ANTARES MDT Owner’s Manual
MDT
Multiband Dynamics Toolª
for TDM
™
UserÕs Manual
v 4.4
MDT UserÕs Manual
i
MDT – Multiband Dynamics Tool™
© 1999 Antares Audio Technologies
All Rights Reserved
Antares Audio Technologies
464 Monterey Ave, 2nd Floor
Los Gatos, CA, 95030
(408) 399-0008, (888) 332-2636
web: www.antaresTech.com
MDT Ð Multiband Dynamics Tool software and this user manual are protected by copyright law. Making copies, adaptations, or derivative works
without 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 MDT software and other software offered by Antares Audio Technologies and their
documentation. Use of MDT is limited by the license agreement printed on
the envelope containing your original diskette.
All trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
MDT License Agreement
ii
MDT UserÕs Manual
Carefully read all the terms and conditions of this license agreement. If you do not agree with
the terms and conditions of this Agreement, notifying Antares Audio Technologies and destroying all copies of the manual, and erasing MDT from all machine-readable media, whether on-line or on archival copies.
Software License Agreement
Antares Audio Technologies grants you a non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use
MDT, under the terms and conditions stated in this agreement. Use of MDT indicates your
agreement to the following terms and conditions.
License
You may:
1. use MDT on only one computer at a time;
2. physically transfer the program from one computer to another, provided that the
program is used on only one computer at a time.
You may not:
1. make copies of MDT or of the user manual in whole or in part except as expressly
provided for in this agreement. Your right to copy MDT and the user manual is lim-
ited by copyright law. Making copies, verbal or media translations, adaptations, derivative works, or telecommunication data transmission of MDT without prior
written authorization of Antares Audio Technologies, is prohibited by law and constitutes a punishable violation of the law.
2. make alteration or modifications to MDT (or any copy) or disassemble or de-compile MDT (or any copy), or attempt to discover the source code of MDT.
3. sub license, lease, lend, rent, or grant other rights in all or any portion of MDT (or
any copy) to others.
Term of the Agreement
This agreement is effective until terminated by you or Antares Audio Technologies. You may
terminate the agreement at any time by notifying Antares Audio Technologies and destroying
all copies of the manual, and erasing MDT from all machine-readable media, whether on-line
or on archival copies.
In the event of breach of any of the terms of this agreement, you shall pay the attorney's fees
of Antares Audio Technologies that are reasonably necessary to enforce the agreement plus
resulting damages.
Limited Warranty and Disclaimer
MDT AND ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT
NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
Antares Audio Technologies does not warrant that the functions contained in the program will
meet your requirements. The entire risk as to the use, quality, and performance of MDT is
with you. Antares Audio Technologies warrants the diskettes on which the program is furnished to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of
ninety (90) days from the day of delivery to you as evidenced by a copy of your receipt. AnTares System's entire liability and your exclusive remedy as to the diskettes will be the replacement of the diskettes.
SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO
YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. YOU MAY ALSO
HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM JURISDICTION TO JURISDICTION.
Limitation of Liability
IN NO EVENT WILL ANTARES AUDIO TECHNOLOGIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOSS OF DATA, LOST PROFITS OR OTHER SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE
OF MDT OR ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS. THIS LIMITATION WILL APPLY
EVEN IF ANTARES AUDIO TECHNOLOGIES OR ITS AUTHORIZED AGENT HAS
BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE
THAT THE LICENSE FEE REFLECTS THIS ALLOCATION OF RISK. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY
NOT APPLY TO YOU.
MDT UserÕs Manual
iii
Welcome!
I would like to extend my congratulations to you on purchasing the most
powerful dynamics processing tool available. With your purchase of MDT,
you have created a relationship with my company which I hope will be
long and gratifying.
As a registered user of MDT, you are entitled to notiÞcation of software
upgrades, technical support, and to special introductory offers on upcoming products. We will be in contact with you to announce new opportunities and to solicit your feedback.
At Antares Audio Technologies, we are committed to excellence in service,
quality, and technology innovation. You can count on us to listen to you and
to keep our promises to you.
Andy Hildebrand, Ph.D.
andy@antaresTech.com
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MDT UserÕs Manual
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
Welcome!
