TC electronic SDN BHD Gold Channel user manual De-Esser, Dynamic Equalizer

THE BLOCKS

Tools

In the Tools section you’ll find some useful algorithms for different purposes.

De-Esser

This De-Esser takes advantage of a technique where the Threshold is always relative to the average level of the material. This means that if the average level of your material increases, so will the Threshold, and the De-Esser removes relatively the same. This gives you a more musical and useful De-Esser.

A De-Esser is used for removing the sibilant sounds from instruments and especially voices. It does this dynamically, which means that it’s not a static EQ filter but a dynamic filter that only cuts into the sound when the high frequencies are loud in the material.

Threshold

When the input level exceeds the Threshold, the De-Esser will be activated. The Threshold setting is relative to the average level.

NOTE: This means that the de-esser will also work for soft signals.

Freq

Sets the cut-off frequency.

SIDECHAIN

The Sidechain is the reference signal that the De-Esser is listening to internally for processing. You will never hear this signal on the output.

Monitor

Here you can monitor the Sidechain signal, which is very useful for hearing what the De-Esser actually removes from the main signal.

Input

When placed on Channel 1, you can select the Sidechain Input to be either the Same (Ch. 1) or Channel 2.

Example: If you select to have Sidechain input from Ch. 2, you can go to the Layout page and select Ch. 1 Pre, as input to Ch. 2. Now you have all the blocks on Ch. 2 for processing the sidechain signal on Ch. 1. You can also have a completely different input on Ch. 2.

NOTE: When two blocks are linked, you cannot select Ch. 2 as input for Ch. 1 Sidechain.

Dynamic Equalizer

The Dynamic Equalizer is somewhat like an extended De-esser with more parameters and enlarged frequency range, enabling better control. You can also look at the Dynamic Equalizer (and De- Esser) as a compressor that works in a defined and limited part of the frequency range.

Threshold

When the input level exceeds the Threshold, the Dynamic Equalizer will be activated.

Mode

Decides how the Threshold shall react. When set to Relative, the Threshold will be relative to the average level of the signal. This means that also soft signals are processed. For signals where the average level is determined by signals outside the frequency range set, for example, a vocal with sibilance, the Relative setting is useful and very musical. When Mode is set to Absolute, the Threshold set refers to full scale, 0 dB, and is therefore well suited for limiting the maximum level in a specified frequency range, e.g. the bass.

Ratio

The Ratio of the gain reduction.When the Ratio is set to 4:1 it means that for every 4 dB the defined frequency range rises, the output level increases by only 1 dB.