2 COPYRIGHT

Copyright
This documentation is protected by copyright law.

All rights, especially rights concerning duplication, distribution, and translation, are
reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in form of copies, microfilms or other

processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing
machines, without the express written consent of the publisher.

MAGIX® and Samplitude® are registered trademarks of MAGIX AG.

ASIO & VST are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH

EUCONTM is a registered trademark of Avid Technology.

All other product names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Errors and changes to the contents as well as program modifications reserved.

This product uses MAGIX patented technology (USP 6518492) and MAGIX patent pending
technology.

Copyright © MAGIX AG, 1990 - 2011. All rights reserved.

 WELCOME 3

Welcome
Congratulations on your purchase of Cleaning & Restoration Suite.

This program package offers a comprehensive palette of professional effect tools for
cleaning and restoration of your audio material. Cleaning & Restoration Suite completes
your Samplitude toolbox for creating the highest-quality audio material. The
DeClicker/DeCrackler removes clicks and pops, the DeClipper removes overmodulation,
the DeHisser is used to remove uniform noise, the DeNoiser gets rid of ambient noise, the
Brilliance Enhancer gives your audio material a special luster, and Spectral Cleaning
removes unwanted noises with a spectrogram.

Have fun using Cleaning & Restoration Suite!

The MAGIX team

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Welcome 3

Introduction 5

Installation 6

DeClicker/DeCrackler 7
DeClicker/DeCrackler – presets 7
DeClicker/DeCrackler – signal display 7
DeClicker/DeCrackler – parameters and control elements 8

DeClipper 9
Declipper presets 9
DeClipper – signal display 9
DeClipper – parameters and controls 9
DeClipper – sample applications 10

DeHisser 11
DeHisser – parameters and control elements 11
DeHisser – graphic display description 12
DeHisser - artifacts 13
DeHisser - the best setting 13

DeNoiser – remove unwanted noise 14

DeNoiser – quick start 14
DeNoiser – parameter presets 14
DeNoiser - Noise Sample 15
DeNoiser - filter settings 15
DeNoiser - artifacts 16
DeNoiser – parameters 16
DeNoiser - the best setting 18
DeNoiser - problems & solutions 18
DeNoiser - noise print assistant 19

Brilliance Enhancer 21
Brilliance Enhancer presets 21
Brilliance Enhancer filter settings 21
Brilliance Enhancer – parameters and control elements 21

Spectral Cleaning (Offline) 23

Index 28
 1BINTRODUCTION 5

Introduction
The following cleaning effects are available as real-time effects and as edited offline effects:

 The DeClicker removes crackling and clicking noises that are typical of scratched
records.
 DeClipper removes overmodulation noise.
 DeNoiser with Noise Print Wizard removes annoying background noise from wave
projects/objects.
 Brilliance Enhancer: The Brilliance Enhancer compensates for losses of high
frequencies that occur during MP3 compression or in old tape recordings.

DeClicker/DeCrackler, DeClipper, and DeNoiser are found in Effects menu under

"Restoration".

The Brilliance Enhancer is found in the Effects menuunder "Frequency/Filter."

The following provides detailed descriptions about working with and using the effects.
6 INSTALLATION

Installation
Your dongle must be updated to be able to use the Cleaning & Restoration Suite:

1. Remove the CodeMeter dongle prior to starting the program.

2. Start Samplitude.
3. The "Activate CodeMeter" dialog will appear. Insert the CodeMeter dongle again and
select "Update".
4. Press "Save" and save the CodeMeter context file (e. g. 1-1234567.WibuCmRaC) on
your computer.
5. Go to our support site at http://www.samplitude.com and click "Support/My
Products".
6. Use your service login information to log into the support site. You will now see the
versions you have registered in "My Products".
7. Click "Add new product" for the desired dongle.
8. Now enter the personal upgrade code that you received when you purchased the
product and load your saved CodeMeter context file.
9. You will receive an updated file for your dongle by email (e. g. 1-
1234567.WibuCmRaU).
10. Now go back to the program's "Start" dialog and load this update file by clicking
"Apply".
11. The dongle now contains a license entry for using the Cleaning & Restoration Suite.
Start the program to continue.

Please contact our support if you have any questions.

 Web: http://www.samplitude.com
 Email: proservice@magix.net
 Telephone: +49 (0) 351 4174 616, Mon - Fri, 10 AM - 3 PM
 DECLICKER/DECRACKLER 7

DeClicker/DeCrackler
The DeClicker removes crackling and single clicking noises that are typical of scratched
records.