Table of Contents
Getting Started
How To Use This Manual
For Those Who Hate To Read Manuals…
The Contents Of The Manual
Software Notes
Owner Registration
Installing MDT
Technical Support
Introducing MDT
Understanding Compression
Ratio And Threshold 14
MDT As A Compressor 15
The In/Out Grid 16
“Soft Knee” Compressor
“Tube” Compander
Attack And Release Times 19
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13
13
17
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CHAPTER 3
MDT In The TDM Environment
MDT Tutorial
Lesson 1: MDT Basics
About DSP Plug-ins 22
The Peak Level Indicator 22
The I/O Curve 23
MDT UserÕs Manual
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21
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The In/Out Grid 25
The Input Offset Arrows 27
The Setting Menu 28
Lesson 2: Single Band Applications
Compressor 30
Attack and Release Times 31
Expander/Gate 34
ÒTubeÓ Compander 36
Example 1: “Soft Knee” comp/gate
Example 2: “tube” comp/gate
Example 3: Full mix
Lesson 3: Multiband Applications
Multiband Peak Level Indicators 39
The Filter Modes 40
Multiband Compressor 40
Managing Tonal Balance In Multiband Mode 42
What is the Tonal Balance Problem?
How To Achieve Tonal Balance
MDT As A Spectral Enhancer 45
De-esser
Spectral Enhancer
Dynamic EQ
Lesson 4: Clip Sentry
30
36
37
38
39
42
43
45
46
47
48
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MDT UserÕs Manual
CHAPTER 4
Lesson 5: Using Automation
New Possibilities 51
Inverted Gain Curves
MDT Reference
Attack Slider 53
Automation 53
Bypass Button 54
Clip Sentry Button 54
Clip Sentry Buf Len (mS) slider 55
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Table of Contents
Clip Sentry Release (mS) slider 55
Clipping Indicator 55
Control Surface Support 56
Delay Window 56
Filter Mode Menu 56
Flat Button 58
Gain Slider 58
Input Offset Arrows 58
In/Out Display 59
In/Out Grid 59
Release Slider 61
Reset Button 61
Setting Menu 61
TDM Settings and the Compare Button 62
Thresholds And Terminators 63
Variable Button 63
CHAPTER 5
Theory of Operation
The Gain Adjust Algorithm
The ÒFull BandÓ Filter Mode
The ÒStandardÓ Filter Modes
The ÒAPÓ Filter Modes
Clip Sentry
Stereo Sound Processing
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MDT UserÕs Manual
CHAPTER 1
Getting Started
The Multiband Dynamics Tool is a unique DSP plug-in for DigidesignÕsª
TDM system that provides unprecedented control over the dynamics of
your recordings. Unlike existing dynamics processors, MDT allows the
sound to be shaped interactively, giving you creative possibilities never
before available.
MDT can create compressors, limiters, expanders, downward expander/
gates, Òsoft kneeÓ compressor/limiters, ÒtubeÓ companders, or any combination of these. In multiband mode, MDT can create de-essers, spectral
enhancers, and dynamic EQs, as well as compressors, and expanders that
suppress the effects of artifacts like ÒbreathingÓ and ÒpumpingÓ.
MDT replaces expensive digital dynamics processors in applications like
mastering, track sweetening, sound effects, sample editing, or any other
application where high end digital dynamics processing is needed.
How To Use This Manual
MDT has a transparent user interface and is extraordinarily easy to use.
However, the operation of MDT and some functions of the user interface
will not be immediately obvious because they do things which have never
been done before. We strongly recommend that you read chapters 2 and 3 of
the manual to take full advantage of the quality and control that MDT
makes possible.
We assume that you already know how to operate ProTools and TDM. If
you have questions about this, refer to your ProTools manual or call Digidesign for technical support.
MDT UserÕs Manual
9
Getting Started
For Those Who Hate To Read ManualsÉ
We strongly recommend that you work your way through the MDT Tutorial in Chapter 3. It doesnÕt take very long and the work will pay for itself
many times over. If you canÕt bring yourself to go through the tutorial, we
recommend that you keep the manual nearby as you work with MDT.
When something puzzling comes up, you can look it up in the Index.
The Contents Of The Manual
Chapter 1: Getting Started
This chapter explains everything about installing MDT, communicating
with Antares Audio Technologies, and using the manual.
Chapter 2: Introducing MDT
This chapter explains the scope of MDTÕs functions. Basic concepts about
dynamics processing are also covered. The user interface is explained.
Chapter 3: MDT Tutorial
The MDT Tutorial guides you through a step by step process which shows
you how to use MDT in various single band and multiband applications.
We recommend this chapter as ÒmustÓ reading for everyone.
