Product Reviews

The audio editing and effects processing of sequencer and audio multitrack applications may have become more sophisticated, but they still lack the detailed analytical, mastering and restoration facilities of the specialist stereo audio editor. The two most popular of these are BIAS Peak and Spark XL.

Previous versions of Spark XL, from TC Works, were let down by weak basic editing routines, including poor cursor behaviour, rigid window handling and slow processing and redraws. TC Works has listened to feedback from Spark users and has not only addressed these shortcomings, but also provided new features including Mac OS X compatibility, dual processor support, a multiple undo edit history, high-resolution editing (up to 32-bit, 192kHz audio files) and new plug-ins. Digidesign ProTools TDM and DAE systems are supported, providing audio editing and simultaneous effects processing with up to five TDM and VST plug-ins.

The Spark XL 2.5 bundle also includes Roxio Jam or Toast CD authoring list creation, the highly desirable TC Native Bundle VST plug-ins suite, Spark FX Machine, with its excellent mastering and audio restoration tools, MIDI sampler editing and an unexpected bonus in the shape of the Spark Modular MIDI synthesizer.

MIDI Sampler support is currently only available in Mac OS 9.2, but covers most common MIDI samplers including Akai, Emu, Roland, Yamaha and Giga.

Spark XL 2.5 is suitable for preparing audio content for Web use providing high-quality Fraunhoffer MP3 encoding. QuickTime movies can now be loaded directly into Spark's main browser window and it's possible to extract audio from QuickTime files.

The weaknesses that previously made working in Spark a frustrating experience are remedied. Thanks to a new virtual file engine, the tediously slow redraws, load times and edit processing operations are a thing of the past. Files can now be dragged to and from the desktop, management of the marker

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and cursor is vastly improved and dialogs are resizable.

Navigation is enhanced thanks to the new streamlined waveform overview, zoom handling and the new waveform scrub tool. A welcome addition is single-channel editing that makes possible discrete editing of each channel in stereo audio files.

Precious metal

Spark XL 2.5 is a treasure house of effects processors. Both Spark XL 2.5 and third-party VST plug-ins can be used in the Spark FX Machine. This provides a shell in which complex saveable series or parallel effects configurations can be constructed, for use not only in Spark XL 2.5 itself, but also in Cubase, Nuendo and Logic Audio. Digital Performer users can, in addition, use Spark FX Machine as a VST plug-in wrapper. To ensure optimal sound quality, the Spark FX Machine features dither, PPM metering and phase correlation analysis - the latter ensures accurate mono and stereo imaging.

Unique customised analog-style soft synths can be built from the modular virtual keyboard, sequencer, oscillator, filters and envelope generators that are included in Spark XL 2.5. As Spark Modular operates within the FX Machine environment, it can be used in the applications mentioned above - in combination with reverb, chorus or any other VST-compatible effect you might choose.

A comprehensive range of mastering tools is available including batch processing. The only processor conspicuous by its absence is a multiband compressor/limiter to enable discrete dynamics processing across different frequency bands. This allows you, for example, to fatten the bass while leaving higher frequency content unaffected. Two new analyser plug-ins, the Sonograph and Metergraph, provide ways of viewing the frequency spectrum to help track down undesirable artefacts such as subsonics or radio frequency interference.

Audio restoration tools are useful for more than reviving old or damaged recordings, although Spark XL DeClicker does a fine job of removing scratches and crackles from vinyl disks. The Spark XL 2.5 DeNoiser reduces noise, such as tape hiss and mains hum. This type of background noise not only obscures the principal frequencies of the recorded sound, but also deadens it by masking the acoustic properties of the room in which the audio was recorded.

With version 2.5, Spark XL has attained the necessary ease of use and feature set for professional use. Its main rival, BIAS Peak 3.5, is cheaper, but lacks the quality of effects, audio restoration power and the Spark Modular synthesizer.