Antares Auto-tune Vocal Compressor User manual

Contents 2
Contents
Contents 1
Introducing Auto-Tune Vocal Compressor 4
Quick Start – License Activation 5
Step 1: Open Antares Central 5
Step 2: Activate Your License 5
Step 3: Open Your DAW 5
Step 4: Insert Vocal Compressor 5
Pro Tools 6
Logic Pro 6
Ableton Live 6
Cubase 6
Studio One 6
Reaper 6
Digital Performer 6
Global Controls 7
Antares Central 7
Undo 7
Redo 7
Settings 7
Bypass 7
Single/Dual Compression Toggle 8
Single Mode 8
Dual Mode 8
Preset Manager 8
Preset Dropdown Menu 8
Preset Favorite Button 9
Custom Presets 9
Input Gain 9
Output Gain 9
Assist 10
Input Type 10
Compression 10

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Style 11
Learn 11
FET Compressor 12
Input 12
Output 12
Attack 13
Release 13
Ratio 13
Warm 13
Opto A Compressor 14
Peak Reduction 14
Gain 14
Warm 15
Opto B Compressor 16
Threshold 16
Ratio 16
Attack 17
Release 17
Gain 17
Warm 17
Modern Compressor 18
Threshold 18
Ratio 18
Knee 18
Attack 19
Release 19
Gain 19
Side Chain 20
Internal 20
External 20
High Pass Filter 20
Auto-Tune Pitch Filter 20
Low Pass Filter 20

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Introducing Auto-Tune Vocal Compressor
A vocal-first compressor designed to bring your best performance forward.
The Auto-Tune Vocal Compressor takes the most popular sounds, styles, and solutions
for vocal compression and brings them together in one plug-in. Achieve next-level vocal
balance with the powerful 2-stage compression mode and built-in vocal volume leveling.
Quickly dial in the perfect energy for your vocal by choosing from multiple styles of
compression designed to control peaks in volume or smoothen out the overall
performance with warm saturation.

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Quick Start – License Activation
Before we can use Auto-Tune Vocal Compressor, we need to activate our license first
using the Antares Central application. Please follow the steps below to get started:
Step 1: Open Antares Central
After installing Vocal Compressor, you’ll find Antares Central in your computer’s
applications folder:
MacOS
/Applications/Antares Audio Technologies
Windows
C:\Program Files\Antares Audio Technologies
Open Antares Central, then log into your Antares account.
Step 2: Activate Your License
After logging in, click on “Manage Licenses” to view your available licenses. Click
“Activate” on your Vocal Compressor or Auto-Tune Unlimited license, and wait until the
process completes.
Please be patient, as the activation process may take up to 1-2 minutes.
Step 3: Open Your DAW
Now that your license has been activated, open up your DAW of choice.
For the latest DAW Compatibility information, please visit this page on our website.
Step 4: Insert Vocal Compressor
Antares plug-in files are installed in the common VST3, AU, and AAX folders on your
computer. They should be recognized by your DAW automatically, but please visit this
support article if you have trouble locating the plug-in.

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Below, you’ll find instructions on how to insert Vocal Compressor onto a track in various
DAW’s:
Pro Tools
Choose an empty insert slot on one of your audio tracks, instrument tracks, or buses.
Then select Vocal Compressor from the pop-up menu in either the Dynamics or EQ
category.
Logic Pro
Choose an empty insert slot on one of your audio tracks, instrument tracks or buses and
select Vocal Compressor from the pop-up menu. You will find Vocal Compressor in:
Audio Units > Antares section (named Vocal Compressor).
Ableton Live
In either Session or Arrangement View, select the track you would like to place Vocal
Compressor on by clicking the track name.
At the top left of Ableton's interface, click on the Plug-in Device Browser icon. From the
plug-ins list, double-click Vocal Compressor, or drag it onto the track.
Cubase
Choose an empty insert slot, for example in the Mixer, and select Vocal Compressor
from the menu that appears.
Studio One
Click the '+' button next to the Inserts tab of an audio track, and select 'Vocal
Compressor' from the drop-down menu.
Reaper
Click the ‘FX’ button next to the track name of an audio track, and select ‘Vocal
Compressor’ from the EQ or Dynamics category.
Digital Performer
In the Digital Performer Mixing Board, click an empty insert slot to open the Insert
Effects list. Select Vocal Compressor from the list, or use the search bar to locate it
quickly.

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Global Controls
Antares Central
Click on the Antares Logo to open Antares Central, a separate
application used to manage license activations.
Undo
Click the Undo button to reverse your most recent edit, up to 99 steps.
Redo
Click the Redo button to restore the most recently undone edit.
Settings
Click the gear icon to open the Quick Settings Menu.
Bypass
Click the Bypass button to disable Vocal Compressor in your DAW. When
bypassed, the Bypass button will appear de-illuminated.

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Single/Dual Compression Toggle
Use these buttons to switch between Single Mode and
Dual Mode.
Single Mode
[Description and use case]
Dual Mode
[Description and use case]
Preset Manager
Auto-Tune Vocal Compressor features a collection of
artist presets, and a method for saving your own
custom presets.
Use the left and right arrow keys to load presets in order. This is helpful for testing
presets sequentially without navigating to the preset dropdown menu every time.
Preset Dropdown Menu
The preset dropdown menu lists all of the presets available in Auto-Tune Vocal
Compressor, along with options to Save, Save As, or Delete presets.
Custom presets are listed in the User folder, and
are located higher in the preset dropdown menu
for easy access.
The Auto-Tune Vocal Compressor factory
presets comprise a selection of natural
sounding pitch correction.
A number of artist presets showcase the
creative effects possible with Auto-Tune Vocal
Compressor. They’re listed alphabetically in the
lower section of the dropdown menu.