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MDT UserÕs Manual
Chapter 4: MDT Reference
This chapter explains every object and function in MDT. Items are organized in alphabetical order by name.
Chapter 5: Theory of Operation
This chapter explains, in technical terms, how MDT works.
Software Notes
MDT 4.0t is a Digidesign TDM compatible plug-in. It runs with ProTools
version 3.2 or greater with TDM installed or any other system capable of
running TDM plug-ins.
Owner Registration
Owner Registration
Your purchase of MDT entitles you to technical support, special introductory offers on new products from Antares Audio Technologies, and notiÞcation of software updates. Software updates will be published as the
program evolves.
Please Þll out and return the Owner Registration Card. The information on
the card will allow us to communicate more effectively with you and will
enable us to serve you better in the future.
Installing MDT
To install MDT, double click the installer icon. Information about the authorization process call be found in the installed read-me Þle.
Technical Support
If you have some problem using MDT that canÕt be solved by reading the
manual, call technical support at (888) 332-2636, or (408) 399-0008 Monday
through Friday between 9 AM to 5 PM PaciÞc Standard Time.
Also, you might Þnd what you want at our web page:
www.antaresTech.com
You can also e-mail:
techsupport@antaresTech.com
MDT UserÕs Manual
11
Getting Started
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MDT UserÕs Manual
CHAPTER 2
Introducing MDT
MDT is a breakthrough among with dynamics processors. It puts your
hands on the dials and levers of the DSP process itself, letting you shape the
results in ways never available before. Access to this new level of ßexibility
and control is achieved by shifting the way you think about how compression and expansion work. This chapter introduces MDTÕs operating paradigm and gives the information needed to use it effectively.
Understanding Compression
Next to reverb, compression is probably the most important signal process
used in todayÕs studios. Simply put, compression reduces the
of a signal. That is, it reduces the difference in loudness between the loudest
and quietest parts of a piece of music. Another way to think about this is
that the compressor is acting as an automatic fader which fades down when
the music gets loud and fades back up when the music gets soft.
dynamic range
Why reduce the dynamic range? Consider mixing a vocal into a pop music
bed. Typically, pop music has a relatively consistent level of loudness. If an
uncompressed vocal track is added to a typical pop mix, certain loudly sung
words or syllables would be very obtrusive, while quieter phrases would be
buried underneath the instrumental texture. This is because the difference
between the loudest and softest sounds in the vocal, its dynamic range, is
very large. This same problem occurs for any instrument which had a
dynamic range larger than the music bed into which it is being mixed.
By using a compressor to decrease the dynamic range of the vocal, the softer
sounds are increased in loudness and the loudest sounds are reduced in
loudness, tending to even out the overall level of the track. This makes the
MDT UserÕs Manual
13
Introducing MDT
vocal track sound generally louder and more distinct, and therefore, easier
to hear in the mix.
Ratio And Threshold
How is compression measured? What is a little compression and what is a
lot of compression? The concept called
how much the dynamic range is compressed. Look at the illustration below.
compression ratio is
the measure of
1 to 1 r atio
2 to 1 r atio
THRESHOLD
OUTPUT LEVEL
Louder
I/O Curve
Louder
INPUT LEVEL
4 to 1 r atio
8 to 1 r atio
∞ to 1 ratio
This graph represents the relationship between the input level of the signal
and the output level of the signal after compression. Notice that the curve
has a breakpoint called a
threshold
. All standard compressors use a threshold. Signals that are louder than the threshold are processed (reduced in
level) while those softer than the threshold are unchanged.
As the input signal exceeds the threshold,
gain reduction
(reduction in loudness) is applied. The amount of gain reduction that is applied depends on
the compression ratio. The higher the compression ratio, the more gain
reduction is applied to the signal.
The graph shows the relationship between compression ratio and gain
reduction. Examine the 2 to 1 ratio curve. For signals above the threshold,
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MDT UserÕs Manual
Understanding Compression
this curve transforms a range of loudness 2 units large into a range of loudness one unit large. Examine the ∞ to 1 curve. This curve transforms all
sounds above the threshold to the same loudness. Dynamics processors
which have this sort of curve are called limiters.
MDT As A Compressor
The graph described above appears in MDTÕs user interface. The following
illustration is a screen shot of MDTÕs In/Out Grid.
THRESHOLD
4 to1 Ratio
I/O Curve
Like the Þrst graph, this is a graph of the Input Level versus the Output
Level. The curve on the graph has a threshold and the curve segment above
the threshold has a 4 to 1 compression ratio.
