send audio to SpectraLayers One for spectral editing and then export the audio back to your Pro Tools project.

1. In Pro Tools, select the audio you want to edit. It can be a full clip or a time range within a clip.
2. Choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Edit. The AudioSuite dialog is displayed.
3. Click [Edit] at the bottom of the AudioSuite dialog to send the selected audio to a new tab in SpectraLayers One.

NOTE

In some cases, Pro Tools takes control of the system's audio hardware and prevents SpectraLayers One from playing audio while Pro Tools is running. In these cases, click the View button in the Pro Tools dialog to activate the SpectraLayers One Bridge in Pro Tools and SpectraLayers One. The SpectraLayers One Bridge will allow SpectraLayers One to play audio through Pro Tools.

1. Edit your audio as needed.
2. When you're done editing, click File > Replace Project Audio to send the edited audio back to Pro Tools.
3. In Pro Tools, click [Import Back] at the bottom of the AudioSuite dialog. The edited audio is imported to your Pro Tools project.

Sending audio from Pro Tools to SpectraLayers One

In Pro Tools, choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Send to send audio to SpectraLayers One for spectral editing. When you're finished editing, you can save the edited audio as a new file from SpectraLayers One.

1. In Pro Tools, select the audio you want to edit.
2. Choose AudioSuite > Other > SpectraLayers Send. The AudioSuite dialog is displayed.
3. Click [Send] at the bottom of the AudioSuite dialog to send the selected audio to a new tab in SpectraLayers One.

NOTE

In some cases, Pro Tools takes control of the system's audio hardware and prevents SpectraLayers One from playing audio while Pro Tools is running. In these cases, click the View button in the Pro Tools dialog to activate the SpectraLayers One Bridge in Pro Tools and SpectraLayers One. The SpectraLayers One Bridge will allow SpectraLayers One to play audio through Pro Tools.

1. Edit your audio as needed.
2. When you're done editing, you can save the edited audio as a new SpectraLayers One

project or export the project to a new audio file. See File Menu.

As an Editor

You can assign SpectraLayers One as an external audio editor for the following DAWs, NLEs and audio editors:

• Ableton Live
• Apple Final Cut Pro
• Apple Logic Pro • Image-Line FL Studio • MAGIX ACID Pro • MAGIX Vegas Pro • Native Instruments KONTAKT • Native Instruments REAKTOR • Steinberg HALion
• Tracktion Waveform

NOTE

When you're done editing in SpectraLayers One, click File > Replace Project Audio to send the edited audio back to the calling application.

Ableton Live

1. In Ableton Live, choose Options > Preferences, and then go to File Folder > Sample Editor.
2. Enable SpectraLayers One as a sample editor:

Windows,

browse

to

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.

- On macOS, browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.

1. Enable View > Detail > Clip.
2. Right-click the sample and choose Manage Sample File > Edit.

NOTE You may want to consolidate your sample before editing.

Apple Final Cut Pro

1. In Final Cut Pro, choose System Settings > External Editors > Audio Files.
2. Browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.
3. Right-click a sample and choose Open in Editor.

Apple Logic Pro

1. In Logic Pro, choose Preferences > Audio > Sample Editor > External Sample Editor.
2. Browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.
3. Select a sample and choose Options > Audio > Open in SpectraLayers (or press Shift +

W).

Image-Line FL Studio

1. In FL Studio, choose Tools > External tools > File location.
2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
3. Select Launch with sample.
4. Right-click a sample and choose Tools > SpectraLayers.

MAGIX ACID Pro

1. In ACID Pro, choose Options > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, click the Editing tab.
3. Click [Browse] next to an Editing application box and browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
4. Click [OK] to close the Preferences dialog.
5. Right-click an event on the ACID timeline and choose Event Clip > Edit in SpectraLayers.exe.

MAGIX Vegas Pro

1. In Vegas Pro, choose Options > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences dialog, click the Audio tab.
3. Click [Browse] next to the Preferred audio editor box and browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
4. Click [OK] to close the Preferences dialog.
5. Right-click an event on the Vegas timeline and choose Open in Audio Editor (or Open Copy in Audio Editor).

