Plug-in Reference

16
The included effect plug-ins
DeEsser (Cubase only)
A de-esser is used to reduce excessive sibilance, primarily
for vocal recordings. Basically, it is a special type of com-
pressor that is tuned to be sensitive to the frequencies
produced by the “s” sound, hence the name de-esser.
Close proximity microphone placement and equalizing can
lead to situations where the overall sound is just right, but
there is a problem with sibilants.
The following parameters are available:
Positioning the DeEsser in the signal chain
When recording a voice, the de-esser’s position in the
signal chain is usually located after the microphone pre-
amp and before a compressor/limiter. This keeps the
compressor/limiter from unnecessarily limiting the overall
signal dynamics.
EnvelopeShaper
EnvelopeShaper can be used to cut or boost the gain of
the Attack and Release phase of audio material. You can
either use the knobs or drag the breakpoints in the graph
-
ical display to change parameter values. Be careful with
levels when boosting the gain and if needed reduce the
Output level to avoid clipping.
The following parameters are available:
Parameter Description
Reduction Controls the intensity of the de-essing effect.
Threshold When the Auto Threshold option is deactivated, you can
use this control to set a threshold for the incoming signal
level, above which the plug-in starts to reduce the sibilants.
Auto The Auto Threshold function automatically and continu-
ally chooses an optimum threshold setting independent
of the input signal.
The Auto Threshold function does not work for low-level
signals (< -30
db peak level). To reduce the sibilants in
such a file, set the threshold manually.
Release Sets the amount of time it takes for the de-essing effect
to return to zero when the signal drops below the thresh
-
old value.
Level meters Indicate the dB values of the input (IN) and output (OUT)
signals as well as the value by which the level of the sibi
-
lant (or s-frequency) is reduced (GR). The gain reduction
meter shows values between 0
dB (no reduction) and
-20
dB (the s-frequency level is lowered by 20 dB).
Parameter Description
Attack (-20 to 20 dB) Changes the gain of the Attack phase of the
signal.
Length (5 to 200 ms) Determines the length of the Attack phase.
Release (-20 to 20 dB) Changes the gain of the Release phase of the
signal.
Output (-24 to 12 dB) Sets the output level.