Product

64 Bits Audio and Graphic Engines

Multithread internal engine

Compiled using the last MacOS libraries, ready for next MacOS X versions

A self-contained Project keeps safely all used audio files ready for future edits

Both sandboxed and not sandboxed application versions are available

64 bits Audio Unit effect and instruments plug-ins fully supported

Extended audio file formats support, including long audio files

Compressed audio files import without requesting any user action

Internal mp3 encoding engine, no need to install any external library

iTunes Plus AAC export option from both the Audio Editor and AudioCD Layout

New X-Fade Looping Editor

New Time Stretching and Frequency Shifter phase-locked algorithms

New Mixer section

New fully programmable Batch Processor

It is possible to synchronize several Input Recorders as well as the Output Recorder

Easy and Advanced edit modes on the AudioCDLayout

… and very much more!

Audio File Import/Export

- Import/export of most formats, as AIFF, WAVE, mp3, m4a, CAF, as well as raw binary files and dual L&R mono channels (and FLAC if running on MacOS HighSierra or newer).

- CD-Texts, ID3 Tags and iTunes Plus AAC

- Long audio file support to do editing without any limitation on audio file size

- Markers, Loop, Regions fully supported

Waveform Editor

- Edit at the same time how many audio files you want

- Unlimited Undo/Redo history on each audio file editor

- Up to 8:1 X-axis and unlimited Y-axis ZoomIn ratios

- Independent LR channel selection

- Drag&Drop support for fast import/export of audio file selections

- Cut editor

- X-Fade looping programmable editor with real time graphical and audio preview

- Fade In, Fade Out editors

Audio File Player

- Real time audio scrubbing

- Play forward and backward, a jog shuttle controls the playback ratio

- Audio Editor Channel strip with multiple Fx on insert

- Phase inverter option for each LR audio channels and Mono button for testing mono compatibility

Processing

- Immediate Cut, Copy, Paste

- Linear Phase Sample Rate Converter

- Phase locked Time Stretching and Frequency Shifter algorithms

- Analizer/Declicking algorithm by sample prediction

- Internal effects: Parametric and Graphical EQs, Resonant analog modelled Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Notch 12/24 dB filters, Reverb 1&2, Single, Dual and MultiTap Digital Delays, Chorus, Stereoizer.

- Audio Unit 64 plug-in hosting: any 64 bits AU plug-in installed on your MacOS can be used as edit function with the sample accuracy, latency compensation, even only on a waveform selection.

- It is possible to render to audio file a serial chain of Fx, to choose among Internal Effects or AudioUnit plug-ins.

- Dozens of other editing functions, including Normalize, NormalizeTo, ChangeGain, FadeIn/Out, Phase Invert, Reverse…

DSP-Quattro is a Tool for Mastering

AudioCDLayout

- Internal Audio CD-ROM burning engine, fully rebook compliant

- Import/Export Audio CD-ROM images as DDP standard, including md5 checksum.

- PDF Sheet print-out.

- Easy and Advanced edit modes to better meet your needs

- Non-destructive real time editing with immediate visual feedback

- Shifting an AudioRegion in time, next AudioRegions and CD-Tracks will follow. This is not possible using a multitrack sequencer.

- Shifter, scissor, add CDTrack mouse pointer modes

- Fx chain on AudioCDLayout output to apply your effect to choose among internal effects or your favourite Audio Unit plug-ins

- Each Audio Region can have its own Fx chain on insert as well

Easy Edit Mode

- Easy Mode means 1:1 fixed correspondence between Audio Regions and CD-Track. It means that when you add an Audio File to the AudioCDLayout, DSP-Quattro will add and connect a CD-Track, too.

- It is a super-easy and immediate way to build a new AudioCD.

- Add, remove, shift in time, trim an Audio Region, then the corresponding CD-Track will adapt itself accordingly. And the contrary, too.

Advanced Edit Mode

- Advanced Mode means that free complex configurations between AudioRegions and CD-Tracks are possible. As an example, you may need to add several CD-Tracks on only one long live recording: using DSP-Quattro this is possible.

- It is possible to assign several CD-Tracks on the same AudioRegion

- It is possible to assign several AudioRegions to the same CD-Track as well.

