Fall 2009

A Perfect 10

New Sound Forge Pro 10 Professional digital audio production suite

See page 4

Award-winning Productivity Software from Sony
sonycreativesoftware.com or 1.800.577.6642 Download trials at sonycreativesoftware.com

FALL 2009

For over fifteen years, Sound Forge software has defined digital audio editing. From its humble origin to the state-of-the-art, industry-leading application it is today, Sound Forge revolutionized PC-based audio production. It has continually set the standard, and is a must-have in any professional recording or production facility. New Sound Forge Pro 10 software maintains this legacy. Sound Forge continues to perfect the art of audio production and mastering by offering sophisticated features designed to increase efficiency and reliability. New in this version are event-based editing; integrated disc-atonce CD burning; lastique Pro timestretch and pitch shift plug-in; iZotope MBIT+ Dither bit-depth conversion; iZotope 64-Bit SRC sample rate conversion; musical instrument file processing; and the Mastering Effects Bundle 2 powered by iZotope valued at over $200. With its advanced and comprehensive feature set, Sound Forge Pro 10 is the ultimate all-in-one production suite for professional audio recording and mastering, sound design, audio restoration, and Red Book CD creation. Its true. Some things just keep getting better. Where other applications might rest on their laurels, Sound Forge continues to improve and expand. New Sound Forge Pro 10 this one scores a perfect 10.
sonycreativesoftware.com or 1.800.577.6642
Download trials at sonycreativesoftware.com

Table of Contents

04 SOUND FORGE Pro 10
The Sound Forge Pro 10 professional digital audio production suite includes everything you need to quickly get from raw audio to finished master.

14 VEGAS PRO 9

The Vegas Pro 9 collection combines Vegas Pro 9, DVD Architect Pro 5, and Dolby Digital professional AC-3 encoding software to offer an intuitive environment for video and broadcast professionals.

06 Acid pro 7

ACID Pro software is a professional digital audio workstation for composing, recording, mixing, and arranging audio and MIDI tracks.

16 home studio solutions

Built on the award-winning technology of our professional applications, our home studio solutions are perfect for the new digital media content creator.
08 Sony pictures sound effects
These exclusive collections of sound effects represent the best in sound design and field-recorded materials.
18 Product specifications
Check here for a side-by-side comparison of our professional products including system requirements, key features, and pricing.
09 Sound series: Premium collection
These loop libraries are 2-disc, 24-bit collections of diverse and meticulously assembled royalty-free audio samples.
19 Customer service and technical support

Get detailed information on how to order from Sony Creative Software and find out about our comprehensive technical support plans.
10 Sound series: Standard collection
Our most versatile collection of music and sounds, the Standard Collection sets the standard for dynamic audio content.
13 VEGAS PRO Production Assistant
The Vegas Pro Production Assistant plug-in enhances the functionality of Vegas Pro software, streamlining the workflow for professional broadcasters and editors.
Professional Digital Audio Production Suite

Sound Forge Pro 10

Starting at

$37495

Defining Digital Audio Editing for Over Fifteen Years
Sound Forge Pro 10 software efficiently and reliably provides audio editors and producers complete control over all aspects of editing and mastering. Whether in the studio or field, its the ultimate all-in-one production suite for professional audio recording and mastering, sound design, audio restoration, and Red Book CD creation.
The Sound Forge Pro 10 collection includes:
Acclaimed for its power, stability, and exceptional workflow, Sound Forge Pro 10 is the best way to get from raw audio to a finished master. Expertly record, edit, and analyze audio, produce samples and music loops, digitize and restore old recordings, design sound for multimedia and video, and master replication-ready audio CDs.

Noise Reduction 2

Easily restore audio from LPs, cassettes, CDs, and more. The Noise Reduction 2 collection of plug-ins contains Noise Reduction, Audio Restoration, Click and Crackle Removal, and Clipped Peak Restoration. Use these to fix common audio problems such as tape hiss, clicks, and pops, salvage damaged recordings, and give new life to your audio.
Mastering Effects Bundle 2 powered by iZotope
Powered by iZotope, the maker of world-class audio mastering tools, this powerful bundle includes six professional audio plugins: Mastering EQ, Mastering Reverb, Multiband Compressor, Mastering Limiter, Stereo Imager, and Harmonic Exciter. Use these plug-ins to expertly master and enhance your audio.
Pristine Sound Quality Sound Forge Pro 10 software supports full resolution 24-bit and 32-bit/64-bit float 192 kHz files for the ultimate in audio fidelity. Capture the subtle overtones and nuances of instruments, vocals, and effect changes. Additionally, Sound Forge Pro 10 software includes industry-leading iZotope MBIT+ Dither (bit-depth conversion) and 64-Bit SRC (sample rate conversion) for the highest in audio quality. Precise Audio Editing Edit mono, stereo, and multichannel audio files (up to 32 channels) down to the sample level in real time. Use familiar Windows commands to cut, copy, paste, mix, and crossfade audio. Perform precise event-based editing and create fades, crossfades, and mix audio with ease. Drag and drop to edit between channels, and work on one file while processing others in the background. Powerful Audio Recording Sound Forge Pro 10 software has a complete set of tools for recording audio. Record straight into your sound card or use the Record Timer to begin and end a session at a specific time and date. Alternatively, you can start recording when a certain audio threshold is reached with Threshold Record Triggering. You can also record and edit multichannel audio files as easily as stereo files. Effects Processing Apply over 40 professional studio effects and processes including Normalize, EQ, Delay, Chorus, Volume, Dynamics, Noise Gate, Pitch Shift, Flange, and Vibrato. Sound Forge Pro 10 software includes high-quality Zplane lastique Pro timestretch and pitch shift plug-in for pristine audio mastering, and the Mastering Effects Bundle 2, powered by iZotope. This powerful bundle includes six professional audio plug-ins: Mastering EQ, Mastering Reverb, Multiband Compressor, Mastering Limiter, Stereo Imager, and Harmonic Exciter.

