DeEsser controls in Final Cut Pro for Mac
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 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. DeEsser has extremely fast attack and release times.
When using 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 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.
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.
The Detector controls are on the left side of the DeEsser window, and the Suppressor controls are on the right. The center section includes the Detector and Suppressor displays and the Smoothing slider.
To add the DeEsser effect to a clip and show the effect’s controls, see Add Logic effects to clips in Final Cut Pro for Mac.
Detector controls
Detector Frequency knob and field: Set the frequency range for analysis.
Detector Sensitivity knob and field: Set the degree of responsiveness to the input signal.
Monitor pop-up menu: Choose Detector to monitor the isolated Detector signal, Suppressor to monitor the filtered Suppressor signal, Sensitivity to remove the sound from the input signal in response to the Sensitivity parameter, or Off to hear the DeEsser output.
Suppressor controls
Suppressor Frequency knob and field: Set the frequency band that is reduced when the Detector sensitivity threshold is exceeded.
Strength knob and field: Set the amount of gain reduction for signals that surround the Suppressor frequency.
Activity LED: Indicates active suppression in real time.
Center section controls
Detector and Suppressor frequency displays: The upper display shows the Detector frequency range. The lower display shows the Suppressor frequency range (in Hz).
Smoothing slider: Set the reaction speed of the gain reduction start and end phases. Smoothing controls both the attack and release times, as they are used by compressors.
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