Test: WINAUDIO MAJOR 2.0

AFFORDABLE HARDDISK RECORDING FOR THE 'COMMON MAN'

In Midiklavier no. 45 we already reviewed the first version of
WinAudio, the budget harddisk recording program with its surprising
price-to-quality performance. Since then, an extended version of the
program has appeared: WinAudio Major 2.0, which however should not be
seen as version 1.0's successor: both programs remain available, each
at its own price.
WinAudio Major is not an ordinary program for wave editing operations;
enough programs do that already. Instead, it creates a very feasible
harddisk recording situation, in which multiple audio tracks can be
combined with midi tracks using any standard Windows compatible
soundcard.
Of course, WinAudio went through a number of extensions in order to
earn its keep as 'MAJOR', next to its little brother, WinAudio 1.0.

OLE!
The program can now simultaneously cooperate with other Windows
sequencers and wave editing programs through the use of OLE (object
linking and embedding). Through WinAudio's menu, it is possible to
switch to sequencers and even sample-editors like SoundForge or
WaveLab. Excellent! This can come in very handy when making a mix of
midi and audio compositions, because WinAudio can only play finished
Standard Midi Files, and does not offer any midi editing capabilities
itself. If you wish to have a midi sequencer run synchronously with
WinAudio, you will in some cases need to use a special mididriver
which can accept more than one midi program simultaneously (for
example, MultiMid).

DO NOT DESTROY... 
WinAudio is capable of executing so-called 'non destructive' audio
editing. This expression is often used in the audio recording and
sampling industries, where it concerns operations  which influence the
end-results of the sound, but leave the original sample file on the
harddisk intact. The modifications are thus made in 'real-time' or the
program uses 'shadow' files on which the desired operations are
performed. In this way, it is always possible to revert to the
original sample if the operation has resulted in less than desirable
products.
A larger sample can in this way be cut into several smaller pieces,
which can then individually be edited or moved through the playlist;
an operation which is especially useful for drumloops and other
rhythmical parts.
Another non-destructive operation is the application of fade-in and
fade-out; here, it is possible to edit the precise length of the
operation. Through this feature, it is possible to realize crossfades
(the gradual crossing over of one sample into another). The timing of
panorama positions and fades is very good - in contrast with for
example Logic Audio for Windows, where the automated volume change
always runs 'behind' with a standard Windows soundcard.

PLAYBACK
By pressing the TAB key, you can choose between two different
graphical representations of the sample objects; a graphical
representation of the sample wave or a name representation with
overlays representing the volume envelope and panorama position.
Mute-, volume- and panning-settings can also be made per track
instead of per individual sample, which of course allows faster
operation when making changes to whole tracks consisting of larg
amounts of individual objects.

LOCATORS
The keys of the numeric keypad have been defined to correspond with
nine locator positions, which allow rapid access to pre-defined
locations in a song. It is also possible to copy, move or delete
complete parts between the first two locators, using the so-called
'multi'-operations. This facilitates the use of song structures by the
user. A function which improves on this, and could be implemented in
the next update, is a cycle-mode, in order to practice certain parts
before making a definitive take, or to facilitate the recording of
multiple takes without interruption.
Punch-in facilities would also be welcomed; this would exempt the
user from having to cut the 'silence' (meaning 'noise and hum' in
most soundcards) before and after the recording. To complete my
wishing list: a horizontal zoom-option would be welcomed, because
placing a large number of small objects in sequence (like in the
provided demo) makes for very precise operation if the objects are to
be moved by mouse.

EDITING
The Time and Pitch Corrector are still some of the most powerful
features of WinAudio. They allow you to make changes to the length of
a sample, but also to its pitch. The 'smart factor' in this function
is that these functions can also be combined at will. For instance, it
is possible to make a sample longer or shorter without affecting its
pitch or to have a sample sound 'higher' without changing its tempo.
The corrector options are very easy to control, even for non-sample-
freaks, and the operations are performed quite swiftly, when compared
to other (vastly more expensive) sample editing programs.
Normalize allows you to adjust the recording level of the sample
afterwards, which assures the highest possible playback volume without
causing distortion. The recorded noise, however, will also be
'normalized', so mind that correctly setting the initial recording
level is always to be preferred, as it minimizes the level of unwanted
noise in your recordings.
An extra utility is the DC-offset correction, which can be used to
remove a certain noise element from your recordings.

WINAUDIO IN PRACTICE
I have to say that working with WinAudio Major has been a very good
experience. Its simple procedures, easy-to-remember shortcut keys and
click-and-drag mouse interface allow fast operation.
WinAudio Major screen display has four tracks, however it is possible
to use eight or even more samples simultaneously by overlaying
multiple samples on one track. The program's polyphony limit is then
defined by your computer's processing power and throughput
capabilities. A powerful computer given enough memory can thus play
more waves simultaneously.
However, this hampers easy editing, because overlapped waves can no
longer be accessed by mouse. Some more tracks, or a selectable number
of tracks might be an outcome. A small inconvenience from WinAudio 1.0
has been fixed: When using non-duplex soundcards it is no longer
necessary to manually switch from recording to playback in WinAudio's
configuration dialog box.
Fortunately, the number of soundcards which need this function is
ever-decreasing, because most (good) soundcard manufacturers optimize
their soundcard's drivers. For example, my Soundblaster 16 PRO, which
was only non-duplex during my review of WinAudio 1.0, is now fully
capable of simultaneously recording and playback, thanks to its
improved drivers.
Only one small bug was found while operating in Win'95; When using the
Time and Pitch Corrector for the very first time, it is necessary to
define the waves to be processed, otherwise the Corrector window
cannot be exited. However, when at press of this issue, we were
notified the programming team have issued a new version which solves
this problem.

CONCLUSION
WinAudio Major is the extended version of WinAudio which, like its
little brother, offers a lot of possibilities at a very modest price.
Four tracks (with a polyphony of eight or more samples) of harddisk
recording, easy cut-and-paste operations, fundamental time-stretching
and pitch conversion functions of very good quality (when regarding
its price), and an integrated midi-file player for no more than
Hfl. 299,- (approximately 248 German Marks or $ 149 US) is not bad at
all...
The conclusion is, that WinAudio still offers a very good price-to-
quality-performance.


(GOING) PRICES:
WinAudio Fun edition (starting version) Hfl. 49,95 (approximately 48 German Marks or $ 29 US)
WinAudio Standard Hfl. 99,- (approximately 98 German Marks or $ 59 US)
WinAudio Major Hfl. 299,- (approximately 248 German Marks or $ 149 US)


PLUS
+ Easy-to-use
+ Price/quality performance
+ Fast time stretching/compressing and pitch change
+ Dutch / German / English / French manuals available

MINUS
- Some difficulties in Pitch/Time Corrector window, entering for the
  first time (being solved)
- Only four tracks for eight or more waves


(This reprint is a translation from the Dutch midi magazine
Midiklavier's WinAudio- MAJOR  Edition - version 2.0  review,
by author Eppo Schaap.)



For more information or orders please contact your local dealer,
distributor or:

ZADOK AUDIO MEDIA PRODUCTS
P.O.BOX 1192
NL-2260 BD   LEIDSCHENDAM
THE NETHERLANDS (EUROPE)

TEL: 00.31.70.3.200.209
FAX: 00.31.70.3.200.345

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