Drawmer Dynamics Version 7.
Copyright © 2005 Digidesign, a division of Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. This guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the express written consent of Digidesign. Digidesign, Avid, and Pro Tools are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. in the US and other countries. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
contents Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Contents of the Boxed Version of Your Plug-In . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Register Your Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix B. DSP Delays Incurred by TDM Plug-Ins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Drawmer Dynamics DSP Delay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Appendix C. Drawmer Dynamics Demo Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Using the Demo Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
chapter 1 Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Drawmer Dynamics plug-in for Pro Tools|HD systems. Based in England, Drawmer has a longstanding reputation for creating high-quality, industrystandard, analog and digital signal processing devices, including microphone preamplifiers, esoteric tube equipment, equalizers, and most significantly, dynamics processors.
System Requirements To use Drawmer Dynamics, you need: ◆ A Digidesign-qualified Pro Tools|HD system Register Your Plug-Ins If you purchase a plug-in online from the DigiStore (www.digidesign.com) using Internet Activation, you are automatically registered. – or – A Digidesign-qualified Pro Tools|HD system and a third-party software application that supports the TDM plug-in standard ◆ For complete system requirements, visit the Digidesign Web site (www.Digidesign.com).
Conventions Used in This Guide All Digidesign guides use the following conventions to indicate menu choices and key commands: : Convention Action File > Save Choose Save from the File menu Control+N Hold down the Control key and press the N key Control-click Hold down the Control key and click the mouse button Right-click (Windows) Click with the right mouse button The following symbols are used to highlight important information: User Tips are helpful hints for getting the most from your Pro To
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chapter 2 Installation Installing Drawmer Dynamics Installers for your plug-ins can be downloaded from the DigiStore (www.digidesign.com) or can be found on the plug-in installer CD-ROM (included with boxed versions of plug-ins). Additionally, an installer may also be available on a Pro Tools software bundle CD-ROM. Authorizing Drawmer Dynamics The Drawmer Dynamics plug-in is authorized using the iLok USB Smart Key (iLok), manufactured by PACE Anti-Piracy, Inc.
If you purchased a plug-in online at the DigiStore (www.digidesign.com), you authorize the plug-in by downloading licenses from iLok.com to an iLok. See the iLok Usage Guide for details, or visit the iLok Web site (www.iLok.com). If you purchased a boxed version of a plug-in, you authorize the plug-in by inserting the enclosed License Card into an iLok. Use the following instructions to authorize any plug-ins that come with an iLok License Card.
Removing Expired Plug-Ins If you let a demo version of a plug-in expire, you should remove it from your system. Otherwise, each time you open Pro Tools you will be prompted with a message that the plug-in has expired. Windows To remove an expired plug-in: 1 Click Start. 2 Click Control Panel. 3 Double-click Add or Remove Programs. 4 Select the expired plug-in from the list of in- stalled applications. 5 Click the Change/Remove button. 6 Click OK to remove the plug-in.
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chapter 3 Drawmer Dynamics Parameters This chapter explains the parameters of the Drawmer Dynamics Expander, Gate, and Compressor modules. Adjusting Parameters The Drawmer Dynamics plug-in allows several methods of parameter adjustment. Editing Parameters with a Mouse Click and Drag You can adjust rotary controls with a mouse by dragging horizontally or vertically. Parameter values increase as you drag upward or to the right, and decrease as you drag downward or to the left.
Editing Parameters with a Computer Keyboard Each rotary control has a corresponding parameter text field directly below it. This displays the current value of the parameter. You can edit the numeric value of a parameter with your computer keyboard. Expander Module The Expander is part of the DrawmerECL plugin and is modelled on the Drawmer DL241 and DS201 hardware processors.
Auto-Adaptive Expansion Ratio Control The Expander has the ability to automatically adapt its settings to audio material. This mode of operation is enabled by turning the Ratio control fully clockwise to the Soft or Softer setting. It automatically varies ratio and release time depending on the dynamics of the signal being processed. The Ratio control sets the amount of attenuation applied to the signal as it decreases below the Threshold level.