Native Instruments KONTAKT

1. In Kontakt, choose Options > Handling > External wave editor.
2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
3. Click Ext. Editor in the Wave Editor toolbar

Native Instruments REAKTOR

1. In REAKTOR, choose Preferences > Directories > External Sample Editor.
2. Browse to C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.
3. In the Sample Map Editor, click Edit Sample List/Edit.

Steinberg HALion

1. In HALion, choose Options > Edit > External Wave Editor.
2. Enable SpectraLayers One as a wave editor:

On

Windows,

browse

to

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.

- On macOS, browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.

1. Right-click the sample editor and choose Sample > Load into External Editor.

Tracktion Waveform

1. In Tracktion, select a sample and choose Edit audio file > Set the audio editor to use.
2. Enable SpectraLayers One as a sample editor:

On

Windows,

browse

to

C:\Program Files\Steinberg\SpectraLayers 10.0\Win64\SpectraLayers.exe.

- On macOS, browse to /Applications/SpectraLayers 10.0.app.

1. Select a sample and choose Edit audio file > Edit using SpectraLayers.

Appendix

Technical reference tables.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Default keyboard shortcuts are platform dependent.

Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

Action Keyboard Shortcut
Channels > Activate Above	Alt + Up
Channels > Activate Below	Alt + Down
Display > Decrease FFT Size	PgDown
Display > Increase FFT Size	PgUp
Display > Toggle Composite View	C
Display > Zoom Freq In	+
Display > Zoom Freq Out	-
Display > Zoom Selection	Ctrl + 8
Display > Zoom Active Layer	Ctrl + 9
Display > Reset Zoom	Ctrl + 0
Display > Zoom In	Ctrl + =
Display > Zoom Out	Ctrl + -
Display > Zoom Time In	=
Display > Zoom Time Out	-
Edit > Copy	Ctrl + C
Edit > Copy Special > Copy from All Layers	Ctrl + Alt + C
Edit > Copy Special > Copy to Layer Below	Shift + C
Edit > Copy Special > Copy to New Layer	Ctrl + Shift + C
Edit > Cut	Ctrl + X
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below	Shift + X
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to New Layer	Ctrl + Shift + X
Edit > Delete	DelBackspace
Edit > Heal > Heal Bi-Directionally	Ctrl + DelCtrl + Backspace
Edit > Heal > Heal Horizontally	Alt + DelAlt + Backspace
Edit > Heal > Heal Vertically	Shift + DelShift + Backspace
Edit > Paste	Ctrl + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix	Ctrl + Alt + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to Layer Below	Shift + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to New Layer	Ctrl + Shift + V
Edit > Redo	Ctrl + Y
Edit > Undo	Ctrl + Z
File > Close Project	Ctrl + F4
File > New Project...	Ctrl + N
File > Open...	Ctrl + O
File > Save Project	Ctrl + S
Help > Online Help	F1
Layer > Activate Above	Up
Layer > Activate Below	Down
Layer > Duplicate	Ctrl + J
Layer > Merge Up	Ctrl + E
Layer > Merge Visible	Ctrl + Shift + E
Layer > Mute	Ctrl + Alt + M
Layer > New Layer	Ctrl + Shift + N
Layer > Solo	Ctrl + Alt + S
Project > Bypass	Ctrl + B
Project > Apply	Ctrl + Return
Select > Deselect	Ctrl + D
Select > Invert Selection	Ctrl + I
Select > Invert Selection Frequencies	Ctrl + Shift + I
Select > Reselect	Ctrl + Shift + D
Select > Select All	Ctrl + A
Select > Select Next Similar	F3
Select > Select Previous Similar	Shift + F3
Select > Select Similar...	Ctrl + F
Tools > 3D Perspective	D
Tools > Cursor Selection	I
Tools > Decrease Tool Aspect Ratio	{
Tools > Decrease Tool Hardness	Alt + [
Tools > Decrease Tool Alternative Hardness	Alt + {
Tools > Decrease Tool Size	[
Tools > Eraser	E
Tools > Hand	H
Tools > Increase Tool Aspect Ratio	}
Tools > Increase Tool Hardness	Alt + ]
Tools > Increase Tool Alternative Hardness	Alt + }
Tools > Increase Tool Size	]
Tools > Lasso Selection	L
Tools > Marquee Selection	M
Tools > Playback	P
Tools > Selection Brush	B
Tools > Transform	T
Tools > Zoom	Z
Transport > Add Time Marker	Shift + M
Transport > Add Time Region	Shift + R
Transport > Loop Selection	Ctrl + LAudio Repeat
Transport > Move Left	LeftMedia Rewind
Transport > Move Right	RightMedia Fast Forward
Transport > Move To End of Layer	End
Transport > Move To End of Project	Ctrl + End
Transport > Move To Start of Layer	Home
Transport > Move To Start of Project	Ctrl + Home
Transport > Next Time Event	Ctrl + RightMedia Next
Transport > Next Time Marker	Alt + Right
Transport > Play	Shift + SpaceMedia Play
Transport > Play or Stop	SpaceToggle Media Play/Pause
Transport > Preview	Ctrl + Shift + SpaceCtrl + Shift + Toggle Media Play/Pause
Transport > Preview or Stop	Ctrl + SpaceCtrl + Toggle Media Play/Pause
Transport > Previous Time Event	Ctrl + LeftMedia Previous
Transport > Previous Time Marker	Alt + Left
Transport > Record	Ctrl + RMedia Record
Transport > Select End of Layer	Shift + End
Transport > Select End of Project	Ctrl + Shift + End
Transport > Select Left	Shift + Left
Transport > Select Next Time Event	Ctrl + Shift + Right
Transport > Select Next Time Marker	Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Right
Transport > Select Previous Time Event	Ctrl + Shift + Left
Transport > Select Previous Time Marker	Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Left
Transport > Select Right	Shift + Right
Transport > Select Start of Layer	Shift + Home
Transport > Select Start of Project	Ctrl + Shift + Home
Transport > Stop	EscMedia Stop
View > Fullscreen	F11
View > Toggle Compact All	Tab
View > Toggle Compact Panels	Shift + Tab
View > Unit Grid	G

