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Slate   Digital   FG-­‐X   Virtual   Mastering   Console   

And   both   Fabrice   and   I   could   not   be   more   proud.         

Finally,    a    tool    that    can    accomplish    something    that,    until    now,    has    never    been    accomplished.      
Congratulations   on   getting   the   FG-­‐X.   We   have   found   a   better   way.."   

   Steven   Slate   

A   note   from   Fabrice   Gabriel   :   

"Developing    the    FG-­‐X    Dynamics    Rack    algorithms    was    a    big    challenge.    Every    step    of    making    this   
product    become    a    reality    has    been    a    very    long    process,    mixing    algorithm    innovations,    intense   
listening   sessions   and   a   constant   research   for   means   of   improvement.      

We    wanted    to    build    a    loudness    processor    which    delivers    the    best    sound    quality    with    the    most   
transparent    algorithm    processing,    while    giving    the    user    a    comprehensive    but    simple    set    of   
parameters   which   do   not   require   the   tedious   tasks   of   searching   for   the   right   settings   for   hours.   

I    still    exactly    remember    the    first    time    we    processed    a    mix    with    the    right    algorithm    adjustments    at   
Steven's   studio.   We   looked   at   each   other,   thinking   the   same   thing:   "WOW!   We   got   it!"   

I'm    also    very    proud    of    the    FG    Comp,    which    has    a    unique    character    and    behavior.    I    designed    this   
compressor    algorithm    with    a    mastering    and    transparency    goal    in    mind.    I    can't    believe    myself    how   
transparent   and   coherent   this   compressor   is,   even   with   high   compression   gain   reductions,   and   I   love   
the   intelligent   leveler   mode,   which   I   always   missed   in   every   compressor   I   tried.      

The   built-­‐in   metering   section   crystallizes   what   I   was   always   dreaming   about   with   regards   to   metering   
at   the   mastering   stage.   Last,   creating   the   look   and   feel   and   the   interface   to   ease   use   of   these   features   
was   a   major,   collaborative   effort.         

Working   with   Steven   was   a   wonderful   challenge.   I   was   always   trying   to   fool   his   ears   by   giving   him   
some   blind   algorithm   tests,   with   some   fancy   option   names   to   scramble   the   things   even   more!      

Each    time,    he    was    able    to    pick    the    best    algorithm    settings,    in    both    technical    and    audio    quality   
standpoints.   That's   why   the   FG-­‐X   is   far   more   than   just   a   processing   chain   of   algorithms:   it   has   been   
fine-­‐tuned   by   Steven’s   masterful   ears."      

   Fabrice   Gabriel   

   

Thanks   and   happy   mastering!   

The   Slate   Digital   Team   

Summary of Contents for FG-X

Page 1: ...1 Slate Digital FG X Virtual Mastering Console FG X Virtual Mastering Console Dynamics Rack User Guide 2010 Slate Digital LLC All rights reserved...

Page 2: ...Lintz Alex Siegel to all beta testers and special thanks to Jay Baumgardner User Guide by Steven Slate Fabrice Gabriel Algorithm Design Tuning Plugin Design GUI Feature Design Plugin Design Algorithm...

Page 3: ...0 IV 2 3 Dynamic Perception 10 IV 2 4 ITP Intelligent Transient PreservationTM 10 IV 2 5 Constant Gain MonitoringTM 11 IV 2 6 Dither and Ceiling Settings 11 IV 2 7 In Use 12 V Metering Section 13 VI A...

Page 4: ...NECESSITY As you are about to witness the FG X Dynamics Rack will give you the capability of making mixes very loud without the degrading artifacts that a mastering engineer commonly deals with when u...

Page 5: ...erception and ITP parameters to get the desired sound flavor You can adjust the gain range in the FG Level setting panel and adjust the output but resolution with the dither options IV 2 FG Level p 9...

Page 6: ...sparent dynamic control The FG Level is a loudness processor that uses a revolutionary new algorithm to add level without adding degrading artifacts The FG Level also contains a dithering algorithm wh...

Page 7: ...ding more punch slow attack and fast releases are suggested For more transparency you can slow down the release till the compression feels in time with the song The FG Comp requires VERY little gain r...

Page 8: ...oments of the song With a low ratio and threshold in order to reduce the difference between the relative RMS levels throughout the song IV 1 3 FG COMP SETTINGS Hit the settings button to access to the...

Page 9: ...ve that best accentuates midrange punch when processing the peak of a snare drum It will optimize a curve for low end energy when processing a kick drum peak The result is loudness processing that is...

Page 10: ...Perception at around nine o clock can add extra movement within the mastered song IV 2 4 ITP RNTELLIGENT TRANSIENT PRESERVATIONT M The ITP slider can be considered the most important control in the F...

Page 11: ...x by enabling and disabling the power button on the FG Level This simple feature can help you evaluate what FG X is doing without the added gain inherent in the process This way you are comparing the...

Page 12: ...will show you the RMS level Start by pushing the GAIN so that during the loudest passages of the mix the average RMS levels are about 10 dB FS Disable the power button to hear what effect is being add...

Page 13: ...ings of the metering section You can control many of the details of the metering section by hitting the SETTINGS button on the meter interface From there you can customize the meters in a variety of w...

Page 14: ...arding the level display Keep it off will just keep the metering the same display level as if Constant Gain monitoring button was turned off Bargraph Peak Meter Bargraph RMS Meter adjust the release a...

Page 15: ...Comp as a buss compressor you should bypass the FG Level module Otherwise your mastering engineer will not have enough headroom to work with since your FG X processed mix will be reaching 10db rather...

Page 16: ...simply automate the slider down during the portion of the mix where you hear distortion Check the mix Often times distortion is caused by an unbalanced frequency response within the mix Usually the un...

Page 17: ...ertain song s settings You can also save your favorite presets for the compressor Using the A B setting switch on the upper right of the FG X can allow you to easily compare two different settings To...

Page 18: ...clicking on the Bank or Preset fields VII 1 GLOBAL SETTINGS You can adjust several global settings Value Display you can display the value when adjusting a parameter Mouse Wheel Sensitivity click on a...

Page 19: ...k drivers for your system You can download the latest installers here o iLok drivers for Mac OS http sw ilok com macextsx dmg o iLok drivers for Windows http sw ilok com DriverSetup exe In order to do...

Page 20: ...s Songs in the Key Of Life But on that day I brought up something to Fabrice that really struck a chord in him I told him that I thought peak limiting was destroying the music industry His eyes lit up...

Page 21: ...at each other thinking the same thing WOW We got it I m also very proud of the FG Comp which has a unique character and behavior I designed this compressor algorithm with a mastering and transparency...

Page 22: ...22 Slate Digital FG X Virtual Mastering Console...

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