Specifications

4.3.1 The Solera Concept

The idea is extremely simple: Taking into account the signal level isn’t enough. The signal dynamic is also a part of the

equation.

So our dynamic processors use two different ways to analyze the signal:

• The first one is a level detection based on peaks and RMS values. That's the base of the dynamic processing.

• The second one generates a dynamic value. It doesn't rely any more on the signal level since it's based on the signal

complexity.

This dynamic value is used in Solera when using the Angel's Share and the Hysteresis settings:

• Angel's Share is a mix control between the RMS detector and the dynamic detector. It relaxes ratio value depending of

the signal complexity. A lower ratio is applied to complex signal. Angel's Share is a sort of controlled auto ratio.

• Hysteresis is also a mix control between the RMS detector and the dynamic detector. But it affects the threshold value.

Hysteresis is a sort of controlled auto threshold.

The parameters are organized in three categories:

• Time constants (Delay, Attack, Release…).

• Spectral controls (the EQ section).

• Specific parameters (Angel’s Share, Hysteresis).

It’s useless and ineffective to try at all prices to use every section of the Solera. Only the sound achievement must be kept in

mind.

E.g:

• If you want to increase the room ambience on a dry conga track, the de-expander section is of great help, and the

expander section is of no help.

• If you need a pumping electric guitar, only the compressor section can do the job.

The Filters

The bottom right hand of the Solera features an area called Detector Equalizer. This section includes In, Solo, 1-2-3

selectors buttons and four knobs: Filter type, Gain, Frequency and Q Factor. This three band parametric corrector doesn’t

directly affect the audio signal but only the detection signal that drives the processing.

Despite the parameter values may seem extreme (Q-Factor up to 10, frequency above 20 KHz and cumulative gain), smooth

results can be achieved without any parasitic artifacts even when dealing with frequencies out of the audio spectrum. The

goal is to use the part of the correction included into the audio spectrum. It’s one of the secret of the “Air” corrector featuring

on some vintage audio gears.

Solera owns 3 bands of equalization inserted in its detector channel but isn’t a multi-band processor. The wide-range

processing ensures a perfect accuracy in terms of phase and propagation time. Filtering the control signal upstream of the

envelop gain generation allows to control the overall tonal balance by increasing or decreasing the processing for a

particular part of the audio spectrum. Reducing the gain for the low frequencies before detection will increase low

frequencies in the processed signal if the processing settings reduce the gain according to the signal level. With this

configuration, increasing the gain for the high frequencies, makes the processing more sensitive to this particular part of the

audio spectrum and turns the Solera into a sibilant controller. More generally, equalizing the signal feeding the detector

allows to shape the processing action for particular frequencies.

The MS Mode

4.3 Solera II The Solera Concept