Antares Auto-Tune 5 Owner's Manual

AVP-1Antares Vocal ProducerOwner’s Manual

4A little bit about pitchPitch is typically associated with our perception of the “highness” or“lowness” of a particular sound. Our perception of pitc

5Pitches are often described relative to one another as intervals, or ratios offrequency. For example, two pitches are said to be one octave apart ift

6How Auto-Tune corrects pitchAuto-Tune works by continuously tracking the pitch of an input sound andcomparing it to a user-defined scale. The scale t

7An exampleAs an example, consider this before-and-after graphic representation ofthe pitch of a vocal phrase that contains both vibrato and expressiv

8With the AVP, you can record each track through a model of the type ofmic that will best produce that ideal sound you’re looking for. Or use it inliv

9Why reduce the dynamic range? Consider the problem of mixing the vocalin a contemporary rock or pop song. Typically, pop music has a relativelyconsis

10LimitingExamine the 99:1 curve in the above graph. This setting reduces all soundsabove the threshold to the same loudness. This is called limiting.

11When expanders use ratios higher than 1:10, sounds below the thresholdare faded out very rapidly. This effect is called gating and can sound veryabr

12Sounds that are louder than the threshold get “through the gate” un-changed. Sounds that are below the threshold are not heard. Gates can beused to

13Hard Knee/Soft KneeThe graphs shown above have what are described as “hard knees” in theirgain curves. This means that as the signal passes through

ii©2002 Antares Audio Technologies. All rights reserved.All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.All names of microphone manufacture

14Attack and Release TimesThe attack time of a compressor is how long it takes for the compressor toreact once the input level has met or exceeded the

15What is a De-Esser?When recording spoken or sung material, the sibilants (Ss, Ts, CHs, andSHs) in the track often sound louder than the rest of the

16Low Pass - High Pass FiltersThe low pass and high pass filters available in the AVP offer both a 6dBper octave and a 12dB per octave roll-off charac

17LOGMAGNITUDE(dB)FREQUENCY50-18-12-606100 300 1000 3000 10000 22050HSHIGH SHELF FILTERFrequency: 1,000 HzGain: +12 dBBandwidth: N/ALOGMAGNITUDE(dB)FR

18Peaking FilterThe peaking filter is the traditional fully parametric EQ. It can be usedto subtly accentuate or attenuate a frequency or for much mor

19Band Pass and Notch FiltersBand pass and notch filters can be thought of as extreme examples of thepeaking filter.The Band Pass filter sharply atten

20Chapter 2:Setting Up the Antares Vocal ProducerSetting up the AVP is very straightforward.1. Find a suitable location. The AVP is designed to be mou

21Chapter 3:Panel Controls and ConnectorsThe Front Panel1 Non-existent Power Switch That’s right. There isn’t one. The AVP isdesigned to remain on con

228 PRESET Press this button to display the Select Preset screen.9SAVE Press this button to save a newly created or edited preset. Alsoused to confirm

23The Compressor/Gate Module20 COMP. Press this button to set the compressor’s ratio, threshold andmakeup gain.21 ATTACK Press this button to set the

iiiContentsGetting StartedWelcome vTechnical Support viIntroducing the Antares Chapter 1AVP Overview 2Auto-Tune Pitch Correction 3Antares Microphone M

2438 OUTPUT GAIN Press this button to adjust the AVP’s output gain and/orto engage the main bypass.NOTE: While main bypass is engaged, no other contro

25Chapter 4: OperationLive or mixdown?The AVP functions equally well processing audio during its original perfor-mance or later during the mixdown pro

26If your mixer has separate insert send and insert return jacks, patch theinsert send to the AVP’s Line In and the AVP’s Main Line Out to the mixer’s

27For this configuration, your mixer must provide direct channel outputs.Patch the direct output of the channel whose signal you want to processto the

28Controls and Display ScreensMASTER MODULEPreset SelectWhen the AVP is first powered up, it will briefly display the version of itsinternal firmware

29NOTE: This meter reflects the level of the analog audio input. It is notaffected by the digital Input Trim described below in the Setup Menu.Dependi

30Input Level Meter PageIn: -24 -12 -6 -3 0This page provides a high resolution display for ease in setting the inputsignal level. Ideally, you shoul

31As a result of Antares research into the unique characteristics of varioustypes of audio signals, the AVP Auto-Tune module offers a selection ofopti

32This table can be extended in either direction by adding or subtracting 4cents per Hertz, as appropriate.Auto-Tune Sensitivity Page Auto-Tune

33The MIDI Channel parameter selects the channel over which the AVPreceives MIDI continuous controller and Program Change messages. Thechoices include

ivGet Creative Chapter 5 58AppendixFactory Presets 60Realistic Mic Modeling Expectations 64Specifications 66Index 68

34The following parameters can be controlled via MIDI:Auto-Tune Speed De-esser High Pass FrequencyAuto-Tune ON/OFF De-esser AttackTube Warmth De-esser

35• If the footswitch is set to control Main Bypass, all other assignments areignored• If the footswitch is set to Increment Preset and one or more of

36<Save> For MIDI DumpAll Presets OnlyThis selection saves all of the AVP’s presets. When this file is loaded backinto your AVP, it will replace

37MIDI Preset Restore Enable PageThis page allows you to either enable or disable the AVP’s ability to receiveMIDI SysEx messages.Enable MIDI SysExRec

38 Bad SysEx Data ReceivedIf this happens to you, check to be sure that you have sent the AVP thecorrect file from your sequencer.Restore Facto

