Waves Audio X-Click User Guide

Waves X-Click

Software Audio Processor

Users Guide

In this manual –

1. Introduction……………………………………2

2. Using X-Click……………….…………………3

3. Controls and Displays………………………..5

4. Important information and useful tips..……..7

The Noise Reduction Technology
licensed from Algorithmix ® GmbH, Germany.
All rights reserved.

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1. Introduction

Waves X-Click reduces strong, impulsive, transient noise while preserving

excellent audio quality. X-Click is part of the Waves Restoration bundle, which
restores vinyl records and damaged recordings. We recommend using X-Click
first to remove large clicks and X-Crackle to take care of more delicate
scratches. The plug-ins can also be chained together (X-Click->X-Crackle). X-
Click and the other Restoration plug-ins have a friendly interface that is easy to
learn and use. X-Click uses just two parameters to configure the click-removal
process.

This user guide describes:

• the problems X-Click solves;

• how to use the software;

• the software user interface.

Click the ? on the toolbar for online help. Thanks for using X-Click and enjoy!

HAT PROBLEMS DOES

W

Clicks are caused by two types of events: digital errors that create a large, rapid
transition in the waveform; physical obstacles and/or damage in the record’s
needle groove. Physical damage often corrupts more samples than digital errors.

X-Click effectively removes clicks from old vinyl and shellac records, and
recordings tainted by switching noise, digital cross-talk, or thyristor buzz. Unlike
other click-removal systems, X-Click leaves virtually no audible artifacts if its
parameters are set correctly.

X-Click employs the most recent psychoacoustic research and multilevel
decision algorithms to remove clicks while preserving the sonic clarity of the
source. It performs better than comparable DAW tools and as well or better than
more expensive, dedicated-hardware solutions.

X-C

LICK FIX

?

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2. Using X-Click

ENERAL USE

G

X-Click has two parameters to select clicks for removal:

• Threshold: Sets the amplitude of the targeted clicks. Higher values
remove more clicks; a 0 setting leaves all clicks. For a typically polluted
vinyl recording transferred to a digital medium, we recommend starting
with a Threshold in the range 30–50.

• Shape: Corresponds to the width, or time window, of the clicks to be
removed. Lower values remove smaller clicks usually from digital origin.
Scratched vinyl record clicks are usually wider and call for a higher shape
value. We recommend 70 as a starting value for typical vinyl restoration.

Artifacts increase with higher values of both parameters so a compromise may
be necessary between click-removal performance and the sound quality of the
processed signal. The number of clicks removed for a given Threshold value is
displayed in the Click Scope (see Displays section) by the red lines; this visually
represents the click’s detection level. We recommend experimenting with
different settings while monitoring with headphones to hear the details of the
processing.

For additional help, use the Difference feature in X-Click’s monitor section (see
Controls section). You can switch between monitoring the processed audio path
(Audio) and the signal removed by X-Click (Difference). This differential signal
should contain only clicks, not desirable parts of the audio signal. If it does
contain audio, try lowering the Threshold and/or Shape parameters to minimize
the removal of audio transients.

X-Click’s factory presets are optimized for the most common click-removal
situations (i.e., digital clicks, 78 RPM shellac, vinyl). If a preset does not perform
adequately, find the best preset and begin experimenting with its parameters until
a good balance is achieved.

UTOMATIC CLICK REMOVAL

A

X-Click can usually be set once for an entire recording. It can be applied as a

track insert by itself or as part of a process chain with X-Crackle inserted after it.
Similar to processing an entire file in an audio editor, this is the fastest and
easiest method.

When the material has intentionally transient sounds (i.e., drums and percussion
instruments), this automatic process may inadvertently remove some of them. If
an acceptable balance between click removal and preservation of desirable

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