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 Drawmer
MX50
Dual de-esser
The human voice is one of the most diverse signals ever encountered by
engineers because it contains such large variations in level and harmonic
structure. Getting the desired vocal sound can sometimes prove difficult.
Setting the E.Q. to give the vocal sufficient 'definition' and 'cut' in
the mix can cause large sibilant peaks which often lead to severe distortion.
The MX50 'Vocal' De-Esser solves these problems quickly and efficiently
by reducing the level of the sibilant sounds while leaving the remainder
of the signal unchanged.
The MX50 is a flexible, simple to set up dual De-Esser designed to fulfill
the needs of the Recording Studio, Broadcast, Theater and Live Sound Industries.
Its classic application is to overcome the problems that can arise when
sibilant sounds (S's and T's) are overemphasized by the human voice, with
such other applications as 'smoothing' a stereo mix, reducing string noise
on acoustic guitars or breath noise on flutes, even refining cymbal and
hi-hat sounds. Processing is achieved by adjusting just two control parameters,
Frequency and De-Ess. The fully variable Frequency control operates from
800Hz to 8KHz encompassing the full sibilant range, including 'hard' sounding
harmonics and other side-effects which can be generated when treble frequencies
are boosted or enhanced. This is followed by the variable De-Ess which
acts as a 'more' control giving up to 20dB of gain reduction at the selected
frequency.
The MX50 has two modes of operation:
Split Band de-essing
Recommended for the majority of applications, this mode splits the audio
spectrum into two bands with the split point being dictated by the position
of the Frequency control. Only frequencies above the split point are attenuated.
Full Band de-essing
A useful alternative where unobtrusive minimal processing is required.
This mode reduces the total signal level in response to sibilant peaks
in the selected frequency band.
Further features are also incorporated to improve ease of control and
flexibility:
Floating Threshold System
This intelligent Drawmer circuitry has a floating Threshold that adapts
to the dynamics and level of the incoming material, eliminating the need
for a manual Threshold control and creating more natural results.
Air function
As sibilance rarely occurs above 10KHz this feature adds back high frequency
'gloss' in excess of 12KHz preserving upper harmonics and increasing the
transparency of operation.
Frequency
This control selects the frequency band in which the de-esser operates.
In Split Band mode this control also determines the split point above
which gain reduction will take place. The control is continuously variable
from 800Hz to 8KHz and covers the full sibilant range.
De-Ess
Adjusts the amount of gain reduction that will take place when a sibilant
sound has been detected. Up to a maximum of 20dB may be applied. This
control uses an intelligent Floating Threshold circuitry which removes
the need for a manual De-Ess Threshold control. One of the benefits of
this design approach is that during quiet passages the sibilants are held
to a level which is relative to the original signal.
Split Band De-Ess
Split Band operation will only reduce the selected frequencies above the
value set via the Frequency control. In most situations this mode, in
conjunction with the Air function, offers the most transparent de-essing.
Status LED illuminates when engaged.
Full Band De-Ess
Full Band operation will reduce the total signal level in response to
signals in the selected frequency band. Status LED illuminates when engaged.
Air
The Air control enables frequencies above the sibilant band to be retained,
greatly increasing transparency of the de-essing process. During normal
use it is recommended to keep the Air function active for both Split Band
and Full Band de-essing. Status LED illuminates when engaged.
Link
Depressing this switch configures the unit for stereo operation where
the average left/right signal level is used as the Floating Threshold.
In linked mode the red status LED beneath the link switch will illuminate.
De-Ess Gain Reduction Display
A nine segment LED bargraph shows how much gain reduction is being applied
up to a maximum of 20dB. In Full Band mode gain reduction is applied to
the whole signal, whilst in Split Band mode only frequencies above the
value set on the frequency control are subject to gain reduction
Bypass
The Bypass position routes the input signal to the output with no processing.
These switches are independent of any linking and will only bypass their
respective channel. Status LED illuminates when engaged.
Specifications
Dimensions: 18.98"W x 1.73"H x 7.87"D
Weight:7.06 lbs (incl packaging)
Drawmer |
MX50
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