Configuring Peak for Recording

To record in Peak via Core Audio, you will first need to have configured Peak for playback with Core Audio. Once Peak is configured for playback, you can open the Record Settings dialog and configure Peak for recording with Core Audio. The Record Settings dialog can be accessed from under the Audio menu (Option-R) as well as from the Toolbar.

To Configure Peak for Recording:

1. From the Audio menu, choose Hardware Settings.
2. In the Hardware Settings window, choose you Input Device and Output device. It is best to use the same device for Input and Output.
3. Set your Buffer size. It is recommended that you use the lowest possible setting that your computer it capable of.

* *The Input level control is used for the computers built in hardware only * *

4. Click OK.
5. From the Audio menu, choose Record Settings.
6. Click the Device and Sample Format button - the Core Audio Record Settings dialog appears.
7. Select the input source to Record Through, the Sample Rate, Clock Source, Channels (Mono or Stereo), and Bit Depth.
8. Click OK.

Peak is now configured for recording with Core Audio.

Recording in Peak

Recording Options

Various recording configurations are available within the Core Audio Record Settings dialog. Depending on the audio hardware you are using, you may need to configure these items with specific settings.

Record Through Pop-Up Menu

This menu allows you to choose which inputs on your audio interface (the "source") you wish to record through. For example, if you are using an audio interface with multiple inputs, you can designate the appropriate inputs.

Sample Rate Pop-Up Menu

The Sample Rate pop-up menu allows you to select the sample rate at which you wish to record. Some sample rates may not be available depending on the limitations of the audio card and its Core Audio driver. Please note that if you are recording from a digital source you will want to record at the same sample rate as your digital source. For more information on sample rates, see the Glossary.

* The "Auto" setting in the Sample Rate pop-up menu will record at whatever sample rate the device is currently set to. Normally it will default in a 44.1KHz file. To record at a specific sample rate, it is best to choose the specific rate in this menu. *

Channels Radio Buttons

These radio buttons allow you to specify whether to record in mono or stereo format.

Bit Depth Radio Buttons

These radio buttons allow you to specify the desired bit depth for a recording. Please note that you will be limited to recording at bit depths that are supported by your audio hardware and its Core Audio driver. For more information on bit depths, see the Glossary.

* Be sure to set the Clock Sourceto digital in the Core Audio dialog if you plan to record via Core Audio from a digital source. *

Record Settings

When you select Record Settings from the Audio menu (Option-R) or Toolbar, the Record Settings dialog appears. This dialog is used to configure your settings for recording with Peak.

* Please note that the settings you choose here are independent of any previously set within the Mac OS Sound Preference pane. *

You will notice several pop-up menus, buttons, and checkboxes in the Record Settings dialog. These allow you to select which hard drive to record to, what file format youÕd like to record in, as well as a number of other options (described below). You may also wish to record through plug-ins. The next few paragraphs describe how to set all of these parameters using the Record Settings dialog.

Record Disk Pop-Up Menu

The Record Disk pop-up menu allows you to choose which hard drive you would like to record to. If you have more than one hard drive connected to your Macintosh, use this pop-up to select your record drive. (This option will default to the largest drive currently available to your Macintosh unless you select otherwise.)

* Peak requires that you save the audio file to the same drive on which it was recorded. *

File Format Pop-Up Menu

The File Format pop-up menu allows you to select the file format for the audio being recorded. You may choose from AIFF or Sound Designer II. If you need the newly recorded audio file to be in a different format, you can always use the Save As function to save it as another format once recording is complete. If you do not select a file format for recording, Peak will default to AIFF.

Auto Gain Control Checkbox

The Auto Gain Control checkbox allows you to enable/disable the Automatic Gain Control feature used by the Sound Manager system with some Macintosh microphone inputs. If the recording device you are using supports this feature, and you wish to use Auto Gain Control, check the Auto Gain Control checkbox. It is normal for this checkbox to be greyed out (unavailable) when using Core Audio.

* Setup information for using the Sound Manager system is available in Appendix 4 of this user's guide. *

Monitor Checkbox

The Monitor checkbox allows you to monitor the audio throughput while you are recording.

Split Stereo Files Checkbox

The Split Stereo Files checkbox allows you to record the incoming stereo audio as dual mono files rather than a single stereo file. Dual mono files are used in programs like Pro Tools, or BIAS Deck, so this option is useful if you need to record dual mono files (i.e., split stereo).

Append to Document Checkbox

The Append to document checkbox allows you to record into an existing audio document. To record new audio into an existing document, place the insertion point in the existing audio document at the point where you want to insert the new audio. If the insertion point is at the beginning of the file, the newly recorded audio will be inserted at the beginning of the file. If the insertion pointis at the end of the file, the newly recorded audio will be appended to the end of the existing file. If the insertion point is somewhere in the middle of the file, the newly recorded audio will be inserted at that point. If you make a selection of audio, the Append to document feature will allow you to replace the current audio with newly recorded audio from the beginning of the selection through the end of the document or wherever you stop the recording.

Record Timer Checkbox

The Record timer checkbox allows you to designate a specific duration for recording. Peak will stop recording after this set time and then open the Save dialog in order for you to save your recording. Checking the Record timer checkbox will bring up the Recording Time dialog. In the Recording Time dialog, designate the duration for recording in seconds and click OK. For example, to record for ten minutes, enter "600" in the Seconds field.

Open After Saving Checkbox

The Open after saving checkbox determines whether the audio document is opened in Peak after it is recorded.

Device and Sample Format Button

Clicking the Device and Sample Format button will open the Core Audio Record Settings dialog, where you can specify various recording options.

Hardware Settings Button

Clicking the Hardware Settings button in the Record Settings dialog brings up the Core Audio Settings dialog, where you can specify which hardware device to use (when multiple devices are connected to your computer), the buffer size, and the input level (if the device supports adjustable input level).

Recording in Peak

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