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Difference between revisions of "Enhancer block"

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=Channels or X/Y switching=
 
=Channels or X/Y switching=
  
* '''Axe-Fx III and FM3''': 2 channels
+
* '''Axe-Fx III''' and '''FM3''': 2 channels
 
* '''Axe-Fx II''': no
 
* '''Axe-Fx II''': no
 
* '''FX8''': no
 
* '''FX8''': no
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'''Stereoizer''' – While the Classic and Modern types rely on micro-delays and inversions to create artificial stereo, the new Stereoizer uses multiple high-order filters to create a realistic stereo image.
 
'''Stereoizer''' – While the Classic and Modern types rely on micro-delays and inversions to create artificial stereo, the new Stereoizer uses multiple high-order filters to create a realistic stereo image.
  
=Mono or stereo input, stereo output=
+
=Position of the Enhancer block on the grid=
  
While a STEREO INPUT signal works best with the Enhancer, it can also "stereoize" a MONO INPUT signal.
+
The Enhancer block should always be placed at the end of the signal routing.
  
The Enhancer vends out STEREO OUTPUT. Don't use it if you only use one channel (left or right).
+
=Input and output=
  
=Phase cancellation=
+
While a STEREO INPUT signal works best with the Enhancer, it can also "stereoize" a MONO INPUT signal.
 
 
When summing a stereo signal to mono, the Enhancer in Classic mode can cause phase cancellation. The Modern Mode is mono-compatible to prevent this.
 
 
 
<blockquote>"Never put the enhancer in parallel or you'll get phasing problems. That's why there is no bypass mode because it should always be in series." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/absence-of-bypass-mode-for-the-enhancer-block.95041/#post-1142168 source]</blockquote>
 
 
 
<blockquote>"The Modern Enhancer will survive collapsing to mono but any enhancer should be used judiciously, especially for recordings." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/posts/1224764/ source]</blockquote>
 
 
 
Read this: [[Mono_and_stereo_I/O#Phase_cancellation_and_comb_filtering|Phase cancellation]]
 
 
 
=Position of the Enhancer block on the grid=
 
  
The Enhancer block should always be placed at the end of the signal routing.
+
The Enhancer sends out STEREO OUTPUT. Don't use it if you only use one channel (left or right).
  
 
=Parameters=
 
=Parameters=
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! '''Axe-Fx III / FM3'''
 
! '''Axe-Fx III / FM3'''
 
! '''Axe-Fx II'''
 
! '''Axe-Fx II'''
! '''AX8, FX8'''
+
! '''AX8 / FX8'''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Type
 
| Type
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| Modern – Low Cut, High Cut
 
| Modern – Low Cut, High Cut
 
! yes
 
! yes
 +
!
 +
!
 +
|-
 +
|
 +
!
 
!  
 
!  
 
!  
 
!  
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=Tips and tricks=
 
=Tips and tricks=
  
==Widening the Panner==
+
==Phase cancellation==
 +
 
 +
When summing a stereo signal to mono, the Enhancer in Classic mode can cause phase cancellation. The Modern Mode is mono-compatible to prevent this.
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>"Never put the enhancer in parallel or you'll get phasing problems. That's why there is no bypass mode because it should always be in series." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/absence-of-bypass-mode-for-the-enhancer-block.95041/#post-1142168 source]</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
<blockquote>"The Modern Enhancer will survive collapsing to mono but any enhancer should be used judiciously, especially for recordings." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/posts/1224764/ source]</blockquote>
 +
 
 +
Read this: [[Mono_versus_stereo#Phase_cancellation_and_comb_filtering|Phase cancellation]]
 +
 
 +
==Widen the Panner==
  
 
Make the Panner effect ([[Tremolo/Panner block]]) effect fuller and wider by adding the Enhancer.
 
