Wave Hammer

Wave Hammer is an audio mastering tool consisting of a classic compressor and a volume maximizer.


  1. Select the sound data you want to replace with a synthesized waveform. If no data is selected, the synthesis will be inserted at the cursor position. For more information, see "Selecting data using the mouse."

  2. Choose Effects > MAGIX > Wave Hammer

    You can also apply Wave Hammer from the Plug-In Chooser or the Plug-In Chain. For more information, see "Adding a single effect to an audio file" or "Adding effects to a plug-in chain.".

  3. Choose a setting from the Preset drop-down list, or adjust the controls as desired:

    1. Compression can add punch to your audio, or it can be used to create analog-like distortion when overused.

      If you want to bypass the Compressor, click the Enable button to turn it off. Click again to re-enable the Compressor and edit the settings as needed:

      Item

      Description

      Threshold

      Drag the Threshold fader to set the level at which the dynamics processor begins acting on the signal.

      Ratio

      Drag the Ratio slider to set the compression ratio of input to output levels.

      Excessive compression starting at a low threshold will usually produce distortion.

      Output gain

      Drag the Output gain fader if you want to apply a gain after processing.

      If the Auto gain compensate check box is selected, the output gain is still applied afterwards. This can result in clipped signals.

      Attack time

      Drag the Attack time slider to set the time required for the dynamics processor to start acting on the signal once the level rises above the threshold.

      A low setting preserves percussive attacks. Higher values cause sounds to slowly swell up in volume.

      Release time

      Drag the Release time slider to set the time it takes the gain of the dynamics processor to change from one to zero once the level falls below the threshold.

      A long setting preserves natural-sounding decays; otherwise long decays will be cut off.

      Smart release

      Drag the Smart release slider to automatically adjust the release time to compensate for sustained notes and sharp transients. The higher the setting, the more the specified Release time will vary internally to match the release speed to the source material.

      Peak Meters Show

      Select the Input or Output radio button to determine whether the peak meter displays the input or output signal.

      If the Compressor controls are not enabled, the meters will display passthrough mode.

      Scan Mode

      Select the Peak or RMS radio button to determine the method used to estimate the loudness, or power, of the audio. In RMS mode, since an average of the loudness over time is taken, some very fast transient peaks will not be compressed.

      Auto gain compensate

      Select the Auto gain compensate check box to apply gain during processing to keep the maximum input and output levels constant. In general, this gain will be equal to the decibel level of the highest signal in your file.

      Use longer look ahead

      Select the Use longer look ahead check box if you want the compressor to scan farther into the incoming audio to determine how much compression is needed. This will result in compression starting before the attack, allowing for slower attack time settings to be used.

      In some applications, this option may produce unnatural precompression (i.e. fades before attacks).

      Smooth saturation

      Select the Smooth saturation check box to decrease the amount of distortion produced when performing heavy compression. When the check box is selected, the compressed sound will sound warmer and not overly bright.

    2. Use the Volume Maximizer to boost the overall level of a signal without clipping or distorting the sound or to limit the signal's peak amplitude.

      If you want to bypass the Volume Maximizer, click the Enable button to turn it off. Click again to re-enable the Volume Maximizer and edit the settings as needed:

      Item

      Description

      Threshold

      Drag the Threshold fader to set the level at which the volume processor begins acting on the signal. Audio peaks above the this setting will be limited while minimizing any possible distortion.

      Output level

      Drag the Output level fader to set the level to which peaks above the Threshold setting will be boosted or cut.

      For example, if the Threshold fader is set to -10 dB and the Output level fader is set to-2 dB, the audio will be boosted 8 dB so that peaks above the Threshold setting will reach -2 dB in volume.

      Release time

      Drag the Release time slider to set the time it takes the gain of the dynamics processor to change from one to zero once the level falls below the threshold.

      A long setting preserves natural-sounding decays; otherwise long decays will be cut off.

      Peak Meters Show

      Select the Input or Output radio button to determine whether the peak meter displays the input or output signal.

      If the Volume Maximizer controls are not enabled, the meters will display passthrough mode.

      Use longer look ahead

      Select the Use longer look ahead check box if you want the volume maximizer to scan farther into the incoming audio to determine how much compression is needed. This will result in compression starting before the attack, allowing for slower attack time settings to be used.

      In some applications, this option may produce unnatural precompression (i.e. fades before attacks).

  4. Click the Process button