Antares AVOX Evo user manual

							
25

Chapter 7: SYBIL Variable Frequency  
De-Esser
S
YBIL is a digital equivalent of a 
traditional vocal de-esser.
When recording spoken or sung 
material, the sibilant sounds (Ss, 
Ts, CHs, and SHs) in the track sometimes 
(depending on the individual performer) appear 
louder than the rest of the signal. The effect 
can sound unnatural and often irritating. The 
solution to this problem is to compress only 
the sibilants, thereby lowering their level 
relative to the rest of the track. Processing a 
signal this way is called de-essing.  The diagram below shows 
how a compressor and 
a high pass filter are 
traditionally configured to 
accomplish de-essing.
SYBIL uses a digital 
algorithm to implement the 
de-esser function. While 
the details of the algorithm 
are quite complex, 
the resulting effect is 
functionally equivalent to 
the diagram below. 
Controls
Gain Reduction Meter
The Gain Reduction Meter 
displays the amount of compression taking 
place. If the frequency and threshold controls 
are set properly, the meter will display little 
gain reduction during vowel sounds and soft 
consonants, and substantial gain reduction 
during sibilants. For this reason, the meter is a 
useful tool when setting the other controls.
High Pass Frequency
This control sets the frequency of SYBIL’s 
side-chain high pass filter. The goal is to set 
the frequency such that the filter passes any 
sibilance (thereby keying the compressor), but 
not any of the desired signal.
Command (Mac)/Control (PC) click the control 
to reset it to its default value of 8000 Hz.
Threshold
This control sets the threshold level of SYBIL’s 
compressor. The range is from 0 dB to -80 dB. 
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In most cases, the default value of -48 dB is a 
good place to start.
Command (Mac)/Control (PC) click the control 
to reset it to its default value of -48 dB.
Compression
This control sets the compression ratio of 
SYBIL’s compressor. The range is from 1.0:1 to 
99:1. In most cases, the default value of 2.4:1 
is a good place to start.
Command (Mac)/Control (PC) click the control 
to reset it to its default value of 2.4:1.
Attack Time 
This control adjusts the speed with which 
SYBIL’s compressor responds to peaks in the 
signal coming from the high pass filter. The 
range of the control is from 3 milliseconds to 
100 milliseconds. 
Command (Mac)/Control (PC) click the 
control to reset it to its default value of 10 
milliseconds.
Release Time
This control adjusts the time it takes the 
compressor’s gain to increase 6 dB after the 
signal coming from the high pass filter drops 
below the threshold. The range of the control 
is from 3 milliseconds to 200 milliseconds.
Command (Mac)/Control (PC) click the 
control to reset it to its default value of 20 
milliseconds.
Usage Tips
•  SYBIL functions solely as a mono processor.
•  If the high pass frequency is set too low, non-sibilant components of the signal will 
be compressed and the vocal will have its 
highs attenuated. If it is set too high, some 
sibilance will still remain. The trick is to find 
that ideal point where only the sibilance is 
affected. When set correctly, you can’t tell 
that there is processing going on. If you can 
hear something happening, SYBIL needs to 
have its settings tweaked. 
						

							
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Index
A
Authorizing AVOX  4
AVOX Overview  
5
CHOIR  
5
DUO  
5
PUNCH  
5
SYBIL  
6
THROAT  
5
C
CHOIR  21
Choir Size  
21
Controls  
21
Pitch Variation  
21
Stereo Spread  
21
Timing Variation  
21
Usage Tips  
22
Vibrato Variation  
21
contact info  
ii
D
DUO  17
Controls  
17
Double Level  
18
Double Pan Position  
19
Original Level  
18
Original Pan Position  
18
Pitch Variation  
18
Timing Variation  
18
Usage Tips  
19
Vibrato  
18
Vocal Range  
17
Vocal Timbre  
17
I
Installing AVOX  3
L
License Agreement  iii
P
Processing Guidelines  6
PUNCH  
23
Ceiling  
23
Controls  
23
Impact  
23
Input Level  
23
Output Level  
24
Usage Tips  
24
S
SYBIL  25
Attack Time  
26
Compression  
26
Controls  
25
Gain Reduction Meter  
25
High Pass Frequency  
25
Release Time  
26
Threshold  
25
Usage Tips  
26 
						

							
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T
Technical Support  1
THROAT  
7
Breathiness Frequency  
9
Breathiness Mix  
9
Bypass  
13
Controls  
8
Factory Presets  
15
Glottal Pulse Width  
10
Glottal Voice Type  
11
Graphic Throat Display  
11
Level Matching  
13
Model Glottal Waveform  
10
Model Throat Length  
10
Model Throat Width  
10
Output Gain  
13
Reset  
13
Source Glottal Waveform  
8
Source Throat Precision  
9
Tutorial  
14
Usage Tips  
13
Vocal Range  
8
W
Welcome  1 
						

							
29