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Vocalstrip™
One Stop Vocal Processing Plug-in for SSL Duende – a User’s Guide
Duende. This is SSL.
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Contents 5.5 Meters 13 1. Introduction 1 Peak Meter and Clip Indicator 13 Key Features 2 Dynamic History Meter 13 Hardware Limitations 3 RMS Meter 13 Vocalstrip Graphical User Interface 4 6. Control Options 14 2. System Requirements 5 6.1 Preset Save and Load 14 Apple Macintosh 5 6.2 A/B Functionality 15 Windows/PC 5 6.3 Automation 16 3. Installation & Authorisation 6 6.4 Global Bypass 16 4. Vocalstrip In Detail 8 7. Vocalstrip Parameters & Control Ranges 17 4.1 De-esser 8 Equaliser 17 4.2 De-pl
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1. Introduction Thank you for purchasing the Vocalstrip plug-in for the SSL Duende platform. Vocalstrip is a one stop solution for superior vocal processing, with all the tools you need to take your vocal sound into the big league. Vocalstrip features 4 configurable processing blocks to take care of unwanted artefacts, dynamics and equalisation and extensive metering and visual feedback give you invaluable information during your work. Liberated from any analogue style control legacy, the Vocals
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Key Features • Intelligent De-esser • Intelligent De-ploser • 3 band EQ • Compander featuring compression, downwards expansion and output drive • Extensive visual feedback including a real-time FFT analyser showing the result of the EQ processing on the audio spectrum • Complete control over process order • Extensive control options including mouse wheel adjustment and numerical data entry • Proprietary preset management functions providing compatibility between all DAW platforms • A/B functiona
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Hardware Limitations Because of the many processor-intensive processes that are part of Vocalstrip, this plug-in uses a large number of Duende DSP cycles. Although this is un-noticeable for most ‘normal’ use, it does mean that if 6 or more Vocalstrips are loaded onto one Duende DSP at 44.1/48kHz and all of the modules are enabled (ie De-esser, De-ploser etc.), then a 7th will not have time to be processed. This will result in the audio ‘crackling’ or glitching. To minimise this situation we have
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Vocalstrip Graphical User Interface 6 7 8 9 10 11 5 4 12 3 13 2 14 1 15 1 Preset Management buttons 7 De-ploser 12 Output meter 2 Input gain control 8 Compander response graph 13 Compander 3 Equalisation module 9 EQ graph (not shown) will show 14 Output gain control here – with optional FFT display 4 Input meter 15 Process order 10 Amplitude histogram 5 Latency free plug-in bypass 11 Duende logo * 6 De-esser * Press & click (Windows) or ⌘ & click (Macintosh) on the Duende logo to access t
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2. System Requirements Apple Macintosh Windows/PC • SSL Duende running V2.59 software and 2.19 firmware • SSL Duende running V2.59 software and 2.19 firmware • Mac PowerPC G4/G5 or Intel 1Ghz or higher • Minimum of Intel Pentium IV 1GHz or equivalent • 512MB RAM (1GB recommended) • 512MB RAM (1GB recommended) • Mac OS X (‘Tiger’ 10.4.11 or ‘Leopard’ 10.5.2 or higher) • Windows XP or Vista – 32 bit versions only • 60MB of free Hard Disk space • 80MB of free Hard Disk space • Audio Units, VST or R
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3. Installation & Authorisation A time limited trial version of Vocalstrip will be installed during the Duende v2.6 software update. This allows Vocalstrip to be run in evaluation mode, which means the plug-in can be used with full functionality until a certain number of samples of audio have been processed. At 48kHz this gives 10 hours of continuous use for either stereo or mono plug- ins. At the point where 10 minutes of the evaluation period remains, the countdown timer will turn red. Once th
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5. In step 3. of the purchase you will be asked to enter the Authentication ID (see step 1. above). 6. If your Duende hardware is not already registered you will be asked to register it here. 7. Enter your payment details and your order will be completed and you will be provided with the Unlock Key. 8. Return to the Product Activation box and enter the Unlock Key. Vocalstrip is now authorised for unlimited use. Enter the Unlock Key here Please note that Vocalstrip will only run on the particular
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4. Vocalstrip In Detail 4.1 De-esser Sibilance is a resonance often found in vocal recordings which can cause undesirable distortion artefacts which sounds like the ‘S’ constants are overly high in level. The De-esser in Vocalstrip intelligently detects these sounds and gives you control over how much attenuation to apply. The blue indicator between the controls ‘glows’ to show that the de-esser is working. The Thresh (threshold) control sets the relative detection point, so that the de-esser ca
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4.3 Equaliser Three popular EQ types are provided to allow you to cut low frequencies, find and attenuate resonances and shape the top end of the signal. Each EQ type features independent in/out switching: • The low cut filter operates in the range of 30Hz to 300Hz – you will see from the graphical EQ display that it causes a slight boost around its cut- off frequency. • The notch filter operates in the range 200Hz to 10kHz and offers 12dB of boost and 36dB of attenuation. It has a high Q value.
