Specifications

Chapter 12: SoundReplacer 107
chapter 12
SoundReplacer
SoundReplacer is an AudioSuite plug-in de-
signed to replace audio elements such as drums,
percussion, and sound effects in Pro Tools tracks
with alternate sounds. SoundReplacer can
quickly and intelligently match the timing and
dynamics of original performance material,
making it ideal for both music and audio post
production.
SoundReplacer features:
• Sound replacement with phase-accurate peak
alignment
• Intelligent tracking of source audio dynamics
for matching the feel of the original perfor-
mance
• Three separate amplitude zones per audio
event for triggering different replacement
samples according to performance dynamics
• Zoomable waveform display for precision
threshold/amplitude zone adjustment
• Crossfading or hard-switching of replacement
audio in different amplitude zones for opti-
mum realism and flexibility
• Online help
Audio Replacement
Techniques
Replacing audio elements during the course of a
recording session is a fairly common scenario.
In music production it is often done in order to
replace or augment an element that lacks
punch. In film or video post-production it is
typically done to improve or vary a specific
sound cue or effect.
In the past, engineers and producers had to rely
on sampling audio delay lines or MIDI triggered
audio samplers—methods that had distinct dis-
advantages. Delay lines, for example, support
only a single replacement sample, and while
they can track the amplitude of the source
events, the replacement sample itself remains
the same at different amplitude levels.
The result is static and unnatural. In addition to
these drawbacks, sample triggers are notoriously
difficult to set up for accurate timing.
Similarly, with MIDI triggered samplers, MIDI
timing and event triggering are inconsistent, re-
sulting in problems with phase and frequency
response when the original audio is mixed with
the triggered replacement sounds.