Download

UPGRADE

$24995

Sound Forge Pro 10 list price $See page 18 for product specifications
Professional Digital Audio Workstation

ACID Pro 7

$29995
Powerful Music Production Environment
ACID Pro 7 software is a DAW powerhouse that combines full multitrack recording and mixing, MIDI sequencing, and legendary ACID looping functionality for a seamless music creation and post-production environment. More creative partner than production tool, ACID Pro 7 software inspires you like nothing else. With its Transparent Technology design, ACID Pro 7 software removes typical barriers to the creative workflow so you can effortlessly transform ideas into real results.
Mixing and Editing ACID Pro 7 software has a dedicated mixing console for a flexible and efficient recording environment. Specify routing, assign audio effects, and use external effects processors with tracks and busses. ACID Pro 7 software also supports control surface automation and channel tracking for devices such as the Mackie Control and Frontier Design TranzPort.
Included with ACID Pro 7 a $500 Value!
Garritan ARIA for ACID Pro player ACID Pro Effects Rack, powered by iZotope Native Instruments Guitar Combos Submersible Music KitCore
Developed in conjunction with Plogue Art et Technologie Inc, the Garritan ARIA for ACID Pro player includes a complete suite of orchestral, big band, and general MIDI samples.
iZotope is known for its world-class audio effects. The ACID Pro Effects Rack bundle includes Flanger, Phaser, Analog Delay, and Dynamics effects.
This Native Instruments bundle emulates three classic guitar amplifiers and includes over 100 presets. Guitar Combos includes Native Instruments AC Box Combo, Plexi Combo, and Twang Combo.
Submersible KitCore offers great drum sounds with minimal CPU load. KitCore has over 400 MIDI drum files and includes MIDI grooves from the DrumCore library.
Professional Multitracking For uncompromising 24-bit, 192 kHz sound quality production, live or in studio, ACID Pro 7 software has an expanded set of features for maximum audio performance. Whether youre recording with your band or creating MIDI-based studio sequences, ACID Pro 7 software is the optimal platform for reliable multitrack production. Comprehensive MIDI Support Experience unparalleled MIDI sequencing in ACID Pro 7 software, with real-time MIDI processing and precise control over MIDI events. Use track envelopes to automate and modify MIDI controller data over time. Other features let you freeze MIDI tracks, apply real-time MIDI quantization, create drum patterns, edit MIDI event lists, and step record. Innovative Loop-Based Creation ACID Pro 7 software has all of the core ACID Pro features: automatic pitch and tempo matching, real-time loop previewing, unlimited tracks, and our signature pick/paint/play interface. ACID Pro 7 software also includes over 3,000 ACIDized loops and 1,000 MIDI files so you can start creating music right out of the box. Free Loops and Samples Add to your content library with ACIDplanet.com 8packs. Available as a free download each week, an 8pack is eight loops arranged into a song. ACID Pro registered users can also download free exclusive content using Get Media. Click Get Media for instant access to folders full of royalty-free loops.

$31995 $29995 $14995

ACID Pro 7 list price $See page 18 for product specifications
Now ew! as d availab le own load s

Sony Pictures

Sound Effects Series

$26595

Sony Pictures Entertainment has opened its audio archives to producers everywhere. These exclusive collections of essential sound effects represent the best in sound design and field-recorded materials
Volumes One through Ten MASTER SET This ten-disc set contains over 2,300 effects in a wide assortment of categories, and includes liner notes and interviews with some of the genres most in-demand creators. Unlock the full potential of your artistic vision with the most exciting sounds ever recorded. Download: $Packaged: $499 95
Volumes One through Five Put these effects to work in your productions to achieve an even higher level of emotion, suspense, or impact. Categories include Animals, Natural Elements, Backgrounds, Home & Office, Impacts, Weapons & Explosions, Vintage Cartoon, Sports & Recreation, Vocals & Wallas, and Vehicles. Volumes Six through Ten Where our first five volumes looked to satisfy the tangible elements of the sound effects world, the next five move further into the intangible world of expert sound design. Categories include Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Combat, Period Effects, and Period Vehicles. Download: $26595 Packaged: $279 95

