Graphic Dynamics

1. Open the Graphic Dynamics dialog.

2. Choose a preset from the Preset drop-down list, or adjust the controls as desired:

   1. Adjust the envelope graph.

   2. Drag the Attack slider to set the time required for the dynamics processor to start acting on the signal once the level rises above the threshold.

      A low Attack time preserves percussive attacks. Higher values cause sounds to slowly swell up in volume.

   3. Drag the Release slider to set the time it takes the gain of the dynamics processor to change from one to zero once the level falls below the threshold.

      A long Release time preserves natural-sounding decays; otherwise long decays will be cut off.

   4. Drag the Threshold fader to set the level at which the dynamics processor begins acting on the signal.

      NOTE

      When you change the threshold, all points slide diagonally along the No Gain line.

   5. Drag the Ratio slider to set the compression ratio of input to output levels.

      IMPORTANT

      Excessive compression starting at a low threshold will usually produce distortion.

   6. Drag the Output gain fader if you want to apply a gain after processing.

      IMPORTANT

      If the Auto gain compensate check box is selected, the output gain is still applied afterwards. This can result in clipped signals.

3. Select the Auto gain compensate check box to apply gain during processing to keep the maximum input and output levels constant. In general, this gain will be equal to the decibel level of the highest envelope point in the graph.

   You can still use the Output gain fader to fine-tune the overall gain.

4. Select the Sync channel gains check box if you want the gain to be the same across channels in a multichannel file. This prevents a loss of imaging that can occur if channels were to be processed independently.

The Input vs. Output level graph shows the envelope that will be applied to the input signal, depending on its level over time. The diagonal line, referred to as the No Gain line, indicates where the input and output levels are equal (a ratio of 1 to 1). When an envelope point is below the line, signal attenuation occurs. This allows you to create a compression curve of your choice by adding points to the graph:

• Drag the small boxes (envelope points) up or down.

• To create a new envelope point, left-click on any point of the envelope.

• To delete a envelope point, click it with the right mouse button, or double-click it with the left mouse button.

• To move all envelope points, press Ctrl+A and drag when the envelope has focus (the cursor will be displayed as a ).

You can generate compression, limiting, noise gating, and expansion effects by moving the envelope points manually or by using the Threshold and Ratio controls. To view examples of common graph shapes, look at some of the included presets.