The DeCrackler algorithm was developed specifically to remove crackling noises, making it
easier to remove crackling from old records.

The DeClicker is on the left side of the dialog, and the DeCrackler is on the right.

DeClicker/DeCrackler – presets
Load, save, delete presets: Save, load, or delete settings here. The default file extension is
*.dck.

DeClicker/DeCrackler – signal display

The signal display shows you the edited material as a continuous waveform or a
spectrogram. In the display you can see at which positions the DeClicker (red) or the
DeCrackler (blue) are active.

The left border of the graphic display features the reduction display for the DeClicker. It
shows by how many decibel the detected click has been dampened. The right border
features the reduction display for the DeCrackler. This indicates how many decibels the
crackling has been reduced.

Display options: This opens a settings dialog to configure the signal display. Select the
right and left channel or the middle from both left and right (L+R). You can additionally set
8 DECLICKER/DECRACKLER

the channel that should be visualized by both reduction displays. The settings are applied
by closing the dialog.

DeClicker/DeCrackler – parameters and control elements

DeClicker sensitivity: This parameter determines the DeClicker's sensitivity to noise.

DeClicker dampening: This parameter influences the intensity at which the DeClicker
engages at the detected areas in the audio material.

DeCrackler sensitivity: Use this parameter to determine the DeCrackler's sensitivity to

noise.

DeCrackler dampening: Use this parameter to influence the intensity at which the
DeCrackler engages at the detected areas in the audio material.

Inverse: If this switch is activated, only the part of the signal that is removed by the
algorithm will be audible. If the parameters are set optimally, the complete distortion and
just moderate components of the desired signal will be audible. If the correction
parameters are too high, parts of the music or speech signal will also be filtered, which will
discolor the music.

Bypass: The algorithm is removed from the signal route. This enables the unedited signal
to be compared to the result of the algorithm.
 DECLIPPER 9

DeClipper
The DeClipper is a tool for removing overmodulation and distortions. Overmodulated
passages are recalculated, or interpolated, based on the material immediately surrounding
them.

The declipping algorithm is suitable for material featuring clearly audible overmodulation,
e.g. distorted piano or vocals.

Declipper presets
Load, save, delete presets: Save, load, or delete settings via these buttons. The default
file extension is *.dcp.

DeClipper – signal display

The signal display shows you the edited material as a continuous waveform. The Clip level
is shown as a red limiting line. Use the blue markers to see the positions where the de-
clipper was used. The meter to the right of the waveform display also shows the
intervention of the effect.

DeClipper – parameters and controls

Clip level: Enter the level at which the sample will be considered overmodulated and
corrected.

Reduction: Use this parameter to set the intensity of the reduction in % at which the
DeClipper alters the audio material.

Volume: This setting makes it possible to lower the output level, because the corrected
output will tend to be a bit louder than the input signal as a result of waveform interpolation.

Limiter: This option limits the peaks that exceed the maximum level. Peaks higher than the
max may result from interpolation.

Reset: Set the level to its original position here.

10 DECLIPPER

Analysis/options

Min. clip length: Set the minimum count of consecutive overmodulated samples for
clipping detection.

Type of clipping: Optimizes clipping detection by setting the applicable setting for the
material – "Analog", " Digital", "Analog + Digital".

Inverse: If is activated, only the part of the signal that is changed by the algorithm will be
audible.

Bypass: The algorithm is removed from the signal route. This allows the unedited signal to
be compared to the result of the algorithm.

DeClipper – sample applications

 Some DAT recorders have a protective analog switch, so that the level never reaches
the digital mains (0 dB). In this case, a value of -0.5 dB or less is suitable.
 With an input of -6 dB (for example), all samples above half the control level are
registered as overmodulated and recalculated. This allows a signal damaged by analog
to be repaired.
 DEHISSER 11

DeHisser
This command opens the DeHisser for noise removal. The DeHisser eliminates regular,
low-level "white" noise that is typically produced by recordings, microphones, pre-
amplifiers, or transformers. Unlike during noise reduction, a sample of the distortion is not
required.

DeHisser – parameters and control elements

Absorption (1-100): This parameter sets a threshold value for differentiating the signal
from noise. The correct setting for this parameter is crucial for good results. Compared to
noise reduction, in which case this setting is automatically determined via the noise sample,
the DeHisser determines the noise level manually.

Low settings can lead to incomplete noise removal or increased artifacts. High settings can
cause discoloration of the original sample, phase-like distortion, or to chirping modulation
effects. The louder the noise, the more precisely the De-hisser should be set.