Box Sets

Royalty-free Music Loops, Samples, and Sounds
From foundation materials to that perfect finishing touch, box sets offer the best in custom-tailored music and sound design packages. Our dance music anthology and superstar drum session box sets raise the bar once again to bring you two of the finest collections ever released into the world of royalty-free music!
The Orchestral Series The Orchestral Series features a full symphony orchestra performing an astounding variety of authentic, original musicfrom classical to rock & pop. Box Download: $14195 Box Packaged: $Individual Download: $Individual Packaged: $4195 The Bill Laswell Collection Each volume in this box set serves as a complete construction kit for producers of rock, funk, hip-hop, electronica, world music, and ambient/cinematic music forms. Includes Bill Laswell: Volumes I through III from our Standard Collection, plus a bonus library (Volume IV) available only with this box set. Box Download: $14195 Box Packaged: $Individual Download: $Individual Packaged: $4195 (Volumes I, II, and III only)
Chicago Fire: A Dance Music Anthology Sony Creative Software and Sound Genius Studios present Chicago Fire: A Dance Music Anthologyfive construction kit libraries that explore five different aspects of the club music experience: deep house, electro, old school, progressive, and drum n bass. Box Download: $16995 Box Packaged: $Individual Download: $Individual Packaged: $4195 Drums from the Big Room Join drummer Steve Ferrone (Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Tom Petty) and producer Greg Ladanyi (Jackson Browne, Don Henley, Toto) at Burbanks OHenry Sound Studios. 24-bit multitrack performance loops (kick, snare, rack, and hats), with up to three unique room sound options, will achieve the perfect balance. Box Download: $16995 Box Packaged: $179 95

/$3995
The Standard Collection contains the industrys favorite line of sample librariesits the most versatile and exciting collection of sounds available. Single instrument collections and multigenre construction kitsthe Standard Collection sets the standard for dynamic audio content.
MICROCOSM: SYSTEM-INTEGRATED ELECTRONICA A benchmark on the trail of an evolving artist, and a complete construction kit for exploring minimal electronic music forms. (Download only)
ESSENTIAL SOUNDS I The grand finale of the reissue series, these are the most primordial loops ever to carry ACIDization metadata in their DNA.(Download only)
DOWNTEMPO Hip-Hop: The Hybrid Series A bale of loop content and sophisticated ACID Projects, all baked into a big downloadable chunk and offered at an unbeatable price. (Download only)
8 Bit Weapon: A Chiptune Odyssey A massive collection of chiptune style loops and samples created using vintage computers and video game consoles.
P. Hux Power Trio Parthenon Huxley delivers a flight case full of no frills riff rock. Enjoy 1,500 royalty-free guitar, bass and drum loops.
Evolver: Distinctive Electronica Eclectic eccentrics 3kStatic explore all modes of electronica to bring you over 500 unique loops and samples. Contains Limited Edition Full Album
KJ Sawka presents Drum n Bass and Beyond A power packed set of mind bending drum n bass, dub-step, and breakbeat tools, created by internationally known artist KJ Sawka.
Latin Hip-Hop: The Hybrid Series Our debut Hybrid Series title delivers stunning tracks in a presentation drawn from deep within the vast Sony Sound Series archive. (Download only)
Music & Sound for Film: The Editors Companion From Foley and title sequence effects to extended music beds and stingers, this collection is a must-have for video editors.
Dirty Disco: Nouveau Breakbeat Flashy, trashy breaks with a flair for the dramatic, Dirty Disco is dance floor gold tempered with a rhinestone studded fist.
Pulse: Pure Analog Lifeforms Warm analog synthesis and complex beat structures performed by Richard Devine and crafted on vintage, esoteric gear.
Bunker 8: Progressive House Dynamics Deliciously dark, surprisingly funky, and rhythmically relentless, Progressive House Dynamics features 20 construction kits of banging dance floor anthems.
UNDERGROUND: UK HOUSE & ELECTRO Get your Tube pass and head straight to the UK underground for a sexy, bombastic sound clash of cutting edge house and electro.

