Peak
Peak is software that Media Services uses to edit audio projects, such as recordings of the Nobel Conference and occasionally Christmas in Christ Chapel. To start editing with Peak, simply run the application and open the file you would like to edit. Peak is designed to read Sound Designer II files, and it can also read AIFF, WAV, Quicktime, RAW, AU, and other file types.
Contents
Setting up
Make sure the sound board is on and that Peak is configured correctly (Audio—Hardware Settings—select Onyx Firewire)
Common processes
Gain envelope
DSP-Gain Envelope: Used to bring audio volume up and down in a given selection. Simply select some or all of the audio file and use the Gain Envelope to increase or decrease the volume a specified amount. You can also make the selection get quieter, louder, or apply any sort of combination of raising or lowering the volume over the given selection.
Fade in or out
DSP-Fade In/Fade Out: Makes the given selection fade in from nothing or fade out to nothing. Can be useful at the beginning or end of audio documents.
Adding an EQ plugin
Plugins—Insert 1—VST—BIAS Freq4: This is an equalizer that can reduce volumes at specific frequencies. This tool is especially good at removing background hiss or static (usually a high frequency) or a mechanical hum (low frequencies) from an audio document. Experiment with this tool to remove background noises or to change the tone or overall sound of a file. Once you have the equalizer set the way you want it, select Plugins—Bounce to permanently apply it to the sound file.
Convert sample rate
DSP—Convert Sample Rate: Used if the audio document’s sample rate is something other than 44,100 Hz. Change the sample rate to 44,100 Hz so that Peak is able to burn the final audio file to a CD properly.
Copy and paste
Edit—Cut/Copy/Paste: Sometimes, parts of the audio file need to be cut, copied, or pasted elsewhere to correct the file. To do this, simply select the section you want to edit, then use cut, copy, or paste to make the necessary changes.
Add new regions
Action—New Region: Use this command to split the file up into regions that can later be made into individual CD tracks or audio files. Either select the amount of audio you want in the region and select the New Region command, or select the command first and then set the time you want the region to encompass. Regions can be adjusted by clicking and dragging the yellow triangle at the bottom of the region dividers.
Additional support
For more information on what Peak can do, visit the Bias documentation site, or view the Peak User's Guide located on the desktop of the audio computer.