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Preset Favorite Button
Click the thumbs up icon next to a preset name to add that preset to the Favorites
folder.
Custom Presets
Custom Presets will be saved to the User folder.
Input Gain
Adjusts the gain level of the input audio before it is processed by Vocal
Compressor.
Output Gain
Manually adjust the gain level of the audio after is has been processed
by Vocal Compressor.

Contents 10
Assist
The Assist tool uses machine learning to determine the best starting compression
settings for your vocal. Select your desired compression amount and vocal style, press
Learn, then start playback.
After five seconds of listening, the results will be presented for you to accept and apply
to the Vocal Compressor.
Input Type
Select the vocal range that best matches your track. This allows
Auto-Tune to correct the pitch more accurately and with a more
natural sound.
Alternatively, use the Learn function to determine the Input Type
automatically.
Compression
This section determines the total amount of compression
applied to your vocal. The dropdown menu contains the
following options:
●Minimal: Apply 0 to -3 decibels of gain reduction
●Controlled: Apply -3 to -6 decibels of gain reduction.
●Aggressive: Apply -8 to -12 decibels of gain reduction.

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Style
This section determines the amount of analog saturation to add to your vocal. The
dropdown menu contains the following options:
●Clean Vocals: All saturation disabled for vocal transparent vocal compression.
●Warm & Full: Medium amount of saturation added for a warm, balanced sound.
●Gritty Vocal: Maximum saturation enabled at every stage for an analog, energetic
sound.
Learn
After setting your preferred compression and style, click the Learn button to begin the
Assist Process.
The Assist function will then listen to five seconds of audio playback, and the Vocal
Compressor will suggest the best starting compression settings for your vocal.
You can accept the settings as-is via the pop-up shown below, then tweak them as
desired.

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FET Compressor
Based on the most popular FET Compressor, this fast-attacking compressor is known
for being snappy with transient signals, such as those generated by vocals and
percussive sounds.
The FET Compressor is best used for taming peaks in the first stage of a serial
compression setup.
Input
Adjusts the gain level of the signal before it is compressed.
Output
Adjusts outgoing gain after the signal is compressed.

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Attack
Controls the speed (in milliseconds) at which the compressor reacts to the
signal.
Release
Controls the speed (in milliseconds) at which the compressor 'lets go' of
the signal after compressing it.
Ratio
Determines how much the signal is compressed after it surpasses the
threshold.
Warm
Adds an amount of “analog warmth” to the stage one signal by enabling
a unique saturation modeled after FET transformers.
The amount of warmth added is determined by the level of the input signal.

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Opto A Compressor
The Opto A Compressor emulates a classic tube compressor known for its slow and
warm sound.
This compression style is best used in the second stage of a serial compression setup.
Peak Reduction
"Add intelligent smooth compression to the signal with a single knob.
This knob simultaneously adjusts the ratio, attack, release, and
threshold of the compressor."
Gain
Adjusts outgoing gain after the signal is compressed.

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Warm
Enable tube warmth on stage, then adjust the amount of tube
saturation added to the signal.

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Opto B Compressor
The Opto B Compressor emulates a widely used Opto compressor for vocals, known for
its slow 'Opto-style' attack and signature tube warmth.
This compression style can be used in either the first or second stage of a serial
compression setup.
Threshold
Determines the level at which the signal engages the compressor.
Ratio
Determines how much the signal is compressed after it surpasses the
threshold.

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Attack
Controls the speed (in milliseconds) at which the compressor reacts to
the signal.
Release
Controls the speed (in milliseconds) at which the compressor 'lets go' of
the signal after compressing it.
Gain
Adjusts outgoing gain after the signal is compressed.
Warm
Enable tube warmth on the compressor, then adjust the amount of tube
saturation added to the signal.

Contents 18
Modern Compressor
Known as the Transparent Problem-Solver, the Modern Compressor adds no color or
warmth to the signal, and contains a wider collection of utility features.
The Modern Compressor is best used for problem solving while in Single Mode.
Threshold
Determines the level at which the signal engages the compressor.
Ratio
Determines how much the signal is compressed after it surpasses the
threshold.

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Knee
"Controls how quickly the audio is compressed after surpassing the
threshold level.
A 'soft' knee (higher dB value) results in a more gradual transition than a
'hard' knee (lower dB value). "
Attack
Controls the speed (in milliseconds) at which the compressor reacts to
the signal.
Release
Controls the speed (in milliseconds) at which the compressor 'lets go' of
the signal after compressing it.
Gain
Adjust outgoing gain after the signal is compressed.

Contents 20
Side Chain
Sidechaining is a common technique used with compressors to create more space,
rhythm, or add energy to a mix.
Internal
Enable Internal Side Chain.
External
Enable External Side Chain.
Auto-Tune Pitch Filter
Enable the Auto-Tune Pitch Filter.
When enabled, the side chain filters will automatically track and follow the fundamental
pitch of the vocals.
High Pass Filter
Enable the High Pass Filter.
The compressor will ignore high frequencies, which are cut off at 5 kHZ at a
24 dB/Oct slope.
Note: Only available when the Auto-Tune Pitch Filter is disabled.