GLD
Touch Screen Reference V1.2 – Issue 1 26
ALLEN
&
HEATH
De-Esser
Based on the flagship iLive FX engine, the De-Esser
emulates the classic Auto-Threshold circuit commonly
found on high end hardware units. This produces a
constant sibilance reduction regardless of signal level,
resulting in a more natural De-Essing process. In
comparison, threshold based De-Essing produces
inconsistent reduction activity which can result in unnatural
vocals.
De-Esser features an adjustable frequency point and a
Listen button to allow monitoring of the sibilant region. The
response of the De-Esser and the amount of reduction
applied are adjustable to suit vocal programme.
The two channels are independent but their controls can be
linked thanks to a latch switch.
Listen
- A momentary switch used to monitor the left or
right channel to listen to the ‘ess’ band to which the gain
reduction will be applied. The Listen button is independent
of the “Link” configuration so that even when Link is set, the
left Listen monitors the left channel and the right Listen
monitors the right channel.
Frequency
- Adjusts the lower boundary of the region
thought to contain sibilance. This will typically be around
the 6kHz range. Adjust the value to capture the “ess” heard
on the channel. The frequency is adjustable from 3kHz to
8kHz. Like many advanced De-Essers this is not a simple
notch filter. Typically you need to set the frequency slightly
lower than the centre frequency of the ‘ess’.
Reduction
- Provides control over the amount of gain
reduction applied to the selected frequency band. At “Min”,
the De-Esser will not attenuate the band. At “Max” the De-
Esser will attenuate the band by up to 24dB.
Response
- Adjusts the speed with which the De-esser
responds to the presence of ess/sibilance. Medium setting
corresponds to the speed found on the iLive platform. Fast
setting is much faster, and Slow is roughly half the
response time of iLive. To avoid slight artefacts in vocal
programme try using the Slow or Medium settings.
Link
- Forces the left and right De-esser channels to be
matched. If the two channels have different, non-zero
settings and the link control is activated, the right channel
settings will be set to match those of the left channel. If the
link control is then de-activated, the right channel will then
reassume the settings it had before the link was initially
activated.
Preset Name
is displayed. Touch and scroll using the
screen Rotary for live update. This is a way of live
auditioning all library presets for this module (factory, user
and USB). You can also select and recall a particular preset
using the Library window.
Rotator
The Rotator is a model of a traditional rotary speaker
cabinet such as those used to create the familiar Leslie
organ sound. It simulates the rotating horn (treble) and
woofer (bass) along with their crossovers.
Rotors
– Turns the treble/woofer motors on/off. When the
motors are off, the speakers are both facing the front of the
unit. When switched on, the motors will ramp up to the
speed indicated by the Speed control. The woofer motor
accelerates more slowly than the treble motor. When
switched off, the motors will then decelerate to the
minimum speed, until stationary and facing the front of the
unit. The On/Off switch controls only the rotor speed, not
the whole effect.
Speed
- Controls the speed of speaker rotation. Its lower
setting is 0.1Hz (10 revolutions per second). The other two
marked positions emulate those provided on classic rotary
speakers: Chorale (indicated as “chor”) and Tremolo
(indicated as “trem”). The big lamp flashes to show the
treble speaker speed.
Width
- Adjusts the stereo width of the two microphone
outputs, and therefore the spatial “depth” of the effect. At
the “Mono” setting both simulated microphone outputs are
summed equally to the left and right outputs. At the L/R
setting the simulated left/right microphone outputs are sent
to the left / right output channels correspondingly.
Balance
- Adjusts the relative weighting of the treble/woofer
speakers. At the “LF” setting, only the output of the woofer
is heard. At the “HF” setting, only the output of the treble
horn is heard. You can balance between the two.
Deflectors
- Simulates the attachment (On) or removal (Off)
of the deflectors on the end of the treble horn.
Back Panel
- Simulates the attachment (On) or removal
(Off) of the cabinet back panel. This changes the simulated
cabinet response as appropriate.
Mic Select
- Allow for configuration of the two simulated
microphone positions - Side-Side (microphones on
opposite sides of the cabinet), Front-Back (mics at
front/back of the cabinet), Front-Front (both microphones at
the front of the rotary speaker). In Front-Front mode, the
“Separation” rotary becomes available. This allows for the
distance between the two front-positioned microphones to
be adjusted.
Tube Drive
- Controls the tube (valve) drive simulation. With
the control at “On” the tube drive is active. With the control
at “Off”, the tube drive is completely bypassed. The tube
drive rotary control adjusts the depth of the distortion (1 =
slightly warm, 11 = distorting).
Mains Hum Panel
- Adjusts the level of simulated mains
hum introduced.
50/60
- Switches between mains frequencies typical to the
UK (50Hz) or US (60Hz).
