Manual-3
Dynamic EQ
Dynamic EQ diers from the forms of compression listed above
in that it dynamically controls the boost/cut of a parametric
lter rather than broadband frequency gain. e basic dynamic
EQ uses a bandpass lter in the side-chain with variable center
frequency and bandwidth. e side-chain detector is sensitive
only to the passband frequencies. A parametric lter with match-
ing bandwidth and center frequency is placed in the main signal
path and the boost/cut of the lter is controlled the same way a
broadband compressor boosts or cuts broadband gain.
Relative Threshold Dynamic EQ
Relative reshold Dynamic EQ is a special form of dynamic
EQ where the rms level of the bandpass signal in the side-chain
is compared to the rms level of the broadband signal. e dier-
ence between the bandpass and broadband levels is compared to
the threshold rather than the absolute rms value of the bandpass
signal. e advantage of this type of dynamic EQ is that the
relative amplitude of a band of frequencies, as compared to the
broadband level, is maintained regardless of broadband ampli-
tude. e typical topology is shown in Figure 3.
INPUT OUTPUT
SIDE-CHAIN
ATTACK
GAIN COMPUTER
FILTER
THRESHOLD RELEASE
SCALE
RATIO
FREQ BW
BANDPASS BROADBAND
BANDPASS
RMS
DETECTOR
PARAMETRIC EQ
BROADBAND
RMS
DETECTOR
Figure 3. Relative threshold dynamic EQ block diagram.
De-essers
De-essing limits or controls the sibilant content of speech.
Sibilance produces a hissing sound. English sibilant speech
sounds are (s), (sh), (z), or (zh). De-essing is often confused as
a type of dynamics processor. It’s actually a specic application
that is accomplished using many dierent types of dynamics
processors. And contrary to popular belief, successful de-essing
is not as simple as placing a bandpass or treble-boost lter in the
side-chain and calling it done. Frequency Sensitive Compression,
Split-Band Compression, Dynamic EQ and Relative reshold
Dynamic EQ are all used for de-essing.
True de-essing involves comparing the relative dierence
between the troublesome sibilants and the overall broadband
signal, then setting a threshold based on this dierence, there-
fore it is our experience that Relative reshold Dynamic EQ
(as described above) is the best dynamics processor for this task
as it is able to maintain proper sibilant to non-sibilant balance
regardless of level.
A good de-esser looks at the average level of the broadband
signal (20 Hz to 20 kHz) and compares it to the average level of
a bandpass lter in the side-chain. e threshold setting denes
the relative threshold, or dierence, between broadband and
bandpass levels, which result in compression of sibilants. Because
de-essing depends on the ratio of sibilant to broadband signal
levels, it is not aected by the absolute signal level, allowing the
de-esser to maintain the correct ratio of broadband to sibilant
material regardless of signal level, as shown in Figure 4.
-45
-42.5
-40
-37.5
-35
-32.5
-30
-27.5
-25
-22.5
-20
-17.5
-15
-12.5
-10
-7.5
-5
-2.5
20 20k 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k
Frequency (Hz)
Increasing Level De-essing
L
e
v
e
l
d
B
u
Figure 4. The C4’s De-essing performance remains consistent with
varying input levels.
is means that the de-essing performance is consistent and
predictable, regardless of how loud or quiet the singer/talker is.
Taming sibilance when the talker is quiet is just as important as
when the talker is at a fevered pitch.
Figure 5 shows what happens using a primitive de-esser
with a side-chain EQ. Sibilance during loud passages is attenu-
ated, but there is no gain reduction during quiet passages, even
though there may still be a signicant amount of “sss” in the per-
son’s voice. For a given threshold, this often results in an overly
aggressive eect during the loud choruses, and a completely
ineective result during the hissy, whispered verses.
20 20k50 100200 5001k2k5k 10k
-45
-42.5
-40
-37.5
-35
-32.5
-30
-27.5
-25
-22.5
-20
-17.5
-15
-12.5
-10
-7.5
-5
-2.5
Frequency (Hz)
L
e
v
e
l
d
B
u
Increasing Level
De-essing
No De-essing
Figure 5. Primitive de-esser with a simple side-chain.
Varying input levels adversely aects de-essing.
Commentaires sur ces manuels