User Manual FINALIZER Desktop Application 2019-08-15, Rev. 1.0.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Table of Contents Important Safety Instructions....................................... 3 1. Introduction................................................................ 4 2. Getting Started........................................................... 4 3. Top Bar ........................................................................ 5 4. Top Menu..................................................................... 7 5. Compare....................................
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Important Safety Instructions Terminals marked with this symbol carry electrical current of sufficient magnitude to constitute risk of electric shock. Use only high-quality professional speaker cables with ¼" TS or twist-locking plugs pre-installed. All other installation or modification should be performed only by qualified personnel.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 1. Introduction Welcome to Finalizer! Finalizer is a next generation mastering environment for Mac and Windows computers. Developed by TC Electronic, the Finalizer software builds on a long tradition of dynamic processing, expertise in audio measuring and acclaimed innovations in metering. Our commitment to designing the best tools for music mastering goes back more than 20 years, and many of our developments have become industry standards.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 3. Top Bar The top bar gives access to transport functions, different SPECTRO LAB views, a status-information window for program time and tools-tips, Compare source selection, different Modules views, and login and uploading the results to Finalizer.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual SPECTRO LAB Spectral and dynamics views. Choose from these three options: (More details are given in the SPECTRO LAB section below) • Spectral Dynamic Contour, SDC • Real-Time Spectrum, RTS • Average Spectral Curve, AVG Status Information window • Playhead and region time information • Status information • Useful tools-tips Compare Select which track or source to play back. This is also reflected in the SPECTRO LAB, Timeline, and Master Meter section.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 4. Top Menu 4.1 File Click here to view the File drop-down menu. This allows projects to be created, opened, closed, saved, and audio files imported, and preferences to be edited.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Note: An “Unsaved data” reminder is displayed if a current project has not been saved, before you can open another project. Caution: If not saved, then any unsaved changes will be lost. A similar warning appears before a new audio file can be loaded: Note: When importing an audio source file into the Finalizer, you will be asked if you want to copy the audio source file into the Finalizer project file.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 4.2 Edit Click here to view the Edit drop-down menu. This allows the use of undo and redo on current operations. The Finalizer features a rather comprehensive Undo/Redo system. • All relevant parameter changes that affect the processing can be undone or redone • The undo/redo stack is unlimited • The undo/redo stack is not saved in the project and it is reset when the project is closed.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 4.3 Modules Click here to view the Modules drop-down menu. This will allow the Module List to be edited, such as removing modules, selecting the previous or next modules in the list, or changing the order of the modules in the list.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 4.4 View Click here to see the View drop-down menu. This will allow the various views to be turned on or off. Keyboard shortcuts are also shown on the far right.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 5. Compare Comparing the effect of each change to the track is essential to mastering. The following details of the COMPARE section describe how to select which audio source to be viewed and played back. The Compare section is where to select which track/source to playback, and this is also reflected in the SPECTRO LAB, Timeline and Master Meter sections. Thus, there is always a correspondence between what you hear and what you see.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual • Reference tracks can be added either by dragging them and dropping it onto the SPECTRO LAB area, or by pressing the “+” in the REF TRACKS area to the right of the display. As you add reference tracks, they will appear in the REF TRACKS list. Tracks can also be deleted from the list by selecting the trash can icon next to the “+” button.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6. SPECTRO LAB The Finalizer features a very useful meter and work bench approach for mastering: The SPECTRO LAB! The SPECTRO LAB is designed to give full overview of your track, both spectral- and dynamics-wise and via background calculations continually updating the views while you playback and work in real-time. Additionally, most of the processing modules you add to the project have their own representation in the SPECTRO LAB view.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.2 Spectral Dynamic Contour (SDC) The Spectral Dynamic Contour gives an overview of the full track, both spectrally and dynamically. This is a brand-new and highly useful approach to metering for mastering, and the amount of visual feedback is comprehensive. While your ears are the most important instrument, relevant visual feedback will support what you hear and help you in choosing precise and fast solutions.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.2.1 Examples of SDC The following pages show some examples of using the SDC with A, B, and REF. SDC in A Mode (prepared source track) In this example, the prepared source file is displayed, showing the spectral and dynamic content and its six contour curves. No effects (modules) are shown, as this is the pre-processed “before” source file.