Technical information

APPENDIX 12
 lter–depending on which  lter you have selected. The Listen function can be
enabled to let you audition the key  lter output during this process to  nd the
settings most suited for the vocal or dialog track being processed – choosing
the  lter type and Focus settings that work best.
The second step is to apply compression just to the sibilant frequencies that
you have identi ed – using the Range, Ratio, and Release controls and the
HF Only switch in the De-Esser Section. The DE555 has no threshold control.
Instead, it automatically sets the compressor threshold for you.
The Range control lets you choose how many dBs of de-essing you want;
the Ratio control can be set high for strong de-essing or low for gentle
de-essing; and the Release control lets you choose how quickly the de-esser
stops compressing after the sibilant event ceases. The maximum amount
of de-essing set by the Range control always remains  xed, so the user can
still obtain a selectable amount of de-essing even as the Ratio control is
adjusted.
The HF Only feature lets you apply de-essing solely to the high frequencies at or
above the key  lter frequency. Sometimes the de-essing sounds more natural
when the entire signal level is reduced – other times when high frequencies only
are reduced. This is simply a user choice. Always keep in mind that too much
de-essing will sound unnatural – and can even give the singer or speaker a lisp!
The Frequency Response/Key graph shows the shape and location of the Key
Filter. There is also a Dynamics graph. If HF Only mode is selected, this Dynamics
plot will show where the high frequencies are reduced by the de-esser.
The Output section allows level adjustments of the de-essed audio output
in the range from −24 to +24 dB. Finally, a pair of bar graph meters at the
far right display input and output levels, with a gain-reduction meter neatly
‘sandwiched’ between these!
Applications
De-essing Vocals
To de-ess a vocal, open the DE555 plug-in, enable the Key Filter Listen, and
loop playback over a section of audio containing the sibilance you want to
tame. Adjust the Frequency and Focus controls and select either high- or
band-pass filtering until you mostly hear just the ‘esses’. Disable the Key
Filter Listen, so that you hear the full audio again, and adjust the amount of
de-essing using the Range control. A Range setting of 8 or 9 dB with a Ratio of
up to 4:1 should be enough for natural results. Set the Release control as fast as
possible without this becoming audible. Finally, the Output control can ensure