Quick Start

In this guide we will cover a simple workflow to import and record audio into Acoustica, make some edits and add effects, and export our edited file.

Installing and Authorizing Acoustica

If you have not already installed and authorized Acoustica 8, follow the instructions below before continuing with this guide.

• Installation - download and install Acoustica on your system

• Purchase and Authorization - authorize a purchase or trial version

Launching Acoustica

After downloading and installing Acoustica 8, launch the application. You should see a screen similar to the one below, called the Launch Page.

You can read more about the Launch Page here. The Launch Page functions as a hub for quickly starting many of Acoustica's workflows.

Importing or Recording audio

Now that we are set up, we will either import or record some audio. On the Launch Page, we can quickly create a project from the Create Project section shown below.

click New Recording and then follow Recording Audio below.

Importing audio

Click Open File from the Create Project section of the Launch Page and then select a file to import from the browser.

Acoustica will now create a session similar to the below, with your chosen audio file ready to work with in the clip editor.

Next, go to the Editing your audio section to proceed with the guide.

Recording audio

Click New Recording from the Create Project section of the Launch Page. Acoustica opens a new session with an empty clip editor, ready to record.

Next, open the Settings window with ⌘+, or Ctrl+, or from the top bar menu. Choose the Audio Device settings tab on the far right, and check that your Input Device is set correctly. This will be your microphone or audio interface.

Once you have set your input device and output device, click the Apply button at the bottom of the Settings window.

Now press the record button in the top bar, shown below. >

Choose a sample rate and number of channels. The channel count will match the number of inputs, sources, or microphones you are recording. If you are unsure what sample rate to use, start with 48000.

The Recording dialog box now opens:

Now make sure that the correct Input Source (1) is selected. You can monitor the input level using the Level Meters (2). The level meter should never be in the red area in order to avoid clipping. If there is clipping, reduce the gain on your audio interface or microphone preamp, move the microphone further from the source, or lower the volume on your instrument (guitar, bass, keyboard etc).

To listen to the recorded audio during recording, enable the Monitor option (3).

Click the record button (4) to start the recording.

When you are done recording, click the Insert (5) button to insert the recorded audio at the cursor position.

Editing and adding effects to your audio

Now that we have some audio in Acoustica that we can work with, take some time to explore a few of the included effects and tools.

You can use the Processing Chain to create a chain of processors or plug-ins. See The Processing Chain for information on how to do so.

Or you can use Tools, Volume, Effects, or Enhancements menus in the top menu bar to apply a process to the audio file.

Try using one of the above methods to Equalize and add some reverb (Verberate 2 or Convolve) or delay (Echo).

Exporting your audio

Save your file via the File menu or with ⌘+S or Ctrl+S. Your changes will be saved in the original file you imported or recorded.

To create a new version of the file, so that your original remains untouched, use Save As instead and give your file a new name and location.