Make the Panner effect ([[Tremolo/Panner block]]) effect fuller and wider by adding the Enhancer.
Line 96: Line 101:
 
==Alternatives==
 
==Alternatives==
  
Use the Delay in the [[Cab block]] to improve stereo imaging. Or the Delay block itself:
+
Use the [[Cab_block#Delay_.2F_Mic_Distance|Delay in the Cab block]] to improve stereo imaging. Or the [[Delay block]] itself:
  
 
<blockquote>"Another way would be to use the Delay block. Set the Mix to 100%, dial in the desired amount of delay and set Balance to full right." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/30-ms-delay-but-nothing-else.75709/#post-924932 source]</blockquote>
 
<blockquote>"Another way would be to use the Delay block. Set the Mix to 100%, dial in the desired amount of delay and set Balance to full right." [https://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/30-ms-delay-but-nothing-else.75709/#post-924932 source]</blockquote>
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=More information=
 
=More information=
  
* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98707-enhancer-block-amazing-new-post.html forum discussion]
+
* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/axe-fx-ii-discussion/98707-enhancer-block-amazing-new-post.html Forum discussion]
* [[Mono and stereo I/O]]
+
* [[Mono versus stereo]]
 
* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/video-haas-delay-and-how-to-use-it.113156/ Danny Danzi tutorial: HAAS delay and how to use it]
 
* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/video-haas-delay-and-how-to-use-it.113156/ Danny Danzi tutorial: HAAS delay and how to use it]
* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/double-tracking-effect-on-live-guitar.119376 live double tracking]
+
* [http://forum.fractalaudio.com/threads/double-tracking-effect-on-live-guitar.119376 Live double tracking]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_Of_Phase_Stereo Out Of Phase Stereo]
 
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_Of_Phase_Stereo Out Of Phase Stereo]
 
* [http://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-stereo-widening Classic Stereo Widening]
 
* [http://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/classic-stereo-widening Classic Stereo Widening]

Revision as of 08:37, 13 August 2019

Enhancer block.png

Available on which products

  • Axe-Fx III: 2 blocks
  • FM3: yes @@
  • Axe-Fx II: 1 block
  • FX8: 1 block
  • AX8: 1 block

Channels or X/Y switching

  • Axe-Fx III and FM3: 2 channels
  • Axe-Fx II: no
  • FX8: no
  • AX8: no

Types

Modern – Multiband techniques for a natural effect. Also, the effect is mono-compatible with no phasing problems when summing to mono. The effect both widens stereo signals and “stereoizes” mono signals. Low-cut and High-cut parameters allow control over the region of influence. It is NOT recommended to use the Enhancer if just using one side of a stereo output as phasing effects may be encountered.

"The algorithm is such that when Width is zero there is significant cancellation in the right channel that will cause a shift in the balance."

Classic – Old Haas effect delay-based processing. The right channel is delayed by a very small amount to increase the apparent stereo separation between the left and right channels. Wikipedia: Haas effect

"Classic enhancer mode is just a delay on one side (adjustable from 0 to 20 ms) plus pan & phase adjustment. The non-delayed side will tend to seem louder, just like if you used a delay block to get the same delay time." source

Stereoizer – While the Classic and Modern types rely on micro-delays and inversions to create artificial stereo, the new Stereoizer uses multiple high-order filters to create a realistic stereo image.

Position of the Enhancer block on the grid

The Enhancer block should always be placed at the end of the signal routing.

Input and output

While a STEREO INPUT signal works best with the Enhancer, it can also "stereoize" a MONO INPUT signal.

The Enhancer sends out STEREO OUTPUT. Don't use it if you only use one channel (left or right).

Parameters

Parameter Axe-Fx III / FM3 Axe-Fx II AX8 / FX8
Type yes
Width yes
Depth yes
Modern – Low Cut, High Cut yes
Classic – Phase Invert yes
Classic – Pan L, Pan R yes

Tips and tricks

Phase cancellation

When summing a stereo signal to mono, the Enhancer in Classic mode can cause phase cancellation. The Modern Mode is mono-compatible to prevent this.

"Never put the enhancer in parallel or you'll get phasing problems. That's why there is no bypass mode because it should always be in series." source

"The Modern Enhancer will survive collapsing to mono but any enhancer should be used judiciously, especially for recordings." source

Read this: Phase cancellation

Widen the Panner

Make the Panner effect (Tremolo/Panner block) effect fuller and wider by adding the Enhancer.

Alternatives

Use the Delay in the Cab block to improve stereo imaging. Or the Delay block itself:

"Another way would be to use the Delay block. Set the Mix to 100%, dial in the desired amount of delay and set Balance to full right." source

More information