Test Oscillator
The Test Oscillator is useful for tuning studio equipment and instruments, and can be
inserted as both an instrument or effect plug-in. It operates in two modes, generating
either a static frequency or a sine sweep.
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In the first mode (default mode), it starts generating the test signal as soon as it is inserted.
You can switch it off by bypassing it. In the second mode (activated by clicking the Sine
Sweep button), Test Oscillator generates a user-defined frequency spectrum tone
sweep—when triggered with the Trigger button.
• Waveform buttons: Select the type of waveform to be used for test tone generation.
• The Square Wave and Needle Pulse waveforms are available as either aliased or
anti-aliased versions—the latter when used in conjunction with the Anti Aliased
button.
• Needle Pulse is a single needle impulse waveform.
• If the Sine Sweep button is active, the fixed oscillator settings in the Waveform section
are disabled.
• Frequency knob and field: Determines the frequency of the oscillator (default is 1 kHz).
• Sine Sweep button: Generates a sine wave sweep (of the frequency spectrum you set
with the Start Freq and End Freq fields).
• Time field: Sets the duration of the sine wave sweep.
• Start Freq and End Freq fields: Drag vertically to define the oscillator frequency at the
beginning and end of the sine sweep.
• Sweep Mode pop-up menu (Extended Parameters area): Choose Linear or Logarithmic
(sweep curve).
• Trigger button and pop-up menu: Click the Trigger button to trigger the sine sweep.
Choose the behavior of the Trigger button in the pop-up menu:
• Single: Triggers the sweep once.
• Continuous: Triggers the sweep indefinitely.
• Level slider and field: Determines the overall output level of the Test Oscillator.
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You can use the vocal effects of Final Cut Pro to correct the pitch of vocals or enhance
audio signals. These effects can also be used for creating unison or slightly thickened
parts, or even for creating harmony voices.
This chapter covers the following:
•
DeEsser
(p. 143)
•
Pitch Correction Effect
(p. 145)
•
Pitch Shifter II
(p. 148)
•
Vocal Transformer
(p. 149)
DeEsser
The DeEsser is a frequency-specific compressor, designed to compress a particular
frequency band within a complex audio signal. It is used to eliminate hiss (also called
sibilance) from the signal.
The advantage of using the DeEsser rather than an EQ to cut high frequencies is that it
compresses the signal dynamically, rather than statically. This prevents the sound from
becoming darker when no sibilance is present in the signal. The DeEsser has extremely
fast attack and release times.
When using the DeEsser, you can set the frequency range being compressed (the
Suppressor frequency) independently of the frequency range being analyzed (the Detector
frequency). The two ranges can be easily compared in the DeEsser’s Detector and
Suppressor frequency range displays.
The Suppressor frequency range is reduced in level for as long as the Detector frequency
threshold is exceeded.
The DeEsser does not use a frequency-dividing network—a crossover utilizing lowpass
and highpass filters. Rather, it isolates and subtracts the frequency band, resulting in no
alteration of the phase curve.
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