Tutorial Overview
SWA Complete SpectraLayers 12 takes you deep into Steinberg’s groundbreaking AI-assisted spectral editing platform. Presented by Walter Hunnicutt, this comprehensive tutorial shows you how to unmix, edit, repair, and reshape audio in ways that were once thought impossible. From pulling apart fully mixed songs into stems to isolating voices in a crowd, SpectraLayers 12 opens up new creative and forensic possibilities for music producers, engineers, and sound designers alike.
Walter walks you through the workflow step by step, balancing hands-on demonstrations with practical tips and real-world applications. Whether you’re working in SpectraLayers standalone or as an extension within Cubase, this tutorial gives you the skills and confidence to use the software effectively. You’ll learn not only the “party tricks” like removing crowd noise or extracting instruments from a master, but also practical editing tools that can speed up your everyday work.
Chapter 1 – Introduction & Setup
- Overview of SpectraLayers and its origins in WaveLab.
- Explanation of AI-assisted spectral editing and its capabilities.
- Setup and licensing process, including quirks with activation.
- Interface overview, menu structure, and initial configuration tips.
Chapter 2 – Unmixing Songs
- Step-by-step guide to unmixing a full stereo track into stems.
- Demonstration of layer handling (vocals, drums, bass, guitars, etc.).
- Use of quality settings (Fast, Balanced, High) and trade-offs.
- Isolating instruments further (like breaking a drum track into individual hits).
- Exporting stems for use in Cubase or other DAWs.
Chapter 3 – Removing Crowd Noise
- Applying the “Unmix Crowd Noise” module to live or rehearsal recordings.
- Comparison of quick preset-based separation vs. a two-step advanced workflow.
- Best practices to avoid losing vocal content when cleaning up background noise.
- Use cases for music, interviews, and forensic audio.
Chapter 4 – Extensions, De-Plosive & De-Reverb
- Using SpectraLayers as an extension inside Cubase.
- Demonstration of the De-Plosive module to clean up vocal pops.
- De-Reverb workflow and current limitations in version 12.
- Classic manual editing tricks compared with automated tools.
Chapter 5 – Advanced Voice & Transcription Tools
- Unmixing multiple voices in a group conversation.
- Isolating and editing voices in film, TV, and podcast material.
- Unmixing soundtracks into dialogue, effects, and music.
- Voice-to-text transcription and translation features.
- Creative “party tricks” such as extracting song lyrics from a mix.
Chapter 6 – The Big Finish: Creative Workflows
- Full project demonstration combining unmixing, editing, and Cubase integration.
- Isolating instruments, converting audio to MIDI, and generating sheet music.
- Replacing instruments with virtual instruments in real time.
- Combining unmixing and transcription for lyrics and arrangements.
- Wrap-up of practical and creative possibilities with SpectraLayers 12.