esser - Nectar 3 Help

A de-esser can be used to control sibilance and tame other high frequency issues in a vocal track. Traditionally, a de-esser dynamically reduces loud sibilant content using a threshold and ratio. The Nectar De-esser module is a hardware-modeled level independent processer, allowing for consistent and transparent reduction of sibilance in signals with variable levels, like

Overview

A de-esser can be used to control sibilance and tame other high frequency issues in a vocal track. Traditionally, a de-esser dynamically reduces loud sibilant content using a threshold and ratio. The Nectar De-esser module is a hardware-modeled level independent processer, allowing for consistent and transparent reduction of sibilance in signals with variable levels, like a vocal track. The De-esser works by analyzing the current level above a specified frequency cutoff and comparing that level against the level of the full frequency bandwidth of the signal. When large differences in level are detected, gain reduction will be applied to the entire incoming vocal signal.

Controls

The De-esser module includes controls for adjusting the detection and reduction of sibilant frequency content. The controls are positioned on the right side (upper frequency range) of the De-esser module panel.

Detection Filter Cutoff

Determines the lower frequency boundary for the detection filter frequency band. Any frequency content that is above the cutoff frequency will be used for De-esser detection.

The detection filter cutoff can be set to frequency values ranging from 800 Hz (Hertz) to 8 kHz (kilohertz).

Adjusting the Detection Cutoff Frequency

The detection filter cutoff frequency can be adjusted using the following methods:

  • Click and drag the node at the top of the De-esser module panel to the left (lower frequency value) or right (higher frequency value).
  • Click on the cutoff frequency text readout display and enter a value manually in the inline edit field. The current frequency readout is located on the bottom edge of the De-esser module panel, to the right of the Detection Cutoff Frequency line.
  • Double-click on the cutoff node handle to reset the Detection Cutoff Frequency to the factory default value.

Threshold

Determines the threshold level for ess reduction and the amount of gain reduction applied to the incoming signal when sibilance is detected.

When sibilance is detected and its level exceeds the Threshold level, the De-esser will apply reduction to the entire bandwidth of the incoming signal.

The amount of reduction applied to the signal depends on how much the sibilance level exceeds the Threshold. More gain reduction will be applied as the sibilance level increases farther above the Threshold level.

Adjusting the Threshold

The Threshold can be adjusted using the following methods:

  • Click and drag the Threshold handle up and down to adjust the level.
  • Click on the Threshold level readout text and enter a value manually in the inline edit field. The Threshold level readout is located on the right edge of the De-esser module panel, directly above the Threshold line.
  • Double-click on the Threshold slider handle to reset the Threshold to the factory default value.

Listen

When enabled, the signal content that is being reduced by the De-esser is played back in isolation.

Tip

Engage Listen to monitor the difference between the unprocessed and processed signals. This outputs only the signal content being reduced by the De-esser. Try adjusting the Threshold and Detection Filter Cutoff until the Listen output only contains the ess sounds you are trying to reduce.

Global Module Controls

The module chain features common controls for each module, including Bypass, Solo, Remove, Reorder, and Wet/Dry Mix.

Global Controls Chapter

To learn more about the module chain and other global controls in Nectar 3, visit the Global Controls chapter.

Meters

The De-esser module features two spectrum analyzers (pre- and post-processing) and a gain reduction meter for monitoring the effect of the De-esser processing.

Spectrum Analyzer

Displays the magnitude of a signal across the frequency spectrum in real-time. The vertical ruler on the left edge of the module panel measures the amplitude of the signal in decibels (dB). The horizontal ruler along the bottom edge of the module panel measures frequency in Hertz (Hz).

Two spectrum analyzers are displayed in the De-esser module: the input to the De-esser module (displayed in dark grey with no border) and the output of the De-esser module (displayed in light grey with a white border).

Gain Reduction Meter

Displays the current average amount of gain reduction applied to the signal. This meter displays gain reduction in decibels (dB).

Nectar 3.7.0

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