Introduction The Pocket Recorder is a simple, easy to use interface for recording waveform data in both 8-bit and 16-bit formats. Pocket Recorder is the first in a family of multimedia pocket tools from Media Vision. You can use Pocket Recorder to record and playback waveform files (*.wav) from any Windows applications. You can also splice and blend files together for interesting audio effects. By default your view of the file being displayed is of the entire file and the total length of your file is always displayed in seconds format. Figure 1 below describes the interface's buttons and meters. Your interface may look different depending on your PC's capabilities. Operating Requirements IBM PC/AT personal computer or 100% compatible Windows 3.1 2 MB RAM Hard Disk File Functions New Creates a new file, and presents the user with a dialogue box for specifying recording parameters. Open Opens an existing waveform file, and presents the user with a standard file requester dialogue box. Save Saves the current waveform file. If the current waveform is untitled the user is prompted to input a standard file format. Save As... Lets you save your file under a different name and extension. Save As.. saves the current contents of the file being edited to a new file, without affecting either the contents or state of the current file. Revert Causes the current waveform file to revert to the last saved version. This feature is helpful when you accidentally edit a wavefile. Exit Exits the Pocket Recorder application, if there is an open waveform file currently being edited, you will be prompted to save changes. About Displays information on which version of Pocket Recorder you are using and also displays the Media Vision logo. Edit Functions You can insert a file at any location within a waveform file (it simply appends the selected file to the current file, thereby increasing its overall length). However, you cannot mix two files which were recorded at different sample rates. The two files to be joined must be of the same sample rate. Pocket Recorder does not support sample rate conversion. Insert File Lets you place a file within your current file. The placement of the file depends on the position of the insertion point. Blend File Effectively overlays the files on top of on another. The duration of the final file will be the same length as the longest file used. This features essentially merges two waveforms into one file. Note! Saturation levels must be monitored while blending files. Saturation is another form of distortion that occurs when the amplitude of a blended file is excessive. This is sometimes referred to as clipping. Delete to Start Deletes the file contents starting from the insertion point to the start of the file. Delete to Finish Deletes the file contents starting from the insertion point to the end of the file. Effects Functions Louder Increases the amplitude of the wavefile by 50%. Softer Decreases the amplitude of the waveform file by 50%. Faster Increases the speed of the waveform file by 100%. Slower Decreases the speed of the waveform file by 50%. Higher Raises the pitch of the waveform file. The speed and duration are not affected. Lower Lowers the pitch of the waveform file. Echo Adds an echo effect to the waveform file. Reverb Applies a reverb characteristic to all waveform data in the file. Reverse Plays your waveform file backwards. Using Pocket Recorder To Play a Waveform File 1. Select "Open" from the File menu. The Open Wave File dialog box appears. 2. Click on the disk drive or subdirectory where you have stored your waveform (*.wav) files. 3. Highlight the waveform file you want to open. Click on the OK button. The waveform file is automatically loaded into Pocket Recorder's window. 4. Click on the Play button (or press the space bar) to playback the waveform file. As it is played back, notice the activity of the VU meter. Both bars moving confirms that you have selected a waveform that was recorded in stereo. The green bar represents channel 1 and the blue bar represents channel 2. To Record a Waveform File Several options are available when recording waveform files. However, if a selection appears greyed-out, it simply means that it is not available with your version. Before proceeding with these steps, ensure that your microphone or audio device is plugged into either the microphone or line-in input plug on your Pro AudioSpectrum board. 1. Select "New" from the File menu. The Record Parameters dialog box appears and presents several options from which to choose: Sample Rate: Select either 44.1 kHz, 32.0 kHz, 22.05 kHz, or 11.05 kHz. Keep in mind that the larger the sampling rate, the more disk space is required to store the waveform file. Channels: Stereo. If you are going to record in stereo, click on this button. Otherwise select Mono. Compression: Select either 4:1, 2:1 or none. Sample: Select either the 8 bit mode or the 16 bit mode. If you plan to use this waveform file with another application, check to see that it will accept a 16 bit waveform file first. Pocket Recorder does not convert waveform files from different formats. 2. Click on the Record button (red circle) to record from your selected audio source. Speak into your microphone or activate your audio source. Keep a close eye on your VU meter. The record mode changes the VU meter's bars from green and blue to red. 3. Click on the Stop button (square) to end the recording process. Notice how the File Status window constantly informs you of your operating status. 4. Select "Save As..." from the File menu. Type in a name for your new file when Pocket Recorder displays the "Save Wave File" dialog box. To Exit from Pocket Recorder Select "Exit" from the File menu. If you have modified your current waveform file, you will prompted to save these changes. Glossary The following definitions describe terms you will encounter using Media Vision multimedia products. Clipboard A clipboard is where sample data is saved when you cut it from a sample so that you may paste it or mix it into another sample. This clipboard should not be confused with the normal Windows clipboard. Insertion Point The Insertion Point is like the cursor in a word processor. It is where pasted data will be placed or other data may be inserted depending on the operation. The Insertion Point appears as a vertical line and can be moved by clicking the left mouse button any where in the Pocket Recorder window. Microsoft Multimedia Wave File(.WAV) This is a format for sampled sounds defined by Microsoft for use with their Multimedia Extensions for Window. Sampled Sound Sampled sounds are sounds which have been recorded in a digital format and saved on your system for playback through a sound board. ---------------------------------------------------- WIN.INI ENTRIES Pocket Recorder preferences can be found in your win.ini file. In order to change the default values, remove the semi-colon (;) from the start of the line and change the value. A sample of some non-default entries is shown below. [Media Vision Pocket Recorder] ; ; Current UI support allows for: ; - one (mono) or two (stereo) channels. ; - variable sample rates between specified minimum and maximum. ; - eight and/or sixteen bits per sample (put commas between multiple ; values). ; - file compaction by two and/or four (put commas between ; multiple values). ; Buffer Management ; - buffer size should be a power of two (default is 32768, aka 32 kB). ; - number of buffers used for playback and record ahead (default is ; 5, maximum is 16). ; Maximum Sample Rate ; - maximum sample rate is dependent upon the characteristics of the ; audio recording device (adapter) currently installed in your ; system. Specifying a maximum sample rate greater than what the ; audio device supports will have no effect. ; Compression ; - Compression/decompression of waveform digital audio data is not ; implemented pending clarification from Microsoft of the proper ; architecture for Windows developers to utilize. ; NumChannels=2 MinSampRate=1 MaxSampRate=44100 BitsPerSamp=8,16 ;Compression=2,4 BufferSize=32768 NumBuffers=8