Bhangra Breaks: South Asian Beats & Bass DJ Rekha and producer Sunil Sehgal deliver the core elements of contemporary bhangra, wrapped in the urban underground vibe of the NYC Basement Bhangra scene.
FLOW & FUNCTION: The Hip-hop playbook Old school hip-hop funkadelics and deep pockets of mushroom jazz comprise our 08 entry under the bestselling lukecage nom de plume.
afterhours edm: electronic dance music Fifteen templates packed with vibrant e-music instrumentation provide ultimate flexibility in this eclectic collection for the late night club set.
caliente: reggaeton construction kit Blaze up your DAW with these 15 session folders and get low with authentic Dem Bow rhythms and fierce instrumentation.
black paint: indie rock anthems From pop to garage rock to emo screamo, Black Paint comes with everything except the keys to the tour van.
MODULAR ELECTRONICA IDM complete construction kit perfect for crafting heady, downtempo electronica or future retro brokenbeat tracks on any platform.
CINEMATIC FUNK Lukecage gets deep on this soulinfused collection of smoky hip-hop and R&B rare groove artifacts.
Rondo Brothers: Trip-Hop Loops & Samples San Franciscos Rondo Brothers turn their trip-hop odyssey into a multiinstrumental sample library. Contains Limited Edition Full Album
Diamond Cuts: Hip-hop Gems A bottomless trunk full of urban construction kits and precious stone grooves from multifaceted hip-hop producer lukecage.
flammable: club joints & street anthems Hip-hop construction kit includes 15 song starters. Royalty-free use means your club bangin tracks are clean from the start.
pocket diva: world class vocals Break out Pocket Diva for vocal drops on any track that needs a human touch. (Download only)
Poptronica A complete kit giving you the materials to make electronica with superb sonic balance and fidelity.
iced: minimalist electronica Explore modern electronic forms from dub to dirge, crisp and melodic to moonscape static, syncopated and bouncy to completely flatlined.
Rhythmicronics: processed percussion An intricately processed collection of feral grooves that lock up tight with all variations of esoteric electronica.
structure/capture: future retro dance excursions IDM complete construction kit perfect for crafting heady, downtempo electronica or future retro brokenbeat tracks on any platform.
the best of siggi baldursson: the drum loops An Artist Integrated showcase of drum loops compiled by Fretless Monster Tony Franklin.
platinum theory hip-hop A hip-hop playbook with classic soul roots and progressive intent. Enjoy mixing materials from more than 60 unique construction kits.

Boxed Download

Professional Video, Audio, and Blu-ray Disc Creation

Vegas Pro 9

$59995
Professional End-to-End Media Creation
The Vegas Pro 9 collection integrates three powerful applications that work seamlessly together to provide an efficient and intuitive environment for video and broadcast professionals. With broad format support, superior effects processing, unparalleled audio support, and a full complement of editorial tools, the Vegas Pro 9 collection streamlines your workflow. From acquisition to delivery, from camera to Blu-ray Disc, the Vegas Pro 9 collection delivers exactly what you need to produce outstanding results.
The Vegas Pro 9 collection includes:
Vegas Pro software offers native format support for nearly all video formats, a highly flexible workflow, and the most powerful audio tools available in an NLE. Use Vegas Pro software to create, edit and deliver anywhere, in the studio or on assignment.

DVD Architect Pro 5

DVD Architect Pro software streamlines DVD and Blu-ray Disc authoring. Its intuitive interface and powerful authoring tools provide robust support for menus, subtitles, multiple angles, and special features. DVD Architect Pro software provides an effortless way to create dynamic professional productions.
Dolby Digital Professional Encoder
Officially tested and certified by Dolby Laboratories, Inc., this professional encoding software optimally prepares AC-3 output for surround sound productions on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Encode 5.1 multichannel or stereo mixes to AC-3 format inside Vegas Pro software.
Efficient, Professional Workflow for 32- and 64-bit systems The Vegas Pro 9 interface provides a fully customizable workspace for accomplishing a wide range of production requirements. System-wide media management produces maximum efficiency. Network rendering saves time by using multiple computers and networked drive arrays to render complex projects. Vegas Pro software also supports 24p, HD and HDV editing. Broad Format Support Vegas Pro 9 software natively supports the newest professional camcorder formats including XDCAM EX and RED. Vegas Pro 9 software also includes support for still images greater than one gigapixel in resolution. Use Pan and Scan to create a stunning movie sequence from these large pictures while maintaining HD resolution. Precise Editing Tools Edit SD or HD video with drag-and-drop functionality, mouse and keyboard trimming, and ripple editing. Features include ProType Titling technology, multicamera editing tools, 32-bit floating point video processing, customizable window layouts, color-coded snapping, improved HDV/SDI/XDCAM support, Cinescore plug-in support, A/V synchronization detection and repair, and auto-frame quantization. Powerful Blu-ray Disc Authoring Burn movies to Blu-ray Disc directly from the Vegas Pro timeline for high-definition delivery. Use DVD Architect Pro software (included with the Vegas Pro collection) to author DVDs or Blu-ray Disc media with multiple video angles, subtitles, multiple languages, and special features. Preview and test your work in real time. Apply Brightness and Contrast, Auto Levels, Crop, and Anti-Flicker filters. Set CSS and Macrovision copy-protection flags for masters. Superior Audio Control Use unlimited tracks, 24-bit/192 kHz audio, punch-in recording, 5.1 surround mixing, effects automation, and time compress/expand. Apply customizable, real time audio effects like EQ, Reverb, Delay, and more. Expand your audio processing and mixing options with supported third-party DirectX and VST audio plug-ins. Use the Mixing Console for precise audio control.

