NGWave Audio/Sound/MP3 Editor: New in 2.0
This new version has so many enhancements and new features, we decided to dedicate a whole page to it for those interested. We will start with new features:Save Session
Expanding on NGWave's Crash Recovery system, you can now save your session when you exit. Rather than saving each individual file, NGWave simply hangs on to the open files in its temporary directory.Next time you launch NGWave, all open files will be re-opened automatically, with full Edit history (Undo and Redo), saved views, everything -- as though you never closed it. It all happens much faster than actually saving and then opening the files again -- NGWave keeps the temporary files in NGWave's own internal format, making the process nearly instantaneous!
You can configure how this feature works. You can either:
- Always Save Session (default)
- Prompt to Save Session
- Never Save Session
uLaw and aLaw Support
Version 2.0 supports uLaw (or mu-Law) files, as well as aLaw (or A-Law) files. Both formats use similar techniques to cram more information into 8 bits. Neither is a compressed format per-se, but both offer approximately the quality of 12-bit linear data in only 8-bits of data.NGWave 2.0 also offers much more intelligent handling of WAV files from various sources. NGWave now supports various non-standard extensions, and should be able to open just about any PCM WAV file you can find.
24-Bit Support
NGWave now supports 24-Bit files (as well as 32- and 64-Bit files), and allows you to playback and record using 24-Bits. Note that most audio cards do not support this; NGWave fails gracefully in this situation, reverting to 16-Bit playback or recording when necessary. This does not affect the file itself in any way -- only how NGWave communicates with your audio card.Note that many cards that claim to support 24-Bit recording and/or playback do not always allow this. Generally it depends on the drivers that are currently installed. If your 24-Bit card does not appear to open in 24-Bit mode in NGWave, please contact your audio card vendor.
Most programs simply fall-back automatically, and do not tell you this. Likewise, the DirectX sound system does the same -- it simply opens the card in 16-Bit mode and doesn't inform you of this (NGWave does not utilize DirectX for audio input or output). NGWave always tells you in what mode it was able to successfully open your audio card.
192 kHz Sample Rate
NGWave also supports sample rates from 4 kHz to 192 kHz. Similar to the bit resolution, NGWave will automatically (if the option is enabled) resample the audio as necessary to work with your audio card. Again, some cards that claim 192 kHz support do not always support it, and most programs silently fall-back without informing the user.Improved Usability
NGWave 2.0 offers many usability and visual enhancements. Ultra-smooth wave-form scrolling, extra status information (that can be turned off), many new program options, new icons, and better colors all make NGWave even more of a pleasure to use.Vertical Zooming
You can now zoom in vertically -- in order to see detail down to -90 db in the waveform view.New Feature: Graphical Pitch
With NGWave's improved resampling routines, version 2.0 offers a graphical pitch control: an interactive graph that lets you create a pitch curve. Many neat effects can be created with this new feature.Metronome
NGWave offers a built-in Metronome in the Recording dialog. You can configure the tempo and volume, and the Metronome taps along for you. Note that a full-duplex sound card is required (a card that can play and record at the same time). Most audio cards made in the last few years are in fact full-duplex.Tuner
NGWave also offers its exclusive Tuner. Use it to tune a guitar, or practice with your voice. The Tuner locks in using our exclusive Phase-Offset Error Tracking method, for fast, precise tuning. Compare it with your favorite tuner, hardware or software, and we think you will be impressed.Automatic DC-Offset Correction
Most inexpensive audio cards -- and even some rather expensive ones -- are poorly calibrated from the factory. The result is what is known as a DC-Offset, where zero is not quite zero.NGWave's Record Dialog has an option to correct this on the fly. It uses a single second-order Bessel filter set at 4 Hz for minimum phase distortion, allowing it to dynamically shift the input with no side-effects.
Controls in Record Dialog
The recording dialog offers full media playback controls, as well as Undo/Redo capabilities, without having to close the dialog. This can be very handy when recording multiple takes.Analog VU Meters
In addition to the highly-accurate LED peak-level VU indicators, NGWave 2.0 now offers retro Analog-style VU meters. These meters mimic the physical properties of a real meter movement, and show very accurate detail. Since they by nature show more of an average level than a peak level, as well as a more natural curve, they make a great compliment to the peak LED meters when monitoring your input level.Instant Playback Mode
With this option enabled, you have one-click access to Record and Instant Playback. Clicking the Record button causes the button to change to a green dot, indicating that the next click of that button will immediately play back what you just recorded. Clicking again puts NGWave in Standby mode, ready to record again.With the feature disabled, the Record button simply toggles between Recording and Standby modes.
Click to Begin Recording
Click to enter Standby Mode
Click to Begin Playback
Record Now!
NGWave offers a Record Now feature. Calling NGWave with a/r argument
causes NGWave to automatically launch the Record Dialog with a new, blank file.
If you choose to let NGWave's installation routine create QuickLaunch or Desktop shortcuts, a red NGWave icon is also installed, already set up for the Record Now feature.