Reduction (0-30) dB: Set the noise damping here. The highest possible damping value is
30 dB.

In practice, extremely quiet passages, like the slow fading out of one instrument prove to
be critical – here the noise level can exceed that of the audio signal.

Limit yourself to one low noise damping (-10 -15 dB) to avoid side effects like artifacts.

Music style: Minimize artifacts by selecting a fitting music style to aid in determining
transients in the track and by de-hissing only between them.

Bypass: The algorithm is removed from the signal route. This allows the unedited signal to
be compared to the result of the algorithm.

Inverse: If this is activated, only the part of the signal that is removed by the algorithm will
be audible. If the correction parameters are set optimally, only the noise will be audible. If
the correction parameters are too high, parts of the music or speech signal will also be
filtered, which will discolor the music.

Hint: If "inverse" is selected, the damping parameter will have no influence.

12 DEHISSER

Overlapping: High values for overlapping allow the de-hisser to follow the signal quicker.
When low values are selected, the algorithm is less quick when adjusting to the signal
properties. The settings "Medium" and "High" are useful for most standard cases. "High" is
most effective when applying the DeHisser to mixed (multiple instruments) tracks.

Resolution: This parameter sets the rate (low, medium, or high) used by the noise
reduction algorithm. Experiment with this parameter; a higher rate does not always
guarantee the best results.

For example, low resolution often works best for noise reduction applied to short
percussive sounds and speech. Instrumental music with slower tempos should feature high
resolution.

Play/stop: Real-time preview function.

Save/load: Save, load, or delete all parameters here. The default file extension is *.deh.

Scale options
Frequency display - freq lin/log: Linear display of frequency provides a more detailed
view of the high end. Logarithmic display of frequency provides a more detailed view of the
low end. The logarithmic display corresponds to the human perception of volume. Like on
the keyboard of any key instrument, the graphical arrangement of the entire area here is
uniform. If you have selected the logarithmic view of the frequencies, you may select
between frequency and note representation for the horizontal axis.

Value scaling in dB lin/log: Select between logarithmic or linear scaling for the level.
Logarithmic display corresponds with the human perception of volume.

Frequency range min/max dB: Enter the level range for displaying the real-time
spectrum.

Line property: Choose to display the original and the corrected frequency progression as
a curve or as a bar diagram.

OK: The algorithm is applied to the selected range of the sample or the selected object.

Cancel: Click this button to close the dialog window without applying any settings.

Help: Displays the "Help" feature.

DeHisser – graphic display description

The vertical axis to the left indicates the level of the spectrum; choose between frequency
or notes for the horizontal axis.

The yellow curve displays the original spectrum of the signal. Simultaneously, the first
second of the selected audio segment of the active segment will be spectrally analyzed.

The light blue curve represents the spectrum after manipulation by the algorithm.
 DEHISSER 13

The dark blue curve represents the threshold of the "correction" parameters.

If the threshold is higher than the level of the spectrum (i.e. the dark blue line is above the
yellow curve), the signal for De-hissing will be filtered out at these frequencies.

DeHisser - artifacts
The DeHisser was created especially for use with mastering in order to remove uniform and
low-level hissing, which allows music and speech signals remain as pure as possible.

The algorithm is only partially suited to removing sound distortions featuring levels that
reach or exceed the original signal. A metallic chirping or twittering sound may appear, the
so-called artifact noise. In these cases, use the DeNoiser (view page 14) algorithm to
remove noise and distortions.

DeHisser - the best setting

1. Search your audio material for a critical segment to preview. Critical segments are the
softest parts of the music or speech, where the noise has a comparable level to that of the
signal.
2. Set the damping parameter to the highest value (-30 dB).
3. Slowly increase the value of the correction setting.

There are four stages in this process:

Stage 1: If the value is very low, no noise will be removed.

Stage 2: The noise is partially removed. Depending on the level of the noise signal, a small
number of artifacts may be introduced.
Stage 3: The noise is completely removed.
Stage 4: If the value is very high, not only will the noise be removed, but also a part of the
signal. Press "Inverse" to hear this. The audio material will lose its brilliance and sound
duller.

Optimal settings are usually available in Stage 3, where the noise signal will already be
removed, but the audio signal is played back unaltered.

Tip: When monitoring the changes, it often helps to use a high monitoring level on the
mixing board amplifier. It is recommended to use a system with a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Monitoring using headphones is also helpful.