THE VEGAS PRO 9 COLLECTION INCLUDES: Vegas Pro 9, DVD Architect Pro 5 and Dolby Digital Professional Encoder

$67995 $59995 $24995

Vegas Pro 9 list price $See page 18 for product specifications

Home Studio Solutions

Affordably Priced Entry Level Tools
Perfect for Beginners and Enthusiasts
Like our professional applications, our home studio solutions are powerful, easy to use, and loaded with features and extras. Perfect for the new digital content creator, these applications include our exclusive Show Me How tutorials, which make it simple to get started. These helpers are built right into the application and walk you through your creative projects step by step. Just click Show Me How and follow along as helpful text dialog boxes, pointers, and guides actually show you what to do next.

Vegas Movie Studio 9

Vegas Movie Studio Platinum Pro Pack takes video and audio production even further with added tools for professional-level sound design, as well as more video effects and transitions. This powerful collection has everything needed to edit video in nearly any format including high definition. Pro Pack has integrated features for advanced video compositing, color correction, and 5.1 surround mixing. Use the included Sound Forge Audio Studio software for precise audio editing, and enhance multimedia projects with 360 exclusive music soundtracks.

$12995

Upload directly to
Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software provides the power, features, and advanced tools you need to edit video in nearly any format, including high definition. It includes hundreds of built-in video and audio effects as well as integrated tools for professional-level compositing, color correction, and 5.1 surround mixing. Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software gives you complete control over your video and audio projects. With this software and your creative spark, there are no limits to what you can produce. Its your vision, your way.

Vegas Movie Studio HD

ACID Music Studio 7
Sound Forge Audio Studio 9
Create captivating videos that beg to be watched again and again using Vegas Movie Studio HD. Digital video editing tools add professional pizzazz with transitions, titles, and special effects including green screen and slow motion. Quickly format movies for online sharing sites like Facebook, YouTube and more.

ACID Music Studio software is the best way to bring your music to life. It has unlimited tracks for audio and MIDI, pro-level editing features, and over 3,000 genre-spanning, studio quality loops to use in remixes, mashups, and original music. Record multiple instruments or vocals, each on its own track, for flexible mixing and professional polish. To share, burn your mix to CD, post it online, or convert it to another format such as MP3. ACID Music Studio software transforms your PC into the ultimate home studio.
Sound Forge Audio Studio software is everything you need to edit and master professional-quality audio on your home computer. Record live instruments and vocals, edit and restore audio, apply studioquality effects, and convert files with lightning speed. You can even create your own karaoke tracks with the Vocal Eraser tool. Best of all, Sound Forge Audio Studio software is easy to use. With a few basic commands such as cut, copy, and paste, you can produce high-fidelity audio on your PC.

Sony Creative Software

Product Specifications
Sound forge PRO 10 List price: $49995 Pricing
ACID PRO 7 List price: $39995
VEGAS Pro 9 List price: $69995
Direct price: Box: $39995 Download: $37495 Upgrade: $24995
Open, edit, and save mono, stereo or multichannel audio files 24-bit, 32-bit/192 kHz audio file support Over 40 professional studio effects and processes lastique Pro timestretch and pitch shift plug-in iZotope 64-bit SRC and MBIT+ dither Spectrum analysis tools Acoustic Mirror modeling plug-in Musical instrument file processing Audio restoration tools Batch conversion Interactive tutorials Integrated disc-at-once CD burning Dolby Digital AC-3 export
Direct price: Box: $31995 Download: $29995 Upgrade: $14995
Real-time nondestructive editing Unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI 24-bit, 192kHz hard disk recording Multitrack audio and MIDI recording Inline MIDI editing MIDI filtering and processing External control surface support Full ReWire support Interactive Tutorials 5.1 surround mixing and encoding Frame-accurate video scoring
Direct price: Box: $67995 Download: $59995 Upgrade: $24995
SD/HD-SDI capture compress to Sony XDCAM.mxf Comprehensive XDCAM support, including full proxy workflow Audio mixing console Digital signage editing Multicamera editing tools AVCHD read and write 4K Support Professional lighting effects Support for DPX and OpenEXR formats Native RED ONE (.r3d) file support XDCAM EX file import Support for gigapixel images Gradient wipe transition 5.1 surround mixing tools Blu-ray Disc layout, authoring, and burning Microsoft Windows XP 32-bit SP2 (SP3 recommended) or Windows Vista 32-bit or 64-bit (SP1 recommended) 1 GHz processor (multicore or multiprocessor CPU recommended for HD) 1 GB (2 GB recommended) 200 MB Windows-compatible sound card DirectX 9.0c or later1 Microsoft.NET Framework 3.021 Internet Explorer 5.1 or later OHCI compatible IEEE-1394DV Card (for DV/HDV capture and print to tape)

