1. Play/Record Menus

VFEdit® enables you to hear existing audio files and record new ones. Use the Play Menu and Record Menu to:

  1. Play an audio segment once or multiple times.
  2. Record a new file or record over an earlier audio segment.
      1. The Audio Control Bar

The Audio Control Bar provides quick access to play and record capabilities. Use these icons to:

Restart playback.
Rewind during playback.
Stop playback or recording using the mouse.
Pause during playback.
Play the currently selected segment.
Play the currently selected over and over again.
Fast Forward by playing at double speed.
View the elapsed time since play or record began.
Record an audio segment.
Stop playback or recording using the mouse or keyboard.
      1. Play Once, Loop, Fast Forward

        2. The Play Once menu command is used to listen to all or part of the current file at normal speed. Use Play Once when you preview an audio segment, or when you want to hear the results of a change you have made.

        The Play Loop menu command is used to play all or part of the current edit file over and over again. Use Play Loop when reviewing a file for final edit, or when you need to play a segment repeatedly to identify audio anomalies.

        The Play Fast Forward menu command is used to listen to all or part of the current file at double speed. Use Play Fast Forward when you want to preview an audio segment, or when you want to hear an entire recording quickly.

        You can specify an ending time greater than the length of file; playback will stop when complete. When playing a file, the Audio Control Bar will display the elapsed time in seconds and the triangular "At Position" will mark the current position in the file.

      2. Play Stop

You can stop playback in one of four ways:

  1. Select the Play Stop menu command.
  2. Use the mouse to click the Audio Control Bar "Stop" icon or button.
  3. Use the keyboard to press <ENTER>.
  4. Use the keyboard to press <SPACEBAR>.
      1. Play Configure

        2. The Play Configure dialog box lets you set playback defaults to fit your needs.

        1. Frequency Conversion

During playback, VFEdit will automatically convert files recorded at any frequency to match the capabilities of the audio device currently in use.

Anti-aliasing Filter :The anti-aliasing filter removes unwanted high frequencies when converting from a higher to a lower frequency.

The Low-pass 2nd order anti-aliasing filter default is on. Use the default on setting for standard fidelity. Use fast for standard fidelity with improved speed on 286/386 class computers. Use off for maximum conversion speed.

The Low-pass anti-aliasing FFT filter default is off. Use the on setting for best fidelity.

Re-sample Algorithm :The re-sampling algorithm determines how audio data will be generated or removed to adjust a file for the new frequency.

The default algorithm is Linear (normal). Use the default on setting for standard fidelity. Use the Re-sample FFT filter for best fidelity.

      1. Record Once

        2. The Record Once menu command is used to record over all or part of the current audio file. Use Record Once to replace a portion of an existing recording or to create an entirely new recording.

        To replace a portion of an existing recording, select a segment to record over using either the keyboard or mouse. For new recordings, specify an ending time greater than the anticipated length of your recording; simply stop recording when complete.

        When you select a time range containing previously recorded data, VFEdit will replace the old recording with the new recording. When you select a time range that extends beyond any recorded data, VFEdit will automatically extend the length of the file to accommodate the new recording. You can specify a time range that both begins and ends beyond the end of the current file; VFEdit will automatically back fill the file with additional silence.

        When recording a file, the Audio Control Bar will display the elapsed time in seconds and the triangular "At Position" will graphically display the current position is the file.

      2. Record Stop

You can stop recording in one of four ways:

  1. Select the Record Stop menu command.
  2. Use the mouse to click the Audio Control Bar "Stop" icon or button.
  3. Use the keyboard to press <ENTER>.
  4. Use the keyboard to press <SPACEBAR>.
      1. Record Configure

        2. The Record Configure dialog box lets you set recording defaults to fit your needs.

        1. Preferences

This setting controls operational preferences that can save you time depending upon the type of editing you plan to do.

Record Mode: This setting determines how VFEdit will treat a new recording. Since all the data is stored on disk, VFEdit can be told to stretch or shrink the current file to accommodate the new recording. This is call "Replace" mode, and is the default setting. Use this setting for most of your work. However, you may want VFEdit to act like a tape recorder, and just overwrite a previously recorded section. This is called "Overlay" mode. Thus this setting determines whether VFEdit replaces the selected audio (could be the whole file) with the new recording or overlays the old audio with the new audio (could be just part of the file).
        1. Frequency Conversion

During recording, VFEdit will automatically convert files recorded at any frequency to match the capabilities of the audio device currently in use.

Anti-aliasing Filter :The anti-aliasing filter removes unwanted high frequencies when converting from a higher to a lower frequency.

The Low-pass 2nd order anti-aliasing filter default is on. Use the default on setting for standard fidelity. Use fast for standard fidelity with improved speed on 286/386 class computers. Use off for maximum conversion speed.

The Low-pass anti-aliasing FFT filter default is off. Use the on setting for best fidelity.

Re-sample Algorithm :The re-sampling algorithm determines how audio data will be generated or removed to adjust a file for the new frequency.

The default algorithm is Linear (normal). Use the default on setting for standard fidelity. Use the Re-sample FFT filter for best fidelity.

      1. Minimizing Noise

Your analog telephony and multimedia components are sensitive pieces of audio electronics. Unlike the digital electronics normally used in your equipment, the analog portion of the circuitry is especially susceptible to power supply and other noisy emissions.

You may have been using your equipment under DOS with no apparent noise problems. Microsoft Windows, however, places increased demands on your system electronics. You can achieve electrically noise-free recordings by following these guidelines:

Minimize electrical noise: Move your audio board(s) as close as possible to the system power supply. This will eliminate a common "metallic" background sound often caused by high frequency noise on the system bus.
Eliminate noise sources: Eliminate power supply and bus noise sources by removing any unnecessary boards from your computer chassis. Keep the system and audio cables away from noise sources such as fluorescent lights.
Power Supply: Be sure to use a power supply with a sufficient wattage rating to handle your motherboard and peripherals. Most packaged systems come with a more-than-adequate power supply; some PC clones and older systems, however, may use lower rated supplies.
Proper Grounding: Ensure that your PC and audio equipment are properly grounded. Use a good quality motherboard that is properly grounded to the system chassis.
Proper Shielding: Ensure that your cables, especially those carrying microphone or line level inputs, are proper shielded.