4. If the noise signal cannot be removed without discoloring the music or speech, reduce
the damping parameter value until a compromise is reached between noise reduction and
an acceptable discoloration of the audio material.

Tip: In the case of very high noise levels, try first to remove the noise from single tracks.
Dehissing the complete mix requires more careful manipulation.

To remove humming noise, please use noise reduction (DeNoiser) (view page 14).
14 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE

DeNoiser – remove unwanted noise

Use the noise removal function to free your wave projects/objects of unwanted noise
without any noticeable reduction of the sample's range. The algorithm requires a noise
sample beforehand to do this. The function works especially well to remove consistent,
long-lasting noise like ventilation noise, artifacts from low-quality sound cards, tape deck
noise, or feedback. Although the algorithm has not been specifically developed to remove
clicking crackling, it is possible to get good results using it to remove this type of noise
from old records.

DeNoiser – quick start

1. Select an area in the selected object or in a wave project of a virtual project that only
features the noise.
2. Copy this area using the "Effects -> Restoration -> Get noise sample" into the "Noise
sample" project. Especially in the case of hissing, better results are usually achieved
by the algorithm the longer the noise samples are. If the length of the noise sample is
longer than one minute, then there will only be a marginal improvement to the sound.
3. Select the range of the original sample in the wave project where de-hissing should
be applied or select the corresponding object in the VIP.
4. Open the De-noiser via "Effects -> Restoration -> DeNoiser".
5. If the sample selection list for the noise sample (under "Noise Sample -> File") is not
already set to "Noise Print", rearrange the list entry accordingly.
6. Press the "Play/stop" button for the real-time preview function. Once you are satisfied
with the result, press "OK". Otherwise, change the parameters.

DeNoiser – parameter presets

Load, save, delete presets: Save, load, or delete settings here. The noise sample is not
included. The default file extension is *.nrp.
 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE 15

DeNoiser - Noise Sample

File: Select a group of noise tests in the selection list. The noise samples displayed in the
list are located in the "Noise sample" directory or are temporarily available noise prints. If
the effect reference file is an automatically created copy of the original noise sample, the
reference file name appears at the end of the original name.

Info: Provides information about length and type of the set noise sample.

Save: This button saves the currently set noise sample as a file for later use.

Load: This buttons opens a file selection dialog to import a wave file as a noise file.

Assistant: Opens the "Noise print assistant" dialog to extract a noise sample. Learn
more more about this assistant below (view page 19).

Play: This command plays back the recently set noise sample.

DeNoiser - filter settings

Pencil function: Drawing changes in the graphical display using the mouse tool edits the
purple curve. This curve filters the noise sample.

There are 5 tools to help draw and navigate in the signal display:

 Freehand drawing with pen tools: Hold down the "Shift" key to draw straight lines.
 Drawing pencil for quantized drawing in predetermined decibel steps. The dB steps
depend on magnification of the filter curve in the value display. Hold down "Shift" to
draw straight lines.
 Reshape tool for bending curves: Through repeated clicking, the curve bends away from
the mouse tool. The further the mouse tool is from the filter line, the wider the bend will
be. If "Ctrl" is also held down, this effect will be even stronger.
 Navigation tool: Use this tool to navigate the coordinates system in the range while at a
zoom stage. If you have not zoomed into the display, the navigation tool, the graphical
display will not be affected.
 Zoom tool: Click with the left mouse button to zoom into the display; zoom out with the
right mouse button.

In addition to the drawing tools, two additional buttons are available to you.

Activate spectral view: By clicking this button, the signal will appear as a spectrum.
The areas of the spectrogram influenced by the De-noiser will appear red.

Activate direct mode for valuation curve: The second tool activates "Direct" mode for
drawing freehand curves. The settings will be recalculated into a relative filter curve in the
background.
16 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE

Reset filter curve: This function sets the filter curve to its default settings.

Scale options: This button opens the "Scale options" dialog to adjust the signal display
and the filter curve's value range as required.

Signal display: The graphic displays the original spectrum of the distortion (yellow
curve) and the corrected spectrum which the algorithm uses internally to remove
distortions (blue curve). The level of the corrected spectrum is set via the correction
fader. The curve can be smoothed via the static smoothing parameter. If this effect is
active (for example during playback or monitoring), you can monitor the input and the
output spectrum.

The violet line provides filtering for the noise spectrum (see above). Filtering effects the
display of the corrected spectrum (blue line).

Overlapping: The exactness of the algorithm may be selected here in several steps.
Processing times increase with increasing overlapping as the quality of the results
improves.

