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● Knowledge Base · Getting Started

Intro & Requirements

Welcome to the basehead Knowledge Base. New here? This is the place to start. Already running an older version? Make sure you’re current — the manual tracks the latest release.

Heads up. The KB always documents the most recent version of basehead. If your install is significantly behind, some sections may describe features your build doesn’t have yet.

Requirements

Windows

Windows

Windows 10 or Windows 11 — separate x64 and ARM64 installers

macOS

macOS

12.0 Monterey minimum · 14.0 Sonoma or higher officially supported

Tech Specs

Audio formats

Reads
WAV, BWF, AIFF, FLAC, MP3, OGG, Opus, AAC, M4A, MP4, AC-3 (Win x64/Mac), WMA (Win x64), CAF (Mac)
Writes
Broadcast WAV, FLAC

Transfer rates & depths

Sample rates
44.1k · 48k · 88.2k · 96k · 176.4k · 192k — or pass the original through unchanged
Bit depth
16-bit · 24-bit · 32-bit float (FLAC tops out at 24)
Channels
Mono through 7.1.6 — up to 16 channels per file. SMPTE, FILM, and DTS ordering supported. Auto-detects split files (.L/.R/.C/.Lfe etc.)

Metadata

Reads and writes every chunk that matters:

  • BEXT — timestamp, description, UMID, coding history
  • iXML — scene, take, track list, Steinberg / Soundminer-style fields
  • LIST/INFO — artist, genre, keywords, category, copyright, etc.
  • ID3 — MP3/AIFF tags (title, artist, album, BPM, mood)
  • CUE + SMPL — markers and loop points
  • ACID — tempo, root note, time signature
  • r64m — Cubase/Nuendo markers
  • SNDM — SoundMiner fields
  • AXML — broadcast audio XML
Unique IDs (OriginatorRef, UMID) are automatically cleared on regions to prevent Pro Tools stamp dialogs.

DAW integration

DAWHow
Pro ToolsPTSL SDK
REAPERRPI plugin
Nuendo / CubaseSKI plugin
Logic ProAppleScript (Mac only)
Premiere ProPanel extension
DaVinci ResolvePython API
Media ComposerDrag & drop with metadata bonus

Spot-to-Timeline and Transfer-to-Bin work everywhere except Media Composer (drag & drop only).

Plugins & runtime

Plugin format
VST3 with scanning, presets, and bypass. External crash-safe scanner.
Platforms
Windows x64 · Windows ARM64 · macOS Intel · macOS Apple Silicon
Runtime
Built on .NET 10
Using this Knowledge Base

Cross-platform key commands

This manual covers both PC and macOS. When you see a Windows shortcut like Ctrl+X, the macOS equivalent is Cmd+X. The fastest way to learn shortcuts is via tooltips inside basehead — or check the Keyboard Shortcuts reference.

Edition differences

If you find a feature in this KB that isn’t in your install, it’s likely not part of your edition. Compare what each edition includes, or unlock additional features from the My Licenses page in basehead.

View edition comparison →