User Guide

194 Chapter 13 Specialized
Using the Enhance Timing Effect
The Enhance Timing plug-in is designed to tighten up loose playing (of recorded audio)
in a production. It can be used on a variety of material, and works in real time.
Obviously, this type of real-time quantization has some limitations. It will not work well
on recordings of performances that have been played too far off the beat. The same is
true for very complex, layered drum tracks. It will provide noticeable timing
improvements on reasonably tight percussive and melodic material (played in an
eighth or quarter note feel). If a large amount of timing correction is needed, and
transients are shifted too far, you may notice a number of audio artifacts. As such, you
should try to strike the balance between sound quality and timing enhancement.
Important: For technical reasons, the Enhance Timing plug-in only works on audio
tracks, and must be inserted in the top Insert slot.
As a tip for triplets, try the 1/12 note setting for played 8th note triplets.
Exciter
The Exciter generates high frequency components that are not part of the original
signal, using a nonlinear distortion process that resembles overdrive and distortion
effects. Unlike those effects, however, the Exciter passes the input signal through a
highpass filter before feeding it into the harmonics (distortion) generator. This results in
the artificial harmonics added to the signal having frequencies at least one octave
above the threshold of the highpass filter. The distorted signal is then mixed with the
original, dry signal.
You can use the Exciter to add life to digital recordings. It is especially well suited to
audio tracks with a weak treble frequency range. The Exciter is also useful for
enhancing guitar tracks.
Exciter Parameters
 Frequency slider and field: Sets the cutoff frequency (in Hertz) of the highpass filter.
The input signal passes through this filter before (harmonic) distortion is introduced.
 Frequency display: The graphic displays the frequency range that is used as the
source signal for the process.