Waves Audio Linear Phase EQ User Guide

Wav es - Linear Phase EQ

Software Audio Processor

Users Guid e

Version 1.1 December 20th 2001.

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Chapter 1 – Introduction

Introducing Waves – Linear Phase Equalizer. The LinEQ is designed for ultra
precise equalization with 0 phase shifting. This tool offers a handful of features to
answer to the most demanding, critical equalization needs.
The main broadband component offers 6 bands, 5 general bands and 1 special
Low Frequency band.
For more surgical Low frequency manipulation we created the 3-band low
frequency component.
LinEQ offers +/- 30dB per band of gain manipulation range, and a special
selection of filter designs for maximum flexibility and a wide choice of “sound”
preferences.
The LinEQ works in real time and is controlled with the Paragraphic EQ interface
In legacy of Waves Q10 and Renaissance EQ.

HAT IS LINEAR PHASE

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When we use Equalizers we like to think that they are changing the gain of a
selected "band" leaving everything else untouched. The truth is that any normal
analog or digital EQ processor introduces a different amount of Delay or Phase
shift for different frequencies. The levels of all frequencies are linear, but the
phase is not.

EQ ?

The audible effect of this phase distortion is arguable. A trained ear may classify
and justify its effect as good sounding "coloration". The first elements to suffer
are short transients, which have a lot of frequencies happening simultaneously
for a short, Localized period of time. In this case phase distortion simply
degrades sharpness and clarity and somewhat smears the transients over a
longer time.

The digital domain offers us a method to achieve accurate Equalization without
any phase distortion. The - Linear Phase EQ method is based on Finite Impulse
Response filters. It presents no quantization error and is 24bit clean when idle. In
normal EQ different frequencies get different delay or phase shift. In Linear
Phase EQ all frequencies are delayed by the exact same amount, which is at
least half the length of the lowest frequency you are dealing with. It is much more
memory and calculation intensive then any normal digital EQ but is purer or truer
to the source as it doesn’t alter phase relations.

HY

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Linear phase equalization is not widely offered for its intense calculation
requirements. The lower the frequency the more intense the calculation and
longer delay is required too. Waves engineers found ways to make this
technology available as a real time process in most DAW environments. This

INEAR PHASE

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breakthrough technology required some sophisticated math magic in order to
meet the demands of the highest end sound engineers. It is primarily intended for
use in Mastering though it is very possible to use for other audio processing
needs as far as your process power will allow.

As usual, the main reason to use LinEQ would be for its sound. Whether it’s your
first experience with Linear Phase Equalization or if you are already familiar with
it, take the time to explore the sound of the LinEQ. As typically most users are so
much accustomed to the sound of normal EQ’s and their phase shift coloration,
this EQ is going to sound different. The sound of Linear Phase Equalization has
been described to be more transparent, more preserving of the musical balance
while still very effectively manipulating the harmonic spectrum.

The LinEQ provides a wide selection of filter types. There are 9 filter types
offering 2 types of Shelf and Cut filters. One type is the resonant “Analog
modeled” filters using the Q control for more or less overshoot. The other type is
the precision filter offering slope or dB per Octave response using the same Q
control. The bell filters are not symmetrical when boosting or cutting and have
been designed for the best “sweetest sounding” results per our latest
psychoacustic research.

The basic operation of LinEQ is as easy as that of any other EQ with some
special “Advanced” options to help you reach the best results in the most
demanding, delicate and critical of situations. This users guide is here to detail
every aspect of operating the LinEQ. It is recommended to read the guide
through in order to understand how to make the most of it. That being said it is
mostly recommended to read Chapter 2 - Basic Operation through. After reading
this chapter it is quite probable that you would feel right at home and get great
results even if you choose to trust your intuition.

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Chapter 2 – Basic Operation.

LINEQ – P

The LinEQ plug-in consists of two components available in mono or stereo.

LinEQ Broadband:

This is the main broadband component offering 6 Linear Phase EQ bands.
Band 0 or LF is the Low Frequency Band and it offers a range from 22Hz to 1kHz
with 1 Hz resolution for precise low frequency cutoffs.
The other 5 bands work in frequencies 258Hz – 18kHz. The resolution is 87Hz
and intended mostly for the higher frequencies.

LUG-IN COMPONENTS

The Low Frequency band is different from the other 5 and does not have the
same behavior and range of features. The 5 main bands have smooth real-time
performance and you can hear the changes while you drag. The Low Frequency
band has to be re-set for every change in cutoff or gain so you will hear the new
setting only when you release the mouse. The Low Frequency band is also has a
smaller Q range and doesn’t offer resonant shelf or cut filters.

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LinEQ Lowband:

This is the Low Band component offering 3 Linear Phase EQ bands dedicated for
low frequency manipulation.
The 3 bands work from 11Hz to 602Hz with a resolution of 11Hz.
All bands in this component offer all nine filter types with similar features to the 5
main bands of the main broadband compo nent. These bands are similar to the
Low Frequency band of the main broadband component in that they need to be
reset for every change so you will hear the new setting only when you release
the mouse and not while dragging.

ATENCY

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As noted the Linear Phase EQ makes constant delay for all the audio rather then
different delay to different frequencies. This constant delay varies between Plug­In components and is as listed here:
44kHz ­LinEQ Broadband = 2679 samples = 60.7 ms.
LinEQ Lowband = 2047 samples = 46.4 ms.

48kHz ­LinEQ Broadband = 2679 samples = 55.8 ms.
LinEQ Lowband = 2047 samples = 42.6 ms.

88kHz
LinEQ Broadband = 5360 samples = 60.9 ms.
LinEQ Lowband = 4095 samples = 46.5 ms.

96kHz
LinEQ Broadband = 5360 samples = 55.8 ms.
LinEQ Lowband = 4095 samples = 42.6 ms.

ELAY IN WAVES LINEAR PHASE

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