Apple Soundtrack - Manual (Page 126)

126 Chapter 8 Working with Audio Effects
Audio Effects Included with Soundtrack
Soundtrack includes the following types of audio effects:
 Dynamics: Dynamics effects let you shape the volume of your projects over time.
Bundled dynamics effects include Compressor and Noise Gate.
 Distortion: Distortion effects change the tone of the audio signal to recreate the
sound of overdriven tube amplifiers or digital distortion. Bundled distortion effects
include Bitcrusher, Clip Distortion, Distortion, Overdrive, and Phase Distortion.
 EQ and Filter: EQ (short for equalization) effects let you change the level of selected
frequencies. EQ provides a powerful way of shaping the sound of your projects.
Bundled EQ effects include Fat EQ.
 Modulation: Modulation effects delay an audio signal and shift (modulate) when the
delayed signal plays back relative to the original signal. Bundled modulation effects
include Chorus, Ensemble, Flanger, Modulation Delay, Phaser, and Tremolo.
 Reverb and Delay: Reverb effects can be used to simulate the sound of acoustic
spaces, both realistic and unnatural. Delay effects can be used to add echoes and
other recurring sounds. Bundled reverb and delay effects include PlatinumVerb,
Stereo Delay, Soundtrack Pro Reverb, and Tape Delay.
 Miscellaneous: Miscellaneous effects fall outside the other categories, providing
additional ways to modify your audio. Bundled miscellaneous effects include
Autofilter, Soundtrack Pro Autofilter, and SubBass.
There are additional Mac OS effects in each category, available in the Effects pane, that
you can use with Soundtrack. The following descriptions apply to Soundtrack, Mac OS,
and third-party effects.
Dynamics Effects
Dynamics effects let you adjust the dynamic range (the range between the softest and
loudest sounds) of your projects. You can use dynamics effects to make sounds more
focused and to optimize the sound for specific playback situations. Dynamics effects
include compressors, limiters, and noise gates.
Compressors
Compressors work like an automatic volume control, lowering the volume whenever it
rises above a certain level, called the threshold. But why would you want to reduce the
dynamic level? By cutting the peak levels, the compressor lets you raise the overall
volume of the signal. This gives the sound more focus by making the foreground parts
stand out while preventing the background parts from becoming lost in the mix.
Compression also tends to make sounds tighter or “punchier.” Because the peaks are
lower, the maximum volume is reached more quickly.