VOLT Processing Terminology
Most of VOLT’s controls are labeled with standard studio or processing definitions, and should
be intuitive to any engineer. But a few names are our own invention… because they’re con-
trolling algorithms of our own invention. Here’s a glossary of those terms:
QuickTweak
Density:
Controls relative drive into the limiter bands, while ratios and time constants are
program-dependent.
Lows:
Affects both the amount and shape of processing for the two bottom bands.
Highs:
Amount and shape of processing for the two top bands.
Pre-process and Enhancers
Deep Bass:
Adds psychoacoustic bump by enhancing just the very low frequencies, such as kick
drum fundamentals.
Phat Bass:
Actually makes the speakers in small radios (and earbuds) sound bigger. Adds
harmonic overtones for frequencies those smaller transducers can’t carry, fooling the ear into
thinking the fundamentals are there. On larger speakers, the effect starts to disappear (because
the fundamentals are there in the first place). Be careful! Too much Phat Bass can cause excessive
gain reduction in the lower bands, and might cause muddiness on certain programming.
Warmth:
Shelf boost at 150 Hz, compensating for some program material. Be careful! The Phat
Bass warning applies. Also, the resonant frequency of many automobile interiors lies in this range; too
much warmth may sound tubby in cars.
Space-EFX:
Dynamically compensates for variations in width between one song (or verse) and
another.
Voice Detect:
Constantly checks for mono program elements (including voice). When it hears
them, it lowers the main channel by the amount you specify in
Voice Gain
. This can prevent
excessive clipping because of L+R buildup.
Xover
Lets you adjust the two critical crossover frequencies that affect warmth and intelligibili-
ty or brightness.
AGC [Automatic Gain Control]
Accelerated Release:
Speeds up the AGC recovery time when there’s a big difference between
loud and soft program elements, to prevent “holes” in your dynamic profile.
Activity:
Affects ratio, attack time, and release time interactively on wideband AGC. Makes
programming sound like its more tightly controlled.
Texture:
Similar to Activity, but on the five separate-band AGCs. It adds a finer level of control.
Gate Threshold:
When signal falls below this threshold, GR [Gain Reduction] is frozen at its
most recent level. This stops the AGC from boosting those soft but annoying sounds like talent
breathing or tape hiss. GR is released when signal exceeds the threshold.
CHAPTER 6 |
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VOLT PROCESSING
Summary of Contents for Volt
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