macOS Keyboard Shortcuts

Action Keyboard Shortcut
Channels > Activate Above	Alt + Up
Channels > Activate Below	Alt + Down
Display > Decrease FFT Size	PgDown
Display > Increase FFT Size	PgUp
Display > Toggle Composite View	C
Display > Zoom Freq In	+
Display > Zoom Freq Out	-
Display > Zoom Selection	Cmd + 8
Display > Zoom Active Layer	Cmd + 9
Display > Reset Zoom	Cmd + 0
Display > Zoom In	Cmd + =
Display > Zoom Out	Cmd + -
Display > Zoom Time In	=
Display > Zoom Time Out	-
Edit > Copy	Cmd + C
Edit > Copy Special > Copy from All Layers	Cmd + Alt + C
Edit > Copy Special > Copy to Layer Below	Shift + C
Edit > Copy Special > Copy to New Layer	Cmd + Shift + C
Edit > Cut	Cmd + X
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to Layer Below	Shift + X
Edit > Cut Special > Cut to New Layer	Cmd + Shift + X
Edit > Delete	DelBackspace
Edit > Heal > Heal Bi-Directionally	Cmd + DelCmd + Backspace
Edit > Heal > Heal Horizontally	Alt + DelAlt + Backspace
Edit > Heal > Heal Vertically	Shift + DelShift + Backspace
Edit > Paste	Cmd + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste and Mix	Cmd + Alt + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to Layer Below	Shift + V
Edit > Paste Special > Paste to New Layer	Cmd + Shift + V
Edit > Preferences...	Cmd + ,
Edit > Redo	Cmd + Shift + Z
Edit > Undo	Cmd + Z
File > Close Project	Cmd + W
File > Exit	Cmd + Q
File > New Project...	Cmd + N
File > Open...	Cmd + O
File > Save Project	Cmd + S
File > Save Project As...	Cmd + Shift + S
Help > Online Help	Cmd + ?
Layer > Activate Above	Up
Layer > Activate Below	Down
Layer > Duplicate	Cmd + J
Layer > Merge Up	Cmd + E
Layer > Merge Visible	Cmd + Shift + E
Layer > Mute	Cmd + Alt + M
Layer > New Layer	Cmd + Shift + N
Layer > Solo	Cmd + Alt + S
Project > Bypass	Ctrl + B
	Cmd + B
Project > Apply	Ctrl + Return
	Cmd + Return
Select > Deselect	Cmd + D
Select > Invert Selection	Cmd + I
Select > Invert Selection Frequencies	Cmd + Shift + I
Select > Reselect	Cmd + Shift + D
Select > Select All	Cmd + A
Select > Select Next Similar	Cmd + G
Select > Select Previous Similar	Cmd + Shift + G
Select > Select Similar...	Cmd + F
Tools > 3D Perspective	D
Tools > Cursor Selection	I
Tools > Decrease Tool Aspect Ratio	{
Tools > Decrease Tool Hardness	Alt + [
Tools > Decrease Tool Alternative Hardness	Alt + {
Tools > Decrease Tool Size	[
Tools > Eraser	E
Tools > Hand	H
Tools > Increase Tool Aspect Ratio	}
Tools > Increase Tool Hardness	Alt + ]
Tools > Increase Tool Alternative Hardness	Alt + }
Tools > Increase Tool Size	]
Tools > Lasso Selection	L
Tools > Marquee Selection	M
