dynamic effects processing

Question 1

what is the main purpose of EQ?

Answer 1

to manipulate frequencies

Question 2

why use EQ?

Answer 2

• to correct a sound that has been badly recorded
• create separation in the whole mix
• change sound of something recorded by someone else
• to create very unnatural and different sounds for a musical effect

Question 3

name 2 different filters and how they work

Answer 3

high pass filter (HPF) - sometimes called a low-cut filter, reduces the level of any audio frequencies below a user specified cut-off frequency
low pass filter (LPF) - sometimes called a high-cut filter, reduces the level above the cut-off point

Question 4

what is the main difference between an HPF and an LPF?

Answer 4

high pass filters let high frequencies pass taking away the lower frequencies
low pass filters let low frequencies pass and remove higher frequencies

Question 5

what is compression?

Answer 5

process of reducing the dynamic range between the loudest and quietest parts of an audio signal

Question 6

what is compression mainly used on?

Answer 6

vocals

Question 7

name and define the main parameters of compression

Answer 7

threshold - how loud the signal is before compression is applied
ratio - how much compression is applied
attack - how quickly the compressor starts to work
release - how quickly after the signal drops below the threshold the compressor stops
knee - sets how the compressor reacts to signals once the threshold is passed
make-up gain - allows you to boost the compressed signal
output - allows you to boost of decrease the level of the signal output of the compressor

Question 8

what is side chain compression?

Answer 8

compressor uses the input signal to determine how strongly the compressor will reduce the gain on its output

Question 9

what is noise gating?

Answer 9

the process used to control volume of an audio signal

Question 10

when is noise gate used?

Answer 10

commonly used to take away unwanted noise that is audible when the audio signal is at a low level

Question 11

what is noise gate good at doing?

Answer 11

removing any background noise, cross talk, low-level hum as well as other annoying interferences in a mix

Question 12

how does a noise gate work?

Answer 12

allows signals above a threshold to pass, whilst reducing signals that become below the set threshold amount

Question 13

identify and define the parameters of noise gate

Answer 13

threshold - signal that falls below the threshold amount will be reduced in level
reduction - amount of signal reduction
attack - how quickly the gate starts to work after the signal falls below the threshold
release - how quickly it takes to reach the max point after signals fall below the threshold amount