Range Control To use the Expander: The Range control sets the level to which the Expander will close, once the input signal has fallen below the Threshold setting. Range is from 0 dB (no expansion) to infinity (∞dB). In general, use a much smaller range setting than you would with a Gate. 1 Bypass the Compressor by clicking the Com- Bypass Switch The Bypass toggle switch bypasses the Expander. Expander Gain Reduction (GR) Meter This ten-element LED meter indicates from 0 dB to 90 dB of gain reduction.
The Gate Module The Gate is part of the DrawmerGCL plug-in. It is based on the highly acclaimed Drawmer DS201 hardware dynamics processor, which was instrumental in creating many recording effects that have become industry standard practice such as the Gated reverb, and enhanced percussive kick-drums.
For most noise removal applications, set the Threshold as low as is possible, so that none of the desired signal is lost. Attack Control The Attack control sets the rate at which the Gate opens from a closed state. Attack ranges from 20 µS (about 1 sample) to 1.7 seconds. A very fast attack time can sometimes produce audible clicks on low frequency signals. Hold Control The Hold control determines the amount of time the Gate is held open after the signal falls below the Threshold setting.
Suggestions for Using the Gate The fastest way to begin using the Expander is to choose one of the presets available in the Librarian menu. (See the DigiRack Plug-Ins Guide for details.) Alternatively, create your own settings using the procedure that follows. Additional Tips for Effective Gating Initially, set the LF Key Filter fully counterclockwise and the HF Key Filter fully clockwise. This lets you hear the full audio spectrum of the key input.
Adjusting Attack Time Effectively The Attack control has a very wide range. At its fastest, it can open instantaneously. Conversely, setting the Gate attack time too fast on material with a slow or moderate attack can cause clicks, particularly if the Threshold has to be set high because of excessive background noise. This is a common problem with noise gates, especially when processing low-frequency audio such as bass guitar or bass drum.
By setting up a stereo plug-in with one channel in Gate mode and the other in Duck, the envelope controls can be used to create interesting triggered panning effects, simply by feeding a mono signal into left and right channels and setting the Range control to maximum attenuation. Difficult Material To Gate As with any Gate, noise can only be removed during pauses in the desired material.
program and silence. With a cleaner key input, any associated gating will be more defined, and the Gate’s Threshold settings will be easier to optimize. The Compressor Module The Compressor appears in both the DrawmerECL and DrawmerGCL plug-ins. Compressor Parameters Threshold Control The Threshold control determines the input level above which gain reduction will be applied. Threshold range is from –64 dB to +0 dB.
Release Control Auto Gain Make-Up Switch The Release control sets the rate at which gain returns to normal after the input signal level has fallen below the Threshold. Release range is from 50 ms to 5 seconds. With Auto Gain Make-Up on, Gain Make Up is adjusted automatically when the Compressor’s Threshold, Attack and Ratio or Limiter Threshold are adjusted, so that the output level is as close as possible to the Limit Threshold.
Bypass (Compressor and Limiter) Switch This toggle switch bypasses the Compressor and Peak Limiter. Normally it is used to compare the unprocessed signal with the processed signal. Suggestions for Using the Compressor The fastest way to begin using the Expander is to choose one of the presets available in the Librarian menu. (See the DigiRack Plug-Ins Guide for details.) Alternatively, create your own settings using the procedure that follows.
Attack Times The longer the attack time, the longer the Compressor takes to respond to increases in signal level and a slow attack time is often used to accentuate the beginning of percussive or plucked sounds such as drums, basses and guitars. a long attack time can also permit peaks to pass unattenuated. The limiter will pick these up, so it is quite common with slow attack times to see increased limiter activity. A fast attack time will bring the input signal under control very quickly.
Limiting is extremely valuable in digital recording where an absolute maximum recording level exists. When overdriven with Gain, it can also be used creatively to produce deliberate levelpumping effects. Meters and Indicators Drawmer Dynamics provides several types of LED-type signal meters and indicators. VU meter (stereo) Peak Input LED The Peak Input LED indicates peaks in input signals. At 1.0 dB below digital full scale the LED is amber. At –0.01 dB, (just below full scale input) it is red.
chapter 4 Using Drawmer Dynamics Drawmer Dynamics is a real-time TDM plug-in. It processes audio non-destructively in real time. It does not alter the original source audio, but only applies its effects during playback. Inserting Drawmer Dynamics on a Track Using Plug-Ins as Inserts To show inserts in the Mix window: To use the Drawmer Dynamics plug-in, you must insert it in-line on an audio track, Auxiliary Input, or a Master Fader.