Tools > Playback	P
Tools > Selection Brush	B
Tools > Transform	T
Tools > Zoom	Z
Transport > Add Time Marker	Shift + M
Transport > Add Time Region	Shift + R
Transport > Loop Selection	Cmd + LAudio Repeat
Transport > Move Left	LeftMedia Rewind
Transport > Move Right	RightMedia Fast Forward
Transport > Move To End of Layer	Ctrl + Right
Transport > Move To End of Project	Cmd + Down
Transport > Move To Start of Layer	Ctrl + Left
Transport > Move To Start of Project	Cmd + Up
Transport > Next Time Event	Alt + RightMedia Next
Transport > Next Time Marker	Cmd+ ]
Transport > Play	Shift + SpaceMedia Play
Transport > Play or Stop	SpaceToggle Media Play/Pause
Transport > Preview	Ctrl + Shift + SpaceCtrl + Shift + Toggle Media Play/Pause
Transport > Preview or Stop	Ctrl + SpaceCtrl + Toggle Media Play/Pause
Transport > Previous Time Event	Alt + LeftMedia Previous
Transport > Previous Time Marker	Cmd + [
Transport > Record	Cmd + RMedia Record
Transport > Select End of Layer	Cmd + Shift + Right
Transport > Select End of Project	Cmd + Shift + Down
Transport > Select Left	Shift + Left
Transport > Select Next Time Event	Alt + Shift + Right
Transport > Select Next Time Marker	Cmd + Alt + Shift + Right
Transport > Select Previous Time Event	Alt + Shift + Left
Transport > Select Previous Time Marker	Cmd + Alt + Shift + Left
Transport > Select Right	Shift + Right
Transport > Select Start of Layer	Cmd + Shift + Left
Transport > Select Start of Project	Cmd + Shift + Up
Transport > Stop	EscMedia Stop
View > Fullscreen	Ctrl + Cmd + F
View > Toggle Compact All	Tab
View > Toggle Compact Panels	Shift + Tab
View > Unit Grid	G

Command Line Options

SpectraLayers One can be called with various command line options. [ ] means optional arguments.

Launch options

These options only work when SpectraLayers One is launched for the first time.

Command Description
-reset	Reset every settings.
-dpiscaling SCALE	(Windows only) Forces the dpi scaling of the application.SCALE for a non high-dpi screen would be 1, otherwise it would typically be 2.
-cpu INSTRUCTIONSET	Limits optimizations to the specific INSTRUCTIONSET.Possible values are sse4.2, avx, avx2, avx512.
-threads X	Forces multi-threading to X threads.
-language X	Forces language to X, where X can be an ISO 639-1 code or a path to a .qm file.
-debug	Write more detailed log files.

Session options

These options can be called at launch or when a SpectraLayers One session is already active.

Calling SpectraLayers One with options when a session is active will result in these options being transferred to the active session.