The gray bar at the bottom of the graph is an input level meter. It shows
how loud the input signal is so that you can see where on the curve it falls.
In the illustration below, the input level is at -18 dB. The threshold is at
MDT UserÕs Manual
Input Level
15
Introducing MDT
Output Level: -39 dB
-48 dB. The input is above the threshold so it is getting a gain reduction of
-21 dB. This puts the output at -39 dB.
Gain Reduction = 21 dB
4 to 1 Ratio
THRESHOLD = -48 dB
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MDT UserÕs Manual
Input Level: -18 dB
The In/Out Grid
In conventional dynamics processors, there are knobs or sliders that control
the threshold and ratio parameters. MDT uses a graphic interface called the
In/Out Grid for these adjustments. The In/Out Grid provides visual feedback of the effect the tool is having on the sound. The complexity of the processorÕs conÞguration is easily controlled using multiple thresholds and
their associated compression ratios.
The details of how to use MDTÕs graphic interface are explained in Lesson 1
of the MDT Tutorial.
MDTÕs I/O Curve can be arranged to create many different kinds of
dynamic processing devices in addition to compressors. Many esoteric and
expensive outboard dynamics processors can also be emulated. The Setting
menu contains many settings which you will Þnd useful in creating ÒsweetÓ
sounding digital expanders, spectral enhancers, companders, and other
tools useful in mastering, tracking, and sound design. The examples below
Understanding Compression
explain some of the conÞgurations that are possible using MDTÕs unique
graphic interface.
ÒSoft KneeÓ Compressor
Ratio = 4 to 1
Ratio = 3 to 1
Ratio = 2 to 1
Ratio = 1 to 1
ÒSoft kneeÓ compressors sound less obvious than regular Òhard kneeÓ compressors because the compression ratio near the threshold changes gradually. In the example above, as the signal gets louder than the threshold, it is
Þrst compressed at 2 to1. As it gets louder still, the ratio goes to 3 to1, until,
Þnally, it reaches its maximum ratio of 4 to 1. This setting sounds less
ÒsquashedÓ than a plain 4 to 1 hard knee compressor because only the
peaks in the signal get the full 4 to 1 compression.
The Òsoftest kneeÓ dynamics processors available are the tube-type compressors, especially the vintage variety. The following example shows how
MDT can be conÞgured to emulate a tube compander.
MDT UserÕs Manual 17
Introducing MDT
ÒTubeÓ Compander
Compression Ratios
3 to 1
2.2 to 1
1.5 to 1
Expansion Ratios
1 to 1.5
1 to 2.2
1 to 3.0
1 to 4.0
1 to 1
The curve shown above has no clear threshold point where the signal starts
to get processed. Instead, the compression or expansion ratios change gradually. It is called a compander because it both compresses and expands the
dynamic range, depending on the level of the input. The top half of the
curve compresses the dynamic range. The bottom half of the curve expands
the dynamic range.
The sonic effect of processing through this kind of setting is very natural.
Only the peaks of the sound get compressed heavily, while most of the signal passes through at a 1 to 1 ratio. This assumes that the average input
level is around -40 dB. (See ÒThe Input Offset ArrowsÓ on page 27 for an
explanation of how to ÒplaceÓ an input on the curve without actually
changing its level.)
18 MDT UserÕs Manual
Sounds quieter than -48 dB get expanded downward, that is, they are faded
down as they get softer. Because the curve increases in slope gradually, this
subtle gating effect sounds very natural. It is useful for eliminating noise
and maintaining a sense of wide dynamic range while still compressing the
hot peaks in the signal.
Understanding Compression
Attack And Release Times
The attack time of a compressor is simply how long it takes for the compressor to react once the input level has met or exceeded the threshold level.
With a fast attack time, the signal is brought under control almost immediately, whereas a slower attack time will allow the start of a transient or a
percussive sound to pass through uncompressed before the processor has
time to react. Creating a deliberate overshoot by setting an attack time of
several milliseconds is an effective way to emphasize the percussive nature
of instruments. The illustration below shows the effect of changing the
attack time.
Uncompressed Input CompressedCompressed
1 mSec attack 10 mSec attack
The release time of a compressor is the time it takes for the gain to return to
normal after the input level drops below the threshold. Setting too quick a
release time can cause a pumping effect in the output. If the release time is
too long, the compressor will not accurately track level changes in the
input. The illustration below shows the effect of changing the release time.
