Waves VOCAL RIDER User Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 – Introduction .......................................................................................3 1.1 Welcome......................................................................................................3 1.2 Product Overview ........................................................................................3 1.3 Concepts and Terminology..........................................................................3 1.4 Components ..................................
Chapter 1 – Introduction 1.1 Welcome Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your Waves processor, please take the time to read through this manual. In conjunction, we also suggest you become familiar with www.wavesupport.net. There you will find an extensive Answer Base, the latest Tech Specs, detailed Installation guides, new Software Updates, and current information on Authorization and Registration. By signing up at www.wavesupport.
Vocal Rider splits the elements of the mix into two main components: vocals and playback. • • Vocal: All vocal tracks, with or without effects (as defined by the user) Music: The rest of the mix, minus the vocal tracks 1.4 Components WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to choose the configuration best suited to your material.
Chapter 2 – Quickstart Guide Insert Vocal Rider as the last plug-in on your vocal or vocal group track. Send your instrumental tracks, post fader, to a bus, just like a headphone mix. Set the sidechain input on Vocal Rider to the instrumental bus. Begin playing your song, then set the Vocal Sensitivity and Attack controls. Set the Target control by moving the transparent screen to the Vocal range peak. The main Rider fader will begin to move automatically, leveling your vocal.
Chapter 3 – Interface and Controls 3.
3.2 Controls TARGET sets the reference range for vocal mix positioning. Since Gain Riding is relative to the Target position, changing the Target setting will move the Rider Fader’s ‘0’ calibration, re-focusing the correct level range. Range: 0 to -42 dBFS Default: -21 VOCAL SENSITIVITY controls the vocal detector sensitivity, which differentiates vocal content from noise floor, spill, and ambience, and identifies the beginnings and endings of words.
MUSIC SENSITIVITY determines the amount Vocal Rider adapts to changes in instrumental levels. (“Instrumental” refers to all tracks other than the vocal). Range: -12 to +12 dB Default: 0 Please note: To use this control, the instrumental mix bus must be assigned to the Vocal Rider side-chain input. MUSIC SENSITIVITY LED indicates when and how much Vocal Rider is affected by instrumental levels.
RANGE MAX sets the upper boundary of the Rider Fader movement range, setting the maximum Rider Fader gain. Range: -11 to +12 dB Default: +6 IDLE ARROW sets the Rider Fader value when there is no vocal activity. Typically, it is in the middle of the range, to avoid drastic gain changes between words. Range: -12 to +12 Default: 0 EFFECTIVE RANGE displays the total gain range available for automatic riding.
RIDER FADER is Vocal Rider’s automatic control, which moves according to the internal detectors’ algorithm to level-out the vocal, similar to manual fader riding. (The TARGET control is used to set the Rider Fader ‘0’ calibration.) Range: -12 to +12 dB Default: Idle value If touched by the mouse, the Rider Fader allows manual gain adjustment. Once the mouse is released, the Rider Fader will continue automatic riding. AUTOMATION MODE controls the Rider Fader operation.
OUTPUT trims the vocal output gain, post-auto riding; the CLIP LED shows when output is clipping.
Chapter 4 – The WaveSystem 4.1 The WaveSystem Toolbar All Waves processors feature the WaveSystem toolbar which takes care of most administrative functions you will encounter while working with your Waves software. The features of the WaveSystem toolbar are the same on practically all Waves processors, so familiarity with its features will be helpful whichever processor you are using. Toolbar Functions Undo Redo Setup A/B Copy A->B Load Save ? Undoes the last 32 actions. Redoes the last 32 undone actions.
Loading Presets and Setups Click-and-hold on the Load button to see the Load pop-up menu. The menu is divided into four sections. If a section is not currently available it will not appear in the Load popup menu. Open Preset File… Select to open any setup or preset file, whether from the Library or your own creations. ‘Filename.xps’: Displays any currently loaded Setup File and its presets. Factory Presets: Displays the default Factory Presets. User Presets: Displays any loaded User Presets.
Deleting Presets You may delete User Presets and presets within a Setup File. Factory Presets and Setup Library files cannot be deleted or overwritten. 1. Hold the Command (Mac)/Control (PC) key down. 2. Click-and-hold the Load button to see the pop-up menu. 3. While still holding the Command/Control key, select the preset or setup to delete. 4. A confirmation box will appear, allowing you to cancel or ‘OK’ the deletion.
Value Window Buttons Value windows display the value of a control and allow click-and-drag adjustment, or direct control via the keyboard. • • • Using the mouse, click-and-drag on the value window to adjust. Some value windows support left/right, some up/down (as you hover over a button, arrows will appear to let you know which direction of movement that button supports).
