EastWest Hollywood Orchestra Opus Edition Virtual Instrument Plug-In (Download) User Manual
Page 207
HOLLYWOOD ORCHESTRA OPUS EDITION
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CHAPTER 6: MIX
207
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The Threshold function uses different levels to open the gate to audio and to close it
again: the level at which the expander opens is higher than the level at which it closes
again. In other words, when the expander is opened, it stays open until the signal level
crosses the quieter Close threshold. This is known as hysteresis and is very useful as it
allows instruments to decay more naturally. The word “Threshold” normally refers to the
Open threshold.
The Hold knob controls the delay before the signal level starts reducing again. The
Release knob controls how quickly
the level then reduces. Note that
the Release knob interacts with the
Range knob, which determines the
depth of gain reduction.
The Attack Time (the time taken for
the Expander/Gate to ‘recover’ once the signal level is above the ‘deactivate’ threshold)
is normally set to 1.5ms per 40 dB. Press the Fast Att button to introduce a faster attack
time of 100μs per 40 dB. This is useful when gating signals with a steep rising edge,
such as drums.
Processing Order
The graphic below shows the 8 possible orders for the 3 processing stages, with and
without a Side Chain. The original audio signal starts at the left and the processed signal
exits at the right of each diagram. The lower (straight) line is the standard audio path.
When the EQ and/or Filter is in the upper path, it is in the Side Chain (as described
below). These 8 diagrams currently in effect appear in the top row of the drawer.
The default order is Filter > EQ > Dynamics, with nothing in the Side Chain, as shown in
the 5th diagram in the image.
To place the Filter section after the EQ section,
deactivate the Input button in the Filter section
so that its light is off.
To place the Dynamics before the EQ, press the
Pre EQ button in the Dynamics section, so that
its light is on.
When the Input and Pre EQ switch are active
simultaneously, the processing order becomes
Filter > Dynamics > EQ.
The Side Chain
The Side Chain is a path for the audio signal that is used to control the Dynamics section
when it acts on the main audio signal. The Side Chain is not normally audible, but can
highlight aspects of the audible signal that need processing.