Specifications
DigiRack Plug-Ins Guide70
The DeEsser reduces these unwanted sounds us-
ing fast-acting compression. A Threshold con-
trol sets the level above which compression
starts, and a Frequency control sets the fre-
quency band in which the DeEsser operates.
Using De-essing Effectively
To use de-essing most effectively, insert the
DeEsser before compressor or limiter plug-ins.
Because too much de-essing can make audio ma-
terial sound lifeless, it is best used on individual
tracks rather than entire mixes.
The Frequency slider should be set to remove
sibilants (typically the 4–10 kHz range) and not
other parts of the signal. This helps prevent de-
essing from changing the original character of
the audio material.
Similarly, Threshold should be set high enough
that de-essing is triggered only by sibilants. If
the Threshold is set too low, a loud, non-sibilant
section of audio material could cause unwanted
gain reduction or cause sibilants to be over at-
tenuated.
To improve de-essing of material that has both
very loud and very soft passages, automate the
Threshold control so that it is lower on soft sec-
tions.
DeEsser Controls
Input Meter Indicates the level of the unproc-
essed input signal to the DeEsser.
Output Meter Indicates the output level of the
DeEsser.
Reduction Indicates the amount of gain reduc-
tion in dB. It remains at 0 dB level when the in-
put signal is below the threshold.
Threshold Sets the threshold level. Signals that
exceed this level will be compressed. Signals
that are below it will be unaffected. A setting of
0 dB is equivalent to no de-essing.
Frequency Sets the frequency band in which the
DeEsser operates. Frequencies in the specified
range will be gain reduced. To find the optimum
Frequency setting, sweep this control back and
forth during audio playback.
Key Listen Monitors the sibilant peaks used by
the DeEsser as a Key Input to trigger compres-
sion. This is useful for listening only to the sibi-
lance and fine tuning settings to remove them.
The DeEsser is a monophonic-only plug-in.