Drawmer MX50 Pro - 2-Channel Auto Threshold De-Esser
The human voice is
one of the most diverse signals ever encountered by engineers because it
contains such large variations in level and harmonic structure. Getting the
desired vocal sound can sometimes prove difficult. Setting the E.Q. to give the
vocal sufficient 'definition' and 'cut' in the mix can cause large sibilant
peaks which often lead to severe distortion. The MX50 'Vocal' De-Esser solves
these problems quickly and efficiently by reducing the level of the sibilant
sounds whilst leaving the remainder of the signal unchanged.
The MX50 is a flexible, simple to set up dual De-Esser
designed to fulfil the needs of the Recording Studio, Broadcast, Theatre and
Live Sound Industries. Its classic application is to overcome the problems that
can arise when sibilant sounds (S's and T's) are over-emphasised by the human
voice, with such other applications as 'smoothing' a stereo mix, reducing string
noise on acoustic guitars or breath noise on flutes, even refining cymbal and
hi-hat sounds. Processing is achieved by adjusting just two control parameters,
Frequency and De-Ess. The fully variable Frequency control operates from 800Hz
to 8KHz encompassing the full sibilant range, including 'hard' sounding
harmonics and other side-effects which can be generated when treble frequencies
are boosted or enhanced. This is followed by the variable De-Ess which acts as a
'more' control giving up to 20dB of gain reduction at the selected
frequency.
The MX50 has two modes of operation:
Recommended for the majority of applications, this mode
splits the audio spectrum into two bands with the split point being dictated by
the position of the Frequency control. Only frequencies above the split point
are attenuated.
A useful alternative where unobtrusive minimal
processing is required. This mode reduces the total signal level in response to
sibilant peaks in the selected frequency band.
Further features are also incorporated to improve ease
of control and flexibility:
Floating Threshold
System: This intelligent Drawmer circuitry has a floating
Threshold that adapts to the dynamics and level of the incoming material,
eliminating the need for a manual Threshold control and creating more natural
results.
Air function: As
sibilance rarely occurs above 10KHz this feature adds back high frequency
'gloss' in excess of 12KHz preserving upper harmonics and increasing the
transparency of operation.
Frequency:
This control selects the frequency band in
which the de-esser operates. In Split Band mode this control also determines the
split point above which gain reduction will take place. The control is
continuously variable from 800Hz to 8KHz and covers the full sibilant
range.
De-Ess: Adjusts the amount of gain reduction that will take place
when a sibilant sound has been detected. Up to a maximum of 20dB may be applied.
This control uses an intelligent Floating Threshold circuitry which removes the
need for a manual De-Ess Threshold control. One of the benefits of this design
approach is that during quiet passages the sibilants are held to a level which
is relative to the original signal.
Split Band De-Ess:
Split Band operation will only reduce the selected
frequencies above the value set via the Frequency control. In most situations
this mode, in conjunction with the Air function, offers the most transparent
de-essing. Status LED illuminates when engaged.
Full Band De-Ess:
Full Band operation will reduce the total signal
level in response to signals in the selected frequency band. Status LED
illuminates when engaged.
Air: The Air control enables frequencies above the
sibilant band to be retained, greatly increasing transparency of the de-essing
process. During normal use it is recommended to keep the Air function active for
both Split Band and Full Band de-essing. Status LED illuminates when
engaged.
Link: Depressing this switch configures the unit for
stereo operation where the average left/right signal level is used as the
Floating Threshold. In linked mode the red status LED beneath the link switch
will illuminate.
De-Ess Gain Reduction
Display: A nine segment LED
bargraph shows how much gain reduction is being applied up to a maximum of 20dB.
In Full Band mode gain reduction is applied to the whole signal, whilst in Split
Band mode only frequencies above the value set on the frequency control are
subject to gain reduction
Bypass: The Bypass
position routes the input signal to the output with no processing. These
switches are independant of any linking and will only bypass their respective
channel. Status LED illuminates when engaged.
Click here for more information
800-834-5986