Resolution: This parameter sets the rate (low, medium, or high) used by the noise
reduction algorithm. The higher the resolution, the longer the algorithm will take to process.
Experiment with this parameter, since a higher rate does not always guarantee the best
results. For example, low resolution often works best for noise reduction applied to short
percussive sounds and speech. Low-frequency sounds require adequate resolution in the
low-frequency range; this may be achieved by setting this parameter to at least 4096.

DeNoiser - artifacts
When editing sound distortions with levels that reach or exceed that of the original signal,
the algorithm may leave behind a metallic chirping or twittering sound, the so-called
"artifact" noise. Its level is much lower than that of the original distortion, usually at around -
20 dB, but due to its synthetic origins, the ear reacts sensitively to it.

DeNoiser – parameters
Artifact suppression
These settings suppress artifacts as they occur in broadband distortions of higher levels.
Note that when higher values are selected, the quality of playback result may decrease.

Smooth attack: This parameter controls the attack during noise reduction. If delay is high,
artifacts will be suppressed more effectively. The time ratio or impulse power of the audio
material may decrease, however. In case of speech or singing, high values will not always
produce the best results. This method of artifact suppression is recommended for
orchestral instrument.

Smooth release: Use this parameter reduce an overly strong reduction of the release
phase. Artifacts may reappear when higher values are used, however. Look for an
acceptable compromise between artifact suppression and impulse response.
 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE 17

Static smoothing: This function smoothes the corrected noise spectrum used internally by
the algorithm to remove noise. Smoothing of the blue curve may be visually confirmed by
looking at the graphic. The artifacts are therefore reduced. In speech, vocals or pop music,
higher values will usually provide good results. For orchestral instruments, high value
settings of this parameter may cause unpleasant roughening of the sound

Consolidate transients: Use this parameter to influence the algorithm so that the
distortion removal works more contained with transients. For example, in case of noisy jazz
or pop recordings, this results in a clear improvement.

Correction
This parameter raises or lowers the noise spectrum (dark blue curve). Low settings may
cause incomplete noise removal or increased artifacts. High settings can cause
discoloration of the original sample, phase-like distortion, or to chirping modulation effects.
The occurrence of these effects is dependent on the type of noise as well as the
consistency of the original material. A higher noise level does not necessarily require a
higher correction level.

Damping
Set noise damping in dB by entering a value between 0 dB and -40 dB.

In many cases, it is desirable not to remove noise completely: for example, when working
with gramophone recordings, it can be desirable to leave some of that "gramophone
feeling" in. Background noise from "on location" reports does not need to be removed
completely. When noise is not completely eliminated, the occurrence of artifacts or
discoloration is reduced. Think of the process in terms of reduction, not 100% elimination.

Options
Adaptive correction: Activate this switch to achieve time-adjustable, automatic
customization of the value for the "Correction" parameter. While the DeNoiser is active, you
can the monitor the constant adjustment of the "Correction" fader in the input field.
"Adaptive correction" is useful for distortions with variable noise levels.

Maximize tonal distortion dampen: Removes tonal distortions such as humming or

camera sounds; activate this button to remove this unwanted material. The "Dampen"
parameter only affects the non-tonal portions of the signal (hissing). This may produce
better results, since the dampening of tonal signal portions creates fewer artifacts than the
dampening of non-tonal distortions. The resolution value should amount to at least 4096.

De-rumbler: Frequencies below 40 Hz will be considerably dampened. This way impact

noise like footsteps or rumbling on records can be removed.

Inverse: If this is activated, only the part of the signal that is removed by the algorithm will
be audible. If the parameters are set optimally, you will hear the complete distortion and
just moderate components of the desired signal. If the parameters are not set correctly,
larger components of the music or spoken signal will be filtered, which may cause
discoloration of the sound. However, the part of the artifact resulting from the remaining
components of the distortions is hardly decipherable by monitoring the inverse signal.

Bypass: The algorithm is removed from the signal route.

