Contents 1 Introduction 3 2 Operation 4 2.1 Input Clipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 2.2 Direct and Band Splitting Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.3 Basic Loudness Enhancement Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.4 Metering and Overload Indication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.5 Curve Modification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.
1 1 INTRODUCTION Introduction The Sonnox Oxford Inflator plug-in is designed to address the current preference to produce the maximum apparent loudness from popular music mixes. Many processes are already in use, which are variously reliant on compression and limiting to produce maximum modulation and try to give an impression of excitement to the sound of the programme.
2 2 2.1 OPERATION Operation Input Clipping The Inflator process develops internal signal levels that are notionally greater than digital maximum. For instance, with the EFFECT level at maximum and the Clip 0dBr off, signal peaks above notional digital maximum can be accommodated, and much of their harmonic information can be included in the output signal, even though the peak output level will not rise above digital maximum.
2.2 Direct and Band Splitting Modes 2 OPERATION pushing for absolute maximum loudness, regardless of possible output clipping etc. When using direct mode (without band splitting) for distortion generation, the results will be quite different with or without input clipping, and may produce useful artistic effects in either circumstance. The Inflator is able to soften clips that occur, either because of the CLIP 0dBr setting, or even those that happen before its own processing in prior plug-ins.
2.3 2.3 Basic Loudness Enhancement Procedure 2 OPERATION Basic Loudness Enhancement Procedure For basic loudness enhancement, the procedure is to get the programme up to maximum normalised level at the input (0dBr) in order to fully benefit from the Inflator process, apply the Inflator processing to get the desired effect, and then adjust the output level to maintain desired maximum modulation. Start with the CLIP 0dBr function selected to limit the range of the Inflator to normal digital maximum.
2.4 2.4 Metering and Overload Indication 2 OPERATION Metering and Overload Indication For most workstation applications, the metering overload warning indicator is intended to correspond to digital maximum modulation. Different software host applications (and different versions of those applications) may present varying interpretations of what this actually represents numerically.
2.6 Mixing with the Oxford Inflator 2 OPERATION soft portions of the programme, with a minimum of intermodulation effect. The sonic character has a much enhanced warmth and harmonic detail, adding presence and texture to instruments, especially in the low frequency register. The highs and peaks in the programme are softened in character without loss of apparent presence, attack or ‘bite’.
2.7 Distortion Generation 2 OPERATION some degree dependent on balance and instrument contribution levels. It is suggested that, in this case, the best initial settings are with the Inflator set to direct mode (ie. not band split), with the CURVE control set to the mid position (0) and with CLIP 0dBr de-selected.
3 3 3.1 DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS Description of Controls Input Section INPUT fader sets the input level to the Inflator process. For full level input signals, maximum peak input is obtained with the fader set to 0dB. Further gain beyond is provided to allow lower level programme to be boosted to full modulation, and allows the Inflator to be deliberately overdriven to produce distortion effects. INPUT value shows the value in dB of the parameter set by the input fader.
3.2 3.2 Effect Section 3 DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS Effect Section EFFECT fader sets the amount of the overall Inflator effect that is applied to the programme, from 0% to 100%. EFFECT value shows the value in dB of the parameter set by the EFFECT fader. The value can be modified by clicking in the window. EFFECT meter indicates the degree of average signal modification in real time, depending on programme type and Inflator settings.
3.3 Output Section 3.3 4 SPECIFICATIONS Output Section OUTPUT fader sets the output level to allow adjustment of the signal level after processing. OUTPUT value hows the value in dB of the parameter set by the output fader. The value can be modified by clicking in the window. OUTPUT meter the output meter indicates 0.5 dB per segment for the top 10dB of dynamic range, and a smaller scale thereafter. The meter will be mono or stereo depending on programme content.
4.1 Pro Tools | HDX – Instances per chip 4.1 4 SPECIFICATIONS Pro Tools | HDX – Instances per chip Mode Band Split Single Path (Direct) www.sonnox.
5 5 PRESET MANAGER TOOLBAR Preset Manager Toolbar The Oxford Inflator plug-in comes equipped with its own onboard Preset Manager, which is displayed as a toolbar at the top of the plug-in window, just as if the host created it (see above). The reasoning behind this is to allow increased portability of your presets across all the host applications, while also providing a consistent and versatile interface.
7 6 SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS Supported Platforms • Avid Pro Tools (AAX Native and DSP 32/64-bit) • VST hosts (32/64-bit) • AU hosts (32/64-bit) • Mac Intel OSX 10.6 or higher • Windows 7 and 8 (32/64-bit) 7 System Requirements For latest System requirements, please visit www.sonnox.com. All versions • Free iLok account • Appropriate product licence • iLok2 Pro Tools • Approved Digidesign/Avid CPU and hardware configuration • Pro Tools 10.3.
8 8 COPYRIGHT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Copyright and Acknowledgements Trademarks and content copyright © 2007-present Sonnox® Ltd. All rights reserved. Sonnox® and the five dots logo are registered trademarks of Sonnox Ltd. This product is manufactured and supplied by Sonnox Ltd. This product is protected by one or more European and/or US patents. DIGIDESIGN, AVID and PRO TOOLS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology Inc. VST is a trademark of Steinberg AG.
