STEINBERG WAVELAB PRO 10
WaveLab hits 10, so let’s see if reaching double figures is cause for celebration with the latest update to this industry-standard audio editor
WaveLab (Windows 10 and macOS 10.13 and 10.14) is Steinberg’s long-established audio editor and comes in both Pro and Elements (lite) versions. Over the years the original concept has been supersized into a feature-packed multifaceted application focused on recording, editing and finessing of audio, and this differentiates it from the music production focus of most DAWs. This makes it great for a broad range of users and potential uses including broadcast, voiceover, game audio preparation, sample production and even forensic audio analysis, alongside more music-specific tasks such as mastering and file editing.
Recap
WaveLab’s key features include destructive and non-destructive editing, batch processing, CD authoring, metadata editing, and recording (stereo and multitrack). However, this brief list underplays the wealth of features and depth of flexibility available. For example, editing options include independent processing of left and right channels within stereo files and also spectrum-specific processing. Meanwhile there are so many analysis and metering options (peak, loudness, phase, spectrum, bit, spectrogram, wavelet and 3D frequency analysis), that you’re truly spoilt for choice. Onboard processing includes the RestoreRig suite (DeClicker, DeNoiser, DeBuzzer, DePopper and DeCrackler) and files can be edited in isolation or as a number of clips on a timeline (called an Audio Montage).
Version 9 hit the streets just over three years ago and with it came an improved single window interface. This streamlined its many features and made the overall package much easier on the eye. Nevertheless, there was still plenty of flexibility and customisation available, including window docking hotspots, tab specific toolbars and three workspace colour schemes. They also managed to squeeze in a flexible midside processing system that can work with third party plugins, and introduced a fully featured multistage mastering processor – MasterRig.
“With any established application, tempting new users and keeping existing users happy can be tricky”
Double digits
New features in v10 indicate there was still plenty of room for improvement, and top of the
list is the new Montage Video track. Importing a video generates a video timeline track, separate audio track, and a video playback window. Also new to Montage is the Reference track. By default this is routed post master bus processing to the main playback bus, although you can specify another bus if you have one. Simply click the Reference track ear icon and the other tracks mute. As it’s a Montage track you can also add track or clip level processing if required.
It’s not unusual for mastering engineers to integrate hardware into their processing chain, and WaveLab 10 now allows this via the External FX plugin. The plugin can be added in various places, including over individual Montage clips, and to get started all you need to do is specify some audio interface connections as sends and returns in the Audio Connections preferences. With the plugin open, the handy latency Detect option sorts out the delay compensation; meanwhile Send and Return Gains allow you to fine tune levels.
WaveLab 9 improved communication with Cubase, and in WaveLab 10 it’s integration with external editors that gets an upgrade. In the Preferences you can nominate up to five external editors, which then become available in the Edit toolbars. Select a region of audio, choose an editor and it will open it up ready for processing. Integration is at its best with Steinberg apps such as SpectraLayers, as once you’ve done your editing you can use the ‘replace project audio in WaveLab’ menu option. Meanwhile, saving over the source audio is the way to go with third-party apps. Overall, we think it’s a vast improvement on having to manually copy, edit and replace files just to make use of an additional editor. WaveLab 10 also includes improved non-destructive onboard editing in the Montage. This is called Inline Editing and can make use of either the Waveform or Spectrum Editors.
WaveLab may not be your first stop for recording, but its surprisingly capable stereo and multichannel options can now record via the Master Section and its associated plugin chain using the new Live Input Rendering option. WaveLab 10 has numerous other tweaks including redesigned and more user-friendly undo/redo, enhanced file preview in the File Browser, new audio connections options in the Preferences, a CPU meter in the transport bar, an improved track header in Montage, and reworked effects management for Montage, which is now called the Inspector. Three other Steinberg plugins – Frequency, REVelation and Magneto II – are detailed top right.
Big Wave
With any long-established application, streamlining existing features, adding extra features to tempt new users and keeping existing users happy can be a tricky balancing act, and at times WaveLab 10’s sheer complexity can still cause a few ‘head scratch’ moments. However, its sensibly-labelled options and slick visuals never feel like a sea of unidentifiable icons, and the customisable workspace means you can pretty quickly make it your own. WaveLab 10 is a vast improvement on some of its earlier incarnations and in terms of features pretty much in a league of its own.
“It may not be your first stop for recording, but it has surprisingly capable stereo and multichannel options”