Using Spectralayers to create LFE -SpectraLayers Pro

Subject:Using Spectralayers to create LFE Posted by: Davyd M Date:5/1/2013 4:47:26 PM I bought Spectralayers, like most people probably, to fix problematic audio files. But I was wondering if the draw tools could be used to create LFE for subwoofers on film soundtracks. I must be doing something wrong as I can't get anything approaching LFE yet. I've tried the Draw Noise and Draw Frequency options. I set the window to a max display height of 200 hz, but the draw tool for frequency shows a vertical line going from 0-200 and I can't change this. Similarly, with draw noise, even though I try to change the height of the brush with the window (top left-ish) it remains as a vertical line going from top to bottom. Any suggestions/ideas anyone?
Subject:RE: Using Spectralayers to create LFE Reply by: Doug_Marshall Date:5/1/2013 10:57:42 PM Yes, you can kind of do that. I say kind of because, at least in version 1.0.21 which I've had to stay with for other reasons, the extraction has not always been consistent. I found that if I did the operation once it would be successful. A second attempt would contain visible, and sometimes audible, flaws. The workaround is to restart the program. But that aside... What I did to accomplish an LFE extraction was to create a new layer (which must be highlighted, that is, it is red in color to enable it), select the Extract/Area tool (on the left side of the screen), aim at the desired frequency at the start of the file, hold down the Shift key and drag across to the end of the file at that frequency. This does extract everything below the frequency your mouse is on to the new layer. You may want to play with the frequency range and Hardness settings as you experiment in order to get the results you're looking for. Hardness controls how sharp the edge of the extraction will be. Doug
Subject:RE: Using Spectralayers to create LFE Reply by: ChristoC Date:5/2/2013 2:23:50 AM Seems to be a counter-intuitive approach when great results can be achieved in real time with the combination of a good Low Pass Filter and a decent Subharmonic Generator; besides generally LFE is derived from a mix of 5 (or more) channels; SpectraLayers only works in Stereo.
Subject:RE: Using Spectralayers to create LFE Reply by: Doug_Marshall Date:5/2/2013 10:34:14 PM Agreed, although it depends on the application. Typical LFE is probably best as a real time thing. In my application I'm working with sound samples and I'm looking for a razor-like divide at a frequency rather than an X dB per octave filter. I used to accomplish it the way I described above but now I split things using harmonic extractuion, mostly. Either way, you have to be so careful that the treatment doesn't harm the patient!

Subject:Using Spectralayers to create LFE

Posted by: Davyd M

Date:5/1/2013 4:47:26 PM

I bought Spectralayers, like most people probably, to fix problematic audio files. But I was wondering if the draw tools could be used to create LFE for subwoofers on film soundtracks. I must be doing something wrong as I can't get anything approaching LFE yet. I've tried the Draw Noise and Draw Frequency options. I set the window to a max display height of 200 hz, but the draw tool for frequency shows a vertical line going from 0-200 and I can't change this. Similarly, with draw noise, even though I try to change the height of the brush with the window (top left-ish) it remains as a vertical line going from top to bottom. Any suggestions/ideas anyone?

Subject:RE: Using Spectralayers to create LFE

Reply by: Doug_Marshall

Date:5/1/2013 10:57:42 PM

Yes, you can kind of do that. I say kind of because, at least in version 1.0.21 which I've had to stay with for other reasons, the extraction has not always been consistent. I found that if I did the operation once it would be successful. A second attempt would contain visible, and sometimes audible, flaws. The workaround is to restart the program. But that aside...

What I did to accomplish an LFE extraction was to create a new layer (which must be highlighted, that is, it is red in color to enable it), select the Extract/Area tool (on the left side of the screen), aim at the desired frequency at the start of the file, hold down the Shift key and drag across to the end of the file at that frequency. This does extract everything below the frequency your mouse is on to the new layer. You may want to play with the frequency range and Hardness settings as you experiment in order to get the results you're looking for. Hardness controls how sharp the edge of the extraction will be.

Doug

Subject:RE: Using Spectralayers to create LFE

Reply by: ChristoC

Date:5/2/2013 2:23:50 AM

Seems to be a counter-intuitive approach when great results can be achieved in real time with the combination of a good Low Pass Filter and a decent Subharmonic Generator; besides generally LFE is derived from a mix of 5 (or more) channels; SpectraLayers only works in Stereo.

Subject:RE: Using Spectralayers to create LFE

Reply by: Doug_Marshall

Date:5/2/2013 10:34:14 PM

Agreed, although it depends on the application. Typical LFE is probably best as a real time thing. In my application I'm working with sound samples and I'm looking for a razor-like divide at a frequency rather than an X dB per octave filter. I used to accomplish it the way I described above but now I split things using harmonic extractuion, mostly. Either way, you have to be so careful that the treatment doesn't harm the patient!