56
USING SOUNDBOOTH CS4
Effects
Q
Controls the width of the affected frequency band. Low Q values (up to 3) affect a larger range of frequencies and
are best for overall audio enhancement. High Q values (6–12) affect a very narrow band and are ideal for removing a
particular, problematic frequency, like 60-Hz hum.
See also
“
Applying effects
” on page 49
Mastering effect
Mastering
describes the complete process of optimizing audio files for a particular medium, such as radio, video, CD,
or the web. In Soundbooth, you can quickly master audio with the Mastering effect.
Before mastering audio, consider the requirements of the destination medium. If the destination is the web, for
example, the file will likely be played over computer speakers that poorly reproduce bass sounds. To compensate, you
can boost bass frequencies during the equalization stage of the mastering process.
Standard settings
Amount
Controls the level of processing.
Advanced settings
Equalizer
Adjusts the overall tonal balance. For details, see the Advanced settings for “
EQ: Parametric effect
” on
page 55.
Reverb
Adds ambience. Drag the Mix slider to change the ratio of original to reverberant sound.
Widener
Adjusts the stereo image. Drag the Width slider to the left to narrow the image and increase central focus.
Drag the slider to the right to expand the image and enhance spatial placement of individual sounds.
Exciter
Exaggerates high-frequency harmonics, adding crispness and clarity. Mode options include Retro for light
distortion, Tape for bright tone, and Tube for quick, dynamic response. Drag the Amount slider to adjust the level of
processing.
Loudness Maximizer
Increases perceived volume by limiting dynamic range and boosting output levels so that peaks
approach the digital maximum of zero dBFS. As you drag the slider to the right, brickwall limiting begins at
increasingly lower input levels (a setting of 100 begins limiting at –20 dBFS).
Output Gain
Boosts or cuts amplitude after processing above. Possible values range from -30 to +15 dB, where 0 is
unity gain.
See also
“
Repairing audio
” on page 42
“
Maximize volume
” on page 41
Phaser effect
Similar to flanging, phasing shifts the phase of an audio signal and recombines it with the original, creating psychedelic
effects first popularized by musicians of the 1960s. But unlike the Flanger effect, which uses variable delays, the Phaser
effect sweeps a series of phase-shifting filters to and from an upper frequency. Phasing can dramatically alter the stereo
image, creating unearthly sounds.
Updated 15 July 2009