Command Description
-deviceapi [API]	Changes the active device to API. API must be an existing Type in Device Preferences. If API is not defined, it will switch back to the previously active API.
-edit FILE [START]	Open FILE as a new project with START as the first sample position. If START is not defined, it will start at 0.
-merge FILE [START]	Import FILE as a new layer into the active projec, with START as the first sample position. If START is not defined, it will start at 0.
-replace FILE [START]	Replace any project created from the same FILE, with START as the first sample position. If START is not defined, it will start at 0.
-parent APPLICATION	When opening a file with the above commands, define an application name that will be used for the Export Back text strings
-server SERVERNAME	Gets socket notification sent to SERVERNAME for specific events (0: importing file, 1: file imported, 2: exporting file, 3: file exported, 4: file closed)
-timerange START LENGTH	Zoom the current project to the specified time range (in samples)
-freqrange BOTTOM HEIGHT	Zoom the current project to the specified frequency range (in hertz)

SpectraLayers Editions Comparison

	SpectraLayers Pro SpectraLayers Elements		SpectraLayers One
File Format Support
Import AAC, AC3, AIFF, WMA,AU, CAF, FLAC, MP3,Opus, OGG, RAW,WAV, ALAC		AAC, AC3, AIFF, WMA,AU, CAF, FLAC, MP3,Opus, OGG, RAW,WAV, ALAC	AAC, AC3, AIFF, WMA,AU, CAF, FLAC, MP3,Opus, OGG, RAW,WAV, ALAC
Export AAC, AC3, CAF, AIFF,FLAC, MP3, Opus,OGG, WAV, RAW		AAC, AC3, CAF, AIFF,FLAC, MP3, Opus,OGG, WAV, RAW	AAC, AC3, CAF, AIFF,FLAC, MP3, Opus,OGG, WAV, RAW
Maximum Sample Rate	384Khz 96Khz 96Khz
Maximum Number of Channels	8 2 (stereo) 2 (stereo)
Meta Data Editing · ·
Markers Editing · ·
Plugins
ARA2 VST Plugin · · ·
AAX Plugin · · ·
Basic Display Settings
Composite View · · ·
Min/Max Amplitude · · ·
FFT Size · · ·
Resolution ·
Advanced Display Settings
Brightness Curve	·
Selection Opacity	·· ·
Selection Range(Time, Frequency)	·	·
FFT Window	·
Range Settings (Wave, Time, Frequency, 3D)	·	·
History
Maximum Levels of Undo	64	8	8
Edit
Undo/Redo	·· ·
Cut/Copy/Paste/Delete	···
Heal·
Insert/Delete/Crop Time	···
Transform·
Transfer between Channels	···
External Editors Up to 3 1
Select
Select All/Deselect/Reselect	···
Invert Selection/Invert Selection Frequencies	···
Modify Selection (Expand/Contract/Fade)	·	·
Select Similar·
Select Harmonics·
Load/Save Selections · ·
Realtime Selection Previsualization	···
Unmix
Song · Vocals Only Vocals Only
Drums·
Noisy Speech·
Multiple Voices·
Components·
Levels·
Multichannel Content·
Transcription·
Process
Generate (Silence, Tone, Noise)	···
Amplitude (Normalize, Gain, Channel Remixer)	···
Imprint·

	SpectraLayers Pro SpectraLayers Elements	SpectraLayers One
EQ Match • •
Ambience Match •
Reverb Match •
Noise Reduction • •
Reverb Reduction •
Hum Reduction • •
Click Repair • •
Clip Repair •
De-Esser •
De-Bleed •
Voice Denoiser •
VST3 Effects • •
Transform Tool
Transform • • •
Transform Selection • • •
Selection Tools
Time/Frequency Range Selection	• • •
Marquee Selection (Rectangular, Elliptical)	• • •
Lasso Selection (Lasso, Polygonal Lasso)	•
Brush Selection • •
Magic Wand Selection	•
Frequency/Harmonics Selection	•
Transient Selection	•
Editing Tools
Eraser	• •
Amplifier • •
Clone Stamp	•
Frequency Repair	• •
Drawing Tools
Frequency Pencil	• • •
Noise Spray	• •
Measurement Tools

	SpectraLayers Pro SpectraLayers Elements		SpectraLayers One
Spectral Markers and Regions	•	•
Measurement Tools (Sampler, Plot, Statistics)	•
Navigation Tools
Hand • • •
Zoom • • •
3D • • •
Playback • • •

Video Tutorials

Online links to live sessions and tutorials for different SpectraLayers versions.

