Hints and tips
From Figure 53 Wiki
Creating multi-channel sound files in Audacity
The latest version of Audacity (1.3.5d) has a different menu structure from earlier versions and the method for creating multi-channel files is as follows:
Creating multi-channel wav files in Audacity V1.3.5d
In preferences, choose Import/Export
Under 'When exporting tracks to an audio file' check 'Use custom mix'
Open a new file and import your tracks - any combination of stereo and mono tracks that adds up to a maximum of eight discrete tracks. e.g. four mono and two stereo, or six mono and one stereo.
Make adjustments to taste.
Choose Export, or Export Selection if you've made a selection, from the file menu and from the Format-Options drop-down menu, choose WAVEX.
When you save the file, you'll be presented with a track map that allows you to decide which sounds appear on which track. Clicking on source and destination boxes will add or subtract links. At the bottom of the screen is a slider; moving to to the right will increase the number of interleaved output channels that will be created and you simply click source and destination boxes until you've got the setup you want. You can link a single track to multiple output channels if you so wish.
For beta versions of Audacity prior to 1.3.5d, go to preferences and select File Formats. Under "When Exporting Tracks" select "Use Advanced Mixing Options". Under "Uncompressed Export Formats", choose "Other", then from the pop-up menu
choose WAVEX (Microsoft), then your choice of encoding. QLab seems fine with 24 bit signed. Once you've done this, click OK and return to your file.
Select export, or export selection, depending on what you want to do, and choose WAVEX from the menu. A window will open showing your selected tracks for export and a destination box. At the bottom of the screen is a slider; moving to to the right will increase the number of interleaved output channels that will be created and you simply click source and destination boxes until you've got the setup you want. You can link a single track to multiple output channels if you so wish.
Other Programs That Support Multi-Channel Files:
Sound Studio: Saving an AIFF or WAVE multi-track file will not auto-mixdown. You can drag the file into QLab using the same instructions as above.
Hold your mouse over the red 'X'
Holding your mouse over the red X of a broken cue will display a tool-tip describing the reason the cue is broken.
Group expansion shortcuts
You can use the right and left arrow keys to expand and collapse the selected Group Cue. You can use the '>' and '<' keys to expand and collapse all the Group Cues in the current cue list.
Assigning targets to Fade Cues
You can drag one Fade Cue on top of another one in order to give it the same target cue. (Of course, you can assign a target to a Fade Cue in all the normal ways, too. This just gives you a shortcut if you have a bunch of Fade Cues near each other that should all have the same target.)
Making a group a cue list, and vice-versa
Groups can become cue lists and cue lists can become groups. Just drag groups to the cue list drawer to make them into a new cue list, or drag one cue list into another to make it into a group.
Edit Waveform, Find Cue, Reveal in Finder
There are 3rd party AppleScripts that will:
1. Open a selected sound cue in Audacity, Sound Studio, or Pro Tools LE.
2. Reveal a cue's target file in the Finder.
3. Search for text (such as the description) in the frontmost cue list.
You can also find additional AppleScripts for use in Automator or QLab Script Cues (and share your own) under QLab Scripts and Macros.
Locking a workspace (and what to do if the lock button disappears)
The lock icon can be clicked to prevent changes in the Workspace. This can be thought of as putting QLab in "show mode". It doesn't mean that sound files or other system resources are locked, just that the workspace in QLab is locked.
But what if there is no lock icon in the toolbar? If you want to get your lovely icon back right click (control-click) on the toolbar area of the workspace. You will get a menu that will allow you to edit the icons in your toolbar, and you can drag the lock back in.
Assign "missing" keyboard shortcuts
You can assign "missing" keyboard shortcuts to any menu items (such as Copy Fade Shape & Paste Fade Shape) using "Keyboard Shortcuts" on the "Keyboard & Mouse" pane of System Preferences.
Quantised stopping & starting of cues
Or, "devamping non-looped Audio Cues" and "starting on the bar"...
Consider these two screenshots:
Log in to Mac using "Safe Mode" to ensure no conflicts
You can log in to your user account on the mac using 'Safe Mode,' which disables all non-system startup items and other third party plugins and the like.
This is useful for when your mac is also your 'daytime' machine, as well as running a show.
Just hold down SHIFT after you login, and hold until you hear the log in sound.
