Adobe 22012057DM User Guide - Page 55

SOUNDBOOTH CS3 51 User Guide Curve Smoothing Creates curved transitions between control points, sometimes producing a more natural distortion than the default linear transitions. Time Smoothing Determines how quickly distortion reacts to changes in input levels. Level measurements are based on low-frequency content, creating softer, more musical distortion. dB Range Changes the amplitude range of the graphs, limiting distortion to that range. Linear Scale Changes the amplitude scales of the graphs from logarithmic decibels to normalized values. Post-filter DC Offset Compensates for any sample offset introduced by distortion processing. Such offsets can cause audible pops and clicks when edited. (For a definition, see "DC offset" on page 80.) Dynamics 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.) See also "Applying effects" on page 46 Standard options Mode Specifies the source type and desired effect. Amount Controls the overall level of expansion, compression, and limiting. Advanced options 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.