I have to say at this point that if you are working on an album‑length file using an 020 Mac, you'll almost certainly have time to fly to India for the curry and still get back before it's done! Time Stretch Steinberg call the analysis stage pre‑processing, and as this is a fairly time‑consuming part of the operation, there is an option to select several files for pre‑processing while you go out for a curry. Essentially, each soundfile is broken down into short blocks and each block processed according to its characteristics. Unlike hardware pitch shifters, which usually apply the same algorithm to everything they process, Time Bandit first performs a Fast Fourier Transform analysis of the file and uses this to create a set of instructions telling the software what type of processing to apply to different parts of the soundfile. Normally, Time Bandit is restricted to a stretch range of plus or minus 25%, which in itself is far greater than would normally be needed, but by switching to Effect mode, it is possible to go much further. Highest Quality mode uses rather more complex algorithms and, as expected, takes longer to process. The major decision is the choice of Normal or Highest Quality processing mode, though on speaking to Steinberg, they suggest that Normal mode is quite adequate for most material, especially if the range of pitch or time change is relatively small. Having selected the operation you want to carry out on the file, there are a few decisions to make in the Options menu. A rough preview of the end result of the intended processing is also possible via the Mac's speaker, but the manual points out that this is very approximate and is not indicative of the quality of the finally processed file. Sound files may be played back via Digidesign hardware such as Sound Tools or Pro Tools cards, though low resolution playback via the Mac speaker is also possible. On‑line Help is also supported, though the manual is so short that this shouldn't be needed very often. The first button loads sound files into the session window, while the remaining two select either time or pitch manipulation. Graphic icons show whether the file is mono or stereo, and three icon/buttons deal with the main functions of the program. The main difference is that you can't drag a file directly to the Trash can - you have to deliberately delete it. Time Bandit's operating window is rather like any other Mac window and it can show several sound files at once - pretty much like the contents of any other folder. According to the manual, a maths co‑processor doesn't make Time Bandit run any faster. My Mac system currently has so many dongles wired in series that it looks like a set of worry beads! The program is said to run on any 020, 030 or 040 Mac though, because of the intense nature of the processing, one of the faster Macs is strongly recommended. Installing the program is simple, courtesy of the included installer program, but you have to plug in the ADB dongle (in series with the mouse or keyboard) in order to make the program run. Only whole sound files can be processed and, because the program insists on leaving the original file intact, you have to ensure that you have enough disk space to complete the task. Any sound file (mono or stereo) to be treated must be opened in Time Bandit which, after processing, saves a modified version of the original file. Time Bandit is a stand‑alone program, which means that you can't access it directly from within an 'audio' sequencer or even from within SDII. But Steinberg's Time Bandit is being pitched at those who demand the best possible audio quality or a greater degree of shift. The SDII editing software includes a pitch shift/time shift function, and for relatively small shifts of not more than a couple of percent, most people find it quite adequate. Furthermore, many sample editing programs are compatible with SDII files, which opens up new avenues for serious sample editing and post‑processing. Both Cubase Audio and Notator Logic Audio (Mac) are compatible with the Sound Designer II file format, which means that sounds recorded within these programs can be processed using Sound Designer II (with any of its 'plug in' accessories if available), or any third‑party utility capable of working with SDII files. Long‑time Sound Designer II user Paul White couldn't wait to get it home.ĭigidesign's Sound Designer II is arguably the most popular stereo editing package currently doing the rounds, but its importance in the greater scheme of things goes deeper than that. Steinberg's Time Bandit is a Mac software package for processing Sound Designer II files off‑line, using sophisticated time stretch and pitch shift algorithms.
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