Plug-in Hosting

- DSP-Quattro v5 hosts 64 bits AudioUnit Effects and Instruments plug-ins

- AU Effect plug-ins can loaded as real time effect (Fx) on insert on any DSP-Quattro internal audio source, as the Audio File Editor, AudioCD Layout, Input, Input Recorder, Virtual Instrument modules.

- A serial chain of Fx, without any limitation on the number of Fx, can be used on whichever available insertion point.

- Each AudioCD Layout Audio Region can have its own Fx chain on insert

- There is also a common AudioCD Layout Fx chain to apply the same effects on all the Audio Regions

- AudioCD Layout Fx are rendered to file when burning o exporting the AudioCD as audio file(s) and/or DDP image.

- DSP-Quattro takes care of AU latency compensation to guarantee the perfect sample accuracy.

- Instruments AU plug-ins can be used as real time Virtual Instruments controlled by MIDI for playing live.

- DSP-Quattro Input module(s) allows to use the Mac as a real time Fx unit, which routes input signal to AU plug-ins and then to the audio outputs, in real time.

- Using the Output Recorder, it is possible to make a recording of what one or more Virtual Instruments are playing live by MIDI. It is even possible to add Fx on insert.

The Mixer

- In DSP-Quattro v5 there is a Mixer section. On the Mixer there are several channel strips, one for each audio generator module of DSP-Quattro: the Audio File Editor, AudioCD Layout, Input(s), Input Recorder(s), Virtual Instrument(s).

- It is possible to load any number of different Inputs, Input Recorders and Virtual Instruments, to better meet your needs. Each module will have its own channel strip.

- Each channel strip has its own serial chain of FX on insert. Fx can be chosen among any Internal Effects or AudioUnit plug-in installed on your system.

- On Mixer output, there are a L&R main channel strip plus 4 AUX channel strips, each one having its own FX on insert and assignable outputs.

- The L&R main channel strip and the 4 AUX channel strips can address different audio outputs of an external audio device connected to your mac.

The Output Recorder

- Using the Output Recorder, it is possible to make a recording of what one or more Virtual Instruments are playing live by MIDI. It is even possible to add Fx on insert. And it is possible to do while using an Input Module as well.

- The Output Recorder can also be used to create new audio files while playing one or more module of DSP-Quattro. It is incredible easy to create new sounds playing stacked Virtual Instruments and other audio files, while processing them by using AU plug-ins or internal effects in real time.

Registering

Q: As soon as I have purchased a license, how to authorise the DEMO version?

A: The DEMO version cannot be authorised. As soon as you purchase a license, you will receive an activation code to use when registering into our User Area, where you will then find the full version of DSP-Quattro.

Q: Can use DSP-Quattro on more than one computer?

A: YES, you can. The license is single owner, not single installation.

Technical

Q: Which MacOS version does DSP-Quattro v5 need at minimum?

A: MacOS 10.11 (El Capitain).

Q: Is DSP-Quattro v5 compatible with MacOS 10.15 (Catalina)?

A: YES, it is. But please consider that, if you use third party AU plug-ins or external audio devices, you must be sure that also these are compatible with MacOS 10.15 Catalina.

Q: Using previous versions of DSP-Quattro, to export as mp3 I had to install the LAME encoder. Is it still necessary?

A: NO, it is not. DSP-Quattro v5 uses a built-in internal mp3 encoder to export as mp3.

Q: Can DSP-Quattro v5 load projects or AudioCDLayouts saved by previous versions of DSP-Quattro?

A: NO, it can’t. Too many things changed between DSP-Quattro v5 and its previous versions, it was impossible to keep the compatibility. And, last but not least, previous versions of DSP-Quattro were using libraries of MacOS which are not available anymore into the current Apple SDK used to build DSP-Quattro v5.

Q: What can I do if I need to work again on a project saved by a previous version of DSP-Quattro?

A: DSP-Quattro v5 and previous versions of DSP-Quattro can stay side by side on the same HD without any problem or conflict. Just be sure to avoid to trash or overwrite the previous version of DSP-Quattro when you install the new v5.

Q: A client asked to play the DDP which I have produced using DSP-Quattro. How to do it without having to pay a third party DDP player?

