Networkable Digital Audio Workstation Software with Extensive Recording, Editing,and Mixing Functions - PC
Customized to meet our users' requirements Sequoia 12 represents a milestone in software development for post production, broadcast radio and mastering. The latest generation of Sequoia products sets new standards for high defintion DAW's, offering maximum flexibility, performance and efficiency: providing extensive improvements for the unique multisync editing, loudness metering according EBU R128, Spectral Cleaning as well as for the continually developing source destination edits.
Mastering & post production
For post-production, the option to use the audio input from the sound card for synchronizing Sequoia with the local external timecode is also available. AAF / OMF support enables projects to be exchanged between platforms quickly.
After a film has been dubbed completely, Sequoia allows a display copy to be created uickly without the use of any additional additional programs. The video may be exported including the finished mix directly from Sequoia in different formats.
For years, Sequoia has been an integral part of leading broadcast and mastering studios worldwide, including the BBC, German public broadcasters WDR, MDR, SWR, the Vienna Symphonic Library, and Sterling Sound in New York. For sound engineers, music producers, radio journalists, and so on, Sequoia is an indispensable tool for any type of professional media production. Registered users enjoy professional service and customer-oriented support.
What's New:
64-Bit support
Sequoia 12 can use the advantages of 64-bit Windows systems. A definite advantage of 64-bit environments is the lack of a 4 GB memory limit. On a Windows 7 Professional 64-bit system the amount of useable memory increases to up to 192 GB. In particular, projects that use a range of memory consuming plug-ins or samples benefit greatly from the additional memory. Of course Sequoia can be used perfectly in 32-bit environments as well.
If you installed the 64-bit version of Windows on your system you can use Sequoia as a 64-bit or 32-bit version. The internal VST bridge makes it possible to use both 32- and 64-bit plug-ins.
Current limitations: 64-bit video functionality only for MXV and WMV.
Revised Metering and Broadcast Norms
The metering display in Sequoia 12 has been completely revised. Resulting in numerous graphical improvements and the option to work with various layouts, which feature a definable number of different visualizations. Furthermore presets for the following broadcast norms were added:
Type I, DIN scaleType I, Nordic scaleType IIA, BBCType IIB, EBU
Loudness Metering (EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1771)
The most important addition to metering in Sequoia 12 is loudness metering, which has become one of the most important topics in the radio world in recent years, and is rapidly taking over from known peak-based metering methods.
Up until now peak control using peak levels (-9 dBGS as a rule) has been the standard in radio production. Peak limiters were often used as they limit an audio signal's dynamics, thus negatively affecting sound quality.
In combination with the introduction of open standards for peak control there are reliable ways for engineers and producers to describe subjective loudness in countable terms.
Sequoia 12 allows for the switch of EBU R 128 and ITU-R BS.1771 loudness measuring on the fly.
ITU Recommendation BS.1770 forms the basis of international loudness measurement standards.
True Peak Metering
In addition to the method for loudness metering ITU-R BS.1770 provides a recommendation for measuring peak levels of digital audio signals. The device measures the peak value of the digital signal when it is reproduced in the analog domain. Samples of the signal are taken at regular intervals determined by the sample rate. As illustrated in figure 4, it cannot be assured that samples exactly match audio peaks. Theses peaks will be restored once the waveform is reconstructed or when signals are processed. Due to the reduced precision of the Sample Peak Meter these new samples may clip or distort, even if the original samples had not been full scale. The common peak meter cannot display "true" peak values.
Sequoia introduces True Peak Metering in Version 12 along with the loudness metering functions. For this reason, the identification of these inter-sample peaks are displayed with 4-times oversampling of the signal and thereby enabling the detection of true peaks.
Loudness Range [LU]
Statistic parameterDistribution of loudness values in a programDescription of the dynamic range of the programNo specific value given by EBUEBU document [Tech3344]
A relative level of 0,0 LU equals a target level of -23,0 LUFS if using EBU mode. Sequoia offers a switchable scale for EBU+9 scale and EBU+18 scale.
Programme Loudness [LUFS]
Long-term measurement over the entire length of the programmeSpecific target level for European TV programs: - 23.0 LUFS
The integrated measurement provides information about the loudness of the entire programme and describes a long-term measurement with the parameters start, pause, and reset.
Maximum True Peak Level
Describes the technical top level of the signal in time-domain
Set at -1 dBTP (Decibel True Peak)Lower levels might be required for further analog transmission and lossy coding
Sequoia allows for the switch of EBU128 and ITU-R BS.1771 loudness measuring on the fly.
Spectral Editing at Track Level
The restoration function, especially for live-recordings with disturbances like coughs or chair squeaking, Spectral Cleaning has proven as most valuable tool for the correction of such noises.
In Sequoia 12, Spectral cleaning can now be used directly in the Arranger. A dedicated time-frequency plot can be displayed for all or for individual objects, but spectral corrections can be carried out even without having the spectral view enabled. Also for multi-track recordings (e.g. Orchestra recordings with spot microphones), detection and removal disturbances becomes an easy task
Macro Functionality
Fast handling of elaborate workflows saves valuable time during production. With its new Macro Functionality, Sequoia 12 offers recording, programming and execution of user-defined macros.
Macro recordings of individual tasks and actions can be stored and executed out Sequoia and even be triggered through project markers.
Up to 128 macros can be assigned to customized shortcuts.
Loudness Data Export
An audio file's loudness parameters are displayed in the file manager and can be calculated there for a limited number of files. When switched on in the Broadcast Wave Editor, loudness parameters can be written to audio files when exporting and bouncing. The loudness parameters are stored in the broadcast wave files' standardized metadata fields.