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4.4 Compander The term Compander is a hybrid of Compressor and Expander. First the signal enters the downwards expander, which has a fixed ratio of 1.5:1 and is designed to reduce room ambience, spill or breath noise that is often brought up by the subsequent compression. The Thresh (threshold) ranges from 0dB FS down to –96dB FS which essentially turns the expander off. The compressor offers both hard and soft knee modes alongside fully variable Ratio, Thresh (threshold), Attack, Releas (releas
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5. Graphical Displays Vocalstrip features an assignable display in the top right hand corner of the plug-in GUI. This toggles between showing the Compander Law Graph and the EQ response curve. Clicking on any of the controls in either the Compander or EQ section will switch to the appropriate display. When displaying the EQ response there is also the option to show a real-time FFT analyser engine reports the amplitude of all frequencies at any moment in time. The analyser can be placed at either
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5.3 Compander Law Display This shows the output level for any given input level according to the Compander controls which are currently being used. You can see both the compressor and expander threshold, indicated by the two knees. As the ratio of the compressor is increased, you can see the top portion flatten out indicating that the output level for any given input is being reduced. 5.4 I/O Difference Display Also known as an amplitude histogram, the I/O Diff meter shows the relative occurrenc
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5.5 Meters The Vocalstrip input and output meter displays are, in fact, three meters in one. They offer various ways to easily read the Peak and RMS levels of a signal over time, and the ‘dynamic history’ meter allows you to see at a glance how the amplitude has been changing over the past second or so. A 30dB range from 0dB FS downwards gives ample information about the amplitude of the signal. Peak Meter and Clip Indicator The wide meter bar to the left is a responsive peak meter which allows
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6. Control Options Move the mouse cursor either up/down or in a circular movement over a knob to adjust its parameter value. The exact nature of the movement you need to make to change a knob value is dictated by your DAW. • The scroll wheel can also be used to alter parameter values here • Press whilst scrolling for increased resolution • Press & click (Windows) or ⌘ & click (Macintosh) on a knob to reset it to its default value • Exact numerical entry is possible by double click
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Clicking the Load button with the left mouse button will bring up a standard Macintosh OS X or Windows dialogue box asking you to choose a file to load. The Save button behaves in the same manner, and when clicked will ask you choose a destination to store the file. It is suggested that Vocalstrip presets are stored in an SSL Presets directory created on one of your hard disks. Alternatively, you may wish to store the presets in a sub-directory within your project folder. 6.2 A/B Functionality A
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Tip: Copy from location A to location B ! • Save the preset to a temporary location on your hard disk whilst in location A • Toggle to location B • Load the stored preset 6.3 Automation Every Vocalstrip plug-in parameter can be automated as long as parameter automation is supported by the host application. The method for recording and editing automation varies from host to host. For specific instructions on using automation with your host, consult the host application’s documentation. 6.4 Global
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7. Vocalstrip Parameters & Control Ranges Equaliser Control Gain Frequency Q/Slope HP Filter n/a 30Hz to 300Hz 12dB/oct Notch Filter +12dB to –36dB 200Hz to 10kHz 0.5 to 72 (depends upon gain setting) High Band ±12dB 1kHz to 20kHz 0.8 De-esser and De-ploser Control Range Threshold –48dB to 0dB Amount 0 to 100% Compander Control Range Compressor Ratio 1:1 to 50:1 Compressor Threshold 0dB to –48dB Attack 0.1ms to 100ms Release 0.5ms to 2s Knee Soft/Hard Expander Threshold 0db to –96dB Make-up Gain
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8. Vocalstrip Support Support FAQs To access the latest support information on Duende, please visit our online support site at: www.solid-state-logic.com/music/Duende/Classic/faq.asp The information within the FAQ is kept up to date to ensure all information is accurate and available to you 24/7. If you can’t find your answer or a solution to your issue, you can submit a question via the FAQ pages to our support staff for resolution. Page 18
