The Nuendo line of software from Steinberg has traditionally been the native-based, audio-editing software solution of choice for the professional audio post, studio production and live recording engineer, working under either the Mac OSX or Windows operating system. Nuendo 4 builds on this tradition and provides a state-of-the-art digital audio production environment, with a crystal-clear, 32-bit audio engine and full surround sound features throughout. The update has focused on both adding new features, along with improving the general work-flow.
MediaBay consolidates and allows for easy extraction of relevant sound files from the large sound resources that most post engineers need access to. Innovative networking features allow for collaboration between multi-seat projects via LAN or WAN. Full project exchange with other leading audio and video editing systems and cross-platform support for the latest Windows and Macintosh operating systems enhance the usefulness of the software.
The Nuendo mixer has been redesigned to accommodate all surround formats up to 10.1 with enhanced routing, an independent "Control Room" section, and adds various automation enhancements. A complete set of next-generation VST3 surround effect plug-ins are included that also support surround sound systems.
Audio Hardware
Nuendo provides the freedom of choice concerning audio hardware, allowing the user to put together a setup tailored to individual needs and working methods.
Runs with nearly every audio interface available on the market, regardless of whether it is connected via PCI/PCIe, USB, Firewire or PC bus cards on a laptop.
Supported File Formats
Supports recordings in 16-, 24- and 32-bit float resolution and sampling rates up to 192kHz. Recording formats available include AIFF, WAV, along with BWAV to WAV64 for recordings which require a file size greater than 2GB, due to their length or high number of surround channels.
Allows for generating multi-channel recordings in all standard formats, from stereo to 10.2 surround in interleaved or split format.
Media Management
MediaBay, manages all sounds, presets and loops in one centralized database. The media database system searches hard drives automatically for media files and gives direct access through a clearly laid out file browser. User-definable search locations and a powerful filter section and category search functions make finding exactly the right sound easy.
The Scope section shows a preview of the selected file; MediaBay then allows for instantly previewing audio and MIDI files as well as Instrument presets. The Pool serves not only as a list of all audio and video clips used by a project, but also offers many processing tools for audio files shown there, including file format conversion and effect rendering.
Nuendo supports metadata in accordance with EBU specifications for BWF (Broadcast Wave) files. On demand, the software will write these data into WAV, WAV64 and AIFF files.
Audio Editing
Range, Pointer, Stretch, Timewarp and many more editing tools may be manipulated directly via mouse, keyboard or a connected hardware remote controller. All standard editing actions can be performed directly in the Project window without having to open additional windows.
A sample editor performs special tasks such as adjusting the sync point, real-time pitch-shifting and time-stretching (Audio Warp), and creating individual regions in a longer audio file.
Edits may be undone at any time. The Edit History lists every edit, allowing the user to reverse every single step or an entire processing sequence.
When working with videos, Edit mode ensures that the video image automatically follows all actions such as moving, trimming, fading and scrubbing. All fade-ins, fade-outs and cross-fades are nondestructive and computed in real time.
Transfer Formats
Supports all standard formats for transferring projects commonly used today in professional video editing applications and digital audio workstations, including AAF, OMF, OpenTL and AES-31.
The Nuendo Mixer
Includes all the functions found on big studio consoles, including a front-to-end multi-channel audio signal path and a powerful control room section. Any mono, stereo or multi-channel signal ranging up to 10.2 may be recorded, edited and mixed.
Channel strips are categorized in different classes on the software console for maximum flexibility.
Automation
Nearly every parameter on the Nuendo Mixer, including effect plug-ins and virtual instruments can be automated. A floating automation panel provides direct access to all automation functions at a glance.
Automation data is normally filled out from the beginning of a track using the first setting, and continues to the end of the track using the last recorded data. With the "Virgin Territories" option activated, automation data is only placed where it has actually been recorded. Where no automation data has been recorded, full manual control over all parameters is still available.
Remote Control
Full command over crucial functions via control systems developed specially for Nuendo by manufacturers such as Euphonix and WK Audio. The software also supports third party controllers via MIDI protocol.
Effect Plug-Ins
More than sixty effect plug-ins, along with thirty-eight VST3 plug-ins are included. VST3 plug-ins offer functions such as side chaining or the ability to stop the plug-in processing when no audio signal is present.
VST3 plug-ins are also fully surround-compatible, with a single instance providing processing on up to twelve channels.
Integrating External Hardware
External effect processors and MIDI sound generators may be integrated directly into Nuendo and used as plug-ins. The software features automatic latency compensation to make up for the delay produced by the hardware's AD/DA converters
Video
Flexible integrated Video Engine featuring a video thumbnail track and video window for sound-tracking videos. Additionally, it outputs images to external video monitors and enables external video playback devices to be controlled via Sony 9-pin. Includes time-lines and displays in all standard formats such as time code, feet+frames, seconds, samples and bars/measures.
Audio Pull Up/Down function allows for adjusting audio playback speed by 4% and 0.1 % (including combinations thereof). It is a big help when a Telecine process or NTSC-to-PAL/SECAM conversion has been carried out and when on-location audio material for film and TV productions must be adapted to the new video speed.
Network Integration
Integrates seamlessly into any LAN or WAN without entailing additional costs. Its Network Collaboration capabilities entail an extensive access rights management system enabling multiple users to work jointly on a network project. Every user can contribute and simultaneously receive project updates from others collaborators within the net.
Control Room
Control Room system embedded in the Nuendo mixer offers four separate studio sends, alternate monitor setups, six external inputs, a dedicated headphone bus, talkback with automatic dimming and many other features.
MIDI
Integrated MIDI functions for controlling external FX or syncing to MIDI-based timing protocols. Other MIDI features include the powerful Key Editor and the time-saving MIDI device maps.
Surround Sound
The signal path in Nuendo is laid out for multi-channel audio from front to end and supports all standard Surround formats. Mono and stereo formats can be readily mixed in with LCRS, 5.1 and any other formats, and converted from one to other.
Rather than being limited to mono or stereo signals, the AUX sends in the Mixer adapt to suit the format of the audio channel.
Once a project is completed, the integrated Matrix Encoder and Decoder ensure full compatibility with the LCRS format.