Audio file editing system and method
An audio file editing system enabling creation and editing of audio content within a single multi-layer audio file. The audio editor and method of the invention enables “layering” of audio content relative to other audio content within a single file to create a multi-layered audio file. This enables audio information to be combined in a way that keeps all content active and editable until the final product. An unlimited number of layers can be assembled within a file, constrained only by practical file size limits and system capabilities.
1. An automated method of editing audio files comprising:
using a computer to edit an electronic file containing audio information, the computer programmed with an algorithm for:
associating audio information with a plurality of audio unit processors in a first audio information layer, the audio unit processors enabling editing and modification of the audio information in real time;
overlaying the first audio information layer with at least a second audio information layer associated with audio information different from the audio information of the first audio information layer and a second plurality of audio unit processors; and
flattening the first and second audio information layers to create a new electronic audio file containing the associated audio information of the first and second audio information layers and the first and second pluralities of audio unit processors, the first and second audio information layers being distinguishable within the new electronic audio file.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the computer to display the first audio information layer and the second audio information layer on a graphical display device.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the computer to alter the audio information associated with the first audio information layer.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the computer to alter the audio information associated with the second audio information layer.
5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the computer to alter a duration of the audio information associated with the first audio information layer with one of the plurality of audio unit processors associated with the first audio information layer.
6. The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the computer to fade the audio information associated with the first audio information layer using one of the plurality of audio unit processors associated with the first audio information layer.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein fading the audio information associated with the first audio information layer comprises altering the volume of the audio information to conform with a mathematical algorithm.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mathematical algorithm comprises a Bezier curve.
9. The method of claim 2 , further comprising using the computer to alter a pitch of the audio information associated with the first audio information layer using one of the plurality of audio unit processors associated with the first audio information layer.
10. A non-transitory computer usable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for execution by a computer, the computer readable instructions for performing a method comprising:
providing a first audio information layer, the audio information layer being associated with audio information and a plurality of audio unit processors that enable editing and modification of the audio information in real time;
graphically displaying the audio information in the first audio information layer;
overlaying the first audio information layer with at least a second audio information layer associated with audio information different from the audio information of the first audio information layer and a second plurality of audio unit processors;
graphically displaying the audio information in the second audio information layer;
flattening the first and second audio information layers to create a new electronic audio single file containing the associated audio information of the first and second audio information layers and the first and second pluralities of audio unit processors, the first and second audio information layers being distinguishable within the new electronic file.
11. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises altering the audio information associated with the first audio information layer.
12. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises altering a duration of the audio information associated with the first audio information layer with one of the plurality of audio unit processors associated with the first audio information layer.
13. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises fading the audio information associated with the first audio information layer using one of the plurality of audio unit processors associated with the first audio information layer.
14. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 13 , wherein the step of fading the audio information associated with the first audio information layer comprises altering the volume of the audio information to conform with a mathematical algorithm.
15. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 14 , wherein the mathematical algorithm comprises a Bezier curve.
16. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises altering a pitch of the audio information associated with the first audio information layer using one of the plurality of audio unit processors associated with the first audio information layer.
17. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises altering the audio information associated with the first audio information layer using an input device communicatively coupled with the computer.
18. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises outputting audio information contained in the single file on an audio output device communicatively coupled with the computer.
19. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises outputting the audio information associated with either the first audio information layer or the second audio information layer on an audio output device communicatively coupled with the computer.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the computer-implemented steps further comprise editing the first and second audio information layers by globally applying an effect or a change to the audio information of the first and second audio information layers.
21. The non-transitory computer usable medium of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises editing the first and second audio information layers by globally applying an effect or a change to the audio information of the first and second audio information layers.
22. An automated method of editing audio files comprising:
providing a computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for controlling a computer to perform computer-implemented steps, the computer-implemented steps comprising:
providing a first audio information layer, the audio information layer being associated with audio information and a plurality of audio unit processors that enable editing and modification of the audio information in real time; and
overlaying the first audio information layer with at least a second audio information layer associated with audio information different from the audio information of the first audio information layer and a second plurality of audio unit processors;
editing the first and second audio information layers by globally applying an effect or a change to the audio information of the first and second audio information layers; and
flattening the first and second audio information layers to create a new electronic audio file, the first and second audio information layers being distinguishable within the new electronic file.