Support and Service > F.A.Q > Problems solving with Waves tools

Problems solving with Waves tools

An overview of some effects provided with Waves Q10, C1, S1 and L1.Draft rev.0.01 18 April 95 Michael Gerzon

SUMMARY
Waves products provide a very wide range of effects and processes that in conventional studio outboard gear would require the purchase of tens of separate processors. Hidden in many Waves products are powerful tools for doing many creative and functional sound processes. This document surveys much of what can be done, and what Waves product and setups will achieve the desired effect.
The Q10 ParaGraphic EQ is not just a parametric equalizer - it is a precision tool for effects like pseudostereo processing, adding or removing pre-emphasis, correction of errors in multimedia files, precision bandsplitting, precision brickwall bandlimiting, hum removal, and much much more.
The C1 compressor/Gate is not just a compressor/gate - it is capable of acting as a de-esser, noise removal device, audio sweetner/enhancer, dynamic equalizer, expander, limiter, "low-level upward compressor", keyed equaliser, and even a "de-reverberator" for speech files.
The S1 Stereo Imager is not just a stereo image enhancer, but a flexible tool for relancing stereo mixes and re-arranging the postions of sound images within a stereo mix, as well as a corrective tool for some typical errors in stereo files.

NOTE: References to the Q10 setups Library include effects found in the latest updated volume 2 of the Library shortly to be made available at the time of writing.

* AM radio
* Audio Enhancement
* Bandlimiting
* Bandsplitting
* CD pre-emphasis
* Compression
* Creative Equalization
* DAT pre-emphasis
* De-Essing
* Ducking
* Electric Guitar distortion effects
* Enhancement - spectral enhancement and sweetening
* Expander
* FM radio
* Gating
* Hum and Whistle removal
* Increased Digital Resolution
* MS metering of stereo
* Multiband dynamics processing
* Multimedia applications
* NICAM TV sound
* Noise reduction and removal
* Off-center stereo images
* Out-of-phase stereo
* Peak Limiting of files
* Polarity Inversion
* PseudoStereo effects
* Rebalancing an existing mix
* Sampling Rate Conversion - improvements
* Spaciouness
* Speech processing
* Stereo Channel Reversal
* Stereo Enhancement
* Tape reprocessing: Analog reel-to-reel
* Telephone effects
* Width of stereoism
* Remastering from: 78 rpm Records and LP records

AM radio

requires Q10

The sound of AM radio can be simulated, for monitoring or special FX use, using AM radio setups from the setups Library folder * Bandlimit filters


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bandlimiting

requires Q10

The audio band can be bandlimited with brickwall filters using setups from the setups Library folders * Bandlimit filters * Crossover fx 2

Bandlimiting effects available include simulation of telephones and AM radio bandwidths.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bandsplitting

requires Q10

The audio band can be split into 2 or 3 bands with a very rapid crossover rate with brickwall filters using setups from the setups Library folder * Crossover fx 2

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

CD pre-emphasis

requires Q10

This can be added or removed using the CDpreemphasis setup file in the Q10 Library setups folder * Pre-/De-emphasis

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Compression

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Numerous compression setups listed in C1 setups Library manual.

These include conventional high-level compression as well as compression for middle and/or low-level signals.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Creative Equalization

requires Q10

Besides the conventional parametric, shelf, low-pass and high-pass equalizations, the Q10 setups Library offers new types of creative equalisation unavailable in existing equalizers. These include:

• Plateau setups allowing control of level in precisely user-defined frequency bands with constant effect in-band and no effect out-of-band. The octave setups provide this effect over an octave wide band, but the plateau setups can be adjusted for arbitrary bandwidth.
• 
  
• Tilt setups allowing the sound balance to be tilted up or down without any frequency band being given exceptional treatment. Gives smooth tonally neutral "tilt" of sound.
• 
  
• Semi-Tilt setups Apply smooth "tilts" to the low bass or high treble only. Capable of smoother results than conventional bass or treble controls, with less tonal alteration of important middle frequencies.

Superparametric EQ as "presence" setups in the Q10 setups folder * EQ filters provides similar effect to parametric EQ, but with smaller effect on sounds away from the main parametric frequency band.

Baxandall EQ in the Q10 setups folder * EQ filters

Also:

requires the C1 compressor/Gate

This can be used as a smooth low-Q equaliser with different "sound" to the Q10 in bandsplit mode using the makeup gain and Compressor set to ratio 1 (no effect.) In addition, a range of very effective dynamic equalizers with unique efect is obtainable using setups in the C1 setups Library folder * Ch8. Enhancers

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

DAT pre-emphasis

requires Q10

This can be added or removed using the 48preemphasis setup file in the Q10 Library setups folder * Pre-/De-emphasis

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

De-Essing

reducing excessive speech or vocal sibilance

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Use setups in the following C1 setups library folders: * Ch7. De-Essers

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ducking

pulling down the background sounds when a main speech or other line is present.

