Sonnox Oxford Inflator Operation Manual Version 1.
1. Introduction The Sonnox Oxford Inflator plug-in is designed to address the current preference to produce the maximum apparent loudness from popular music mixes. Many processes are already in use, which are variously reliant on compression and limiting to produce maximum modulation and try to give an impression of excitement to the sound of the programme.
2. Operation 2.1 Input Clipping The Inflator process develops internal signal levels that are notionally greater than digital maximum. For instance, with the EFFECT level at maximum and the Clip 0dBr off, signal peaks above notional digital maximum can be accommodated, and much of their harmonic information can be included in the output signal, even though the peak output level will not rise above digital maximum.
In certain cases better results may be obtained by de-selecting any input limiting. In particular, the extra useable range can then be used to accommodate short-term overshoot sounds produced by compression functions, where they are generated to enhance attack and presence. Since these peaks are mostly short duration, they can often be accommodated effectively in the overdrive ranges without excessive reduction of sound quality or loss of average modulation.
2.2 Direct and Band Splitting Modes The Inflator application can run in either direct or band splitting modes. In normal operation, the complete frequency range of the programme is processed simultaneously. This is usually the best way to run the process under most conditions. One significant advantage of using this mode is that the output relative peak level will not get larger than peak level, however much Effect is applied.
2.3 Basic Loudness Enhancement Procedure For basic loudness enhancement, the procedure is to get the programme up to maximum normalised level at the input (0dBr) in order to fully benefit from the Inflator process, apply the Inflator processing to get the desired effect, and then adjust the output level to maintain desired maximum modulation. Start with the CLIP 0dBr function selected to limit the range of the Inflator to normal digital maximum.
In general the best results are most likely to be obtained by operating the Inflator EFFECT level at maximum, and adjusting the INPUT level and CURVE control to produce the best sonic compromise. Further user modifications to the Inflator process can be invoked to gain either greater loudness or different characteristics in sonic detail, as described below. 2.
This setting is particularly useful when treating drums and percussion instruments, when the impression of dynamic presence needs to be enhanced, or the contribution to the mix needs to be ‘tightened up’. This kind of setting is also useful when used on single instruments (such as acoustic guitars) where a softening of percussive aspects or ‘highs’ is needed without loss of apparent dynamic range.
At positions between 0 and +50 the CURVE control provides increasing ‘fatness’ and volume enhancement at the partial expense of dynamic precision, producing the loudest and most exciting effects at +50. In this position the sound becomes most powerful with a harmonic profile reminiscent of systems under great stress and running to their very limits. The music will take on an ‘in your face’ quality, creating the maximum excitement yet fine detail and subtleties within the mix will be retained.
2.7 Distortion Generation For distortion generation, it is best to proceed initially with the EFFECT level set to maximum so that the nature of any distortion can be assessed. The idea is to increase the input level with the Inflator fully operational, and the OUTPUT control reduced somewhat to avoid output clipping, whilst listening to the results with various degrees of deliberate and significant signal overdrive.
3. Description of Controls Input Section INPUT fader – sets the input level to the Inflator process. For full level input signals, maximum peak input is obtained with the fader set to 0dB. Further gain beyond is provided to allow lower level programme to be boosted to full modulation, and allows the Inflator to be deliberately overdriven to produce distortion effects. INPUT value – shows the value in dB of the parameter set by the input fader. The value can be modified by clicking in the window.
CURVE fader – modifies the processing characteristics and sonic effect of the Inflator. CURVE value – shows the value in dB of the parameter set by the CURVE fader. The value can be edited by clicking in the window. CLIP 0dBr – when this button is selected, internal processing levels are restricted to the equivalent of normal digital maximum. When de-selected, internal processing may develop and process signals beyond the equivalent of digital maximum.
4. Preset Manager Toolbar The Oxford Inflator plug-in comes equipped with its own Preset Manager Toolbar, which is displayed at the top of the plug-in window (see right) as if the host created it. The reasoning behind this is to allow increased portability of your presets across all the host applications, while also providing a consistent and versatile interface.
5. Specifications 5.1 Plug-in Instantiation Count for AAX-DSP The table below shows the number of plug-in instantiations possible in a single chip at three sample rates. Instantiations per chip per sample rate ProTools HDX Band Split Single Path (Direct) 6. Mono Stereo Mono Stereo 48 kHz 26 13 81 41 96kHz 12 6 39 20 192kHz 6 3 18 9 Copyright and Acknowledgements Trademarks and content copyright © 2007-Present Sonnox Ltd. All rights reserved.
Platform Specific Supplement S1. Supported Platforms Avid Pro Tools (LE, RTAS, M-Powered, Pro Tools HD) and Pro Tools 10 (HDX & Native) VST Native Audio Units Native S2. System Requirements These requirements are current at this revision of manual. For latest system requirements, please see the website www.sonnox.com Pro Tools Pro Tools 7, 8, 9 & 10 Approved Pro Tools CPU, OS and hardware configuration (see www.avid.com) Mac OSX 10.
