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44 Using Audio Filters
Audio filters are used for a variety of purposes, from audio
cleanup to special effects. Filter parameters can be copied,
pasted, automated, and adjusted in real time.
This chapter covers the following:
 About Audio Filters (p. 653)
 Overview of Audio Filters (p. 654)
 Working with Audio Filters (p. 662)
 Installing Third-Party Audio Units Filters (p. 673)
About Audio Filters
The goal of audio mixing and processing is to create a believable sonic environment
that is not distracting. Audio filters can help to remove distracting frequencies, reduce
loud sounds, and add ambience to a sonic space. Generally, filters are much better at
removing components of a mix than they are at adding something that wasn’t in the
original recording. An audio engineer with a thorough understanding of how sound
works and how filters affect sound can produce excellent results with just a few
equalizer and compression filters.
Final Cut Express includes a set of audio filters that you can use for equalization,
compression and expansion, adding reverb, vocal cleanup, and noise removal.
Final Cut Express uses the Mac OS X Audio Units plug-in format.
Audio filter parameters can be adjusted in real time so you can make changes to a
filter’s settings while the clip plays back. For more information, see “Automating Audio
Filter Parameters with Keyframes” on page 669.