SpectraLayers 10

New Features Overview

SpectraLayers 10 World Premiere topics: unmix song, normalize, unmix transcription, reverb match, unmix drums, unmix noisy speech, unmix multichannel content, unmix multiple voices, voice denoiser ▶ SpectraLayers 10 Reinvents the Audio Production Workflow | Interview with Simon Michael topics: unmix drums, unmix song, eraser tool

Tutorials

Unmixing Music and Sound | New Features in SpectraLayers 10 topics: unmix song, unmix drums, unmix multichannel content New Speech Processing Options | New Features in SpectraLayers 10 topics: unmix noisy speech, unmix multiple voices, unmix transcription, voice denoiser Other Features and Improvements | New Features in SpectraLayers 10 topics: reverb match, vst3 effects, unmix components, reverb reduction, clip repair, unmix levels Adding SpectraLayers as an ARA Extension to Your Project | Getting Started With SpectraLayers topics: ara Selection Tools Overview and the Concept of Layers | Getting Started With SpectraLayers topics: ara, selection tools, display panel, layers panel, channels panel Introduction to Tools and Processes | Getting Started With SpectraLayers topics: ara, unmix noisy speech, unmix song, reverb reduction, eraser tool Layer Generating Processes with Unmix Components | SpectraLayers 10 Tutorials topics: ara, unmix components, selection tools ▶ Song Unmixing Across Different Genres | SpectraLayers 10 Tutorials topics: unmix song, unmix noisy speech, harmonics selection tool, vst3 effects

Studio Session

Removing Drum Bleed From a Live Recording | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: unmix song Removing the Click Track From a Recording | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: unmix song DeBleeding Toms | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions topics: unmix drums

Reverb Matching | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions

topics: reverb match

Removing a Wrong Note From a Violin Recording | SpectraLayers 10 Studio Sessions

topics: eraser tool

SpectraLayers 9

New Features Overview

SpectraLayers 9 World Premiere

topics: cursor crosshair, cursor coordinates, always show scroll bar, unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing, process and tool presets, non-modal process dialogs, de-bleed process, playback output gain control

Live Sessions

SpectraLayers Pro 9 Experience | Live Session August 27, 2022

SpectraLayers Pro 9 | Rob Hill Interview, December 29, 2022

Tutorials

Workflow and Speed Improvements | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

topics: dynamic spectral processing, non-modal process dialogs, process and tools presets, unmix levels, vst3 effects

Cursor Crosshair and Coordinates | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

topics: cursor crosshair, cursor coordinates, sampler tool, unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing

Unmix Levels | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

topics: unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing, non-modal process dialogs, process and tool presets

Improved De-Bleed Process | New Features in SpectraLayers 9

Topics: de-bleed, dynamic spectral processing

Sound Design Featuring Unmix Levels and Ambience Match in ARA Mode | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials

Topics: unmix levels, dynamic spectral processing, ambience match, ARA

Using SpectraLayers as an External Editor for WaveLab | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials

Topics: external editing, clone stamp, eraser tool

Using SpectraLayers to Repair a Master Audio File From WaveLab | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials

Topics: external editing, eraser tool

Five Essential Tools in Five Minutes | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials

Topics: eraser tool, clone stamp, unmix stems, external editing

Noise Shaping in the Unmix Components Process | SpectraLayers 9 Tutorials

Topics: unmix components

SpectraLayers 8

Live Sessions

SpectraLayers Pro 8: New Features, Part 1 | Live Session July 10, 2021 SpectraLayers Pro 8: New Features, Part 2 | Live Session October 16, 2021 Five Essential Processes | Live Session November 27, 2021