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 2. SDC in B mode, example with one processing module included In this example, the “Bell Damp Mids” EQ module was inserted into the Module List, and note that the processed output has a slight dip in levels at the frequency of the filter, compared to the previous picture.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual EQ Curve Overlay Toggle The EQ curve corresponding to the EQ modules (not the dynamic modules) can be shown as an overlay on top of the SDC. To always see the EQ curve overlaid on the graph, select the button in the top left corner of the graph as shown. Select the button again to turn the overlay off. This button is not available in REF mode, or if the selected Module does not feature an overlay.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.3 Real Time Spectrum (RTS) The RTS is a highly detailed version of well-known and popular spectrum analyzers, and shows a real-time spectrum behind the full track Spectral Dynamic Contours (SDC), described in the previous section. The RTS features shows two curves: a real-time peak analysis, and a moving-average real-time RMS analysis shown in the lower filled curve.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.3.1 Examples of RTS The following pages show some examples of using the RTS. RTS in A Mode (prepared source track) In the example above, the prepared source A is displayed, with the top filled-curve showing the real-time peak analysis, and the lower filled-curve showing a movingaverage real-time RMS analysis. These two moving curves are overlaid on the SDC spectral and dynamic content and its six contour curves.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 2. RTS in B mode, Difference ON The Difference button affects the six SDC curves, as described previously for the SDC, and does not affect the two RTS filled curves. It is used to view the difference between source track (A mode) and the processed track (B mode). Select it again to turn the difference display off. Note that the Difference button is only selectable from the B mode display.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.4 Average Spectral Curve (AVG) AVG is the average energy for each frequency, calculated across the full track. This is very useful for comparing against reference tracks, for example within the same music genre and related album tracks. All the tracks are loudness normalized during the analysis, which makes it easy to compare the spectrum only. The AVG curves are not affected by the Loudness Compensation in the Monitor section. Key 1.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.5 SPECTRO LAB In Depth In this chapter we will dig into how the SPECTRO LAB views in the Finalizer will help you analyze your audio and assist you in making accurate and fast mastering decisions. But remember, while the SPECTRO LAB may be a very strong tool and make you see what you hear – always ears first when making decisions! 6.5.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual After adding two processing modules the SPECTRO LAB will look like this: • • • • • Note that we are looking at the full, processed track (B). The Difference toggle is enabled such the curves are “filled” corresponding to how the modules have affected the result, i.e. the difference between A to B. In this case a Bell EQ at 80Hz and a Dynamic EQ at 2.1 kHz have been inserted. The Spectro Dynamic Curves show that the 80 Hz Bell EQ affects all 6 curves equally.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual When the Overlay is activated and the EQ module is selected, we see the EQ overlay curve has an area identical to the Difference areas on the SDC curves. Although the SDC knows nothing of the particular EQ, it has analyzed its effect on the track. Note the EQ controls are also available in the SPECTRO LAB view: Selecting the Dynamic EQ will display its overlay curve.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.5.2 Average Spectrum Curve (AVG) Further analysis on the example from above can be done with the Average Spectrum Curve (AVG) in the SPECTRO LAB. We can see A (prepared track, blue) and B (processed track, green) and how they differ due to the EQ and Dynamic EQ inserted above. In the AVG view all traces are loudness normalized so we only compare spectrum, not potential loudness difference also.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.5.3 Resolution The frequency resolution on all SPECTRO LAB views (SDC, RTS, and AVG) is based on a constant-Q analysis. This makes it easier to see details in the whole frequency spectrum as compared to many other real time analyzers which have too little information in the bass range and too much information in the treble range (‘grass’).
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.5.5 SDC and RTS display using a Pink Noise Source The spectrum of a pink noise signal is essentially flat, in a Constant-Q analysis. That is caused by the pink noise or 1/f noise having a power spectral density (energy per frequency interval) that is inversely proportional to the frequency of the signal. Due to the stochastic nature of the noise, it will have signal at many different levels, hence the spread of the SDC curves.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.5.6 SDC display using a White Noise Source In contrast to the pink noise, a white noise has more high-frequency energy. Even though this type of random signal is very common, its spectrum is actually less similar to the spectrum of music than pink noise. The SDC clearly shows the different spectrum of the noises.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 6.5.7 SDC display using a Brown Noise Source Brown noise, on the other hand, has more low-frequency energy than pink noise. Compared to most music Brownian noise sounds dull, as illustrated by the low-level highs.
