WaveLab 7 Documentation - questions & answers

Timo Wildenhain · Administrative Moderator Joined: 04 Sep 2009 Posts: 32

Dear forum members,

I'd like to give some answers to the most urgent questions.

1. "Where can I find the WaveLab 7 documentation?"
WaveLab 7 includes a new "in-application" help system concept, that provides all
information needed regarding the new WaveLab 7 functions directly within the
application. The goal of this new help system is to provide information more
interactively, more than a written manual can do. This is for sure a new
approach on how to get familiar with the new functionalities and control concepts.
In PDF version, there's a Getting Started Guide available.

2. "I'd like to have more documents describing the WaveLab 7 functions!"
We'd like to thank you for your initial feedback regarding WaveLab 7 and the requests
for more information on the new control concept. According to your feedback we understand,
that it might be necessary to provide some more written information.

Please find a WaveLab 7 documentation, that supports the in-application help, here:
Steinberg Support

We will also provide a special help guide for Updaters from WaveLab 6 soon.

3. "Are there other sources where I can learn more about the new WaveLab 7 functions?"
Yes. We've also created a couple of feature videos, showing many new aspects of WaveLab 7,
especially related to the new workflow concept (Workspaces).
The videos can be found here: WaveLab 7 videos

Thanks,
Timo

fenderchris2 · Junior Member Joined: 01 Feb 2010 Posts: 37

I ordered the 'boxed' version this morning expecting that a proper user manual would be included - shocked to hear that this is not going to happen!

With any software as complex as WL7, a lot of time is always spent away from the computer studying how it works - a printed manual is essential!!!
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herbertg · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:49 pm Post subject:

a printed manual is essential!!!

I think also

Herbert
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Raphie · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject:

the help system does noet work...
try to select the interactive help while in Preferences (it's grayed out)
try to select preferences with the interactive help selected > you can't select it.

It only works as a "hoover over" in your main window, or am i missing something here?
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Arjan P · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 2:52 pm Post subject:

I also regret the lack of a paper manual. I would've gladly paid 20 - 30 EUR more for that. And yes, I know I could get the pdf manual printed, but you wouldn't get the result of a real paper book.

By the way, it seems the pdf manual is now available ('Getting into the details'):
http://www.steinberg.net/index.php?id=download_wl70&L=1
_________________
Luck, Arjan
_________________ << WL 6.1 (and 7), Cubase 5.5, XPpro SP3, PentiumD-2.8G, PX-880SA >>
----- There's only 10 types of people: those who do, and those who don't understand bits -----

John Reid · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 3:57 pm Post subject:

I'm afraid I have to add my voice to this as well. If you look at some of the other forums you'll see that a lot of problems occur because people couldn't be bothered to read manuals, and this is increasing cited as a reason why manuals are not being provided, or only provided as PDFs, however I think the audience for such flagship products is different -- people who read lots of technical material for a living -- and I personally see the inclusion of quality printed manuals as another reason to purchase 'full' products over 'lite' versions.

While I'm all for download versions (makes it easier to get stuff into the house past the wife!), I think a printed manual should at least be offered as an optional extra purchase; printing a PDF is not the equivalent, and, as I've pointed out on another occasion, you can't bring a PDF into the loo with you Twisted Evil

.
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Vocalpoint · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 4:14 pm Post subject:

timmyboylad · Member Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 126

I can live with a fully comprehensive PDF manual. The "In-application" help system is a good idea but it lacks any real depth for such a complex program. In all my years as a software user, I have found this to be the case with In app help.

If you could put the entire contents of the same caliber of user manual that you do in a printed manual or pdf into your "In-app" help system, that would be fabulous!
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playz123 · Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 693

Yes, please release a .pdf copy of the WL7 manual a.s.a.p.. I have a lot to learn about this program, and need to do some serious reading 'off line'. I respect the environment, but let me be the one to decide what I want to print or not print Smile

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Arjan P · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2010 10:49 pm Post subject:

Orbit-50 · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:10 am Post subject:

The Wavelab 7 pdf manual seems to be watered down and has no pictures. The formatting seems simpler than the the previous Wavelab manuals, which I guess is good, but it does not seem thorough at all. What's that all about?

./-.
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playz123 · Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 693

John Reid · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 2:08 am Post subject:

wizardofice · Member Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 690 Location: Florida

An option to purchase a printed manual should be offerred????

Are you crazy? A manual is absolutely mandatory and Steinberg should be embarrassed not to already have provided one for free. At least in pdf form. A getting started guide does not cut it. A help menu inside a program is always useless. A MANUAL is needed ASAP!
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Svenne · Junior Member Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 81

Vocalpoint · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 1:26 pm Post subject:

timmyboylad · Member Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 126

Checked out the linked pdf that Arjan posted. It's the same thing as the "In-App" help that the program has. I'm sure it's quite a project to create a comprehensive manual for such a complex program but it will be, in the end a necessary step. Based on what's been said here, it sounds like it's in the works. Patience, Grasshoppa...
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CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 2.83gHz
Motherboard Asus P5Q Pro
RAM Corsair 4gb (2x2gb)
Video Card MSI R4350 (no fan)
PSU Zalman ZM600 HP
Zalman Reserator 1 liquid cooled system
Vista HP.