Tutorials

De-Bleed Process | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 EQ and Ambience Match | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 AI-Powered Reverb Reduction | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Ambience Match in ARA Mode | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Improved Tools | New Features in SpectraLayers 8 Vocal Stem Cleaning | SpectraLayers 8 Tutorials Beat Deconstruction Unmixing Components | SpectraLayers 8 Tutorials How to Deal with Left and Right Channels Independently | SpectraLayers 8

SpectraLayers 7

Live Sessions

SpectraLayers Pro 7 New Features and More Basics | SpectraLayers Live Session August 22, 2020 ▶ SpectraLayers Pro 7 Field Recording Post-Production | SpectraLayers Live Session October 3, 2020 SpectraLayers Pro 7: ARA 2 Support in Cubase Pro 11 | Live Session November 28, 2020 SpectraLayers Pro 7: Imprint Processes (Casting / Molding) | Live Session January 16, 2021 SpectraLayers Pro 7: Voice Repair and Restore Operations | Live Session March 6, 2021

Tutorials

Transform Tool | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Unmix | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Healing Process | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Playback Tool | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Unmix Components | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials

Further Improvements | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Voice Denoiser | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials De-Esser | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorial Hum Reduction | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Select Similar | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Imprint Mold | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Imprint Cast | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Reverb Reduction | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials Clone Stamp and Eraser Tool | SpectraLayers Pro 7 Tutorials

SpectraLayers 6

Live Sessions

SpectraLayers Pro The Basics | SpectraLayers Live Session June 17, 2020

Tutorials

Noise Reduction | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials How to Eliminate Unwanted Sounds From a Song | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials Unmixing and Remixing Sounds | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials Fixing Unwanted Plosive Sounds and LF Control | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorials Electric Guitar Production Part 1 | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorial Electric Guitar Production Part 2 | SpectraLayers Elements Tutorial

Forum

You can join SpectraLayers forum to ask questions, share feedback, feature requests or report issues: https://forums.steinberg.net/c/spectralayers/

Index

@

3D, 19, 41

A

AAX Plugin, 58

Amplitude, 29

ARA2 Plugin, 54

C

Channels, 30, 48

Clips, 24

Close, 23

Composite View, 29

Coordinates, 26

Copy, 42

Creating Groups, 30, 32

Creating Layers, 30, 32

Crop Time, 25

Crosshair, 26

Cursor, 26

Cut, 42

D

Delete, 43

Delete Layer, 32

Delete Time, 25

Deselect, 44

Device, 49

Display, 20

Display Parameters, 29, 51

Drawing, 40

Duplicate Layer, 32

Duplicate Project, 25

E

Export, 24

F

FFT Size, 15, 29

Format, 25

Frequency Pencil, 40

G

Gain, 48

Grid, 26

Groups, 30, 32, 33

H

Hand, 40

History, 29

I

Import, 24

Insert Time, 25

Interface, 17, 49

Invert Selection, 44

L

Layers, 30, 32

Loop, 34, 36

M

Markers, 19, 34, 35

Measurement, 40

Menus, 18

Merge, 33

Modification, 39

Mute, 30

N

Navigation, 40

New Group, 32

New Layer, 32

New Project, 23

Noise, 47

Normalize, 47

0

Open, 23

Overview Bar, 19

P

Pan, 40

Panels, 21, 26

Paste, 43

Play, 34, 36

Playback, 41

Playhead, 34, 36

Preferences, 49

Process, 46

Processing, 46

Vocals, 45

VU Meter, 36

W

Waveform Display, 20

Z

Zoom, 40

R

Record, 34, 36

Redo, 29, 42

Reformat, 25

Regions, 34, 35

Remix, 25, 48

Rename Layer, 32

Rename Project, 25

Resample, 25

Reselect, 44

Resolution, 29

S

Save, 23

Scales, 26

Scrolling, 35

Select All, 44

Selection, 38, 44

Shortcuts, 53, 63

Silence, 46

Snap, 26

Solo, 30

Spectral Display, 20

Stems, 45

Stop, 34, 36

System Requirements, 10

T

Timeline, 19

Tone, 47

Tools, 18, 37

Transcript, 22

Transform, 37

Transport, 22, 34, 36

Tutorials, 77

U

Undo, 29, 42

Units, 26

Unmix, 45

Unmixing, 45

V

Videos, 77

View, 26