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FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 7. Processing Modules The SPECTRO LAB will also show visual representations of frequency and level processing modules from the Modules List. This is where the SPECTRO LAB shows its full potential. In the example above, the gain, frequency and bandwidth parameters of a bell curve EQ are directly available in the SPECTRO LAB view for easy access and adjustment.
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FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Note that with the EQ overlay OFF, the EQ overlay will also appear momentarily if you move the mouse near to any of the control balls. The current value of that control will also be shown at the bottom, in the example below, it shows -5.5 dB as the Gain value. To change the frequency, click and drag the top ball BL, and the current frequency will also be shown at the bottom (700.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual To change the bandwidth, click and drag the BW ball and the current width (in octaves) will be shown at the bottom (1.0 octave in this example). A draggable ball is also available in the left side of the highlighted line. A horizontal bar shows the range (4.0 octaves): To change the gain, click and drag the G ball and the current gain will be shown at the bottom (-5.5 dB). A vertical line shows the overall gain adjustment range from +18.0 to –18.0 dB.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual If Ctrl is held down while you click and drag a control, then two parameters can be changed at the same time. For example: • To change the frequency and gain at the same time, hold Ctrl and click and drag the BL ball or the G ball, left and right (to change frequency) and up and down (to change gain). Note that the current frequency and gain values are both displayed at the bottom.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Other Modules So far, we have shown one of the simpler Bell EQ modules as an example of using the SPECTRO LAB Control Sticks to adjust the module parameters in the graphical interface. The following sections show some of the other modules, and how they appear overlaid on the SPECTRO LAB. 7.2 5-Band EQ Modules 5B EQ Gentle Smiley is used in this example, and the details that follow apply to all other presets for the five-band EQ module.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The 5E H is a high-shelving EQ, and its parameters are gain, frequency, and slope. The gain and frequency can be adjusted as shown previously for the bell EQs, and the shelving slope can be selected using the S ball from 3, 6, 9, or 12 dB per octave. Note: the EQ overlay for the multi-band EQ shows a shaded area above and below the “flat” level. This is the combined total EQ curve for all the active EQ bands.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 7.3 Low Cut and High Cut Modules The Low Cut and High Cut EQ modules have two parameters: • Cutoff frequency • Type of filter, either Bessel or Butterworth Low Cut modules reduce the level of the frequency range below the cutoff frequency, with a roll-off determined by the filter type. High Cut modules reduce the level of the frequency range above the cutoff frequency, with a roll-off determined by the filter type.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 7.4 Low Shelf and High Shelf Modules The Low Shelf and High Shelf Modules each have three parameters: • Frequency • Gain • Slope Low Shelf EQ allows the level of the frequency range below the shelf frequency to be cut or boosted by an amount set by the gain control, with a slope width set by the slope control.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The example below is a High Shelf module: 7.5 Dynamic EQ Modules The Dynamic EQ Module has seven parameters: • Frequency • Bandwidth • Threshold • Maximum Gain Reduction • Ratio • Attack • Release The Dynamic EQ can be regarded as a compressor that operate at definable Bell EQ frequency band, set by the frequency, bandwidth, and maximum gain reduction controls, with familiar compressor controls of threshold, ratio, and attack and release times.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual As with the other modules, if Ctrl is held down while you click and drag a control, then two parameters can be changed at the same time. For example: • To change the frequency and gain reduction at the same time, hold Ctrl and click and drag the DE or G ball, left and right (to change frequency) and up and down (to change gain reduction). Note that the current frequency and gain values are displayed at the bottom.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 7.6 Compressor Modules There are three types of Compressor Modules available: • Full Band RMS Compressor (FC) • Three Band, TC Legacy, Compressor (3C) • Five Band, Modern Style, Compressor (5C) Compressors operate to reduce the signal level once the Threshold level has been reached, at a reduction rate set by the Ratio control. Attack time is the time it takes for the gain reduction to begin once the threshold has been reached.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 3 Band, TC Legacy, compressor modules (abbreviation = 3C) The example below is one of the 3 band compressor modules. Note that all the factory supplied 3 band compressor module presets have the same controls as shown, just at different adjustment settings.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual As an alternative to the Link/Unlink button: • Click on a (3C L), (3C M), or (3C H) ball and the respective stick/band will be highlighted. Any current linking will be removed. • To link to another band, press Ctrl while clicking on the (3C L), (3C M), or (3C H) ball of the other stick. In this way, two bands can be linked, and this is something that you can’t do with the Link/Unlink button (which links all three).
