QLab 5 Audio Programming Guide

Here are some tips for basic audio funcitons.

Converting Audio File Formats in Apple Music

MP3 files sometimes have timing issues and can skip or hang up, especially on large files. It is always better to use WAV files or AIFF files.

If you have an MP3 file that you want to use for a show, you'll want to convert it to a WAV file.

Here's how you do this using Apple Music:

1. Launch Apple Music. Make sure your Apple Music import settings are set to wav by going to the Music menu > Preferences > Files > Import Settings > select create using WAV Encoder.
   
2. Back in your music list, highlight your desired sound file and go to File > Convert > Create WAV Version.
   
3. Drag the new version from your music list to your desktop or show folder.
   

Note: If you purchased the file online, it may be restricted and you may not be able to change the format.

GarageBand Tutorial

Here is a step-by-step tutorial for GarageBand that walks you through the same process we do in class with Audacity or ProTools.

Patching QLab Audio and Video Devices

For presenting your image and sound stories, you'll need to patch different audio and video devices.

Step 1. Go to your QLab Workspace Settings by selecting the gear icon in the bottom right of the QLab window.

Step 2. Select the Audio Tab.

Step 3. Set Audio Patch.

Step 4. Select the Video Tab.

Step 5. Edit Surface.

Step 6. Replace Screen.

Step 7. Select Done.

QLab 4 Tutorials - Basic Audio Functions

1. Setting Up your Workspace

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2. Creating and Deleting Audio Cues

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3. Setting Audio Levels

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4. Looping and Trimming a Sound

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5. Adjusting the Speed of a Sound

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6. Fading Up a Sound on Both Channels

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7. Fading Channels Separately and Panning a Sound

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8. Following Cues

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QLab 4 WalkThrough Tutorial

Here is a step-by-step walk through of the basic audio functions of QLab 4.

To complete this tutorial, you'll need these content files.

Vectorworks Custom Libraries

To add my custom library to your resource manager:

1. Install the Whitehall font. I use this font in my library file (and other Vectorworks files I'll share in class), so I recommend you download and install that font before you launch the custom library.
1. Quit Vectorworks
2. Download and install this free version of the Whitehall font
3. Launch Vectorworks
2. Download my custom library and add it to your favorites files
1. Download Bryan's Custom Library (VW2021)
2. Open your resource manager
3. Click the gear icon and select "add new favorites file" (Pictured above)
4. Then browse your computer for the file you just downloaded

If you are using Vectorworks 2020, here is a previous version of the file.

GFU Theatre Speakers

Audacity

Audacity is free open source audio editing software that you can use as a digital audio workstation, like ProTools or Garage Band.
Here is a step-by-step tutorial for Audacity that walks you through the same process we do in class with Garage Band or ProTools.

Royalty Free Sounds

There are lots of resources out there for free sounds and music. Below are a few that students have found helpful. Some require you to set up an account in order to download their files.

Sound Effects:

• BBC Sound Effectsarchive has a great collection of all their sounds
• Findsounds.com You can specify settings 44.1K, 16-bit. Once you find a sound you like, you'll need to "right click" (control+click on a mac) on the link and select "Download Linked File As..." in order to save it to your show folder.
• Soundbible.com 
• Freesound.org You will need to register for an account.
• Storyblocks.com Requires a low cost subscription but has lots of good material, including music and effects as well as photos and video.

Music:

• Freeplaymusic.com has a wide variety of free underscore and instrumental music. They also have songs with words, which are mostly not helpful. In order to weed those out, go to the Browse Catalog link at the top and select Freeplay Music from the left. You might also find it helpful to search by style or feeling or tempo. You will need to set up an account in order to download.
• Bensound.com Has free as well as paid licensed music.
• Storyblocks.com Has music and effects, as well as photos and video. Requires a low cost subscription but has lots of good material.

If you're designing for an on-campus production, check with me and I can also give you access to our sound effects library.

Sound Equipment Slides

Here are some slides of sound equipment we use in theatre.

Audio Levels

Here is a post that I think does a good job explaining audio levels.

Balanced and Unbalanced Audio

Here is a post that I think does a good job explaining how balanced audio works.

Troubleshooting Light & Sound Equipment in the Design Lab

If you are having trouble with the light and sound equipment in the design lab, take a look at these FAQs.

Lab Lighting Troubleshooting FAQs

Lab Sound Troubleshooting FAQs

Soldering

We need safe and reliable audio and lighting cables and connectors in live theatre, so you'll want to learn the proper way to repair them. Here are some helpful videos on soldering.

Stripping and Tinning Instrument Cable
Soldering a 1/4" Connector

Stripping and Tinning Speaker Cable
Attaching Speaker Connectors

Stripping and Tinning XLR Cable
Attaching XLR Connectors

Soldering Terminal Connectors Pt. 1
Soldering Terminal Connectors Pt. 2

Soundflower for QLab

If you want to set audio levels in QLab while not being patched into the theatre sound system, you are only able to work with the 2 channels of your built-in computer audio. However, if you want to set preliminary levels for more than just the first two channels, you'll want to download Soundflower.

Soundflower is a handy little application that tricks your computer into thinking it is connected to an audio interface. Once you install Soundflower, QLab will recognize it and will allow you to patch to it. It has a 16 channel option and a 2 channel option. Use the 16 channels.

Of course, no sound will come out because it is not actually a piece of hardware. But you will be able to make a guess and set some preliminary levels on multiple channels.

Graphic Standards for Drafting

USITT has published several documents that provide standards for how to draft scenery, lighting, and sound. They're a little tough to find on their website, so I'm providing links for you here.
Lighting
Scenery
Sound

Sound and Video Test Files

When you are loading in sound or projections, you'll want to have some test files on hand. For sound, you want a piece of music that you know well, has a good range of frequencies, and that you don't mind listening to over and over. For video, you'll want a series of test images to focus your projectors.

MOTU driver

If you need the driver for our MOTU UltraLite-mk3, you can download it from the MOTU website.

Research Audio Recordings

Public Domain Sherpa has a great collection of audio archives.

The Library of Congress has improved their search feature so now you can enter a topic in the search bar and then select a format (audio recordings) in the menu on the left side of the screen.

This college library system has an excellent collection of American popular music from all time periods.