Plug-in Reference

17
The included effect plug-ins
Expander (Cubase only)
Expander reduces the output level in relation to the input
level for signals below the set threshold. This is useful
when you want to enhance the dynamic range or reduce
the noise in quiet passages. You can either use the knobs
or drag the breakpoints in the graphical display to change
the Threshold and the Ratio parameter values.
The following parameters are available:
Ö The expansion can also be controlled from another sig-
nal source via the side-chain input. When the side-chain
signal exceeds the threshold, the expansion is triggered.
For a description of how to set up side-chain routing, see
the chapter “Audio effects” in the Operation Manual.
Gate
Gating, or noise gating, silences audio signals below a set
threshold level. As soon as the signal level exceeds the set
threshold, the gate opens to let the signal through.
The following parameters are available:
Parameter Description
Threshold
(-60 to 0 dB)
Determines the level where expansion “kicks in”. Signal
levels below the set threshold are affected, but signal lev
-
els above are not processed.
Ratio
(1:1 to 8:1)
Determines the amount of gain boost applied to signals
below the set threshold.
Soft Knee
button
If this button is off, signals below the threshold are ex-
panded instantly according to the set ratio (“hard knee”).
When Soft Knee is activated, the onset of expansion is
more gradual, producing a less drastic result.
Attack (0.1 to
100
ms)
Determines how fast Expander responds to signals below
the set threshold. If the attack time is long, more of the
early part of the signal (attack) passes through unpro
-
cessed.
Hold (0 to
2000
ms)
Sets the time the applied expansion will affect the signal
below the Threshold.
Release
(10 to
1000
ms or
Auto mode)
Sets the amount of time it takes for the gain to return to its
original level when the signal exceeds the threshold level. If
the Auto button is activated, Expander will automatically
find an optimal release setting that varies depending on
the audio material.
Analysis
(0 to 100)
(Pure Peak to
Pure RMS)
Determines whether the input signal is analyzed according
to peak or RMS values (or a mixture of both). A value of 0 is
pure peak and 100 pure RMS. RMS mode operates using
the average power of the audio signal as a basis, whereas
Peak mode operates more on peak levels. As a general
guideline, RMS mode works better on material with few
transients such as vocals, and Peak mode better for per
-
cussive material, with a lot of transient peaks.
Live button When this button is activated, the “look ahead” feature of
Expander is disengaged. Look ahead produces more ac
-
curate processing, but adds a certain amount of latency as
a trade-off. When Live mode is activated, there is no la
-
tency, which might be better for “live” processing.
Parameter Description
Threshold
(-60 to 0 dB)
Determines the level where Gate is activated. Signal lev-
els above the set threshold trigger the gate to open, and
signal levels below the set threshold close the gate.
State LED Indicates whether the gate is open (LED lights up in
green), closed (LED lights up in red) or something in be
-
tween (LED lights up in yellow).
Parameter Description