Using the Reverse Speech software – RS Pro 2.0

RS Pro 2.0 is a multi function software package designed specifically for Reverse Speech analysis and documentation. It enables you to locate reversals, play the track at variable speeds, automatically dump reversals in presentation format and prepare transcripts as you go. In this manual we will gradually introduce you to the various functions of the software.

The first function of the software we will look at is the recording function. The first thing you have to do is to create a new file. To do this you go to “file” at the top of your program, then click “new”. A small box opens up that says, “Create new wave file” This box asks you to chose a sample rate. Select “44100” and then check “mono“ and 16 bit.” Then click “OK”. (if it is music you are recording, check stereo)

Next, if you look down the bottom toolbar of your program you will see a red record button. Click this button and another box opens up as shown below. This is the record box. The first thing you do is choose your recording source. To do this you click on the rectangular box entitled “Recording source and volume.” Another box opens up entitled “Record control.”

In this box you select which recording function you want to use. If you are using a microphone, make sure you have a microphone plugged into the microphone socket of the sound card on your computer, and select microphone. If you are transferring audio from another source such as tape player or CD player, you will first all need to connect a lead from the audio out socket of the tape player to the line in socket of your sound card. To do this you will need a small lead that can be purchased from most electronic stores called 3.5 mill stereo to 3.5 mill stereo. You then select “Line in” on your record control box.

Next, check your levels. In the record audio box on your software you will see two vertical bars on the left hand side of the box. As you talk into your microphone or play your tape player as level indicator will go up and down. Make sure that these levels are set to about halfway. If you go much higher than this you run the risk of distorting the audio. 

Once you are satisfied your levels are acceptable, press the “start” button on your record audio box. When you have finished recording press “stop” and then “done” You will then see your completed file in your RS Pro software box. Save this file to a sub directory on your computer by going to “file” and then “save as.” Give it name you will remember and then “save” You will be given an option to save in different formats. A .wav file is fine but it tends to be large. To save in a smaller format such as a .mp3 file you will need to install the lamewin32 extension that was included with your software CD. To save as a .wma you will need the windows utility. These files can be downloaded here - http://www.reversingmachines.com/dls/lamewin32.exe
And here - http://www.reversingmachines.com/dls/WMEncoder.exe

Now we will introduce you to the first basic functions of the software. Down the bottom of your software you will see a toolbar. See figure below.

There are four buttons on this toolbar that we are currently concerned with. The two green arrows on the left labelled “1”, will play a highlightened section of the software either forwards from the start of the selection or backwards from the end of the selection. To highlight a section of sound track to play, move your cursor over the beginning of the section and while you hold your left mouse button down, drag your cursor along to the end of the section to be played. 

The next button to show you is the U turn button, labelled “2”. The will immediately play the sound track either forwards or backwards at the touch of the mouse button.

The buttons labelled “3” are the zoom buttons on the software. They enable you to zoom the sound track right in so that only a small portion of the audio file actually occupies the software window. This is particularly useful for a long section of audio, say 30 minutes. The zoom function enables you zoom into only a minute or so of soundtrack at a time. The zoom out button, enables you to zoom out. 

A most useful function of the software is the speed control. This is located at the very bottom of the software. There are 2 sliding bars. The bar at the top controls the forward speed, and the bar at the bottom controls the reverse speed. You will find this speed control particularly useful in determining exactly what some reversals are saying.

Now we will teach you the bookmark functions. First of all highlight the section of the soundtrack you wish to have bookmarked. Remember to place the beginning of the cursor at the beginning of the audio section, and drag it over to the end of the section. It will look a little like the picture in the right.

Then you go to functions at the top of the software and select “bookmark” and “add Selection.”.

Call the bookmark F1 for the first forward section you are bookmarking and F2 for the second selection and so forth. When you find a reversal it is important that you make a separate bookmark for the reversal. 

It will take a little bit a practice at first. You need to position the beginnings and endings of the bookmarks at the precise beginnings and endings of the reversal, leaving out any gibberish either side. You may find that you need to zoom in even more to do this. Call the first reversal bookmark R1, the second R2 and so forth.

The next step in the process is to begin to prepare a transcript and dump the reversals in presentation format.  To do this you go the Autodump box by clicking onto “file”, then “Autodump.”

A separate dialogue box will open up that looks like the box below.

The first thing you do is choose your forward bookmark. This is located in the top left hand corner. Then press the green play button, listen to the forwards and type in the dialogue in the box shown. Repeat this procedure for the reversal in the next dialogue box over to the right. Make sure that the box labelled “Reverse it” is ticked in the reversal section Just below the reversal box you will see three play buttons. These buttons play the reversal at various speeds – 100%, 85% and 70% respectively. Listen to the reversal and type it into the dialogue box. Then press “Add” in the transcript box to the right and the forward and reversal will appear together in transcript form as shown. The transcript will also show an exact time count of the reversal. This is important for determining clusters described later in this manual.

Now you can dump the reversal. This essentially means that the software is automatically preparing the reversal in presentation format. First click the green play button in the section entitled “Forwards and Reversals”. This will now play the forwards, together with the reversal at three separate speeds. You then have 2 options below. One says “Dump as WAV” and the other says “Dump as MP3.” Generally you use the mp3 function as this makes the file considerably smaller while still preserving the quality. You then save the file. I generally suggesting calling the file the same name as the reversal that you found.

Press close on the auto dump box and proceed with analysing the tape until you find the next reversal, then you repeat the procedure, building on the transcript each time.

I strongly suggest that you save your file at regular intervals. The save function on the software will also save all bookmarks and transcripts. You would hate to have spent hours of work on a tape to suddenly have the power go out and lose it all!

When you have finished your tape and are ready to print out your transcript you can open the Auto dump box, and press the “copy” button on the transcript box. Paste this file into your word processing program and print it out.

Some Further Tips on using RS Pro 2.0

The above picture shows the top tool bar of the software. This contains a series of icons that duplicate all the functions in the top menu. If you don’t want to have all these icons opens, you click onto the little grey arrow at the beginning of each set of icons. The set of icons then close down and the grey arrow turns red.

One of the many features of this software is that you can open multiple files at once without having to open a new version of the software each time. These files each show up in the task bar with their respective names, as shown above.

The picture to the left shows the bottom task bar with the play buttons. The green buttons to the left play the high lightened section of the soundtrack forwards or backwards. The blue buttons in the middle are quite useful because they will play the previously high lightened section of sound track. This is helpful when you are book marking a reversal but want to play the forward section that was previously high lightened.

Make sure you save your file regularly! The little red box in the middle of the top task bar (shown in the picture to the right) will save your file if you press it with your mouse button. Be careful though! - Because the box next to it to the left with the cross in it, closes the file. Make sure you press the right button.

The most important thing you should know about the software is the Help file. In the top tool bar go to “help”, then go to “main help page”. A big box will open up. This contains a comprehensive menu of all the software’s functions. I suggest reading it all and become thoroughly familiar with it all its functions. This will also guide as you go and should answer most of your questions. If you get stuck, contact Jeff Toth at jeff@reversespeech.com.