Laptop:Gateway MP8709
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2 gb RAM
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playz123 · Member Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 693

"And the PDF manual that has been posted (after looking thru it) seems to NOT be the Operations Manual that we have come to know and love - it is basically a PDF version of the online help system - which IMO - is very watered down."

I agree...I only noticed that when I started reading through the document that was linked above, so hope there will indeed be a proper Operations Manual soon. It's going to very difficult to master this program or be aware of how to use all its features without one and, regardless, trying to completely learn WL7 using just the Help menu and trial and error is way too tedious and time consuming. I've always felt that new users would also benefit from at least one tutorial as well...just to help them get started. Cubase has several; why not WaveLab?
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Arjan P · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject:

Based on what's been said in this new WL7 forum so far, I don't believe Steinberg is working on a proper Operations Manual at all. It was said (before the download was released) that the 'pdf manual' would be the same as the in-program help, and the only other thing is the Quick Start guide on paper that will accompany the boxed version.

Apart from that there will be several pdfs about specific subjects, like the announced WL6 to WL7 pdf. I don't have WL7 yet (since I bought the boxed version) but I already miss the paper manual Wink

_________________
Luck, Arjan
_________________ << WL 6.1 (and 7), Cubase 5.5, XPpro SP3, PentiumD-2.8G, PX-880SA >>
----- There's only 10 types of people: those who do, and those who don't understand bits -----

Vocalpoint · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:07 pm Post subject:

wizardofice · Member Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 690 Location: Florida

the new "in-application" help system concept needs to be dropped and never used again. Make a manual. quit being cheap.

With the major changes involved a full manual is essential. No excuses. Make us a manual.

I promise you if the next version of Cubase comes out with no manual I will not purchase it. Had I known there would be no manual here I may not have upgraded. When you purchase a program you also purchase the information required on how to use it. And make no mistake here the new "help system concept" is not a manual. Not even close.
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PG · Moderator Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 3396

In the in-application help (or the PDF), you have a rather large part about the UI. Isn't that complete enough?
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Philippe

wizardofice · Member Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 690 Location: Florida

no

Without proper diagrams showing what is what it is not very informative. If you have used it a while and already know the program this help system may be a little help, but for one new to the program it is more confusing then anything.

As in most programs the help system is a waste of time.
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Vocalpoint · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:46 pm Post subject:

Vocalpoint · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:49 pm Post subject:

wizardofice · Member Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 690 Location: Florida

I downloaded the pdf of the help system and it is not so good. I will eventually figure it out but I am still disapointed in the support in this area.

Go and look at the manual for wavelab 6 and then look at the pdf for the help system. The difference is striking.
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PG · Moderator Joined: 29 Dec 2004 Posts: 3396

wizardofice, you should not discard the in-application help so fast. It has been the object of a lot of attention, did you really browse it? Also, note that you have almost as much text (and different text) in all the help popups called "what's this". Though this is more to understand the details in the parts of a window (eg. dialog), than to explain global concepts.
I recall that you have some videos too (http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/wavelab/whats_new.html) and printable PDFs (http://www.steinberg.net/index.php?id=download_wl70&L=1).
There is also a startup guide, and soon a 6 to 7 FAQ.
And of course you can still ask questions here, though I would not like to repeat what's already in the manual.
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Philippe

Vocalpoint · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:13 pm Post subject:

wizardofice · Member Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 690 Location: Florida

I do not now and will not anytime soon use any in application help system. I need to be able to read away from the computer. This is just the wrong way to go. Sorry but this is how I see it.

When I read manuals I read them, I make notes in them, I mark pages with tabs, I highlight and underline. I do not sit at the computer for hours reading.

I have used many programs. Not all music programs. (many are geared towards engineering) Most of the larger programs have books that detail the options and how to use them. Most have in application help systems and most people never even look in them because they are mostly useless. I figure one you made may be different and contain more info than usual however it is no replacement for a manual. It is a SUPPLIMENT to the manual.

I know you see it differently but a lot of your customers see it as I do.
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Arjan P · Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:27 pm Post subject:

Again - I don't have WL7 yet. But by just comparing the 2 manuals of old and new, the difference is striking. The WL7 manual is just not a manual, it's a subject guide at most. Take for example Global Analysis in both manuals: in the WL6 manual, this is very nicely covered in 11 pages (p.620-p.630). In the WL7 manual it is 1 page (spread over p.105-106). That's about the same as the introduction on the subject in the WL6 manual.

Now I mostly use the WL6 Operation Manual to find specifics or more background information about a function, not so much for 'how to' instructions (that also happened sometimes ofcourse). And from what I see in the WL7 pdf, this type of information is no longer there. Us die-hard users will probably cope in the long run, but I think for someone starting out on WL (new Mac users for instance) this could be a big hurdle..
_________________
Luck, Arjan
_________________ << WL 6.1 (and 7), Cubase 5.5, XPpro SP3, PentiumD-2.8G, PX-880SA >>
----- There's only 10 types of people: those who do, and those who don't understand bits -----