Sometimes a different way of doing things is hiding in plain sight. Virtually all engineers of all disciplines use tracks into a mix, but audio layers offer another way. We check out one innovative tool that thinks outside of the box…
Tracks And Summation
Ever since the invention of the tape recorder, audio tracks have been the containers for recorded sound. In the multitrack environment, it’s understood that these are then mixed together into a bus or summing point of some kind to produce the final stereo or multichannel output. Technically, the resulting audio can only ever be a mathematical sum of all the constituent waveforms- the magic really happens when it hits our ears which can pick out individual voices or elements at will even when buried in a dense mix.
Those working with other media in other industries might be entirely unfamiliar with this concept.
Beyond Audio: Layering
For those working with visual media, the intention is often to allow these different media to interact, but not necessarily to combine in the same way an audio mix does. A great example of this is in photo editing. Artists may use different images in a single project to influence and shape one or two main images using techniques such as masks or filters derived from other images. Using a mask, for example, allows the artist to use a shape like a stencil to let the wanted portion of an image through. Their interactions are sequential as opposed to the result of audio summation.
Zynaptiq TRIUMPH 3
Recently updated, TRIUMPH 3 from Zynaptiq is their creative audio editor that promises to deliver a fresh approach to those creating and editing audio for sound design. Put simply, it allows audio assets to interact in a simple way to produce complex results. Employing a sequential layered approach to combining audio via Layer Blending permits this.
Triumph 3 can generate waveforms as modifiers, or users can employ some Zynaptiq’s advanced DSP processing such as morphing, vocoding, high-end granular processing, or ZTX Pro time-stretching & pitch-shifting technologies.
Those using conventional DAWs following the parallel ‘tracks into a summing point’ approach will be less familiar with TRIUMPH 3’s audio layers, as illustrated below:
Watch in the video how we contrast the mainstream DAWs’ approach to combining audio before launching TRIUMPH 3 to employ its audio layering architecture. We demonstrate how layers interact using Layer Blending as contrasted with common buss processing in the conventional DAW.
Zynaptiq on TRIUMPH 3:
TRIUMPH 3 is a professional multi-channel audio editor for macOS built around a unique & patented workflow featuring audio layers. Geared for sound design as well as for fast and precise editing, TRIUMPH 3 is a true workhorse application that makes your creative and house-keeping audio workflows fast and customizable, and comes loaded with advanced Zynaptiq DSP technologies, strong workflow automation features, Source/Destination editing... and much, much more.
Thinking Inside The Box: Audio Layers
At first glance, those wearing a conventional DAW ‘hat’ might question the reasons for changing the way in which audio is combined. However, for those working with fewer audio assets to create brand new sounds, layers start to make sense, especially when the photo analogy is borne in mind. This ‘cause-and-effect’ way of working will allow complex interaction between sounds to be effected rapidly and intuitively. TRIUMPH 3 takes the primary purpose of any DAW and dares to think laterally (or should that be sequentially?); audio layers could be a way of working that succeeds where tracks-into-a-bus might be cumbersome.
TRIUMPH 3 is now available world-wide as part of the Mac Audio Apps Bundle 2.0 from the Zynaptiq website as well as from authorised resellers. MSRP USD 399 /EUR 469.
A special introductory discount is available through September 30th, 2022, at USD 249 /EUR 289