REGULARS: PC Audio

摘要

Hands up all those who have ever spent hours comparing the effects of various EQ, compressor, exciter or other plug-ins? Yes, I thought so. Me too! Well, if you struggle to hear what (if any) change they've made to your audio, here's a technique to help you decipher the difference. When your audio has passed through a plug-in (or chain of plug-ins), removing the original signal and only listening to the changes made by the plug-in(s) can be a very educational experience. Suddenly you'll be able to hear exactly how that EQ has modified your frequency response, how that compressor has altered the audio envelope and changed its transients, and what exactly that enhancer is actually adding under the bonnet. You can also listen to how your favourite bus compressor creates the glue that holds your mix together, or whether that boutique analogue preamp plug-in is adding anything beneficial, or whether a trick of the light and a fancy rendered front panel had you fooled.