User manual SONY INFLATOR PLUG-IN

[. . . ] When used this way, the Inflator process even has the ability of good tube systems in producing great sounding programme when significantly overdriven and can therefore be used as an artistic enhancement tool on single performances within a mix. 2. Included Applications. Pro Tools Mono and stereo AS and RTAS versions of the Inflator application are provided (LE and TDM). The TDM product also includes two additional mono and stereo versions ­ Direct only and Band Split. The latter provides both Direct and Band Split modes (see below). The Direct version is provided for your convenience, and utilises less DSP resources by only featuring direct processing (the band split mode button is greyed out when this plugin is in use). [. . . ] This button is only available on the Band Split plugins. 11. In selector. Switches the Inflator process in and out for comparison purposes. 12. Options Button. ProTools Displays an options dialog containing version information, and allowing the meter peak hold behaviour to be changed (between click to reset, hold for 2 seconds, and hold for 5 seconds). PowerCore Displays a menu allowing an about box with version information to be displayed, `No Latency' mode to be switched on or off, and the meter peak hold behaviour to be changed (between click to reset, hold for 2 seconds, and hold for 5 seconds). 7. Operation and modes. 7. 1. Input Clipping. The Inflator process develops internally (and can process) signal levels that are notionally greater than digital maximum. For instance, with the Effect level at maximum and the Clip 0dBr off, signal peaks above notional digital maximum can be accommodated and much of their harmonic information can be included into the output signal, even though the peak output level will not rise above digital maximum. The presence of this extra signal range is displayed on the upper sections of the input level meter and represents a range of up to +6dBr of useable overdrive before hard clipping occurs. The Clip 0dBr function suppresses this extra range and restricts the Inflator process to the normal digital maximum range. Therefore it will be noted that with the Clip 0dBr selected, the input level meter will not rise above the 0dB level however much input gain is used. Because the potential applications of the process are so varied, the user is encouraged to experiment with the Clip 0dBr on and off to obtain the best results depending on intention. The following are some general guidelines: Generally it is better to start by selecting Clip 0dBr on (default) for most loudness enhancement purposes including direct mode (non-band split) since the control of peak levels, settings and sound character is more readily achieved when a maximum reference level is imposed on signals before the Inflator process. In certain cases better results may be obtained by de-selecting input limiting. In particular the extra useable range can then be used to accommodate short term overshoot sounds produced by compression functions, where they are generated to enhance attack and presence. Since these peaks are mostly short duration, they can often be accommodated effectively in the overdrive ranges without excessive reduction of sound quality or loss of average modulation. Please note that in this case it is important to ensure that the peaks from prior compression are not clipped between plug-ins, by making sure that the output signal from the compressor does not quite hit peak levels before applying it to the Inflator plugin. When using Band split modes for loudness enhancement, using the Inflator with Clip 0dBr off may produce a reduction in unwanted intermodulation side effects when pushing for absolute maximum loudness regardless of possible output clipping etc. When using direct mode (without band splitting) for distortion generation the results will be quite different with or without input clipping and may produce useful artistic effects in either circumstance. The Inflator is able to soften clips that occur, either because of the Clip 0dBr setting, or even those that happen before its own processing in prior plug-ins. Therefore overdriving the Inflator with the Clip 0dBr function both on and off, or even applying the Inflator to the output of other plug-ins driven into overdrive can produce a vast range of artistic effects. To explore the full range of possibilities, the importance of experimentation cannot be over stressed. 7. 2. Direct and Band splitting modes. The Inflator application can run in either direct or band splitting modes. In normal operation the whole frequency range of the programme is processed simultaneously. This is usually the best position to run the process under most conditions. Start with the Effect level control at 100% to obtain maximum increase in perceived volume without extra peak output level. The object of the exercise is to get the input level as high as possible without excessive distortion or deterioration in the sound. The type of programme material and taste will determine the extent of the enhancement that can be achieved. [. . . ] The idea is to increase the input level with the Inflator fully operational and the output control reduced somewhat to avoid output clipping, whilst listening to the results with various degrees of deliberate and significant signal overdrive. The Curve control and Clip 0dBr selector will both affect the sound of the results depending on programme type being processed. However, the best results are most likely to be obtained with the curve control set to mid (0) position as this produces the least higher order harmonic levels and most resembles the dynamics behaviour of tube systems. In general it is best to avoid band-splitting mode if aiming for natural warmth and tube overdrive sounds. [. . . ]