De-esser

Sibilance is a resonance often found in vocal recordings which can cause undesirable distortion artefacts which sounds like the ‘S’ constants are overly high in level. The De-esser in Vocalstrip intelligently detects these sounds and gives you control over how much attenuation to apply. The blue indicator between the controls ‘glows’ to show that the de-esser is working. The Thresh (threshold) control sets the relative detection point, so that the de-esser can distinguish between ‘S’ and ‘non-S’ sounds. Pressing the Aud button enables a solo mode where you hear only what is being taken out. This can be used effectively with the Thresh control to ensure you are only processing the correct portion of the signal.

De-ploser

Plosives can ruin a good vocal take as they cause a burst of low frequency energy in the signal which can not only sound unpleasant, but use valuable headroom and can cause dynamic processors to behave in an undesirable manner. Plosives are often caused by an excess of wind noise whilst recording which can occur if the singer is standing too close to the microphone. They can also be caused by compressor overshoot. The VocalStrip De-ploser detects these artefacts and lets you manage their level. Similar to the De-esser, it also features Thresh (threshold) and Amount controls and an Aud (audition) mode. Again, the blue indicator between the controls shows action.

Equaliser

Three popular EQ types are provided to allow you to cut low frequencies, find and attenuate resonances and shape the top end of the signal. Each EQ type features independent in/out switching; low cut filter (30Hz to 300Hz), notch filter (12dB of boost and 36dB of attenuation between 200Hz to 10kHz) and high band EQ (12dB of boost/attenuation over the range of 1kHz to 20kHz)

Compander

The term Compander is a hybrid of Compressor and Expander. First the signal enters the downwards expander, which has a fixed ratio of 1.5:1 and is designed to reduce room ambience, spill or breath noise that is often brought up by the subsequent compression. The Thresh (threshold) ranges from 0dB FS down to –96dB FS which essentially turns the expander off.

The compressor offers both hard and soft knee modes alongside fully variable Ratio, Thresh (threshold), Attack, Releas (release) and Makeup controls. The output stage which is sourced after the make-up gain features an optional Drive feature. This introduces non-linear characteristics and hence harmonics to the signal and its intensity is controlled by the level of the makeup gain knob. More make-up gain increases the level into the drive circuitry. If you use a lot of make up gain to drive the circuit, the level can be reduced again by using the Output slider.