39In either case, once the restore is completed, you will see the followingscreen for a few seconds: Factory Presets restore completed.and then you w

40The Preset number and Preset name will initially be the number and nameof the original preset you were editing (i.e., the Preset Name will be theori

41If your mic is not listed, select the generic mic category that best describesyour mic. Generic mic categories include:Hand-held DynamicStudio Dynam

42• If the correct source mic is selected in the Source Mic list and Bypass isselected in the Modeled Mic list, the final output of the Mic Modelermod

43Source Mic ProximityUse the Data Knob to set the average distance that separated the mic andthe signal source during the recording of the audio. Or

vWelcome!On behalf of everyone at Antares Audio Technologies, we’d like tooffer both our thanks and congratulations on your decision topurchase the An

44NOTE: A secondary effect of mic-to-source distance is the extent towhich environmental ambience is picked up by a mic. For example, as amic is move

45Because the maximum drive is limited to +12 dB, using the Tube Saturationmodel requires the original signal to be at a level greater than -12 dB. If

46Tune (i.e., the note name appears in the display, but the field under thenote is blank): When the input is near a note set to Tune, Auto-Tunewill re

47This phrase is in D Major and, if all the pitch errors were no greater thanabout 49 cents, would work fine with a standard D Major scale (D, E, F# ,

48Correction MeterThis meter indicates, in real time, the amount of pitch correction beingapplied to change the input pitch to the target pitch. The g

49The Attack Time control adjusts the speed with which the compressorresponds to peaks in the input signal. The range of the control is from 0millisec

50Pressing the Gate button again while the Gate Page is displayed willdisplay the Gain Reduction Meter Page (see below). Continually pressingthe Gate

51DE-ESSER MODULEDe-esser PageTh:-40dBDe-esser Ratio:2.0:1This page allows you to set the main de-esser parameters. Use the cursorbuttons to move from

52The Release Time control adjusts the time it takes the compressorelement’s gain to increase 6 dB after the signal coming from the highpassfilter dro

53De-esser On ButtonWhen this button is lit, the De-esser module is active. When it is not lit, themodule is bypassed. Pressing the button toggles its

viTechnical SupportIn the unlikely event that you experience a problem using yourAntares Vocal Producer, try the following:1. Make another quick scan

54High Shelf FilterEQ1 High Shelff:11039 S:1.5 Gn: +4The High Shelf filter can be thought of as the world’s most flexible versionof the venerable “Tre

55The Band Pass filter sharply attenuates all frequencies except for a bandcentered around frequency “f.” The setting of the “Q” control determinesthe

56EQ #2 PageEQ2 Peakingf: 7725 Q:2.4 Gn:+12This page allows you to select the type and set the parameters of thesecond equalizer band. The available o

57How Double Track worksThe Double Track functions works a bit differently depending uponwhether or not you are using the AVP’s Auto-Tune module for y

58Chapter 5: Get CreativeUp to this point, the instructions in this manual have focused on how touse the AVP for its primary purpose: creating traditi

59Using Auto-Tune in Double Track Mode• Use Auto-Tune to create the double track, but instead of using a scalethat will produce the traditional unison

60AppendixAVP Factory PresetsThe AVP comes pre-programmed with 35 factory presets. These presetswere designed by studio professionals to provided quic

61The PresetsVocal Presets1MaleVoice Basic male voice treatment. Adjust compressorthreshold to singing style.2 FemaleVoice Basic female voice treatmen

6215 MixedBacking Adjust compressor threshold to track style.16 ThickBacking Adjust Double Track mix for degree of thickness.17 FemaleBackup Adjust mo

63Special Effect Presets30 Destructo Adjust compressor threshold for desired effect.31 Telephone For that special phone moment — less is more!Dependin

1Chapter 1:Introducing the Antares Vocal ProducerHow to use this manualThe Antares Vocal Producer (henceforth referred to as the AVP) has a veryfriend

64Realistic Mic Modeling Expectations(or, AVP meets the space-time continuum)Although the AVP’s Microphone Modeling seems in many ways to bealmost mag

65•Transient Response One of the key characteristics of various types ofmicrophones is their transient response (i.e., the way that their dia-phragms

66SpecificationsFrequency response: 10Hz-20KHx, +/- 0.2dBDistortion + Noise: Less than 0.005% (@1kHz)AUTO-TUNE Chromatic and 24 diatonic scales, all u

67PARAMETRIC EQ (2 independent bands)6 dB Lowpass6dB Highpass12dB Lowpass12dB HighpassBandpassNotchLow shelf (variable slope)High shelf (variable slop

68IndexSymbols< (Left Cursor) 21, 29> (Right Cursor) 21, 29AAC Power Input 24Analog Tube Modeling 2Antares Audio Technologies ii, 3Antares

69De-Esser Module 23, 51De-esser Attack Page 51De-esser Gain Reduction Meter Page 52De-esser On Button 53De-esser Page 51De-esser Release Page 5

70Iinner child 32Input Level Meter Page 30Input Meter 28, 67Input Trim Page 30InputsAC Power 24Line 24MIDI In 24Introducing the Antares Vocal P

71Q“Q” control 16, 19, 54, 55RRatio 9Realistic Mic Modeling expectations 64Release 14Restore Factory Presets Page 38SSave Preset Page 39Scale Pa

72

2Chapter 4: OperationThis is a guide to all of the features and functions of the AVP. If you’reonly going to read one chapter, this is the one.Chapter

3• Flexible Parametric EQ You can fine-tune your vocal sound with twoindependent bands of equalization that let you select from 6dB or 12dBhigh or low