User manual ANTARES MICROPHONE MODELER

[. . . ] All names of microphone manufacturers and microphone model designations appearing in this manual are used solely to identify the microphones analysed in the development of our digital models and do not in any way imply any association with or endorsement by any of the named manufacturers. Antares Audio Technologies 464 Monterey Avenue, 2nd Floor Los Gatos, California 95030 USA voice: (888) 332-2636 email: info@antarestech. com web: www. antarestech. com Printed in USA Rev 1. 5-02/2000 The Obligatory Legal Mumbo-Jumbo The Antares Microphone Modeler software and this User's Manual are protected by copyright law. Making copies, adaptations, or derivative works without the prior written authorization of Antares Audio Technologies, is prohibited by law and constitutes a punishable violation of the law. Antares Audio Technologies retains all ownership rights to the Microphone Modeler software and other software offered by Antares Audio Technologies and their documentation. [. . . ] However, the Microphone Modeler does not simply apply a generic low-cut filter at the stated frequency, but instead models the actual filter performance of each modeled mic. In other words, a stated cut-off frequency is only as accurate as the filter on the actual mic. Another Note: Although it's always best to let your ears be your guide, if your audio was recorded with the source mic's low-cut filter turned on, in most cases it will be best to turn on the modeled mic's low-cut filter as well. (After all, there was presumably some reason that someone chose to use that filter in the first place. ) Pattern If the mic you select in the Modeled Mic menu is equipped with user-selectable pick-up patterns (i. e. , omni, cardioid, hypercardioid, etc. ), the Pattern pop-up menu will allow you to select from the actual pattern settings available on that mic. (If the modeled mic does not have selectable patterns, the menu will be grayed out. ) 18 Controls: Modeled Mic Section If the modeled mic does include multiple patterns, select the pattern whose characteristics produce the effect you desire. Note: The purpose of the Pattern selection is to model the varying frequency characteristics that result from each of the available pattern settings, with the assumption that the audio was recorded on axis (i. e. , from the front of the microphone). Since the Microphone Modeler has no way of knowing the actual placement of the signal source, it does not attempt to simulate off-axis performance. Proximity The Proximity knob in the Modeled Mic section can be used to select a desired amount of proximity effect. Note: Proximity Effect is a boost in bass frequencies resulting from placing a directional mic in close proximity to the signal source. The amount of the effect varies from mic to mic, but is generally inversely proportional to the distance from the mic to the source (i. e. , the smaller the distance, the greater the bass boost). Using the Proximity knob to set a particular distance will result in the amount of proximity effect that would be produced by the actual modeled mic when placed at that distance from the signal source. The effect of the Proximity control is unique for each model of microphone. The Microphone Modeler does not use a generalized approximation of proximity effect. Each model reflects the specific physical properties that create the individual proximity effect for that mic. Note: A secondary effect of mic-to-source distance is the extent to which environmental ambience is picked up by a mic. For example, as a mic is moved away from the source, the proximity effect decreases, but the amount of "room tone" increases (assuming that you are not in an anechoic chamber). However, judicious use of the Proximity control in combination with some appropriately programmed reverb will allow you to create the same effect, with the additional bonus of being able to control the exact nature of the room tone. Mics operating in omnidirectional mode do not exhibit a proximity effect. Consequently, if the modeled mic is an omni mic, or the modeled mic has selectable patterns and omni is chosen, the Proximity control will be disabled. 19 Controls: Preserve Source Preserve Source The Preserve Source controls allows you to split your audio into its bass and treble ranges and process each range separately. This lets you create hybrid mics that combine the bass characteristics of one mic and the treble characteristics of another. One of the two mics will be your actual source mic and the other can be selected from any of the available models. Say, for example, that you have a mic whose bass response is great for a particular track, but whose treble response just doesn't sound right. With this feature you can preserve the bass response of your source mic while replacing its treble characteristics with that of any of the modeled mics. [. . . ] To do this, select Bypass in the Source Mic menu (to pass through the sound of your mic unmodified) and then select your source mic in the Modeled Mic menu. The result will be to accentuate all of the characteristics that give your source mic its unique character, making it sound like itself, only more so. · Swap some model files between the Source and Model folders (i. e. , put the source file in the Modeled Mic folder and vice versa). This is likely to result in some strange timbres, but sometimes strange is good. [. . . ]