18 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE

DeNoiser - the best setting

To find optimal settings for noise removal in the material, proceed as follows:

1. Search for a good "Correction" setting. The distortion sound should no longer be
audible. If artifacts occur, they shouldn't be suppressed by setting a very high
correction value. The result may sound lackluster.
2. To increase artifact suppression, increase the values for smoothing and/or static
smoothing. Which parameter is most useful depends on the nature of the audio
material from which the distortion is to be removed.
3. Try to slightly reduce the correction. Artifacts will increase in this case. Now raise the
"Smooth attack" parameter and/or "Static filter smooth". Use the slider to improve
your results.
4. A high degree of overlapping will increase quality.
5. Drag the "Preserve transients" parameter as far out as possible until noise increases
and the distortion becomes audible at the transients (with hissing, this effect is
recognizable by the type of hissing modulation). Reduce the level again slightly.
6. For difficult cases, we recommend the freehand draw filter curve for the noise
sample. Problematic areas may be influenced by increasing or decreasing the
distortion spectrum.
7. If there is no audible improvement, try correcting the noise instead of completely
removing it. This may be attempted by reducing the value for mix dampening.
8. Whether or not artifacts are audible also depends on the monitor volume and the
frequency response in the playback. If you know how your work will be reproduced
(cinema theater, on TV, radio, etc.), you should work under corresponding monitoring
conditions.

DeNoiser - problems & solutions

Problem: The result is silence

Solution: It is likely that the noise sample inadvertently contains the original signal. Use
another noise sample.

Problem: Strong distortion, loud tweeting, strong damping of the used signal

Solution: It is likely that the sound sample contains sections from the original signal or from
another sample. Use another noise sample.
 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE 19

DeNoiser - noise print assistant

The noise print assistant offers (in addition to the "Get noise sample" menu) two options to
create a noise sample, whereby the "Pick" method of the "Get noise sample" function may
be the better approach.

Proceed as follows to create a noise sample using the noise print assistant:

1. Determine noise print length

Range length or internal standard value: If a range has been stretched, a range length
will be used. Ensure that the range is not longer than necessary, since every created noise
sample instance in real time will be added to the project. If, conversely, no range is
selected, an internal length is used, which will normally deliver useful results.

Target length: Set an explicit length for the noise sample.

2. Extract noise print from the audio material

Extraction at beginning of range or play cursor: The noise sample will be extracted from
the range available; otherwise, the start position will be determined by the play cursor.

Extraction at the position of the lowest level: This search function analyzes the audio
object for soft areas. Set the search area above the search options and click the "Start
search" button. Cancel the search by pressing "Esc".
20 DEN OI SER – REMOVE UNWANTED NOISE

After at least one quiet range has been located, select it using << and >> and listen to it
using "Play..."

Search options:
Start the search in object – object type: The search area starts at object type

Start the search in object – range start or the play cursor: Search area starts at the
start of the range if you have defined a range beforehand. Otherwise, the search will begin
at the play cursor.

Length of search in the object – until object end: The search for soft passages
stretches until object end.

Search length in object – x minutes maximum: Enter the search length in minutes here.

3. Exit the assistant with "OK"

 BRI LLI ANCE ENHANCER 21

Brilliance Enhancer

The Brilliance Enhancer is a tool which helps compensate the loss of higher frequencies to
provide your audio material with a glossy shine.

This loss often occurs during MP3 compression or tape recording. In contrast to an
equalizer, which only raises existing frequencies, the Brilliance Enhancer recalculates higher
frequencies from the remaining signal to markedly refresh the sound.

You can use the brilliance enhance in pop or rock as a mastering effect in case the sound's
transparency and brilliance need to be increased.

Brilliance Enhancer presets

Load, save, delete presets: Save, load, or delete settings here. The default file extension
is *.bre.

Brilliance Enhancer filter settings

Scaling options: This button opens the "Scaling options" dialog to adjust the signal display
as required.

Signal display: The input and output spectrum allows you to decide how the scaling
options have an effect on the display during playback or monitoring.

Overlapping: This internal parameter changes the overlapping of the time window for the
modulator signal spectrum calculation. Higher values improve the result, but also raise the
CPU load.

Rate: This parameter sets the rate (low, medium, or high) used by the noise reduction
algorithm. You may wish to experiment with this parameter, since a higher resolution does
not always guarantee the best results.

Brilliance Enhancer – parameters and control elements

Minimum frequency: Set the lower limit for the frequency band to be enriched with new
overtones.
22 BRI LLI ANCE ENHANCER

Maximum frequency: Set the upper limit for the frequency band to be enriched with new
overtones.

Intensity: This parameter is used to set the intensity of the new overtones to be introduced
into the audio material.

Options

Transient optimization: If this option is activated, transients will be freshened up by the

addition of higher frequencies. Especially older or compressed pop or jazz recordings
benefit from this. The setting is not optimal for tonal material, since odd-numbered
overtones can be created.

Inverse: When this button is activated, only the newly-generated part will be audible, i.e.
the overtones being added.

