Forging Ahead with Sound Forge Pro and JAWS for Windows!

Introduction.

At the moment, we seem to be one of the "go to" places for courses on audio production with screen-reading software, so we're very pleased to be able to bring you some training in the use of Sound Forge Professional!

SOUND FORGE Pro is the application of choice for a generation of creative and prolific artists, producers, and editors. It is used extensively within many professional organisations responsible for creating high quality audio through to recording enthusiasts working at home.

Everything But the Kitchen Sink.

There are many advantages to using Sound Forge. These include:

• Being able to undertake extremely precise audio editing.
• Keystrokes for playback and selection are logical and similar to those used within word processing applications so the learning curve is made much easier.
• Comes complete with many effects and tools to give your audio projects a high quality pristine sound. These include tools for restoring vinyl records and noise reduction.
• Additional audio effects can be used to simulate room ambiences, such as large halls and churches.
• Tools exist to improve the overall sound of audio, such as to limit audio clipping and to raise sound to specific levels. Moreover, you can also give your master that extra punch if that's what you're looking for.

In summary, If there were a lifetime achievement award for audio editing software, Sound Forge would be the favored candidate. The good news is that as blind people we can access the majority of its features too! We'll show you how to use Sound Forge to its best effect within our new training course.

Sound Forge, the Master.

There are plenty of audio production tools around. Indeed as we established in our training course for GoldWave, we were not only able to undertake some fairly precise editing but also mixed songs together ensuring the beat was constant. However, we did have to undertake some JAWS scripting work to ensure essential components of GoldWave could be accessed, (such as reading level metres), and to construct a logical keyboard interface. In addition to the range of PlugIns offered as part of the package, we would suggest that Sound Forge is the tool you need if you are serious about the end result of your audio. It is crowded with features to add the professional touch to your content, and certainly if you work in broadcasting or in a high end audio environment, this is the software to work with. What is particularly impressive is the ability to undertake very tight editing even in circumstances where you do not think you will be able to do so.

Even if you are using a Digital audio Workstation such as Reaper, it is quite probable that you will want to use software such as Sound Forge, either to do some initial work on the files you wish to import onto tracks or perhaps for some post-production at a later time. It is often helpful to learn about a number of audio editors, particularly if creating it is your core business or you use it frequently.

Access All Areas.

Sound Forge contains many keyboard shortcuts so you can access the key areas of the application, so theoretically it can be used with no special adaptation. But what makes the program the leader of the pack is the set of JAWS scripts created by Jim Snowbarger, a long-time Sound Forge user and an ardent audio enthusiast.

Not only do the scripts provide blind users with functionality above and beyond that which the program offers, but they deliver pertinent information available on screen which is immediately visually accessed by a sighted person. If you really care about the quality of your audio, these scripts are essential.

What Will I Learn?

The course is divided into four lessons, each of which lasts approximately 90 minutes. Topics covered include:

• Optimising Sound Forge for use with JAWS.
• Installing the JAWS script files.
• Customising Sound Forge for audio recording and playback.
• Making recordings.
• The importance of level metres and how to check them.
• Saving files.
• Opening files.
• Playing, and navigating through, the audio.
• The differences between Absolute Mode, Relative Mode and Blip Mode.
• Selecting Audio. This will be an extensive section as there are not only many ways in which to select audio depending upon the situation, but there are useful techniques to explore when doing so.
• Playing the Selection.
• Pre-Role to Cursor.
• Audition cut.
• Cut, Copy and Delete.
• The "Go To" dialog.
• Working with Markers.
• Working with multiple files.
• Changing volume levels and normalising.
• Mixing speech with music, creating an introduction to a Podcast.
• Fading.
• Blending songs, creating a promotional item for radio.
• Inserting silence.
• Pitch change.
• Graphic equalisation.
• Reverb.
• Mirror Impulses.
• Wave Hammer.
• Noise reduction and vinyl restoration.
• Using external plugins.
• Batch converter.

Who is the Course For?

This course is suited to anyone who has an interest in creating or working with audio content. You should be familiar with how your screen-reader functions together with Windows concepts, such as how to navigate around applications.
Even if you are a long-time Sound Forge devotee, you are likely to pick up some useful tips and tricks!

The JAWS scripts for Sound Forge can be purchased from this website. The cost is 30 US dollars.

If I Purchase the Course, What Will I Receive?

The course will give to you:

• An audio recording of each lesson in MP3 format;
• Sample files which you can use in your Projects and to work with at a later date.
• A text keystroke summary and setup requirements.

Costing.

The cost of the course is £50 which is currently 62 US dollars.

Alternatively, anyone who would like to purchase the course should register their interest by sending an Email to jaws@hartgen.org, whereupon a fully accessible electronic invoice will be sent to you which can be paid through PayPal or any major credit or debit card.

If you would like to read the views from participants of our previous courses, please Visit our Training area.

Summary.

With a range of top-notch effects, easy-to-use keystrokes and giving you the ability to push the envelope that little bit further, Sound Forge could be for you and our training course will help you gain the most from it. Create that state of the art audio project today!