The human voice is one of the most diverse signals ever encountered by
engineers because it contains such large variations in level and
harmonic structure. Getting the desired vocal sound can sometimes prove
difficult. Setting the E.Q. to give the vocal sufficient 'definition'
and 'cut' in the mix can cause large sibilant peaks which often lead to
severe distortion. The MX50 'Vocal' De-Esser solves these problems
quickly and efficiently by reducing the level of the sibilant sounds
whilst leaving the remainder of the signal unchanged.
The MX50 is a flexible, simple to set up dual De-Esser designed to
fulfil the needs of the Recording Studio, Broadcast, Theatre and Live
Sound Industries. Its classic application is to overcome the problems
that can arise when sibilant sounds (S's and T's) are over-emphasised
by the human voice, with such other applications as 'smoothing' a
stereo mix, reducing string noise on acoustic guitars or breath noise
on flutes, even refining cymbal and hi-hat sounds. Processing is
achieved by adjusting just two control parameters, Frequency and
De-Ess.
The fully variable Frequency control operates from 800Hz to
8KHz encompassing the full sibilant range, including 'hard' sounding
harmonics and other side-effects which can be generated when treble
frequencies are boosted or enhanced. This is followed by the variable
De-Ess which acts as a 'more' control giving up to 20dB of gain
reduction at the selected frequency.
The MX50 has two modes of operation
- Split Band de-essing
- Full Band de-essing
Recommended for the majority of applications,
Split Band de-essing
splits the audio spectrum into two bands with the split point being
dictated by the position of the Frequency control. Only frequencies
above the split point are attenuated.
Full Band de-essing is useful alternative where unobtrusive
minimal processing is required. This mode reduces the total signal
level in response to sibilant peaks in the selected frequency band.
Additional Features:
- Floating Threshold System: This intelligent Drawmer
circuitry has a floating Threshold that adapts to the dynamics and
level of the incoming material, eliminating the need for a manual
Threshold control and creating more natural results.
- Air function: As sibilance rarely occurs above 10KHz
this feature adds back high frequency 'gloss' in excess of 12KHz
preserving upper harmonics and increasing the transparency of
operation.
- Frequency: This control selects the frequency band in which
the de-esser operates. In Split Band mode this control also determines
the split point above which gain reduction will take place. The control
is continuously variable from 800Hz to 8KHz and covers the full
sibilant range.
- De-Ess: Adjusts the amount of gain reduction that will
take place when a sibilant sound has been detected. Up to a maximum of
20dB may be applied. This control uses an intelligent Floating
Threshold circuitry which removes the need for a manual De-Ess
Threshold control. One of the benefits of this design approach is that
during quiet passages the sibilants are held to a level which is
relative to the original signal.
- Split Band De-Ess: Split Band operation will only
reduce the selected frequencies above the value set via the Frequency
control. In most situations this mode, in conjunction with the Air
function, offers the most transparent de-essing. Status LED illuminates
when engaged.
- Full Band De-Ess: Full Band operation will reduce the total
signal level in response to signals in the selected frequency band.
Status LED illuminates when engaged.
- Air: The Air control enables frequencies above the
sibilant band to be retained, greatly increasing transparency of the
de-essing process. During normal use it is recommended to keep the Air
function active for both Split Band and Full Band de-essing. Status LED
illuminates when engaged.
- Link: Depressing this switch configures the unit for
stereo operation where the average left/right signal level is used as
the Floating Threshold. In linked mode the red status LED beneath the
link switch will illuminate.
- De-Ess Gain Reduction Display: A nine segment LED
bargraph shows how much gain reduction is being applied up to a maximum
of 20dB. In Full Band mode gain reduction is applied to the whole
signal, whilst in Split Band mode only frequencies above the value set
on the frequency control are subject to gain reduction
- Bypass: The Bypass position routes the input signal to
the output with no processing. These switches are independant of any
linking and will only bypass their respective channel. Status LED
illuminates when engaged.
