Categories of Effects

Introduction to Music Production - Week 3 Assignment

Introduction
Hi, my name is Jess Rodrguez. I'm from Madrid, Spain; and this week I'll try to explain the different categories of effects. As always, I beg your pardon in advance for any misuse of the English language, as it is not my mother tongue.

Sound Characteristics
Audio effects modifies at least one fundamental characteristic of the audio signal which is applied to them, so audio effects can be categorized attending to the trait it changes. The fundamental aspects of sound are: 1. Amplitude 2. Timbre 3. Propagation

Modifying Amplitude: Dynamic Effects

When modifying the amplitude of a sound we manipulate the dynamic aspects of it, because of that, effects that mess with amplitude are categorized as Dynamic effects. Effects that belongs to this category are:

GATES: Gates attenuates/eliminates (mutes) signals whose amplitude does not exceeds a configurable value (threshold). They are commonly used for noise reduction. LIMITERS: Limiters attenuates/eliminates signals whose amplitude exceeds a configurable value/threshold. A limiter is commonly placed just before the master output of a mixing board (hardware or DAW) to avoid clipping (in case of Digital signals reaching 0dBFS).

Modifying Amplitude: Dynamic Effects (II)

Here we see how compressors and expanders work:

COMPRESSORS: Compressors squeezes an audio signal that exceeds a configurable amplitude threshold. The reduction of amplitude is normally given as a ratio. For example, a 4:1 ratio means that for every 4db that exceeds the threshold, the compressor will output 1db (squeezing 4db to one). The values of the signal that does not exceed the threshold doesn't get compressed, thats it, they remain at unity gain. EXPANDERS: An expander is the opposite of a compressor, it reduces the amplitude of a signal that not exceeds a configurable threshold and increases the amplitude of signals that exceed it (using a ratio similar to that of the compressors).

Modifying Amplitude: Dynamic Effects (III)

From the former slides, it's not difficult to see that limiting is extreme compression, so you can make a compressor act as a limiter; and also you can make an expander work as a gate. Sometimes plug-ins even can act as a four-in-one or two-inone basis, because compressors/expanders and limiters/gates exists.

Modifying Timbre: Filter Effects

Modifying the frequency characteristics of a sound we can greatly change the timbre of it. We can cut, attenuate or increase certain frequencies or frequency ranges, and add or subtract harmonic content to the signal, drastically modifying the original sound. Effects that belongs to this category are: FILTERS: Filters are used to remove unwanted portions of the frequency spectrum. There are three main types of filters which are: Low-Pass, High-Pass and Band-Pass; low and high pass respectively lets pass frequencies lower or higher that a given cut-off frequency. Band-pass is like an inverse combination of low/high, letting frequencies between a low cut-off and a high cut-off (a frequency range or band) pass and attenuating those outside.

Modifying Timbre: Filter Effects (II)

Continuing with timbre/ frequency modifying effect, we also have:

EQUALIZERS: Equalizers are more subtle than filters, giving the opportunity to enhance or attenuate (altering the amplitude) certain frequencies or frequency ranges hence shaping the tonal qualities of a signal/sound. Most common kinds of equalizers include Parametric and Graphic. PITCH SHIFTERS: Pitch shifters works by raising or lowering the pitch of an audio signal by a musical interval, it accomplishes that by altering the frequencies of the original signal. Simple ones have this interval fixed (commonly one or two octaves), while others offers a more diverse set of intervals. HARMONIZERS: Harmonizers are pitch shifters which combine the original audio signal with the shifted one(s), outputting two or more note harmony.

Modifying Propagation: Delay Effects

Changing the propagation quality of a sound is perceived mainly as differences in time related to the original dry signal, that why effects in this category are also referred as "time based" effects. Using this effect we can create the perception of physical spaces, or fooling the ears into believing that there are more sound sources than there really are. Effects that belongs to this category are: DELAYS: Delays a.k.a. Echoes works by storing a signal input and repeating it one or more times at a later time at the output. Generally the time interval at which the repetitions occur is measured in milliseconds, but it can be as greater as various seconds. REVERBS: Reverberations are the reflections of a sound that takes place in a concrete space, so what reverbs do is simulating those reflections to achieve a more lively sound. The reflections arrive at very small time intervals, much smaller than that of a delay.

Modifying Propagation: Delay Effects (II)

Continuing with the time based effects, we also have: CHORUSES: Chorus is achieved by adding a slightly delayed and detuned (possibly this delay and pitch shifting is varying/oscillating over time) to a sound signal. This effect fools the ears into perceiving that there are more "instruments" playing the same notes when there's in fact only one sound source. FLANGERS: The flange effect adds harmonic content to a signal by copying that signal, delaying it by a small (in the 20ms range) varying over time interval, and outputting it mixed with the original source. This creates a sweep effect, and is usually associated with jet plane sounds. PHASERS: Phasers creates peaks and valleys in the frequency spectrum by duplicating the signal and changing the phase (varying this phase modification amount depending on the frequency) of the copy, and mixing it back with the original dry signal.

Reflection
There are many effects we can achieve modifying the fundamental characteristics of a sound signal. They open a vast range of manipulation possibilities to enhance recordings, mixes and mastering and knowing how the different effects works is of utmost importance for the producer.