To return a control to its default value, Altclick (Windows) or Option-click (Macintosh) the control. ■ To remove Drawmer Dynamics from a track: ■ A common production technique is to use these controls to filter a drum track so that only specific high frequencies (a hi-hat, for example) or low frequencies (a tom or a kick, for example) trigger the gate. Click the Insert selector and choose No Insert.
4 To filter the side-chain input so that only certain frequencies trigger the plug-in, set the LF Key Filter and HF Key Filter controls to the desired frequency range. 5 Begin playback. The plug-in uses the filtered input signal to trigger dynamics processing. 6 To fine-tune side-chain triggering, adjust the plug-in controls. 5 Begin playback. Gating is now controlled by the input or bus you chose as a key input. 6 Adjust the Noise Gate’s Threshold to fine tune side-chain triggering.
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appendix a DSP Requirements The number of TDM plug-ins you can use at one time depends on how much DSP power is available in your system. Since the TDM hardware on Pro Tools cards provide dedicated DSP for plugins, plug-in performance isn’t limited by CPU processing power. The DSP tables in this appendix show the theoretical number of instances of each plug-in that can be powered by a single DSP chip on Pro Tools|HD cards. DSP usage differs according to card type.
Drawmer Dynamics DSP Requirements The Drawmer plug-ins have the following DSP requirements: HD Accel Card Table 2. Maximum instances of plug-ins per DSP chip for an HD Accel card, at different sample rates, (mono and stereo). Sample Rate: Plug-In 44.1/48 kHz 88.2/96 kHz Compatible DSP chips per HD Accel card Mono Stereo Mono Stereo DrawmerECL 8 4 4 2 9 DrawmerGCL 8 4 4 2 9 HD Core and HD Process Cards Table 3.
appendix b DSP Delays Incurred by TDM Plug-Ins Virtually all TDM plug-ins incur some amount of signal delay. If you are working with mono tracks, or are processing all channels with the same plug-in, the signal delays are not long enough to be significant and should not be a concern. This signal delay is significant only if you use a plug-in on one channel of a stereo or multichannel signal but not the others, since this can cause the channels to be slightly out of phase.
Drawmer Dynamics DSP Delay ≈ Table 3.
appendix c Drawmer Dynamics Demo Sessions Several demo sessions are included with Drawmer Dynamics. These sessions illustrate how to use the plug-in during typical recording scenarios. Using the Demo Sessions Before opening a demo session, you must have already installed and authorized the Drawmer Dynamics plug-in. “Gated Tones” Demo This session illustrates keying of two different tone bursts from an existing short drum loop using the Gate. The three-channel session uses two Gates.
“Wrong & Right” Demo “Extra-Clean-Key & Drum” Demo This session illustrates the right and wrong way to use a Gate. The same bass guitar audio appears on two tracks. Both tracks have the same Gate assigned, but each has differing parameter settings. Notice that using the wrong Threshold, Attack, Hold and Release settings can give very poor results from low frequency signals. Use Solo and Mute to compare the effect of the right and wrong settings.
index A adjusting parameters 9 Attack parameter 11, 14, 18 adjusting 16 Auto-Attack and Release 18 authorizing plug-ins 6 Auto Gain Make-Up parameter 19 auto-adaptive expansion 11 Auto-Attack and Release 18 B boxed version 1 Bypass parameter 12, 14, 20 C clipping levels 23 Compressor 18 features 18 parameters 18 suggestions for using 20 Compressor Gain Reduction Meter 19 D decrement buttons 9 delay DSP-induced delays 29 demo sessions 31 “Clean & Dirty Drums” 32 “Extra-Clean-Key & Drum” 32 “Gated Tones”
I R iLok 6 increment and decrement buttons 9 input signal, filtering with side-chain filters 25 inserting plug-ins on a track 27 inserts 23 Installing Drawmer Dynamics 5 internal side-chain processing 24 Range parameter 12, 14 Ratio parameter 11, 18 registration 2 Release parameter 11, 14, 19 removing Drawmer Dynamics 24 removing expired plug-ins Windows 7 rotary controls adjusting 9 K Key Input using effectively 17 Key Input Filters parameters 13 propagation delay 17 using effectively 17 Key Listen 17
