Soundtrack Pro 3 Effects Reference (en).pdf - Help Library - Apple

68 Chapter 4 Equalizers
• Analyzer Mode buttons (Extended Parameters area): Choose Peak or RMS.
Using the Linear Phase EQ
The Linear Phase EQ is typically used as a mastering tool and is, therefore, generally
inserted into master or output channel strips. The way you use the Linear Phase EQ is
obviously dependent on the audio material and what you intend to do with it, but a
useful workflow for many situations is as follows: Set the Linear Phase EQ to a flat response
(no frequencies boosted or cut), turn on the Analyzer, and play the audio signal. Keep an
eye on the graphical display to see which parts of the frequency spectrum have frequent
peaks and which parts of the spectrum stay at a low level. Pay particular attention to
sections where the signal distorts or clips. Use the graphical display or parameter controls
to adjust the frequency bands as desired.
You can reduce or eliminate unwanted frequencies, and you can raise quieter frequencies
to make them more pronounced. You can adjust the center frequencies of bands 2
through 7 to affect a specific frequency—either one you want to emphasize, such as the
root note of the music, or one you want to eliminate, such as hum or other noise. While
doing so, change the Q parameter or parameters so that only a narrow range of
frequencies is affected, or widen it to alter a broad area.
Each EQ band has a different color in the graphical display. You can graphically adjust
the frequency of a band by dragging horizontally. Drag vertically to adjust the amount
of gain for the band. For bands 1 and 8, the slope values can be changed only in the
parameter area below the graphical display. Each band has a pivot point (a small circle
on the curve) at the location of the band’s frequency; you can adjust the Q or width of
the band by dragging the pivot point vertically.
You can also adjust the decibel scale of the graphical display by vertically dragging either
the left or right edge of the display, where the dB scale is shown, when the Analyzer is
not active. When the Analyzer is active, dragging the left edge adjusts the linear dB scale,
and dragging the right edge adjusts the Analyzer dB scale.
To increase the resolution of the EQ curve display in the most interesting area around
the zero line, drag the dB scale, on the left side of the graphical display, upward. Drag
downward to decrease the resolution.
Using the Linear Phase EQ Analyzer
The Analyzer, when active, makes uses of a mathematical process called a Fast Fourier
Transform (FFT) to provide a real-time curve of all frequency components in the incoming
signal. This is superimposed over any EQ curves you have set. The Analyzer curve uses
the same scale as the EQ curves, making it easy to recognize important frequencies in
the incoming audio. This also simplifies the task of setting EQ curves to raise or lower the
levels of frequencies or frequency ranges.