SpectraLayers Pro  6.0
The Toolbars

SpectraLayers Pro includes several toolbars you can use.

Choose View > Toolbars, and then choose a toolbar to show or hide it.

The Tool Settings toolbar

Choose View > Toolbars > Tool Settings to show or hide the Tool Settings toolbar.

The Tool Settings toolbar displays controls for the active editing tool. For more information, see The Tools toolbar

The Tools toolbar

Choose View > Toolbars > Tools to show or hide the editing tools.

The editing tools on the left side of the spectral display provide access to spectral navigation, measures, selections, modifications and drawings.

Move Tool

Button Item Description
Move Click to move, stretch and pitch the current layer or the current selection in the spectral display by dragging it.
Note
This tool can also auto-activate layers.

Selection Tools

ButtonItemDescription

Cursor Selection

The Cursor Selection tool offers two modes you can use to select spectral data. Click the button to switch the Select tool, or click and hold to choose a selection mode.

  • Time Selection : Click and drag to create a selection that includes the full frequency range within a time selection.
  • Frequency Selection : Click and drag to create a selection that includes the full time range within a frequency selection.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Fade: sets the fade (either in time or frequency depending on the tool) of the selection edge.
Note
Hold Shift as a shortcut for Add to Selection, Alt as a shortcut to Remove from Selection, and Shift+Alt as a shortcut for Intersect

Marquee Selection

The Marquee Selection tool offers four modes you can use to select spectral data. Click the button to switch to the Select tool, or click and hold to choose a selection mode.

  • Rectangular Selection : Click and drag to create a rectangular selection. All data in the rectangle is selected.
  • Elliptical Selection : Click and drag to create an elliptical selection. All data in the ellipse is selected.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Fade: sets the fade (either in time or frequency) of the selection edge.
Note
Hold Shift as a shortcut for Add to Selection, Alt as a shortcut to Remove from Selection, and Shift+Alt as a shortcut for Intersect

Lasso Selection

The Lasso Selection tool allows you to draw shapes in the spectral display. When you close a shape, all data inside the same is selected. Click the button to switch to the Lasso tool, or click and hold to choose a selection mode.

  • Lasso Selection : Click and drag to draw a free-form lasso around the data you want to select.
  • Polygonal Lasso Selection : Click and drag to draw a straight-line-segment lasso around the data you want to select. Double-click to close the selection path.
    Note
    When using the Polygonal Lasso Selection tool, the Options > Frequency Scale setting determines the shape of the polygon segments: Linear creates straight-line segments, and Mel, Bark, ERB, and MIDI-Logarithmic create curved segments that match the scale.
    Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.
  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Fade: sets the fade (either in time or frequency) of the selection edge.
Note
Hold Shift as a shortcut for Add to Selection, Alt as a shortcut to Remove from Selection, and Shift+Alt as a shortcut for Intersect
Selection Brush

The Selection Brush tool allows you to paint a selection in the spectral display. Click and drag to paint.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Size: sets the size of the brush (in pixels).
  • Aspect Ratio: sets the aspect ratio of the brush.
  • Hardness: sets the hardness of the selection edge. 0% creates a soft, feathered edge that helps you create blended sounds, and 100% creates a precise selection with sharp edges — perfect for creating precise selections of narrow frequency bands.
  • Pen Pressure : select the Pen Pressure button to use pen pressure to multiply the Hardness value when drawing frequencies on a tablet.
Note
Hold Shift as a shortcut for Add to Selection, Alt as a shortcut to Remove from Selection, and Shift+Alt as a shortcut for Intersect
Magic Wand

The Magic Wand Selection tool allows you to paint a selection in the spectral display by intelligently selecting shapes. Click and drag to paint.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Tolerance: sets the amplitude threshold (in dB) that is used to select frequencies. A higher threshold allows more content to be selected; a lower threshold creates a more focused selection.
  • Maximum Width: sets the maximum width (in seconds) of the selection.
Note
Hold Shift as a shortcut for Add to Selection, Alt as a shortcut to Remove from Selection, and Shift+Alt as a shortcut for Intersect
Frequency Selection

Allows you to select a frequency band in the spectral display. Click and drag to create a selection.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Thickness: sets the number of bins (spectral samples) around the peak frequency that will be selected. Low settings work well for selecting clearly defined frequency bands such as hum. Higher settings expand the selection, incorporating more deviations from the baseline frequency.
  • Tracking Limit: sets the maximum width (in seconds) of the selection.

Harmonics Selection

Allows you to select harmonics (a full set of frequencies, with frequency tracking) in the spectral display.

Click and drag over the fundamental tone to establish a selection that isolates the target and spans its entire harmonic spectrum.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Thickness: sets the number of bins (spectral samples) around the peak frequency that will be selected. Low settings work well for selecting clearly defined frequency bands such as hum. Higher settings expand the selection, incorporating more deviations from the baseline frequency.
  • Tracking Limit: sets the maximum width (in seconds) of the selection.
  • Master Rank: set this control to the order of the harmonic that you will hover over when making selections. The tool will seek up to the number of harmonic overtones shown in the Count value. Set the Master Rank to a higher number if you need to highlight a higher harmonic during the selection process. For example, imagine you’re attempting to isolate a sound in which the fundamental and first three higher harmonics are obscured by other sounds in the program, but you have a clear view of the fourth harmonic. Set the Master Rank control to 4 and hover over the fourth harmonic. The Harmonic Selection Tool will seek down while simultaneously seeking upward to the limit defined by the Count setting.
  • Count: sets the number of harmonics to be targeted for selection.
  • Lock to clicked frequency: locks the tool to the frequency you click for fast selection when dragging.