A: Use the DEMO version of DSP-Quattro. The DEMO version of DSP-Quattro is not able to export a DDP, but it is able to import a DDP. And, of course, it is able to play it. The DEMO is not time limited, your client can use it as long as he will need. It is a perfect DDP player, for free.

Q: DSP-Quattro warns me when I input a CD-Text which is longer than 32 characters. Is it mandatory?

A: No, but it is safer to keep CD-Texts shorter than 32 characters. The maximum limit for the length of CDTexts is really a open issue, the standard is not clear about that, except that there is a limit on the total size reserved to CD-Texts on an Audio CD-ROM. There are several technical documents, someone claims that YES, it is safer to keep each CD-Text length to lower than 32 characters.

Q: If I burn an Audio CD-ROM using DSP-Quattro, when I insert the CD back into my Mac, all CD-Track Titles and CD-Texts are gone. How is it possible?

A: MacOS X does not read the CD-Texts on inserted Audio CD-ROM by default. Even iTunes does not. iTunes connects to the Gracenote database on internet to get AudioCD track titles, and save them into an internal database. Then, the MacOS finder uses the same database.

Using MacOS, there is a command from the terminal window (it is an Utility in the Application/Utility folder) which you can use to verify the CD-Texts and ISRC/PQ codes on audio CDs. Here's how to check CD-Texts:

- Insert your CD into your Mac, open Terminal and type:

drutil cdtext

- press the Return key. The CD-Text data will be displayed if it's there. To know more about this, read here.

Q: I have a previous version of MacOS. Would be it possible to install a previous version of DSP-Quattro which runs on it, if I purchase a license of DSP-Quattro version 5?

A: Yes it is. There are several previous versions of DSP-Quattro, they runs on all older versions of MacOS, starting even from MacOS 9. Of course, they are are limited in features and they are not supported anymore, but they are available upon request to our support after purchasing a license of DSP-Quattro v5.

Plug-ins Hosting

Q: Which kind of plug-in can DSP-Quattro host?

A: 64 bits Effects and Instruments Audio Unit (AU).

Q: I have Logic X installed. Why do not I see its internal plug-ins, like Amp Designer or Alchemy, into DSP-Quattro v5?

A: The internal Effects and Instruments of Logic X are reserved to Apple ONLY.

DSP-Quattro is able to host third party Audio Unit plug-ins installed on your MacOS system. Unfortunately the internal Fx and virtual instruments of Logic X are not available to applications other than Logic X and other applications done by Apple itself as Main Stage.

Technically, DSP-Quattro asks to MacOS the list of the installed AU plug-ins, and those plug-ins are simply invisible. It happens not only using DSP-Quattro, it happens to all the other MacOS AudioUnit hosts, too.

Q: Is DSP-Quattro v5 able to load VST plug-ins?

A: No, it is not. Being DSP-Quattro done only for a MacOS, we have considered that the capability to host plug-in in Audio Unit (AU) format covers almost the 100% of the third party plug-in market.

Others

Q: Are video tutorials about using DSP-Quattro v5 available on YouTube?

A: We are doing several video tutorials. They are not ready yet, but stay tuned, we will update this FAQ very very soon…

Q: I heard some rumors about someone of you doing Spark for TC-Works several years ago. I loved that application. Is it true?

A: Yes it is. It was a great experience, an incredible value. Great team, very good friends.

System Requirements

Version 5.2.1: 19.11.10:

⁃ MacOS 10.15 Catalina: fixed a problem of missed standard interface for Audio CD-ROM Burning, now DSP-Quattro uses its own GUI.
⁃ other minor bugs fixed.

Version 5.2: 19.11.08:

⁃ MacOS 10.15 Catalina is fully supported: the application is now “notarized” and compiled to be fully compatible also with MacOS 10.15 Catalina.
⁃ code optimisation and minor bugs fixed.

Version 5.1.2: 19.08.19:

⁃ fixed a problem of no audio input when installing for the first time DSP-Quattro under MacOS 10.14.6
⁃ code optimisation and better management on hardware configuration without any audio input.

Version 5.1.1: 19.07.29:

⁃ Maintenance release for bug fixing.