VCA Faders
Mixing "in the box" has become more popular in applications with limited space e.g. in fly-away kits for music recording and mobile SNG teams for news production. Working with VCAs (voltage controlled amplifiers) or DCAs (digitally controlled amplifiers) simplifies the mixing and finalizing process.
The levels of channels assigned to a VCA group are controlled from one Sequoia's mixer VCA faders. Any number of channel faders can be assigned to any of the VCA master faders. Additionally, any existing channel fader can be changed into a VCA fader.
By showing the VCA "ghost faders" in individual channels, the resulting volume depending on the control volume of the VCA master can be monitored.
Independence Sampler Workstation
Independence is the ultimate sampler workstation for professional music production in the studio and for live performances - also available now in Sequoia 12. The first class premium sample library with 70 GB of content and hundreds of instruments, arranger and step sequencer patches make Independence one of the most powerful tools for creating sample based compositions.
Newly designed audio engine70 GB Premium sample libraries respectivelyLoad VST effects and VST instruments from third partiesSupports up to 8 processor kernelsDrag'n'Drop support for audio and MIDI filesIncredible file browser including attribute based batch processing
essentialFX Suite
In Broadcast and advanced Music Production, especially when time is a decisive factor, easy-to-use effects with sophisticated sound quality become essential. The design goal for any of Sequoia's essentialFX is to achieve maximum sound quality by just handling five buttons. The concept of operating essentialFX is equal for all FX of the essential suite, thus easing the use and reducing training time.
Sequoia 12 now further expands the essential FX set adding new effects to the well-known "bread & butter" tools.
Export While Recording
Sequoia allows the user to play parts of the audio during recording. The versatile Audio Engine makes near impossible tasks a reality, for examples exporting a .wav, .mpg or .mus file that's still being recorded.
Auto Ducking
Auto Ducking refers to a dialog based tool used to manipulate the volume automation curve of one or more target tracks. Edits are made using the volume of the audio material of one or more source tracks. Auto ducking can be used to create volume curves for automatically fading background music during spoken sections.
Timecode Track
Now you can display the SMPTE timecode of your timecode track using the time display in Sequoia 12. To do so, define the track that contains the timecode as a timecode track. This is most relevant to post-production projects, so that a recorded timecode is available as a reference when editing in Sequoia.
Sonoris Sequoia DDP Player
The Sonoris DDP Player is a standalone application that imports DDP 1.0x and 2.00 images for playback. You can playback tracks, audition gaps, see all PQ codes, ISRC, MCN and CD-Text data and automatically check the project for RedBook compatibility.
New Docking Concept
The Docking System allows for interface adjustments, this means that the program can be optimized for the studio's requirements. Central components of the software can be repositioned or maximized using drag and drop. Choose to either arrange or display the analyzer, file browser or transport console etc.
The docking concept was further developed and optimized for Sequoia 12. So now for example the object editor, visualizations and MIDI editor can be docked neatly. Of course, you can create your own toolbar too.
By saving your own work spaces you can use customized program interfaces for various situations so that you always have the appropriate tools to hand.
Advanced Hardware Controller Support
Sequoia 12 now supports the Controller from the Artist Series. Artist Mix, Artist Control and Artist Transport are all part of this. These controllers are controlled using the EUCON protocol, which can be activated in the Hardware Controller Settings.
Note: Windows 7 is a required to use the Artist series.
New Object Editor
The object editor and MIDI object editor now boast a wider range of functions as well as newly designed graphic interfaces. New highlights are the docker, the option to configure the editor, 4 slots for copy and paste purposes and object automation for EQ, pan and object surround.
Surround Downmix
In the Surround Master you can select "Surround Downmix" as an output device, then use various presets in the Downmix Matrix. Moreover, surround busses can only be routed to stereo busses. You can also set the Downmix Matrix here. The downmix is factored in during a stereo master bounce project, i.e. you can stereo bounce from a surround project when downmix is adjusted. Furthermore, the object surround can be automated using the Object Editor.
Optimized Visualization
The visualizations have been completely reworked and have a new design. The interface allows you to design multi-visualizations individually. You can integrate the visualization interface into the Docker or open it in its own window. A surround visualization is now also built in.
Advanced features for spectral cleaning
Logarithmic display
This setting allows you to change the spectrum's view to a logarithmic display. It makes sense to use this option when working in low frequency ranges. This results in the low frequencies being triggered higher up whilst still displaying the entire frequency spectrum. You can adjust the influence of the logarithmic display exactly to the users' needs using the logarithmic display.
Harmonics
You can remove individual noises, e.g. 50 Hz buzzing, as well as harmonic overtones from a spectrum using this function. To do this an individual sound is selected in the editing window with the smallest possible edge. Once the calculation is activated for harmonics, the corresponding harmonics will be automatically provided with an editing rectangle in the editing window above the selected root. Changing the root always effects a change in the harmonics. Specify in the settings dialog whether or not harmonics should be observed when making calculations, and if so, which ones in particular.
Threshold value editing
With this setting you can limit interpolation to certain amplitudes in the spectrum. This means certain notes can be removed from the spectrum, without influencing background noises. This range determines the volume window in which the set threshold can be interpolated. Quieter or louder signal components outside the area will not be affected.
Automatic click marker recognition
Use the "Click marker" buttons in spectral cleaning interface, to highlight special points, quickly jump between or delete markers in the spectrogram. You can set and delete click markers. Created click markers are marked with a "C" in the editing window's marker bar.
The "Search clicks" button allows you to search the entire project for clicks and have them marked automatically so you can edit them in a group. You can set the sensitivity of the search using the corresponding knob.
