General Operating Instructions

The ACORNS Sound Editor has three sections that display when it executes. At the top of the display is a control panel that contains two sliders and check boxes, and two buttons. A picture of this panel follows.



The slider and checkbox on the left control the computer speaker output. The slider and checkbox on the right control microphone input. Drag the sliders to adjust the volume of the input and/or output. Dragging to the left decreases the volume; dragging to the right increases the volume. The mute check box, if checked, indicates that the output to the speaker is disabled (muted). Check this box to reenable the output. The boost check box indicates whether recordings will amplify (boost) the microphone input signal. It is a good idea for the boost to be active when working with sound recordings. Note that these controls are not present on MAC systems.

There are three buttons on the ACORNS control pannel, one to the left and two to the right. Clicking a button triggers the program to perform the desired function. The button on the left triggers the ACORNS help option.The page you are reading is part of the help facilities offered. Click on to learn more about the help option.

The first button on the right () toggles the mode of operation between sound editing and annotation. Sound editing is that standard way we manipulate and edit sound recordings. In editing mode the program displays two identical sound panels. Refer to the sound panel web page for more information about how to work a sound panel. Annotation mode allows you to attach text annotations to portions of a sound recording. Refer to the annotation panel web page for instructions regarding this mode.

The button on the far right triggers an option dialog that enables you to configure the advanced controls that are available. This option makes sense if you are familiar with digital signal processing. Otherwise you can leave the options set as is. Click on to learn more about the advanced control features.

As we just mentioned, in editing mode, there are identical sound panels that show on the bottom part of the application frame. These panels allow you to enter and edit sound recordings. You can use one of these as a work area as you use the various cut, paste, and edit options. The picture of one of these panels follow. Click on the Acorns Sound Panel page for more information on how use these panels.