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Use setups in the following C1 setups library folders: * Ch9. Keying Setups

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Electric Guitar distortion effects

requires the Q10 Paragraphic equalizer

Use setups in the following Q10 setups library folders: * Distortion fx (7 adjustable effects) * Stereo Eguitar (2 adjustable effects)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Enhancement - spectral enhancement and sweetening

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Use setups in the following C1 setups library folder: * Ch8. Enhancers

Although not strictly speaking an "enhancer" in the technical sense, check out also the Q10 used with setups from the * Semi-Tilt setups folder, using bass hinge frequency 250 Hz and High-Tilt for the treble.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Expander

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Numerous expansion setups listed in C1 setups Library manual for low-level "downward" expansion. The C1 "Compressor/Expander" section may also be set for high-level upward expansion.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

FM radio

requires Q10

Bandlimiting to the frequency range of FM radio can be done using broadcast setups from the setups Library folder * Bandlimit filters

FM radio pre-emphasis and de-emphasis can be performed using the FM files from the setups library folder * Pre-De-emphasis.

Peak Limiting suited to FM radio can be done using the Q10 and L1 successively. For details see the FM setups text file in the Q10 setups Library folder * Pre-De-emphasis.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Gating

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Numerous gating setups listed in C1 setups Library manual

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hum and Whistle removal

requires the Q10

Use setups in the following Q10 setups library folders: * Harmonic combs (notches out a frequency and its harmonics) * Harmonic combs 2 (deeper notches for a frequency and its harmonics)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Increased Digital Resolution

requires any Waves processor, C1, S1, L1 and version 1.1 or higher of Q10

L1 preferred for most flexible use.

The quantization to say 16 bits of processed files normally reduces the digital resolution of sound files, with a resulting loss of sound quality, and increase in low-level noise and distortion.

Waves IDR (Increased Digital Resolution) is an advanced dithered noise shaping technology, comparable to many of the more highly publicised "Bit mapping" or "Super-Resolution" technologies now used for mastering CDs. IDR has been developed by one of the original inventors of this technology. The use of IDR in all Waves products ensures that audible build up of noise and distortion is kept to a very low level even after repeated processing of sounds.

The most flexible IDR options suitable for mastering applications are provided in the L1 ultramiximizer. IDR is particularly suited to preserving as much as possible of the digital resolution of 20 or 24 bit sound files when released as 16 bit signals.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

• Keyed equalization
• Keyed expansion
• Keyed gating

where the dynamics or EQ of one signal is "keyed" or triggered by another.

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Use setups in the following C1 setups library folders: * Ch9. Keying Setups

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

MS metering of stereo

requires S1 Stereo Imager

The level meter on the S1 may be used to meter levels not just of left and right stereo channels, but also mid-side (MS) levels too.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Multiband dynamics processing

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Numerous "bandsplit" setups listed in C1 setups Library manual

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Multimedia applications

requires Q10

Equalizaton setps for the 22 kHz sampling rates can be found in the "22 kHz sampling" folder of the Q10 setups Library.

See the Q10 "multimedia tools" folder of the Q10 setups Library.

See also Sampling rate Conversion below.

See also speech processing below.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

NICAM TV sound

requires Q10

J17 pre-emphasis and de-emphasis used with the NICAM system of digital sound can be performed using the J17 file from the setups library folder * Pre-De-emphasis.

This file also incorporates a brickwall 15 kHz low-;pass filter for bandlimiting to NICAM bandwidth on 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz sampling files.

Peak Limiting suited to NICAM systems can be done using the Q10 and L1 successively. For details see the J17 setups text file in the Q10 setups Library folder * Pre-/De-emphasis.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Noise reduction and removal

requires C1 compressor/gate

Use setups in the following C1 setups library folders for hiss and rumble removal:

* Ch6. Noise Reduction also, some setups in * Ch5. Compression (1 setup) * Ch7. De-Essers (4 setups)

Also check out various filter setups in the Q10, These have more effect on tonal quality than the C1 noise reduction setups but can often be useful.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Off-center stereo images

requires S1

If a stereo image is well-balanced in levels but the sound image is not centered, then it can be centered without change of level-balance using the S1 rotation control.

The S1 can also be used as a conventional balance control by dragging rotation and asymmetry controls together.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Out-of-phase stereo

Requires S1

The S1 includes an "MS" level metering mode that helps determine whether a stereo sound file is out of phase. It also includes (as do versions of the Q10 from 1.1) a channel polarity switch to correct channel phase errors.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Peak Limiting of files

use the L1 ultramaximizer.

A peak limiting effect can also be obtained using the C1 Compressor/Expander section in wideband mode with compression ratio 50 or around -25 WITH A MINIMUM ATTACK TIME and fairly long release time. However, this gives a more distorted sound than the L1, which is much more refined for peak limiting applications.