Bypass: The algorithm is removed from the signal route. This allows the unedited signal to
be compared to the result of the algorithm.
 SPECTRAL CLEANING (OFFLINE) 23

Spectral Cleaning (Offline)

Spectral Cleaning – the basics
Spectral cleaning removes distortions like coughing, whistling, or isolated clapping from a
recording without influencing the desired signal.

The display of the music may be seen in the Spectral Cleaning Editor via a spectrogram.
This displays the different frequency levels over time. The volume of frequencies is
visualized via a color code or via its brightness.

Audible distortion noises louder than the desired signal are usually limited to a certain
frequency spectrum. These are highlighted with colors in the spectrogram. This allows
disturbing signals to be easily located and removed with the mouse tool.

For example, a continuous sound may be recognized by its pattern (consisting of horizontal
lines), since these correspond with the sound components or overtones of the sound.
Distortion with an impulse quality may be recognized by a vertical peak.

Select the noise with the draw tool in the spectral cleaning dialog before you remove it. So
that there is no audible gap, removed components in the original frequency spectrum from
the desired signal that surrounds the distortion are recalculated into the recording.

The Spectral Cleaning is useful for removing all short, impulsive sounds in the music like
popping, coughing, or even short dropouts. For permanent noises like humming, etc. use
the De-hisser (view page 10) or the De-noiser (view page 14).

Spectral Cleaning – operation

Select the object and set the play cursor roughly at the position of the distortion. Next,
open the spectral cleaning editor via the "Effects" menu or via the object context menu
under "Effects (destructive)".
24 SPECTRAL CLEANING (OFFLINE)

Select the draw tool. The mouse pointer becomes a pencil icon. Select the noise by
dragging a rectangle around it. You may also select and remove noises together in the
editing window.

If you move a noise selection with the selection/draw tool, then you can lock out vertical
movement on the frequency axis by holding down "Alt". Holding down the "Shift" key
also locks out horizontal movement on the timeline.

"Ctrl + X", "Ctrl + C", "Ctrl + V" may be used to cut, copy, and insert selections,
respectively.

To hear the result, set the cursor in front of the selected distortions and press the play
button. You can modify the frame around the distortion selection using handles to optimize
the signal.

Three buttons are added to the selection:

Delete (x symbol): Remove the selection by clicking this button.

Show distortion (lightning symbol): After marking the noise signal with the drawing tool,
the result of the noise removal will normally be displayed in the selection. The "Show
original" button displays the original signal for comparison purposes.

Bypass (B): Once the selection has been drawn, monitor the results of noise removal
during playback. If you press the "Bypass" button, you will continue to hear the original
signal.

Sometimes it's necessary to modify the effects parameters (see "Spectral cleaning -> Edit
selection"). If the result is satisfactory, then press the "Calculate" button.

Spectral Cleaning – toolbar

Various tools may be assigned to the left and right mouse buttons by clicking the
respective tools. The tool for the left mouse button is displayed in blue and the right mouse
button in red.

Selection tool: Use this tool to modify the existing selection window.

If you select the selection frame on the edges, then the mouse cursor will become a
double-sided error for changing the selection size.
 SPECTRAL CLEANING (OFFLINE) 25

If the selection tool is within the frame, then the mouse will turn to a directional arrow. Now
you may position the entire selection frame anywhere in the spectral cleaning window.

Drawing tool: This tool changes the selection size (just like with the selection tool) or
repositions the selection window anywhere.

You may also drag out any number of selection windows with this tool to remove noise.

Note: Double clicking the selection expands it vertically across the entire frequency range.

Navigation tool: This is useful when you are working with a high zoom factor and can't
see the entire object contents in the spectral cleaning window,

move the displayed range by clicking and dragging.

Zoom tool: After selecting this tool, left click to zoom into the window.

By clicking and dragging with the left mouse button held down, you can stretch the zoom
area in the spectral cleaning window. Right click to zoom back out of a selection.

Spectral Cleaning – edit selection

This setting specifies how to remove the distortion. All of the selected noise will be
processed depending on the "level" controller in the selected mode.

The following functions are available:

1. Crossfade: Using this mode, the noise signal will be replaced by the signal immediately
surrounding the selected area.

Crossfade (hard): Behaves like transitions, but has a more powerful effect. This mode
allows you to suppress noise more effectively. Make sure that you select the noise very
precisely.
26 SPECTRAL CLEANING (OFFLINE)

3. Gap: This mode is especially useful for very short dropouts.

4. Dampen: This mode dampens the selected noise. The surrounding audio material will
not be calculated into the process. This does not introduce any artifacts, but can lead to an
unnatural silences, or even dropouts. Use this mode if a distortion is present in a very
narrow frequency range or if the surrounding noises are very quiet.

