Adobe 65009626 User Guide - Page 58

USING SOUNDBOOTH CS4 54 Effects Dynamics effect The Dynamics effect can be used as a compressor, limiter, and expander. As a compressor and limiter, this effect reduces dynamic range, producing consistent volume levels. As an expander, it increases dynamic range by reducing the level of low-level signals. (With extreme expander settings, you can totally eliminate noise that falls below a specific amplitude threshold.) Standard settings Amount Controls the overall level of expansion, compression, and limiting. Advanced settings Threshold Sets the input level at which dynamics processing begins. Note that limiting and compression begin above their threshold settings, while expansion begins below. The best Threshold setting varies for each phase of dynamics processing: • Limiter Set the threshold near the maximum amplitude you want to achieve. • Compressor Set the threshold around 5 dB below the peak input level to retain more dynamic range. Or try settings around 15 dB below the peak input level to greatly reduce dynamic range. • Gate/Expander Set the threshold at the level of background audio you want to remove. Ratio Sets a compression or expansion ratio of between 1-to-1 and 30-to-1. For example, a compression setting of 3 outputs 1 dB for every 3-dB increase above the threshold. By contrast, an expansion setting of 3 reduces volume by 3 dB for every 1-dB drop below the threshold. Typical compression settings are moderate (around 2-5), producing a natural sound. Typical limiting and expansion settings are more extreme (around 10-30). High limiting ratios ensure that audio produces maximum volume without distortion. High expansion ratios ensure that undesirable background sounds become inaudible. Attack Determines how quickly dynamics processing starts after audio passes the threshold. The defaults (5 milliseconds for limiting, 10 milliseconds for compression and expansion) work well for a wide range of source material. Use faster settings only for audio with quick transients, such as percussion recordings. Release Determines how quickly dynamics processing stops when audio passes the threshold. The default, 100 milliseconds, works well for a wide range of audio. Try faster settings for audio with fast transients, and slower settings for less percussive audio. Output Gain Boosts or cuts amplitude after dynamics processing. Possible values range from -30 to +30 dB, where 0 is unity gain. See also "Applying effects" on page 49 EQ: Graphic effect The EQ: Graphic effect boosts or cuts specific frequency bands and provides a visual representation of the resulting EQ curve. Unlike the parametric equalizer, the graphic equalizer uses preset frequency bands for quick and easy equalization. Updated 15 July 2009