If the C1 is used with short but not minimum attack times, it will work better as a peak limiter if used with lookahead. A small amount of clipping on transient peaks may then be subjectively acceptable.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Polarity Inversion

requires S1 or version 1.1 or higher of Q10.

Some people feel it is important to give signals the correct absolute phase or polarity. This may be done by operating the polarity switches on BOTH channels of the S1 or Q10. Only do this if you understand why you are doing it!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

PseudoStereo effects

requires the Q10

Provide a spread pseudostereo effect from mono files with tonally uncolored quality. The most comprehensive set of pseudostereo processes on the market for most application. Use the Q10 with effects in the following Q10 setups library folders: * PseudoStereo (29 effects, many adjustable) * Crossover fx (extreme left-right pseudostereo - 8 adjustable effects) * Crossover fx 2 (extreme left-right pseudostereo - 16 adjustable effects) * LR setups (3 adjustable effects) * Plateau setups (3 adjustable pseudostereo effects)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Rebalancing an existing mix

Remixing an existing mix

require Q10

Check out the plateau equalizers in the setups Library folder * Plateau setups These allow precise control of frequency band levels without affecting other frequencies

For stereo mixes, also check out

S1 Stereo Imager

which allows rebalancing and repositioning of different stereo positions within a stereo mix.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Reverberation reduction

reducing the audible effect of room reverberation, especially on speech

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Use De-reverb setup in the following C1 setups library folder: * Ch5. Compression

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Sampling Rate Conversion - improvements

requires Q10

Frequency response defects in some of the sampling rate conversion tools provided with Sound Designer II can be corrected using setup files in: the Q10 setups Library folder * Multimedia Tools

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Spaciouness

requires S1 Stereo Imager

Stereo recordings can be given enhanced spaciousness using the S1. Start off by setting shuffling to around 2.5 and shuffling frequency to 650 Hz. If necessary, "tweak" from there. Depending on recordings, some increase of width may also be effective.

A less effective and more clumsy tool for enhancing spaciousness may also be found in the Q10 setups Library stereo pan folder.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Speech processing

requires Q10 Paragraphic EQ

Bandlimiting for multimedia speech is provided in the speech setups in the "Bandlimit filters" folder of the Q10 setups Library.

requires C1 compressor/Gate

Various compression setups in the C1 setups Library are particularly suited for speech processing.

The C1 gate may be used for gating quiet passages in speech. The gate may be used with compression.

The C1 may also be used to reduce room reverberation on recorded speech - see Reverberation reduction above.

The C1 may also be used to De-Ess speech to remove excessive sibilants - See De-Essing above.

requires L1 Ultramaximizer

The level of speech may be increased by limiting peak transients using the L1 peak limiter.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Stereo Channel Reversal

requires S1 or version 1.1 or higher of Q10.

If the channels of a stereo signal are the wrong way round, left and right may be swapped in the digital domain using the channel swap facility on the S1 or the Q10.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Stereo Enhancement

requires S1 Stereo Imager

Enhancement of and alteration of stereoism and rebalancing of stereo mixes can be done using the S1 Stereo Imager.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Tape reprocessing: Analog reel-to-reel

requires Q10

Correct playback equalization can be achieved using the Q10 tape setup files from the Q10 setups folder * Pre-/De-Emphasis

Additional bass and hiss filtering can be achieved using * EQ Filters (noisefilters setups)

Recorded hums can be removed using the Q10 with setups from the setups folders * Hamonic combs (notches out a frequency and its harmonics) * Harmonic combs 2 (deeper notches for a frequency and its harmonics)

More powerful and flexible dynamic noise filtering can be achieved using the C1 with setups from the folder * Ch6. Noise Reduction

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Telephone effects

requires Q10

Telephone setups from the setups Library folder * Bandlimit filters

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Width of stereoism

Requires S1

Stereo recordings can be given increased width using the S1. Adjust the width setting to greater than 1. If overdone, the width setting can sound unnatural.

When the width effect starts sounding excessive, back off on width a bit, and use shuffling to further widen stereoism. Start off by setting shuffling frequency to 650 Hz and increase the shuffle level to taste by ear.

The S1 can also be used to reduce excessive stereo width.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

78 rpm Records - remastering from

LP records - remastering from

requires Q10

Correct playback equalisation + rumble filtering for both LPs and older 78 rpm records can be achieved using the Q10 RIAA setup files from the Q10 setups folder * Pre-/De-Emphasis Additional rumble and hiss filtering can be achieved using * EQ Filters (noisefilters setups) Recorded hums can be removed using the Q10 with setiups from the setups folders * Harmonic combs (notches out a frequency and its harmonics) * Harmonic combs 2 (deeper notches for a frequency and its harmonics) More powerful and flexible dynamic noise filtering can be achieved using the C1 with setups from the folder * Ch6. Noise Reduction