Transient Selection

The Transient Selection tool allows you to select transients (mainly clicks, certain consonants, note attacks and drum sounds). Click and drag to select.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Replace Selection : in this mode, new selections clear existing selections.
  • Add to Selection : in this mode, selections are persisted even when you switch selection tools. Add to Selection mode is the fastest way to build complex selections using multiple selection tools.
  • Remove from Selection : in this mode, areas you click are removed from the current selection.
  • Intersect with Selection : in this mode, areas you click are intersected with the current selection.
  • Tolerance: sets the amplitude threshold (in dB) that is used to select frequencies. A higher threshold allows more content to be selected; a lower threshold creates a more focused selection.
  • Maximum Height: sets the maximum height (in Hz) of the selection.
Note
Hold Shift as a shortcut for Add to Selection, Alt as a shortcut to Remove from Selection, and Shift+Alt as a shortcut for Intersect

Modification Tools

ButtonItemDescription
Eraser

Allows you to erase an area in the selected layer.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Size: sets the size of the brush (in pixels).
  • Aspect Ratio: sets the aspect ratio of the brush.
  • Opacity: sets the strength of the eraser. 100% completely erases the spectral data under the eraser, and lower settings allow you to erase gradually.
  • Pen Pressure : select the Pen Pressure button to use pen pressure to multiply the Opacity value when using a tablet.

Amplifier

Allows you to brighten the spectral data in the selected layer.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Size: sets the size of the brush (in pixels).
  • Aspect Ratio: sets the aspect ratio of the brush.
  • Hardness: sets the hardness of the tool's edge. 0% creates a soft, feathered edge, and 100% creates a sharp edge.
  • Gain: sets the intensity of the amplifier effect.
  • Pen Pressure : select the Pen Pressure button to use pen pressure to multiply the Opacity value when using a tablet.

Clone Stamp

Allows you to clone an area from and to the current layer. You have to pick a source location first.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Pick Source: click Pick Source and click an area of the spectrogram to choose the part of the spectrogram you want to clone.
  • Size: sets the size of the brush (in pixels).
  • Aspect Ratio: sets the aspect ratio of the brush.
  • Hardness: sets the hardness of the tool's edge. 0% creates a soft, feathered edge, and 100% creates a sharp edge.
  • Exposure: sets the intensity of the dodge effect.
  • Pen Pressure : select the Pen Pressure button to use pen pressure to multiply the Opacity value when using a tablet.
  • Use tablet pressure: when activated, pen pressure will multiply the strength value.
  • Aligned: select this check box if you want the source to move when you move the cursor. When the check box is cleared, the tool will begin from the original source each time you click.
  • Sample All Layers: select this check box if you want to sample from all layers when using Pick Source. When the check box is cleared, you sample from the selected layer.

Repair Frequency

Allows you to repair a frequency in the selected layer.

Drag the mouse cursor from one damaged end to another damaged end of a frequency, and the tool will reconstruct the missing part.

Drawing Tools

ButtonItemDescription
Frequency Pencil

Allows you to draw a frequency in the selected layer.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Power: sets the strength (in dB) of the data you draw.
  • Pen Pressure: select the Pen Pressure button to use pen pressure to multiply the Exposure value when using a tablet.

Noise Spray

Allows you to paint an area of noise in selected layer.

Use the Tool Settings toolbar to control settings for the active tool.

  • Size: sets the size of the brush (in pixels).
  • Aspect Ratio: sets the aspect ratio of the brush.
  • Hardness: sets the hardness of the tool's edge. 0% creates a soft, feathered edge, and 100% creates a sharp edge.
  • Power: sets the strength (in dB) of the data you paint.
  • Use tablet pressure: when selected, pen pressure will multiply the opacity of the data you paint.

Measure Tools

Button Item Description

Spectral Marker Click to add a spectral marker in the spectrogram.
  • Spectral Marker : Add and modify spectral markers.
  • Spectral Region : Add and modify spectral regions.


Sampler Click to get information about the spectrogram.
  • Sampler : Get information about spectral pixels.
  • Plot : Drag across the spectrogram to plot a slice of spectral data.
  • Statistics : Get statistics about a spectral area.

Navigation Tools

Button Item Description
Hand Select to pan within the spectral display by dragging.
Note
Hold Shift to constrain movement to the time or frequency axis.
Hold Ctrl (Windows) or ⌘ (macOS) and drag the spectral display with any tool to pan.
Zoom Select to magnify the spectral display by dragging.
Note
If you want to lock the spectral display so the bottom of the graph remains anchored at 0 Hz when you zoom, choose View > Frequency Unit > Lock to 0Hz.
3D Select to display the spectrogram in 3D space. You can drag in the spectral display with the tool to adjust the amount of 3D.
Note
Hold Shift to constrain movement to the time or frequency axis.
Double-click the spectral display to restore the 2D view.
You can also drag the control in the Displacement Pad upper-right corner of the spectral display to adjust 3D:
Playback When this button is selected, you can click in the spectral display to play a specific part.

Transport

Choose View > Toolbars > Transport to show or hide the Transport toolbar.

Button Item Description
Previous Click to move the time cursor to previous time event.
Next Click to move the time cursor to the next time event.
Stop Click to stop playback.
Note
If you want to use the Stop button to pause playback, select Transport > Return to Start on Stop.
Play Click to start playback from the time cursor.
Record Click to record to the selected layer. For more information, see Recording to a layer
Loop Selection Click to toggle looped playback. When the button is selected, the selection in the spectral display plays in a continuous mode. For more information, see Selecting spectral data
  Time Cursor Position Type a timecode value in the edit box to set the time cursor at a specific position.