5. Fade-in: This mode works similarly to "Dampen" mode. The signal will not, however, be
uniformly dampened, but added instead. Frequency-selective fade-ins may be created in
this way.

6. Fade-out: In this mode, the selected noise will be faded out across the timeline
according to the selection window. Use "Hide" to remove noise at the end of a track.

Level: Use this control to specify the degree of change. If the knob is turned all the way to
the right, then this equals a level of 100%.

Note: The "Edit marking" and "Strength" settings may be controlled for each selected area
individually, or as a multiple selection using "Ctrl".

Resolution: Determines the resolution of the applied FFT (Fast Fourier Transformation).
Lower values often produce more effective noise removal, but this results in more tonal
artifacts.

Channel left/right: These buttons display the corresponding channel in the spectrogram. If
the noise only shows up in a single channel, then you can switch off the other channel.

Spectral Cleaning - click markers

To mark special positions and quickly skip to or delete different selections in the
spectrogram, use the spectral cleaning's "Click marker" button. Set or remove new click
markers via the buttons in the middle of the lower row. Any click markers created will be
indicated by a "C" in the editing window's marker bar.

By pressing the upper button "Apply range selection to all click markers", the current
selection window will be copied to all positions which contain a click marker. In this way,
the selection can be applied to all click marker positions at once.

The markers in the spectrogram may be navigated quickly via "Jump to next marker"
(shortcut: "+") or "Jump to previous marker" (shortcut: "-"). To move among the click
markers only and not the standard markers, hold down "Ctrl".

Note: Select suspicious ranges in the arranger before opening the Spectral Cleaning
dialog. To transform a standard/beat/tempo marker into a click marker in the spectrogram,
 SPECTRAL CLEANING (OFFLINE) 27

click the corresponding marker in the marker bar. . Double clicking the "Set current
marker" button transforms an existing standard/beat/tempo marker into a click marker.

View

The "View" menu provides selection of various view schemes. The schemes provide
various color scales and contain various time and frequency resolutions.

Show grid: Displays a time and frequency grid in the spectrogram.

Spectral Cleaning - playback range

Stop: Stops playback
Play: Begins playback from the cursor position
Play loop: Repeats playback within a selected range.
Play inverse: Plays the differential signal, i.e. the removed sounds.
Advanced options: Opens the settings dialog for destructive effects calculation.
Create copy: Creates a copy of the current file during calculation.
Calculate: Applies calculations and closes the dialog.
Cancel: Aborts the editing process.
Help: Opens the "Help" file.
28 INDEX

Index

Brilliance Enhancer ....................................................................................... 18

Brilliance Enhancer – parameters and control elements................................. 19
Brilliance Enhancer filter settings................................................................... 19
Brilliance Enhancer presets........................................................................... 19

Copyright ....................................................................................................... 2

DeClicker/DeCrackler ..................................................................................... 6
DeClicker/DeCrackler – parameters and control elements ............................... 7
DeClicker/DeCrackler – presets ...................................................................... 6
DeClicker/DeCrackler – signal display ............................................................. 6
DeClipper ....................................................................................................... 7
DeClipper – parameters and controls.............................................................. 8
DeClipper – sample applications..................................................................... 9
DeClipper – signal display............................................................................... 8
Declipper presets ........................................................................................... 8
DeHisser .................................................................................................. 9, 20
DeHisser - artifacts....................................................................................... 11
DeHisser – graphic display description.......................................................... 11
DeHisser – parameters and control elements .................................................. 9
DeHisser - the best setting ........................................................................... 11
DeNoiser - artifacts....................................................................................... 14
DeNoiser - filter settings ............................................................................... 13
DeNoiser - noise print assistant .............................................................. 13, 17
DeNoiser - Noise Sample ............................................................................. 13
DeNoiser – parameter presets ...................................................................... 13
DeNoiser – parameters................................................................................. 15
DeNoiser - problems & solutions................................................................... 16
DeNoiser – quick start .................................................................................. 12
DeNoiser – remove unwanted noise.................................................. 11, 12, 20
DeNoiser - the best setting ........................................................................... 16

Installation ...................................................................................................... 5
Introduction.................................................................................................... 5
 INDEX 29

Spectral Cleaning (Offline) .............................................................................20

Welcome ........................................................................................................3