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Threshold • Threshold level can be adjusted by dragging the (T) control, or using the threshold control in the Module EDIT View. The adjustment range is +10.0 dB to –60.0 dB. • Note that when the threshold (T) is adjusted, the physical position of the ratio (R) control in the graph will also move, but its actual value will not change; it will remain the same for all threshold levels, unless adjusted by the ratio controls.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Band Gain • Band Gain can be adjusted by dragging the (G) control, or using the gain control in the Module EDIT View. The range is from +21.0 dB to –21.0 dB. • The gain control adjusts the overall level of the band, independent of the compressor threshold and ratio settings. • Gain and crossover frequency can both be adjusted at the same time by pressing Ctrl while adjusting the (G) control.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Makeup Gain On/Off • Makeup Active On/Off is selectable only in the Module EDIT View Global setting. Band Solo On/Off • Band Solo On/Off allows the selected compressor bands to be auditioned/soloed. It can be selected either by the Solo button in the top left corner, or in the Module EDIT View Global setting.
• FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The Band Solo can also be turned on/off from the Solo/Audition button from the Compressor Module. This may be convenient if Solo has been activated on a Module that is currently not selected like shown here: 5 Band, Modern Style, compressor modules (abbreviation = 5C) The example below is one of the 5 band compressor modules.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 5 band compressor modules have the following controls: • Linking/unlinking of Threshold (T), Ratio (R), Gain (G), Attack, and Release controls between bands • Crossover Frequency (X) for low, low mid, high mid, and high crossovers • Threshold (T) • Ratio (R) • Gain (G) • Attack • Release • Makeup gain on/off • Band Solo on/off The frequency of the four crossovers that define the five bands, can be adjusted through the following frequency ranges: • Low: 40.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Linking/unlinking of Threshold (T), Ratio (R), Gain (G), Attack, and Release controls between bands can be done just like the 3 band compressor modules, by: • Pressing the Link button to link all five Control Sticks / bands. • Again, if five Control Sticks / bands with their control balls are highlighted, then all bands are linked.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 7.7 Stereo Width modules The example below is one of the stereo width processing modules. Note that all the factory supplied stereo width module presets have the same controls as shown, just at different adjustment settings.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 8. Processing Chain The Finalizer processing chain is shown in the Module List View. This can be toggled on and off using the middle button of the MODULES section in the top right of the Finalizer application. The example below shows a typical Modules List View The processing chain has four main components: 1.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 8.1 Prepare Module Initially, with no audio file loaded, the display will look like the example below. The Prepare EDIT View is shown when the Prepare section is highlighted in the MODULE LIST View. To load an audio file to work on, use the Path menu in the Source File menu of the Prepare Module, or use the File menu in the top line, or use Drag and Drop from the Finder / File Explorer, as described previously.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual If you export a new version of your mix audio file from your DAW and overwrite the Finalizer audio source file, it will not automatically be reimported into the Finalizer project while the application is running. You will have to reopen the project or restart the Finalizer application.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 8.2 Limiter Modules The transparent and upsampling True-Peak Limiter module is placed at the end of the processing chain, but before the Export section. The Limiter is not added to the Modules area, but appears in the Limiter Module area. There can only be one Limiter module in operation.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The example below is one of the Loudness Limiter modules: The Loudness Limiter controls are as follows: • SoftClipper On/Off • SoftClipper Type, selections Soft/Smooth/Hard • SoftClipper Amount, range 0.0 to 5.0 dB • Output Loudness, range –21.0 dB to –6.0 dB LUFS • Level Ceiling, range –5.0 dB to 0.0 dBTP • Auto Release, On/Off • Release, 20 ms to 1000 ms • Limiter Profile: selections Electrical/Acoustic/Classical 8.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual • • • • • • • Export End, the end time of the track to be exported Audio file format, options: WAV, or AIFF Bit Depth, options: 16 bit or 24 bit Sample Rate, options: 44.1, 48, 96, 192 kHz. If the export sample rate is identical to the project sample rate, no Sample Rate Conversion will be added. SRC Filter, options: Short, balanced, Steep Dither, options: On/Off Suffix, to add text to the filename.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual When everything is set as desired, and the start and end times are good, and you are ready to save the file, press “Print to File” and the Export window will appear (Mac version shown): You can change the file location and filename here, if desired. Select “Save” to save the file, and it will be saved with the filename and in the file location specified.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 9. Module List Select the Module List by clicking the middle button of the three MODULES buttons at the top of the display. In the B Mode (processed track), you can add as many processing modules as needed for the mastering job. • Modules can be dragged and dropped from the Library into the Module List, or double-click on a module in the Library and it will appear after the selected Module in the Module List.
• • FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The Module order can be changed by dragging and dropping. Remove a module using the key command Backspace/Delete. 9.1 Saving a Module Chain When you have created a good list of modules for a project, you can save it in the Library as a new Module Chain. It can then be recalled by clicking on it in the Module Chains list. • Using the Info menu at the top of the modules list, save the current processing chain as a preset with a new title and author name.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 9.2 Recalling a Module Chain To recall a factory or user module chain: • Double-click on the desired module chain shown in the list of module chains in the Library. Now you can listen to the chain in Preview mode without needing to wait for the background calculation to finish the SPECTRO LAB measurements. • To accept the module chain recall, click on the “Tick” as shown, or X to cancel.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 9.3 Using Focus With the Focus button at the top of the Modules List View, you can bypass the modules after the selected module in the processing chain. Note that the Limiter module may become bypassed and the monitor output could possibly send out +0 dBTP signals and potentially be clipping in the following monitor chain. • In the example below, the Dyn EQ Neutral 63 module was first highlighted, before pressing Focus.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 9.4 Prepare Module The process is initiated by the Prepare module where you set the project sample rate and choose the high quality SRC sample rate conversion filter for the source file, if needed. In the Prepare module you also set the Normalization Level on the source file so it fits the dynamic range of the monitor playback channel well. 9.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 10. Library Select the Library View by clicking the right button of the three MODULES buttons at the top of the display. The Library has two main sections: • Modules, which are the factory and user preset modules that may be individually selected and added to the Module List View. • Module Chains, which are factory and user presets that bring up a group of modules into the Module List View. Excluding the Prepare and Export modules.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Library: Modules View Library: Module Chains View
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The Library View can be expanded or simplified using the “magnifying glass” in the top right, to zoom in or out. • In the expanded view of the Library Modules View as shown above, all details are shown, with 5 columns: preset module name, algorithm type, algorithm logo, author, and favorites. The Modules tab or Module Chains tab can be selected.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Library Modules View The view below shows the complete list of available modules; use the right hand scroll bar to reach all the modules in the list. The Modules View has five main tabs along the top.
• • • • FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Category: select this to show the available types of module: • Spectral, Bass/LF, Treble/HF, Vocals, Dynamics, Spatial, and Limiter Intensity: select this to show the available module intensities: • Soft, Medium, Hard, and Neutral, Favorites (Heart), select this to show or hide any modules previously marked as favorites. Favorite modules are marked with a solid heart in the last column.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The 5 columns of the Modules List are as follows: • Name: The Module name given by the factory or the user for a user module preset. • Algorithm: The type of algorithm used by the module. • Algorithm Logo: Each algorithm has a simple logo to help with identification. (The logo also appears next to the name of each module present in the Module List view.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 11. Edit View Select the Edit View by clicking the left button of the three MODULES buttons at the top of the display. The Edit View shows the details of the module currently highlighted in the Module List View. In the example above, the Master Limiter is highlighted, and so its details are shown in the Edit View.
