Solid State Logic X-EQ manual

X X - - E E Q Q ™ ™ User Guide 82S6MC050A[...]

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1. Introduction 1 Key Features 2 X-EQ Graphical User Interface 3 2. System Requirements 4 Apple Macintosh 4 W indows/PC 4 3. Installation & Authorisation 5 4. Some History 6 4.1 An Audio Engineer’ s Best Friend 6 4.2 The Best of the Analogue and Digital W orlds 6 4.3 Analogue Parametric EQ Modelling 6 4.4 Non- Linear Phase EQ 7 4.5 Parallel P[...]

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Thank you for purchasing the X-EQ plug-in for the SSL Duende platform. X-EQ is a versatile and comprehensive mastering grade parametric EQ plug-in built from the ground up for Duende. It has an unprecedented clarity , smoothness, and excellent high-frequency response. The use of innovative coefficient generation and innovative processing design pro[...]

2 Key Features • 10 band fully parametric high quality digital EQ • A total of 16 different filter types: 5 dif ferent cut filters, 9 bell shapes, shelving filters and a parallel mode • Extensive control options including dragable EQ graph nodes, mouse wheel adjustment and numerical data entry • Extremely low n oise and low non-linear disto[...]

X-EQ Graphical User Interface 1 Stereo/mono input meter 2 Input gain control 3 Preset Management buttons 4 HP filter and LF shelf bands 5 6 independent bell shape bands 6 Parallel mode button 7 LP filter and HF shelf bands 8 FFT analyser on/of f 9 Band control section 10 Stereo/mono output meter 1 1 Output level control 12 Duende logo – Command +[...]

4 Apple Macintosh • SSL Duende running V2.2 software and firmware • PowerPC G4/G5 or Intel 1.0GHz or higher • 512Mb RAM ( 1Gb r ecommended ) • Mac OS X ( V ersion 10.4.10 or higher ) • 60Mb of free hard disk space • Audio Units, VST or R T AS* compatible host a p p l i c a t i o n • 17" or larger colour monitor with screen resolu[...]

A time limited trial version of X-EQ will be installed during the Duend e V2.2 softw are update. This allow s X-EQ to be run in evalua tion mode, whic h means the plug-in can be used with full functionality until a certain number of samples of audio have been processed. At 48kHz this gives approximately 10 hours of continuous use for either stereo [...]

6 4.1 An Audio Engineer ’ s Best Friend The equaliser is the oldest and the most popular sound processing tool. From the earliest days, its main function has been to correct or enhance sound by boosting or cutting certai n frequency ranges . Engineers have develo ped countles s equalisers for over 50 years and some of them became legendary and we[...]

filters as precise and clean as possible. For controlled generation of distortions we recommend using enhancers or any other specialised processors with proper built-in anti- aliasing technology . 4.4 Non- Linear Phase EQ Phase shift in equipment is probably one of the most misunderstood topics in audio. Phase shifts often get blamed for anyth ing [...]

8 4.5 Parallel Passive EQ Parallel EQ exhibits quite different sonic properties to the familiar serial parametric EQ. W e are generally used to hearing the effect of one EQ band superimposed on another, as opposed to the band interaction inherent to a parallel EQ. Bec ause the bands are placed in a paral lel con figu rat ion, pha se canc ella tion [...]

5.1 Graphical EQ Display When you click on any of the EQ band nodes on the display the corresponding band parameters will be shown in the Band Control section on the right. These can be adjusted with the mouse cursor , scroll wheel or numeri cally using the keyboard . The colour of the node corresponds to the colour on the Band Section and the Band[...]

10 The input and output sliders function in the same manner as knobs, allowing you to move with mouse cursor , scroll ( with shift as fine adjust ) and reset using modifier keys. Exact numerical entry is possible for any value by double clicking on the value box. Band Gain can be entered upto a resolution of 0.1dB, and frequency , Q and input/outpu[...]

Alternatively , you may wish to store the presets in a sub- directory within your project folder . A/B functionality , providing two different memory locations, is included for easy compariso n of a ny two setting s. When the plug -in is instant iate memo ry locati on A is select ed by default, as shown left. Pressing the A/B toggle button will mov[...]

12 Peak Meter and Clip Indicator The wide meter bar to the left is a responsive peak meter which allows you to observe the exact input le vel at any point in time. A red clip light at the top of the meters indicates that three consecutive samples are at maximum which is taken to mean that the input is higher than 0dB FS and is therefore clipping. I[...]

5.7 Global Bypass Because Duende plug-ins cause a noticeable latency at high er host buffer settings, the bypass button provided by the DA W can cause an undes irabl e shift in time. For this reason a l atenc y-fre e global bypas s ( In/Out) b utton is inclu ded. When this is engaged the audio is still passed to and from Duende, but is unchanged as[...]

14 6.1 Bell Filters Q Definitions P – 3dB – Classical definition that means Q is measured 3dB below peak for boost or 3dB above peak for cut. 0 – 3dB – Definition used for bells in some US products, the bandwidth for Q calculation is measured 3dB below 0dB line for cut or 3dB above for boost. Q in both definitions correct only for +6dB boos[...]

Proportional 1 Proportional equalisers are recognised as being more ‘musical’ than Constant Q. Th e bells are wider be low +6dB and narrower above +6dB (or –6dB for cut). Proportional 2 Like Proportional 1 but with larger changes below and above +6dB peak (or –6dB for cut). P –3dB Proportional 3 Like Proportional 1 but with extra widened [...]

16 Constant Q Asymmetrical Used in som e US products and mixers. The boost characteristics are defined accordi ng to 0 – 3dB formula. Extra widened between –3dB and 0dB. P – 3dB boost, 0 – 3dB cut Constant Q Asymmetrical Reverse Exactly like above but with mirrored boost and cut characteristics. Constant Q Invert Both boost and cut characte[...]

Constant Q New Defined Q is always perfectly maintained independent of bell gain (also below 6dB). In terms of P – 3 dB definition of this equaliser can be classified as proportional. P/2 Parallel Recreates the passive LC parallel equaliser with all its advantages (sound) and disadvantages (band interaction, asymmetry). As found in graphic equali[...]

18 6.3 Cut Filters Critical “Critical Damped” filters simulate a chain of passive analogue RC (for high-cut) and CR (for low-cut) stages fixing a behaviour similar to a series of RC elements in vintage analogue equipment. Bessel Linear Phase behaviour leads to no overshoot or ringing resulting from a sudden transition between signal levels. The[...]

Gaussian No ringing or overshoot in the time domain, but slow roll-off in the frequency domain. Butterworth Characterised by having a maximally flat magnitude response, i.e, no amplitude ripple in the passband. Chebychev Chara cteri sed by having an equiripp le magnitu de respons e, meaning the mag ni tud e in cr eas es and dec re ase s re gu lar l[...]

20 7.1 Serial Mode In serial (default) filter mode, the input signal is initially amplified or attenuated using the input gain slider and then passed to the input meter . It then enters the serial filter chain, has processing applied, and is then passed to the output stage, again with level control and metering. The Band Control section and Interac[...]

As said earlier , the equaliser is probably the oldest and the most popular sound processing tool. Parametric EQ (PEQ) in particular offers maximal fl exibility due to direct access to all relevant filter parameters . Properly used, the PEQ is a very powerful tool and the best friend of every sound engineer in the battle for perfect sound but if mi[...]

22 9.1 Support F AQs T o access the latest support information on Duende, please visit our online support site. The information there is kept up to date by our support staff to make sure all information is accurate. All information is available to you 24/7. URL: http://solid-state-logic-en.custhelp.com If you can’ t find your answer or a solution[...]

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