Solid State Logic One Stop Vocal Processing Plug-in Vocalstrip User manual

Vocalstrip™
One Stop Vocal Processing Plug-in for SSL Duende – a User’s Guide
Du nd . This is SSL.

Cont nts
1. Introduction 1
Key Features 2
ardware Limitations 3
Vocalstrip Graphical User Interface 4
2. System Requirements 5
Apple Macintosh 5
Windows/PC 5
3. Installation & Authorisation 6
4. Vocalstrip In Detail 8
4.1 De-esser 8
4.2 De-ploser 8
4.3 Equaliser 9
4.4 Compander 10
4.5 Process Order 10
5. Graphical Displays 11
5.1 Graphical EQ Display 11
5.2 FFT Spectrum Analyser 11
5.3 Compander Law Display 12
5.4 I/O Difference Display 12
5.5 Meters 13
Peak Meter and Clip Indicator 13
Dynamic istory Meter 13
RMS Meter 13
6. Control Options 14
6.1 Preset Save and Load 14
6.2 A/B Functionality 15
6.3 Automation 16
6.4 Global Bypass 16
7. Vocalstrip Parameters & Control Ranges 17
Equaliser 17
De-esser and De-ploser 17
Compander 17
8. Vocalstrip Support 18
Support FAQs 18

1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the Vocalstrip plug-in for the SSL Duende platform. Vocalstrip is a one stop solution for
superior vocal processing, with all the tools you need to take your vocal sound into the big league.
Vocalstrip features 4 configurable processing blocks to take care of unwanted artefacts, dynamics and equalisation
and extensive metering and visual feedback give you invaluable information during your work.
Liberated from any analogue style control legacy, the Vocalstrip graphical user interface will especially appeal to
people who like to see what they are hearing. The fully interactive EQ display shows the exact filter shapes and
resulting curves of the different EQ bands, and a real-time spectrum analyser allows you to see the effect of your EQ
settings on the overall frequency spectrum of the sound source. The Compander response is shown visually and full
gain reduction metering shows you exactly how the dynamics are being manipulated. Extensive control options include
traditional mouse parameter control, wheel adjustment and exact numerical entry.
The plug-in is available as a mono instance only in VST, AU and RTAS* formats making it compatible with virtually all
audio software currently available on both PC and Mac.
As with other Duende plug-ins, Vocalstrip is capable of operating at 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96k z sampling rates, where
a mono instance at 44.1/48k z occupies 1 Duende processing slot.
Vocalstrip comes equipped with a hotlist of presets based on the settings used by some of the world’s most renowned
sound engineers and producers. These pro-level presets provide great starting points for any vocal job that you may
encounter.
* RTAS support is provided via the included FXpansion VST-RTAS wrapper – www.fxpansion.com
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K y F atur s
• Intelligent De-esser
• Intelligent De-ploser
• 3 band EQ
• Compander featuring compression, downwards expansion and output drive
• Extensive visual feedback including a real-time FFT analyser showing the result of the EQ processing on the audio
spectrum
• Complete control over process order
• Extensive control options including mouse wheel adjustment and numerical data entry
• Proprietary preset management functions providing compatibility between all DAW platforms
• A/B functionality for easy comparison of any two settings
• Global soft latency free bypass
• Superb mastering grade audio quality delivered by Duende’s 40-bit floating point engine
• Preset library based on settings used by some of the worlds top mixing engineers
As with other Duende plug-ins, Vocalstrip will take one ‘slot’ at 44.1/48k z in mono. Please see the Duende User
Guide for more information on DSP resource management.
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Hardwar Limitations
Because of the many processor-intensive processes that are part of Vocalstrip, this plug-in uses a large number of
Duende DSP cycles.
Although this is un-noticeable for most ‘normal’ use, it does mean that if 6 or more Vocalstrips are loaded onto one
Duende DSP at 44.1/48k z and all of the modules are enabled (ie De-esser, De-ploser etc.), then a 7th will not have
time to be processed. This will result in the audio ‘crackling’ or glitching.
To minimise this situation we have made the Vocalstrip modules only use DSP cycles when they are switched in. For
example, you can quite happily run 8 Vocalstrips on one Duende DSP as long as maybe two of them have the De-
esser switched out, and another two the De-ploser switched out. Also, in reality you are very unlikely to run more
than 6 fully enabled VocalStrips on any one Duende DSP!
If you do run into this, you will hear glitching. In this case unload the last plug-in, then load a couple of ‘dummy
channel strips’ onto a spare muted audio channel. The next VocalStrip you instantiate will then be loaded onto the
next DSP, so another 6 fully enabled plug-ins can then be run.