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FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual If you change any of the parameters of the module, an Asterisk will appear next to “Info*” to act as a reminder that you are no longer listening to a factory or saved user setting, but one that has changed.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 12. Algorithms in depth In this section we provide some further details of the algorithms in the processing modules. For details on the SPECTRO LAB, refer to the SPECTRO LAB In Depth chapter. 12.1 Prepare The Prepare module is always included in Finalizer projects, and its job is to prepare the source track for its mastering. The Prepare module settings are saved in Finalizer project files, but are not saved in the Module Chains to the Library.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Parameters include: • Info Section: The name of the Module (Prepare) and its abbreviation (PP) and logo. • Source File Section: The file name of the current audio source file, its audio format (WAV for example), file length (minutes, seconds), and the path where it is stored. • Original Section: The original sample rate in kHz, original source file measurements: Track Loudness in LUFS, True Peak Max in dBTP and PLR (Peak to Loudness Ratio) in dB.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 5 band parametric EQ is a set of 5 EQs that are typically useful in a project. • Low cut • 3X Bell • High shelf • Band On/Off Parameters include: • Frequency: 20.00 Hz to 20.00 kHz • Gain: -18.0 to +18.0 dB • Bandwidth: 0.2 to 4.0 Octaves (3X Bell) • Slope: 3, 6, 9, 12 dB/oct, (High Shelf) • Filter Type: Butterworth or Bessel (Low Cut) TC Electronic has a long history of making high-end EQs for mastering.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 12.4 Full Band Compressor This full-band RMS compressor covers the complete frequency range, and it is a downward compressor, where material over a certain Threshold will be more and more affected by the compressor, as set by the Ratio. Enabling makeup-gain will automatically compensate for the attenuation by the compression, thereby making it easier to focus on the change in dynamics.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 12.6 5 Band Compressor, Modern TC style This is a completely renewed 5-band dynamics algorithm, with a refined dynamic precision behavior and Linear Phase crossover filter design. It is an extension to the TC Electronic multiband dynamics processor history which includes the MD4 algorithm from System 6000. High-rate calculations provide the extra benefit of very low inter-modulation distortion and precise handling of transient details in the signal.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 12.8 Limiter Two alternative types of Limiter are provided: The conventional Master Limiter, and the novel Loudness Limiter. Both types include the versatile Soft-clipper. Both Limiters are based on the transparent True-Peak BW2 algorithm from TC’s System 6000. The Master Limiter is a typical approach with input gain to set the amount of limiting, and output gain to set the amount of headroom in the exported file (or 0 dB if no headroom is desired).
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The example below shows a Loudness Limiter Module: Parameters include: Softclipper • On/Off • Type: Soft, Smooth, Hard • Amount (the maximum amount based on the full track): 0 to 5.0 dB Limiter • Limiter Gain (Master Limiter): 0.0 to +15.0 dB • Output Loudness (Loudness Limiter): -21.0 to –6.0 LUFS • Output Level Trim (Master Limiter): -5.0 to 0.0 dB • Level Ceiling (Loudness Limiter): -5.0 to 0.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 12.8.1 Limiter in Detail Over the past two decades, as the Loudness Wars have raged, it has become clear the abuse of “loudness maximizers” in mastering can significantly reduce audio quality at the end-listener. When levels get squashed against the digital ceiling, 0 dBFS, reconstructed intersample peaks in Digital-to-Analog converters and audio file codecs (e.g. MP3 and AAC), may be higher than the level that consumer equipment was designed to handle.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 13. Monitor Output The Monitor Output is different from the audio track Export and Master Meter, in that it features different monitor-only options like a monitor output fader, Dim, Mono Sum, plus the important Loudness Compensation. Audition functionality, such as soloing a band in the multiband compressors, is also only routed to the Monitor Output. 13.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual • Fader: will enable the monitor output fader parameter if, for example, there is limited access to the monitor volume control. The fader is accessed by clicking and dragging in the horizontal rectangle directly below. The horizontal fader bar and dB value will change as you drag. • Unity: will disable the monitor output fader and make it bit transparent for high quality calibrated monitoring.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 14. Master Meter The master meter section includes a combination of real-time metering as well as constantly updated full track measurements. The B meter always reflects what goes into the Output File and not what goes to your monitors, which could be affected by audition settings, for example Band Solo in multiband compressors. • Real-time True-Peak PPM meters, with high resolution near the top, for A (source), and B (processed file) or REF files.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The example below shows a typical B (processed file) meter display, and the Prepare Edit View:
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The example below shows a typical REF meter display:
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The example below identifies the boxes that show the full-track True-Peak Max, PLR (Peak-to-Loudness ratio), and Track Loudness descriptors. Note the white clamp reflecting the PLR value.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 15. Timeline The timeline can show either a standard stereo sample-peak waveform, or a fast Loudness Envelope view. Two buttons next to the timeline allow you to select which timeline to show.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 15.1 Timeline Regions To allow certain sections of the track to be evaluated, instead of the full track, the Finalizer allows you to set up a region of the full track. There is one region covering A and B mode. The SPECTRO LAB measurements will be calculated for the selected region only. This way you may examine a specific region spectrally and dynamically very closely and that may be complementing the two real time RTS meters (peak and RMS) very well.
• • • • FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The operation of the Export Region is the same as the previously-mentioned Region. When a file is exported, then it will only export the track between the selected start and stop times. The Export Edit View shows details of the Export module including the start and stop times, and you will see the numeric values change as the start and stop markers are moved. Start and stop times can be edited numerically also.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 16. Reference Tracks The REF button in the COMPARE section at the top right of the display allows a quick comparison of the current work, compared to your favourite reference tracks. REF tracks will be shown in the SPECTRO LAB views (SDC, RTS and AVG) in the same way as your source (A) and processed (B) file. Up to 20 Reference tracks can be loaded into a list and used to quickly compare your work.
• • • • • FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Reference tracks can be added either by drag and dropping them into the SPECTRO LAB area, or by pressing the “+” in the REF TRACKS area to the right of the display. As you add reference tracks, they will appear in the REF TRACKS list. Tracks can also be deleted from the list by selecting the trash can icon next to the “+” button or by pressing “Backspace” or “Delete”.
• FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual The current reference track’s parameters will appear in the EDIT View. An example of this is shown below: 16.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 16.3 Regions in Reference Tracks If you are working on the chorus in the source track and want to compare it to a chorus in the reference file only, it is very useful to set a region in the reference track that can be played back looping. • The selection or creation of a region for a reference track is done in the same way as the A/B track: click and drag in the top section of the Timeline Display.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 17. Preferences Menu Click on File in the top left corner of the display to view the File drop-down menu. This allows projects to be created, opened, closed, saved, and audio files imported, and preferences to be edited. Click on Preferences to open the Preferences menu. It has five tabs along the top that lead to other menu pages : General, Audio, Cloud, Keyboard Shortcuts, and About. 17.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 17.2 Audio Page: The Audio Page Parameters include: • Device Driver: CoreAudio, ASIO, Windows Driver • Output Device: select the available output device • Output Channels: select the available output channels • Sample Rate: Original. The sample rate is defined by the Finalizer project and is set in the Prepare module. • Buffer Size: 256 to 2048.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 17.4 Keyboard Shortcuts Page: • • • • This page allows you to view all the existing keyboard shortcuts, and to change them and add new ones as required, to fully customize your working environment. Use the vertical scroll bar at the right side to scroll down through the list of available short cuts. Click on an existing shortcut in the right column, for example “spacebar,” and you will be able to change it to something else, or remove it.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual If you click on a “+” in the right column, then you can press a key or a combination to create a new shortcut of the parameter in the left column. Press OK to confirm the new shortcut. 17.5 About Page: The About pages shows the following: • The version number of the currently-loaded software. • A red warning icon will appear if a new version of the software is available.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 18. Project and Audio files The Finalizer application is associated with 3 main file types: Source audio file, export audio file and Finalizer project file. These are characterized by the following: Source audio file Input File Type: WAV, AIFF, MP3, M4A/AAC, FLAC Input File Format: 16, 24 bit fixed-point, 32 bit floating-point, 2 channels (stereo) Input Sample Rates: 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual Note: When importing an audio source file into the Finalizer you will be asked if you want to copy the audio source file into the Finalizer project file. If you answer no, the Finalizer project file will point to the audio source file and you should be careful not moving this file from its location unintentionally.
FINALIZER Desktop Application User Manual 19. Specifications Input File Type: Input File Format: Input Sample Rates: Export File Type: Export File Format: Export Sample Rates: Export Dither: Sample Rate Conversion: Processing Sample Rates: Processing Engine: SPECTRO LAB: Peak Program Meter: Loudness Meter: Patent pending: Spectral Dynamic Contours WAV, AIFF, MP3, M4A/AAC, FLAC 16, 24 bit fixed-point, 32 bit floating-point, 2 channels (stereo) 32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.
