Control elements, Frontliner, De-esser – SPL Frontliner Modular Recording Channel User Manual
Page 18: S-reduction, Spl de-esser technology, S-r eduction, S- detect
18
Frontliner
ON
The first processing module is the de-esser, which removes disturbing sibilants when
required. The de-esser module is activated with the ON button. The S-DETECT LED above the
ON switch shows that S-sounds are being detected.
S-REDUCTION
With the S-REDUCTION control you determine the intensity of S-sound reduction. The
processing is related to the levels of the entire frequency spectrum (see next section), there-
fore it is more intensive with extreme S-sound levels than with those of lower levels. This
equalizes levels of sibilants in the output signal.
SPL De-Esser technology
In contrast to common de-essers based upon compressor techniques the SPL De-Esser makes
use of the phase cancellation principle. It employs filters that process only the reducible
”S-frequencies” but do not interfere with the remainder of the spectrum. The S-frequencies
are detected automatically, the phase is inverted and mixed with the original signal. This
method of operation has distinct advantages because it is unobtrusive and helps retain the
original tonal quality. Compressor-typical side effects such as lisping or nasal tones do not
occur. Finally its operation is as simple as pulling on the hand brake.
The reduction is accomplished by comparing the average level with the individual S-sounds:
the de-esser functions only when the S-noise level exceeds the average level of the entire
frequency spectrum. This means for example that original S-sounds with a certain S-portion
are not processed whereas those that are too loud, or do not effectively contribute to the
sound, are reduced – but the character of the voice remains unchanged.
A further specialty is the integrated Auto Threshold function which makes processing inde-
pendent of the input level. Even when the speaker or singer does not maintain a constant
distance to the microphone, processing is retained at the pre-set S-reduction value.
Conventional systems are dependent on the input level and work more intensively as the
distance to the microphone is reduced. As a result, the SPL De-Esser does not need to be
monitored and re-adjusted permanently to keep processing constant – and it can always be
applied before the compressor, as changing its position would not be an advantage. That is
why an accordant switching function is not necessary.
De-Esser
Control Elements
ON
S-R
EDUCTION
0
-1
-2
-3 -4
-6
-
9
-1
1
-1
2
dB
S-
DETECT
7 5
3
1 0
3
5
30
50
70
100
VU
5
3
1
VU
20
10
0
%
MIC GAIN
S-R
EDUCTION
IN
STR
UMEN
T
S-
DETECT
AD
-OVL
13
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
8
20
2
2 24
26 28 30
33
3
6 3
9 4
2 4
5 5
2 6
1 68
INS
TR. GAIN
LINE GAIN
RATIO
ATTACK
LMF
MHF
LMF – / +
MHF – / +
AIR BAND
TU
BE
SATURATIO
N
INSTR.
LINE IN
TUBE
+15
dB
ON
ON
MUTE
EQ PRE
COMP.
EQ/TUBE
COMP.
EXTERNAL INPUTS
DE-ES.
AUTO
48 V
PAD
R e c o r d i n g C h a n n e l
Ø
MAKE-UP
RELEASE
OUTPUT
Sound Performance Lab
Made in Germany
ON
0
-1
-2
-3 -4
-6
-
9
-1
1
-1
2
21
16
11
6
0
-5
-9
-
16
-22 -30
-38
-4
6
-
54
-58
1.2
1
.4
1
.7
2
.0
2.3
2.7 3.0
3
.6
5.0
1
6
∞
0
1
0
2
0
3
0
4
0
50 60
7
0
80
9
0
10
0
-20
-
13
-
7.
5
-4
.5
-
2
0
1.5
3
4
5
5.
5
0.1
0.2
0
.4
1.0
2.5
7.0 16
4
0
1
30
5
30
1
000
0.03
0
.05
0.
09
0
.15
0.
25
0.4 0.65
1
.0
1.3
1
.8
2
.0
0
0
.5
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 8
9
10
1
2 1
4
16
1
9
2
0
-12
-
10
-
5
-2
.5
0
2.5
5
7.5
10
12
-12
-
10
-
5
-2
.5
0
2.5
5
7.5
10
12
-10
-8
-6
-
4
-2
0
2
4
6
8
10
680
8
20
1
k
0
1
k
5
2
k
7
3
k
4 4
k
5
6
k
5
1
0
k
13
k
15
k
30
4
0
5
0
80
125
160 200
3
00
5
00
64
0
70
0
Model 2800
GR
VU
VU
PPM
0
dB
-10
dB
THR
ESHOLD
Frontliner
6
8
1
1
1
4
1
7
1
9
2
1
23
25 26 27 29 3
2 3
5 3
7 3
9 4
1 4
2
4
3
-20
-1
8
-
12
-9
0
3
9
10
dB
1:x
dB
dB
dB
dB
Hz
Hz
%
ms
s
dB
dB
dB