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Creates curved transitions between control points, sometimes producing a more natural
Curve Smoothing
distortion than the default linear transitions.
Determines how quickly distortion reacts to changes in input levels. Level measurements are based
Time Smoothing
on low-frequency content, creating softer, more musical distortion.
Changes the amplitude range of the graphs, limiting distortion to that range.
dB Range
Changes the amplitude scales of the graphs from logarithmic decibels to normalized values.
Linear Scale
Compensates for any sample offset introduced by distortion processing. Such offsets can cause
Post-filter DC Offset
audible pops and clicks when edited. (For a definition, see "DC offset" on page 80.)
Dynamics
The Dynamics effect can be used as a compressor, limiter, and expander. As a compressor and limiter, this effect
reduces dynamic range, producing consistent volume levels. As an expander, it increases dynamic range by reducing
the level of low-level signals. (With extreme expander settings, you can totally eliminate noise that falls below a
specific amplitude threshold.)
See also
"Applying effects" on page 46
Standard options
Specifies the source type and desired effect.
Mode
Controls the overall level of expansion, compression, and limiting.
Amount
Advanced options
Sets the input level at which dynamics processing begins. Note that limiting and compression begin above
Threshold
their threshold settings, while expansion begins below.
The best Threshold setting varies for each phase of dynamics processing:
•
Set the threshold near the maximum amplitude you want to achieve.
Limiter
•
Set the threshold around 5 dB below the peak input level to retain more dynamic range. Or try
Compressor
settings around 15 dB below the peak input level to greatly reduce dynamic range.
•
Set the threshold at the level of background audio you want to remove.
Gate/Expander
Sets a compression or expansion ratio of between 1-to-1 and 30-to-1. For example, a compression setting of 3
Ratio
outputs 1 dB for every 3-dB increase above the threshold. By contrast, an expansion setting of 3 reduces volume by
3 dB for every 1-dB drop below the threshold.
Typical compression settings are moderate (around 2–5), producing a natural sound. Typical limiting and expansion
settings are more extreme (around 10–30). High limiting ratios ensure that audio produces maximum volume
without distortion. High expansion ratios ensure that undesirable background sounds become inaudible.
Determines how quickly dynamics processing starts after audio passes the threshold. The defaults (5 milli-
Attack
seconds for limiting, 10 milliseconds for compression and expansion) work well for a wide range of source material.
Use faster settings only for audio with quick transients, such as percussion recordings.
Determines how quickly dynamics processing stops when audio passes the threshold. The default, 100
Release
milliseconds, works well for a wide range of audio. Try faster settings for audio with fast transients, and slower
settings for less percussive audio.
SOUNDBOOTH CS3
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User Guide
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