This document provides an overview and tutorial on using audio plugins. It begins by defining what a plugin is and discussing common plugin types like equalizers, compressors, limiters, de-essers, noise gates, noise reduction, and speech volume levelers. For each plugin type, it describes what the plugin is used for and some key terms. It also provides warnings about potential issues from overusing certain plugins and recommends how to arrange plugins in a signal chain. The document aims to help listeners learn about audio plugins and how to use them to improve the sound of their recordings.

1. @Twentyfoursound
Sound Like
A ROCKSTAR
USING PLUG-INS TO

2. Hi, I’m Toby.
Owner @Twentyfoursound
@twentyfoursound

3. JASON’S CONCOTION

4. We’re going to Learn Plugins
What is a Plugin?1
The types and how to2
If we get that far - How to Level3

5. What is a Plugin?
looked like…
1

6. Use captivating images
to reinforce your points

7. Equalizers
2

9. • For removing or reducing frequency problems.
Equalizers

10. • For removing or reducing frequency problems.
• For achieving vocal intelligibility.
Equalizers

11. • For removing or reducing frequency problems.
• For achieving vocal intelligibility.
• For developing and shaping sound.
Equalizers

12. • For removing or reducing frequency problems.
• For achieving vocal intelligibility.
• For developing and shaping sound.
• To be used a little as possible.
Equalizers

13. • Frequency - What
Equalizer terms

14. • Frequency - What
• Gain - How Much
Equalizer terms

15. • Frequency - What
• Gain - How Much
• Q/ width - How Wide or Narrow
Equalizer terms

16. • Frequency - What
• Gain - How Much
• Q/ width - How Wide or Narrow
• Pass - Hard Cutoff
Equalizer terms

17. Compressors and Limiters
2

19. • For leveling audio.
Compressors

20. • For leveling audio.
• For giving a LOUD "radio" sound.
Compressors

21. • For leveling audio.
• For giving a LOUD "radio" sound.
• To be used as little as possible.
Compressors

22. Before
After

23. • Increases room reflections
Compressor Warnings

24. • Increases room reflections
• Increases compression "sounds" / breathing
Compressor Warnings

25. • Increases room reflections
• Increases compression "sounds" / breathing
• Amplifies problems in the file
Compressor Warnings

26. • Attack - How fast it reacts
Compressor Terms

27. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
Compressor Terms

28. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
• Threshold - At what volume it reacts
Compressor Terms

29. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
• Threshold - At what volume it reacts
• Ratio - How extreme it reacts
Compressor Terms

30. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
• Threshold - At what volume it reacts
• Ratio - How extreme it reacts
• Ratio of output vs gain reduction
• 2:1 = 2 db over equals 1db in reduction.
Compressor Terms

31. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
• Threshold - At what volume it reacts
• Ratio - How extreme it reacts
• Output gain - A knob to make-up lost gain
Compressor Terms

32. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
• Threshold - At what volume it reacts
Limiter Terms

33. • Attack - How fast it reacts
• Release - How long it holds on
• Threshold - At what volume it reacts
• For protection and volume leveling.
Limiter Terms

34. • For leveling audio.
Speech Volume Leveler

35. • For leveling audio.
• Works as an automatic compressor
Speech Volume Leveler

36. • For leveling audio.
• Works as an automatic compressor
• Watch out for over-compression or
low levels over-amplified.
Speech Volume Leveler

37. • Target Volume - How Loud
Speech Volume Leveler Terms

38. • Target Volume - How Loud
• Leveling Amount - How hard it works
Speech Volume Leveler Terms

39. m
• Target Volume - How Loud
• Leveling Amount - How hard it works
• Target Dynamic Range - How tight of
a dynamic range it keeps
Speech Volume Leveler Terms

40. DeEsser

41. • For removing harsh upper
frequencies. Typically exaggerated by
"S" sounds.
DeEsser

42. • For removing harsh upper
frequencies. Typically exaggerated by
"S" sounds.
• It is a compressor for a small
frequency region.
DeEsser

43. • Frequency - Where
DeEsser Terms

44. • Frequency - Where
• Threshold - When
DeEsser Terms

45. • Frequency - Where
• Threshold - When
• Monitoring - Listen in
DeEsser Terms

46. Loudness Radar
3

48. • A reference meter to aid in objectivity
Loudness Radar

49. • A reference meter to aid in objectivity
• Goal is -16 LUFS
Loudness Radar

50. • A reference meter to aid in objectivity
• Goal is -16 LUFS
• Loudness range between 10 and 4.
This depends on the content.
Loudness Radar

51. Noise Gate
3

53. • For removing irrelevant noises,
typically background noise while
while another person speaks.
Noise Gate

54. • For removing irrelevant noises,
typically background noise while
while another person speaks.
• Watch out for words or relevant audio
being cut off.
Noise Gate

55. • Threshold - At what level it opens and
closes
• Attack - How fast it opens
• Release - How long it holds on until
closes
• Hold - How long until Release
• Sidechain (key) - At what frequency it
opens
Noise Gate Terms

56. How to arrange plugins

58. Noise Reduction
4

60. • For removing hiss, hum and buzz.
Noise Reduction

61. • For removing hiss, hum and buzz.
• Watch out for left over garble and artifacts.
Noise Reduction

62. • For removing hiss, hum and buzz.
• Watch out for left over garble and artifacts.
• Better to leave in a constant hiss than to cause
negative artifacts.
Noise Reduction

63. • Adaptive
Noise Reduction Types

64. • Adaptive
• Constant (Noise Print)
Noise Reduction Types

65. • Adaptive
• Adaptive constantly varies is algorithm to tame
background.
Noise Reduction Types

66. • Adaptive
• Adaptive constantly varies is algorithm to tame
background.
• Benefits:
• Adapts to changing background noise.
• Don’t need a hiss only section for the noise
print.
Noise Reduction Types

67. • Adaptive
• Adaptive constantly varies is algorithm to tame
background.
• Disadvantages:
• Can mistake other sounds for hiss, and deal
too harshly
• Might not remove hiss as accurately.
• CPU Heavy
Noise Reduction Types

68. • Constant
• Removes only what it’s assigned to.
• Benefits:
• Does not mistake not-noise for noise
• What you hear in one section is what you’ll
get throughout the entire audio.
Noise Reduction Types

69. • Constant
• Removes only what it’s assigned to.
• Disadvantages:
• Can miss hiss as it changes.
• Needs a section of the offending noise only.
• One time processing that cannot be undone
without undoing all processes since.
Noise Reduction Types

70. Now Go Make the World Sound Great

71. Thank You!
If you enjoyed this, please check out our podcast!
@Twentyfoursound