Vocalstrip Graphical Us r Int rfac
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1 Preset Management buttons
2 Input gain control
3 Equalisation module
4 Input meter
5 Latency free plug-in bypass
6 De-esser
7 De-ploser
8 Compander response graph
9 EQ graph
(not shown) will show
here – with optional FFT display
10 Amplitude histogram
11 Duende logo *
12 Output meter
13 Compander
14 Output gain control
15 Process order
14
12
13
15
1
2
4
5
11
3
* Press <Ctrl> & click (Windows) or ⌘& click (Macintosh) on the Duende logo to access the Product Activation window
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8 9
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2. Syst m R quir m nts
Apple Macintosh
• SSL Duende running V2.59 software and 2.19 firmware
• Mac PowerPC G4/G5 or Intel 1Ghz or higher
• 512MB RAM (1GB recommended)
• Mac OS X (‘Tiger’ 10.4.11 or ‘Leopard’ 10.5.2 or higher)
• 60MB of free ard Disk space
• Audio Units, VST or RTAS* compatible host application
• 17" or larger colour monitor with screen resolution of
1024 x 768 or higher recommended
• Internet connection (for product registration and to
download software updates)
• Approved audio interface
Windows/PC
• SSL Duende running V2.59 software and 2.19 firmware
• Minimum of Intel Pentium IV 1G z or equivalent
• 512MB RAM (1GB recommended)
• Windows XP or Vista
– 32 bit versions only
• 80MB of free ard Disk space
• Approved VST or RTAS* compatible host application
• 17" or larger colour monitor with screen resolution of
1024 x 768 or higher recommended
• Internet connection (for product registration and to
download software updates)
• Approved audio interface
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• Vocalstrip is provided in AU, RTAS* and VST formats as a universal binary for both Intel and PowerPC Macintosh,
whilst RTAS* VST and versions are provided for use under Windows XP or Vista on the PC platform.
*RTAS is supported through the integrated FXPansion VST-RTAS wrapper, a product developed by FXpansion Ltd.
For more info visit www.fxpansion.com

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3. Installation & Authorisation
A time limited trial version of Vocalstrip will be installed during the Duende v2.6 software update. This allows Vocalstrip
to be run in evaluation mode, which means the plug-in can be used with full functionality until a certain number of
samples of audio have been processed. At 48k z this gives 10 hours of continuous use for either stereo or mono plug-
ins. At the point where 10 minutes of the evaluation period remains, the countdown timer will turn red. Once the timer
reaches 0h 0m 0s the sample count has been reached and the plug-in will cease to process audio. If you wish to
continue using Vocalstrip after this period, you can purchase the full version from our on-line store. Once the
authorisation procedure has been completed, you will have an unrestricted version of Vocalstrip.
To obtain an authorised version of Vocalstrip please do the following:
1. Discover your Duende unit’s Authentication ID. This can be found
in the Product Activation window – press
<Ctrl> & click
(Windows/PC) or ⌘ & click (Macintosh) on the Duende logo in the
Vocalstrip GUI to open this box. Make a note of this number,
you’ll need to provide it in step 3. of the purchase for us to
generate your un-lock key.
2. Navigate to www.solid-state-logic.com/store/index.asp and log in to your SSL account. If you do not already have
an account, please create one.
3. Under the SSL Products and Admin section, proceed to the Online Shop.
4. Add Vocalstrip to your cart and confirm your identity in the next step.
The full authentication ID

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5. In step 3. of the purchase you will be asked to enter the Authentication ID (see step 1. above).
6. If your Duende hardware is not already registered you will be asked to register it here.
7. Enter your payment details and your order will be completed and you will be provided with the Unlock Key.
8. Return to the Product Activation box and enter the Unlock Key.
Vocalstrip is now authorised for unlimited use.
Please note that Vocalstrip will only run on the particular Duende hardware for which it is authorised.
Enter the Unlock Key here

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4. Vocalstrip In D tail
4.1 De-esser
Sibilance is a resonance often found in vocal recordings which can cause undesirable distortion
artefacts which sounds like the ‘S’ constants are overly high in level. The De-esser in Vocalstrip
intelligently detects these sounds and gives you control over how much attenuation to apply.
The blue indicator between the controls ‘glows’ to show that the de-esser is working. The
Thresh (threshold) control sets the relative detection point, so that the de-esser can distinguish
between ‘S’ and ‘non-S’ sounds. Pressing the Aud button enables a solo mode where you hear
only what is being taken out. This can be used effectively with the Thresh control to ensure
you are only processing the correct portion of the signal.
4.2 De-ploser
Plosives can ruin a good vocal take as they cause a burst of low frequency energy in the signal
which can not only sound unpleasant, but use valuable headroom and can cause dynamic
processors to behave in an undesirable manner. Plosives are often caused by an excess of
wind noise whilst recording which can occur if the singer is standing too close to the
microphone. They can also be caused by compressor overshoot. The VocalStrip De-ploser
detects these artefacts and lets you manage their level. Similar to the De-esser, it also features
Thresh (threshold) and Amount controls and an Aud (audition) mode. Again, the blue indicator
between the controls shows action.