Key Features

Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP (SP2 or later), or Windows Vista (SP2 or later)
Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista
CPU (Processor) RAM Hard drive space Sound Card DirectX Microsoft.NET microsoft Internet Explorer DV Card CD Recordable Drive DVD Recordable Drive OTHER
1 GHz 512 MB 300 MB Windows-compatible sound card DirectX 9.0c or later1 Microsoft.NET Framework 2.01 Internet Explorer 5.1 or later
1.8 GHz (2.0 GHz recommended) 1 GB 150 MB (8 GB for optional components) Windows-compatible sound card DirectX 9.0c or later1 Microsoft.NET Framework 3.01 Internet Explorer 5.1 or later

For CD burning

For CD burning Supported DVD-r/-rw/+r /+rw drive (for DVD burning) Supported Blu-ray recordable drive (for Blu-ray burning)

DVD-ROM for installation

Included on installation disc
Shop Online at www.sonycreativesoftware.com 24/ 7
Customer Service and Technical Support
Customer Service World-class customer service and technical support at your fingertips. Phone 1.800.577.6642 / 8 am to 6 pm CT, M-F Contact Customer Service online at www.custcenter.com Methods of Payment Technical Support Have a question about a Sony Creative Software application? Our helpful customer service team maintains an extensive online knowledgebase. Go to www.custcenter.com to search the knowledgebase for answers to frequently asked questions, step-by-step tutorials, important white papers, and more. If you dont find what yourre looking for, submit an email question to customer service and well do our best to help you in a timely manner. Additionally, we offer several comprehensive support plans that provide peace of mind and added protection should you ever need telephone technical support: Platinum Our Platinum Support Plan provides maximum protection with 180 calendar days of access to Sony Creative Software Technical Support. Platinum Support Plan members receive person-toperson support via a toll-free telephone number, e-mail support, and 24-hour access to our online Knowledgebase. $14995* Gold Our Gold Support Plan provides 60 calendar days of access to Sony Creative Software Technical Support. Gold Support Plan members receive personto-person support via a toll-free telephone number, e-mail support, and 24-hour access to our online Knowledgebase. $99 95* Single Solution Single Solution lets you correspond with Sony Creative Software Technical Support to resolve a single support issue. $29 95*

To purchase or receive additional information on Sony Creative Software Support Solutions, go to sonycreativesoftware.com, or call 1.800.577.6642. *Available to US and Canada residents only. Terms and Conditions apply. Prices subject to change without notice. See www.sonycreativesoftware.com for details.
Shipping and Handling Charges Per order from this catalog: UPS Ground $9.95 UPS Second-Day Air (Blue) $16.95 UPS Next-Day Air (Red) $29.95 Please note: Additional shipping expenses, import duties, and/or taxes may apply to international shipments. Pricing and promotions offered in this catalog expire December 31, 2009. Tax State of Wisconsin residents are subject to a 5.5% sales tax on merchandise total. Returns A ll software may be returned unopened within 30 days of purchase date. No refunds will be given on downloadable or opened products. Please call Customer Service for additional details. Cancellations To cancel an order please call our Customer Service department at 1.800.577.6642. All prices shown are listed in U.S. dollars.
Warranty/Returns/Defective Software: To the maximum extent allowed by local law, the software is provided as is. Sony Creative Software, Inc. (SCS) and any third parties whose software is integrated into the software (third party providers) disclaim all other warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will SCS, SCS affiliates or the third party providers liability to you exceed the price of your purchase. Please review the end user license agreement for the product you purchase for further details. Warranty/Returns/ Defective Goods of Third Parties: SCS makes no representations or warranties with respect to any products listed in this catalog except as provided herein. For all SCS online services, customer support and publications, please review the terms of service or end user license agreement for each product for further information about your rights. For all other products, you must look to the manufacturer of such products for information about their warranties, exclusions and limitations of liability, if any. Note: some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or damages or limitations of liability, so the above exclusions and limitations may not apply to you. Your specific rights may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Products, prices and availability are subject to change without notice. For updated information, please go to www.sonycreativesoftware.com. Mailing List Services: Should you wish to opt out of any SCS mailing, please contact our Customer Service department at 1.800.577.6642 (US) or email: mdmailprefs@ sonycreativesoftware.com. 2009. Sony Creative Software Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. All rights reserved. ACID, ACIDplanet, CD Architect, DVD Architect, Photo Go, Sound Forge, and Vegas are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Creative Software Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and other countries.Sony and are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners in the United States and other countries.

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Sony Creative Software

New Sound Forge Pro 10

Professional digital audio production suite.

page 4

Downloadable content
Sony Creative Software Inc. 1617 Sherman Ave. Madison, WI 53704
All Sony Creative Software loop libraries, sound effects and Vision Series collections are now available for purchase via download at discounted prices. Instant access to these popular collections will help you get the content you need to beat deadlines and save on production costs.