Uncompressed Input
Compressed
1 mSec release
Compressed
50 mSec release
MDT UserÕs Manual 19
Introducing MDT
MDT In The TDM Environment
The TDM software environment is supported by hardware from Digidesign
called the DSP Farm. Each DSP Farm card contains DSP chips on which
MDT and other DSP plug-ins run. The TDM system requires that one chip
on the DSP Farm be used for the Mixer plug-in which comes with ProTools.
Assigning a large number of ProTools voices will sometimes require the use
of two DSP chips on the DSP Farm.
MDT processes two audio channels per DSP chip. The table below shows
how many DSP chips are used as more MDT channels are allocated.
Number of MDTs used Number of DSP chips allocated
2 mono to mono MDTs 1
1 stereo to stereo MDT 1
1 mono to mono plus 1 stereo to stereo MDT 2
NOTE: Sometimes TDM will post a warning dialog saying that there are an
insufÞcient number of DSP chips available when you have added a normally legal number of MDTs. This is because of the order in which TDM
allocates the DSP chips as you add more inserts. If this occurs, de-assign a
MDT or two and then re-assign them. This allows TDM to sort out its DSP
allocation, allowing the greatest use of the available DSP chips.
20 MDT UserÕs Manual
CHAPTER 3 MDT Tutorial
ÒI donÕt want to know how it works Ð
I want to know how to work it!Ó
Ð Keith Emerson
This chapter is a step-by-step explanation of how to use MDT. MDT is a
breakthrough in technology and is therefore unique. If you follow these lessons one step at a time, you will master MDT and fully beneÞt from its
capabilities.
The whole tutorial takes about 90 minutes to complete.
Lesson 1: MDT Basics
In/Out Grid
I/O Curve
Peak Level Indicator
Input Offset Arrows
Input Offset Display
Input/Output Display
This lesson presents the elements of MDTÕs user interface.
MDT UserÕs Manual 21
MDT Tutorial
About DSP Plug-ins
DSP Plug-ins are software programs that run inside ProTools, and other
programs to add functionality and provide a variety of DSP tools. All TDM
compatible plug-ins have a few basic features in common. This section
describes those features.
1. Start ProTools and open the session named ÒMDT TutorialÓ.
2. Select ÒShow Inserts ViewÓ from the Display Menu.
3. Click on the MDT insert in the track labeled ÒAux 1Ó.
4. Choose Reset Settings from MDTÕs Setting menu.
5. In the Transport Window, click on the locator point labeled ÒShort VoiceÓ.
The Peak Level Indicator
1. Start playback with looping.
A Peak Level Indicator appears at the bottom of the In/Out Grid of
MDT. It displays the current input level that MDT uses to make gain
adjustments.
22 MDT UserÕs Manual
As the soundÞle plays, notice the dynamic range that the Peak Level
Indicator covers.
MDT uses look-ahead peak averaging to determine the loudness of a
sound. Look-ahead peak averaging means MDT scans the data about to be
processed for upcoming peaks while calculating the average peak level of
the data itÕs currently working on. It uses both numbers to derive the Þnal
input level. MDT can scan up to 1024 samples ahead, depending on the DSP
card being used.
2. Use the mouse to press on the right arrow of the Release slider. Increase the
release time to 4,999 mS (milliseconds).
Notice that, as the release time increases, the Peak Level IndicatorÕs
movement slows down and the displayed signal level gets higher on the
IN scale. This is because, as the release time increases, it takes longer for
hot peaks to be averaged out of the level calculation. The actual signal
Press here to increase
the Release time
Upper T erminator
Lesson 1: MDT Basics
may be ßuctuating wildly, but the displayed level will always be the
average value of the peaks inside the time window determined by the
Attack and Release settings.
3. Drag the Release slider to the far left position. Notice the change in the Peak Level
Indicator.
With a release time of 0 milliseconds, the Peak Level Indicator more
closely reßects the actual instantaneous sound level.
4. Stop playback.
5. Reset MDT by choosing Reset Settings from the Setting menu.
The I/O Curve
MDT uses a unique graphic interface to describe the relationship between
Input and Output levels. This relationship is called the transfer characteristic
or, in MDT parlance, the I/O Curve. This section demonstrates the manipulation of the I/O Curve.
Threshold
I/O Curve
In/Out Grid
Lower Terminator
In/Out Display
NOTE: Points on the I/O Curve or the In/Out Grid will always be written
as a pair of negative numbers, e. g. -60:-60. The Þrst number is the location
MDT UserÕs Manual 23
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