Version 5.1: 19.06.29:

⁃ New: BatchProcessor, very much more powerful respect the one of v4.
⁃ New: no need to save the Project in advance before to work with it
⁃ New: new command on the audio file editor to save your edits replacing the source audio file on MacOS file system, outside the Project, with only one mouse click.
⁃ New: ISRC codes embedded in WAV files are fully supported
⁃ New: import/export of audio files in FLAC format (only HighSierra or newer)
⁃ New: it is now possible to rename audio file and other items on the Documents list by right-mouse clicking.
⁃ New: Zoom In/Out on the position of the mouse pointer: keeping the control key pressed while using the mouse scroll-wheel, DSP-Quattro does a zoom In/Out around the position of the mouse pointer and not around the Playback cursor
⁃ New: Playback Cursor Follow OFF or Follow Next Screen options
⁃ New: row selection on AudioCDLayout Audio Region and CD-Track tables has been revisited and improved. It is now possible to click on the Speaker on a row of both tables to jump to that AudioRegion/CD-Track starting the playback.
⁃ New: additional options on Preferences
⁃ New: recording mode has been revisited. New MonoLeft and MonoRight options for mono new recordings.
⁃ AudioCDLayout graphic engine is drastically faster redrawing when shifting AudioRegions, setting cross-fades, trimming AudioRegion start/end.
⁃ AudioCDLayout PDF Sheet has been revisited.
⁃ fixed a potential un-compatibility closing some AU plug-ins causing a crash.
⁃ code optimization and bug fixing
⁃ compiled using the Apple SDK for MacOS 10.14 Mojave, tested also in dark mode.

Version 5.0.11: 18.12.18:

⁃ New: waveform colours are now user configurable on Preferences
⁃ New: Audio settings are duplicate also on Preferences
⁃ improved shift + mouse click to extend the waveform selection from both start and end sides
⁃ fixed a potential bug saving the preferences
⁃ code optimization and bug fixing

Version 5.0.10: 18.11.21:

⁃ New: new methods to draw the waveform at high zoom-in levels along the time x-axis: by dots, by connected lines, by vertical lines.
⁃ New: now the application does not need to scan the AU plug-ins at each startup.
⁃ New: the full user manual is now available for the download and as reference from the application Help menu.
⁃ new settings on application preferences.
⁃ code optimization and bug fixing

Version 5.0.9: 18.09.18:

⁃ New: the AUTO mode for CD-Tracks on AudioCD has been re-introduced, in a extended version respect previous v4
⁃ New: additional commands on the AudioCD Layout, to Normalize a single or all the AudioRegions or all the AudioCD, to Set Pause Length, and more.
⁃ New: Export functions on the Audio Editor to export generic markers, region list and loop as single audio files.
⁃ now the project saves the output audio device port settings.
⁃ code optimization and bug fixing

Version 5.0.8: 18.07.22:

⁃ fixed a potential compatibility problem with plug-ins not supporting a low level timing information passed by the host, causing no audio output
⁃ fixed a problem of corrupted audio loading plug-in on insert on inputs
⁃ extended DDP import compatibility
⁃ better Project management and several workflow improvements.
⁃ several important bug fixes

Version 5.0.7: 18.06.26:

⁃ Fade in/out graphic controls on the AudioCDLayout are now very much easier to drag
⁃ Mouse clicks and keyboard shortcuts have been revisited, extended and fixed
⁃ Apple Magic Mouse 2 scroll wheel is not supported for zoom in/out
⁃ Fixed a potential problem loading the graphic resources for the project window.
⁃ Bug fixing

Version 5.0.6: 18.06.14:

⁃ Undos/Redos are drastically faster
⁃ Improved key/mouse click shortcuts for transport bar commands
⁃ Zoom-in/out and waveform scrolling are now possible also by using trackpad gestures.

Version 5.0.4: 18.06.06:

⁃ Added a menu command on the top menu bar to load one or more audio files into a Project without first having to load/create a new Project
⁃ Several operations are now simplified for better user experience.
⁃ Code optimization and bug fixing.

Version 5.0.1: 18.05.29

⁃ bug fixing.

Version 5.0.0: 18.05.10

⁃ first DSP-Quattro v5 release.

Start Now Your Audio Edits

Download Demo

Buy DSP-Quattro

> Version 5.2.1 now is available <

> Compatible with MacOS 10.15 Catalina <

read more

Version 5

DSP-Quattro is an Audio File Editor