Keycode

Customer ID

2009-12SJ

TEST DRIVE

Sony Acid Pro 7

by Steve Cunningham Having recently checked in with two of our favorite Sony products, Vegas 8 and SoundForge 9, I thought it time that we check in on Sonys Acid product, which has recently arrived at version 7. A percentoff email that showed up on Black Friday provided me with further encouragement to upgrade. Moreover, we havent checked in with Acid since version 3 way back in 2002, and the loop-based production tool has changed a great deal in six years. For one, Acid has added full-blown audio recording and editing to its arsenal of looping tools. And like its sibling SoundForge and Vegas, Acid 7 now has a full-fledged mixing console interface. Ive been a fan of Acid in the past for its ability to time-stretch and -shrink music files for concert promos, with few or no audio artifacts. Acid 7 does this job with even fewer artifacts than before thanks to its use of new algorithms from Germanybased Zplane Development. SETTING UP Like most Sony audio products, Acid 7 can be set up rather quickly. Its copy protection is serial-number based, so theres no need to find another USB port for a dongle. In fact, the longest portion of the entire process for me was simply downloading the software, which includes several gigabytes of loops and a couple of sample-based soft synths. Acids requirements are in line with most of todays editors: Windows XP SP2 or Vista, a 1.8 GHz processor with 2 GHz or faster recommended, 1 GB of RAM with 2 GB or more recommended, 150 MB of hard disk for the program and another 8 GB of optional components including loops and software

ACID Main Screen

RODUCTION

January 2009

samplers, a Windows-capable sound card, a CDR drive for burning CDs and a DVD drive for reading the program disk. You can, as I did, opt to download all the software. Just be aware that the program is small enough, but downloading 4+ GB of content takes quite a while even on a fast connection. WHATS NEW Its been so long since weve looked at Acid in these pages that the list of changes and improvements would take up more space than this writer is allotted per month. So well just hit the highlights of earlier versions that are applicable to beat matching and production work in general, and focus on the new version. The most significant improvement is in the user interface, where Sony have added a real Mixing Console window to Acid version 7, as they have done with Forge 9 and Vegas 8. I sincerely hope there was a second monitor for your rig under the Christmas tree, as youll need that, along with a dual-head video card. The new Mixing Console window does not replace the current Mixer window, but allows you to see the entire mixer in a single window, which is invaluable for setting up complex bussing schemes, and makes Acid a viable production tool that can take music promos from start to finish. The new Mixing Console window is home to the same set of controls as the Mixer window shows, including buttons for Properties, Downmixing (from surround to stereo or stereo to mono), Dim Output, and Insert Audio Track/Assignable FX/Bus. In addition, a list down the left-hand side displays all available channels (based on your tracks) with a checkbox to show or hide any or all of them. The show/hide checkbox works on whatever tracks are currently selected, and its easy to see at a glance which tracks are not visible. One small quibble is the re-sizeable dividing line between this list and the rest of the Mixing Console display -- I tend to use succinct labels for tracks (which of course become the channel names in the Mixing Console), but the dividing line cant be moved leftward past a certain point. In my case that point leaves the list about twice as wide as it actually

Mixer Window

needs to be, and wastes valuable screen real estate in the process. But this is a nit, and only serves as additional motivation for that second monitor, yes? Between the track list and the Preview channel are two groups of vertical buttons that let you show or hide tracks or functions selectively, with the top button labeled Show All. The upper group lets you hide tracks by their type, while the lower buttons let you hide sections by function. Dont want to see any buss tracks? Just press the busses button. Pressing the I/O button from the lower group will hide those buttons and extend the meters/faders to fit. You will note that some of the lower function show/hide buttons may not seem to work, depending upon your screen resolution. BIG MIX, NEW PATHS With the Mixing Console Window fully extended vertically and all Show buttons enabled, the mixer shows the aforementioned Properties, Downmixing, etc. buttons along the top, then the Insert FX group, then the Sends group, then the I/O, and finally the Faders with meters alongside. Moreover, the dividing lines between the Insert FX group and the Sends group, and between the Sends group and the I/O group are both moveable with the mouse. You can set up what you see and what you hide to suit your style of workflow and tastes. Very nice. Additional coolness within the new mixer includes full track envelope automation that works in real time, and can be controlled with either a mouse or an external fader box. Automation envelopes are graphically editable with moveable breakpoints and curves. The automation itself works in Read, Write, Touch, and Latch modes, with the latter two kicking in when you grab a fader and kicking out either when you release the fader (Touch) or when you stop playback (Latch). All the while you can monitor your tracks with real-time track DSP effects, both while in record and in playback. Also new are input busses, which allow you to record from external devices through effects processors thereby printing them wet, combine external sources with projects in real time, as well as process tracks through external effects. To help you see whats happening during complex sessions, meters are now available on both audio tracks and busses. These are new meters that can be customized with regard to both position and scale. You can even label your ASIO input and output devices, so youre not relying on the default names January 2009

