PSP MixTreble Demo

Description: PSP MixTreble is the fourth plug-in of the PSP MixPack package, which has been designed for processing a range of treble frequencies. Its universality and great possibilities in creating sound are ensured by these expanded sections:
>>> the hiss remover section which allows a decrease in the hiss content or in the undesired reverberation of a room in the range of treble frequencies;
>>> the transient section designed for stimulating flattened transients;
>>> the enhancer section which makes it possible to increase the spatiality of the processed material;
>>> the harmonic section designed for widening the frequency range by enriching the signal in lacking harmonics.

The PSP MixTreble's high quality of signal processing means that it can be used in a wide range of applications. It can be used for improving sound definition, boosting the characteristic features of acoustic instruments and drums, revitalizing archival records, and also to enhance the overall sound quality of ready mixes.
The operation of the plug-in has been tested on various phonic material such as single instrumental and vocal tracks, percussion loops and ready mixes. In most cases, the corrective action of the chosen and appropriately applied sections resulted in a decided improvement in the dynamics, sharpness, clarity and spatiality of the processed material. Creative use of the plug-in resulted in completely new sounds.

Features: four algorithms providing procesing suited for almost any kind of material: hiss removing section, transient processing secion, stereo enhancer section and harmonics section, switchable soft clipping algorithm preserving the output signal level from exciding the level of 0dBFS. Those sections can improve the sound with better S/N ratio, detailed sound, clear articulation and adding air to the track or the mix.

Applications: processing single tracks for better presence in the mix, processing any kind of tracks or groups for removing the noise floor and better stereo image, processing mixes or archival material for overal treble improvement - the better S/N ratio, detailed sound, clear articulation and air.


Short Operating Manual

The operation of PSP MixTreble plug-in parameter settings has been integrated with other VST system elements.

 
Hiss Remover section

This section is designed for reducing the noise content in the treble frequencies. The way this algorithm works is similar to the way analog devices operate. Its main element is a dynamically tuned low-pass filter, designed for filtering out the unwanted high-frequency signal.

"threshold" - the signal threshold in the control side-chain of the filter, below which the unwanted signal is defined.

"attenuation" - the depth of attenuation of the filtered high-frequency range. In order to ensure smooth noise reduction, it is recommended that the parameter is set within a range from -6 to -12dB.

"speed" - the speed of the filter cut-off frequency, which depends on the processed material. In most cases, the mid. position of this knob gives good results. When processing material with a high transient level, it is advised to set the parameter below 50%. For sounds with soft attack and decay, "slow strings" for example, the value of the parameter should be increased.

"min.freq." - indicates a minimal frequency for the dynamic filter. In most cases, the mid. position guarantees satisfactory noise reduction, without deep high-frequency modulation.

"Process" - activates this section.

Recommendations:

In order to set the algorithm properly it is recommended that you:

  • keep only this section on
  • set "attenuation" at -oo dB, "min.freq" at 500Hz, "speed" in the mid. position and "threshold" at -96dB
  • gradually increase the threshold value until you achieve an audible reduction in hiss, without a significant loss of transients and the desired high tones
  • set "min.freq" to reduce the high-frequency modulation effect
  • set "attenuation" within a range from -12 to -6dB
  • use the "Process" button to compare the input signal to the processed one

Transients section

This section is designed for enhancing transients which have been flattened by poor-quality analog equipment. The operation of this section is based on the high-frequency compander. Due to this algorithm, it is possible to revitalize tracks whose details have been softened, as well as to improve definition in the medium and high-frequency range, without an increase in the noise content.

"ratio" - smoothly regulated expansion ratio between 1:1 and 2:1.

"filt.slope" - sets the high-pass filter slope within the range from 0 to 12dB/oct.

"hi.damp" - damping of extremely high frequencies during high-frequency filtering to avoid "overbrightness" of this range.

"adjust" - adjusts the processed signal content in the output signal.

"Process" - activates this section.

Recommendations:

In order to set the algorithm properly, it is recommended that you:

Enhancer section

This section is designed for enhancing the stereo base or increasing the spatiality of high frequencies. It works using the high-pass filter and a controlled XY->MS->XY matrix. It can be active only during stereo-signal processing.

"filt.slope" - sets the high-pass filter slope within the range from 0 to 6dB/oct.

"over enhanced" - indicates the possibility of an overenhanced effect due to the high level of the side (S) component in the output signal.

"enhance" - adjusts the depth of the stereo enhancement effect. The 0% setting does not cause any changes in the original signal.

"Process" - activates this section.

Recommendations:

In order to set the algorithm properly, it is recommended that you:

  • set the "filt.slope" knob in the mid. position
  • set the "enhance" knob at 0%
  • find a setting for "enhance" which does not cause too large an increase in the value of the spatial component of the signal
  • correct the "filt.slope" parameter setting so as to find a suitable frequency range for the operation of the effect
  • use the "Process" button to compare the input signal with the processed signal.

Harmonics section

This section is designed for generating additional odd and even harmonics for improving clarity and definition, or adding presence to a track. This algorithm has been equipped with a wide-range tunable bell-type filter. The filtered signal is sent to the harmonics generator and then to the fundamental component-removing filter. The harmonics generator generates odd and even harmonics.

"frequency" - sets the filter center frequency.

"Q" - sets the filter quality factor.

"drive" - sets the depth of the drive effect for the filtered signal and is responsible for the amount of generated harmonics.

"first out" - enables the possibility of removing the fundamental component of the signal and leaving only the harmonics for further regulation.

"adjust" - sets the amount of generated harmonics in the output signal.

"Process" - activates this section.

Recommendations:

In order to set the algorithm for typical uses, it is recommended that you;

Output section

This section is designed for setting the mono/stereo processing mode, driving the soft-clipping algorithm and setting the output level of the plug-in (before the soft-clipping algorithm).

"Sat" - activates the soft-clipping algorithm for the output signal.

"oo/o" - switches the plug-in between mono and stereo processing.

"peak over" - indicates a peak-signal level higher than 0dB if the soft-clipping algorithm is off, or the almost full saturation of the algorithm, if it is on.

"output" - sets the output signal level. It comes before the soft-clipping algorithm in the signal path.

"Process" - activates all sections of the plug-in.


The PSP MixTreble demo version is restricted in the following ways:

  • every few seconds the sound processing will be muted,
  • it does not include the full HTML Operating Manual,
  • it does not include the full library of presets.

System requirements for MAC and PC

  • Windows 95 or higher
  • 32 MB RAM
  • Pentium 200 MHz or faster
  • S-VGA display adapter with color depth no less than 16 bit (High Color) and resolution of 1024x768

  • MacOS 8.6
  • 64MB RAM
  • G3 300 MHz
  • Color depth no less than 16 bit (High Color) and resolution of 1024x768


PSP is a trademark of Projekt-CDO. "VST" is a trademark of Steinberg Soft - und Hardware GmbH. All others trademarks are the property of their respective owners.