Instruments and Effects

Chapter 4 Dynamics 69
 (Attack) Time knob: Sets the duration from the beginning of the signal considered as
the attack.
 Display area: Graphically displays the attack and release curves applied to the signal.
 (Release) Time knob: Sets the duration of the signal considered as the release.
 (Release) Gain slider: Sets the gain on the release phase of the signal. When set to the
center (0) position, the signal is unaffected.
 Out Level slider: Sets the level of the output signal.
 Lookahead slider and field: Adjusts how far the Enveloper looks ahead in the signal.
Using the Enveloper
The most important parameters of the Enveloper are the two Gain sliders, one on each
side of the central display area, that govern Attack (left) and Release (right). Raising the
gain emphasizes the attack or release phase, respectively, while lowering the gain
attenuates the corresponding phase.
For example, boosting the attack gives a drum sound more snap, or amplifies the initial
pluck (or pick) sound of a stringed instrument. Cutting the attack causes percussive
signals to fade in more softly. You can also mute the attack, making it virtually
inaudible. Another handy application for this effect is to mask the poor timing of
accompanying instruments.
Emphasizing the release also boosts any reverb applied to the affected track.
Conversely, toning down the release phase makes tracks originally drenched in reverb
sound drier. This is particularly useful when working with drum loops, but it has many
other applications as well. Let your imagination be your guide.
When using the Enveloper, set the Threshold to the minimum value and leave it there.
Only when you seriously raise the release phase, which boosts the noise level of the
original recording, should you raise the Threshold slider a little. This limits the Enveloper
to affecting only the useful part of the signal.
Drastic boosting or cutting of either the release or attack phase may change the overall
level of the signal. You can compensate for this by lowering the Out Level slider.
The Time parameters for attack and release (below the display area) enable you to
access the time-based intervals that the effect interprets as the attack and release
phases. Generally, you’ll find values of around 20 ms (attack) and 1500 ms (release) are
fine to start with. Adjust them accordingly for the type of signal that you’re processing.
The Lookahead slider allows you to define how far ahead in the signal the Enveloper
looks to anticipate future events. Normally, you won’t need to use this feature, except
possibly for signals with extremely sensitive transients. If you do raise the Lookahead
value, you may need to adjust the attack time accordingly.