Dynamics Processing

to figure out what is going where. Sweet. Of course, Acid 7 retains all the functionality of previous releases, including an interface that is extremely easy to use, a Video window for working to picture, windows that can be torn off or docked, and the aforementioned automatic, realtime pitch-shifting and tempo- matching that is as good as it gets. KILLER APP For creating music promos and beat matching in general, Acid is still a killer app thanks to its adept implementation of time-stretch and -shrink audio files, and its ability to create seamless audio loops. These can be manipulated together or independently, making it easy, for example, to alter the tempo of a pop song slightly when matching it to other songs in a promo, or even to pitch-shift a VO read to get a specific effect. Audio loops can be stored in an Acidized format which contains information about the original recording tempo, length (in beats) and root-note pitch. Like several other audio editors, Acid uses a resynthesis technique for time-stretching, which has markedly improved since Sony licensed Zplanes elastique Pro software component. Zplane makes three versions of their algorithms available for licensing, and the Pro version in Acid 7 generates the highest quality results, according to the company. I was definitely able to apply more stretch before I heard glitches, in some cases well over 20%. The results are generally excellent,
and although with any pitch-shifting or tempo-stretching the process only works within certain limits before audio artifacts appear, the new algorithms in Acid 7 allow a much more radical degree of stretch or shrink without artifacts than before. The other key component of the Acid experience has always been the straightforward organization and ease of use of the interface. This makes the mixing and matching of loops so simple that, with the right combination of loops and music thats somewhat close in tempo, even parttimers can use it to create very impressive results. The ability to preview Acidized loops in real time means that auditioning a new loop simply involves clicking on a file as you browse your loop collection in the Explorer window -- youll automatically hear it with its tempo and pitch mapped to those of the project. The Media Manager goes a long way towards making those loops more accessible. Its included with Acid 7 (and with Forge 9 and Vegas 8), but it is a separate install. Dont ignore it -- it definitely speeds workflow. The Media Manager automatically scans your hard drives and finds audio bits, or you can manually add

Chorus Effect

items. Once theyre in the Media Library, you can tag em and bag em, organizing them into folders with useful names (now theres a concept!). As you do, the Media Manager builds a searchable database that works across all three Sony products, so if youre a Vegas user your library may already be done. Of course if you buy any loops from Sony, they come to you pretagged for your dining pleasure. EXTRAS Sony bundles a whole lot of goodies with Acid 7. Unfortunately most of them are aimed at musicians -- theres a Garritan sample playback plug, a guitar sample player from Native Instruments, and even a cut-down version of Submersibles Drum Core plug-in. Fun if youre into that, I suppose. But they do include four effects from iZotope (one of my favorite propeller-head DSP wizard companies) that are excellent. Im a big fan of authentic-sounding analog effects plugs, particularly Phasers and Flangers. The Flanger and Phaser included with Acid 7 are simply outstanding. The Flanger will also create a nice chorus effect, and can generate comb filters that are either gentle and sparse or deep and dense. The Phaser can be set to one stage for a gentle effect, or six stages for a deep swoosh, or anywhere in between. The Phase Difference slider lets you dial in the affected frequencies, and an EQ lets you tame the effect. The Analog Delay plug has settings to emulate tape, or tape through tubes, or good old analog bucket brigade delay. Theres even a Trash setting to give you a little analog grit. The Dynamics plug has individual settings for compression, limiting, and expansion/gating, giving you the ability to set a multi-segment dynamics curve to handle just about anything. It sounds excellent, with no coloration. just lots of squash. HELP PLEASE The documentation included with Acid 7 is, frankly, a bit sparse. Whether you buy the download and get it as a PDF, or buy the boxed set and get a soft cover manual, it covers only the basics. However, Acid 7 comes with built-in interac-

tive tutorials which are a help. I found that theres a certain amount of trial and error involved in getting two dissimilar songs to play nicely together in a promo using Acid, and once Id gone through the tutorials I felt mostly on my own. Fortunately the learning curve gets flatter as I spent more time with the program. The fact that its organized much like Forge and Vegas certainly makes it easier, but if youre going to create an entire music promo in Acid for the first time, you may want to take a dry run at it in private. But once I established a workflow I was good to go, and its fun. The programs ability to stretch and shrink music beyond recognition, almost without artifacts, is amazing. Now that it will record and edit audio just like Vegas, Acid has become a serious tool for any project that requires beat matching as part of the pro-
duction process. Acid has become a mature product for pros. If youve got an old copy of Acid Pro in any version tucked away on your hard drive, you should seriously consider the upgrade. Its well worth it. Steve sez check it out. Acid Pro 7 carries a US suggested retail price of $299.95 (download) or $314.95 (boxed). Upgrades from previous versions start at $134.95. A demo version is available, as is more information at www.sonycreativesoftware.com. n Steve Cunningham is a voice actor and producer at Acme Voiceworx, and shares his production tips at www.audiotechsupport.com. Hes also a USC faculty member. Steve welcomes your comments and questions at steve@acmevox.com.

Delay Effects