DMM-BW1 Brickwall Maximizer Usage

DMM-BW1 Brickwall Maximizer 1.0 (win9x demo)

DISCLAIMER: This software is provided 'as is'. By reading this help file you agree to the terms of this disclaimer. If you do not agree with these terms, do not use this product. No guarantees are made that this software will work on every VST compatible host. Currently I will only support this software for VST on win9x, although it should work on many other hosts too.

DMM-BW1 Brickwall Maximizer is a dual function limiter/loudness maximizer that can be used in a variety of ways. It's main purpose is as a mastering insert, allowing you to greatly boost the perceived volume of your stereo mix whilst at the same time guaranteeing that the signal level never exceeds 0 dB. It can also be used for creating smooth exponential fade-ins and fade-outs, if your host supports parameter automation. The maximizer uses an intelligent lookahead algorithm that optimises the limiter's operation to ensure maximum loudness and transparency.

This is an evaluation version - it will insert a half second silence into the output stream every 45 seconds. Details on how to register this product can be found on my Online Ordering Page. To install, unzip the package and extract the dll to your vstplugins directory (VST) or whatever you need to do for your particular sequencer.

Usage

The plugin interface is simple and easy to use. At the top you have 3 sets of meters: INPUT, G/R and OUTPUT. INPUT shows you the input level of the signal passing through the effect. G/R shows you the amount of gain reduction (limiting) being applied to the input signal, and OUTPUT shows you the signal level leaving the effect after processing.

Below these meters are the three main control knobs: BOOST, RELEASE and POST GAIN. The BOOST and RELEASE knobs determine how the input signal is processed. BOOST sets the amount of volume boost that is applied to the input signal. It ranges from 0 dB to 24 dB. RELEASE sets the 'minimum' release time of the limiter, and ranges from 1 ms to 1000 ms.

The reason the word 'minimum' is used is because the intelligent limiter algorithm will adjust the release time to suit the input signal to guarantee brickwall behaviour and maximum boost. Effectively, the BOOST knob is used to 'drive' the limiter - the higher you set the boost, the more the limiter works to ensure the signal never exceeds 0 dB. Depending on how you set the limiter's release, the input signal will be processed in different ways:

At very low release times, the limiter will give free reign to the loudness maximizing routine. You should use very low release settings if you are looking for maximum loudness and minimum audible pumping. If you set the release time to 1 ms (which is extremely short by limiting standards), you are effectively saying 'use whatever release settings you want' to the maximizing routine.

As you increase the release time, the effect will begin to function more as a normal brickwall limiter, as the maximizing routine will be restricted to using release times no shorter than the value you have specified. Low to mid release times are useful for boosting the input signal and applying some audible limiting at the same time. Dance music producers often use this 'pumping' effect on entire mixes.... if you set a high boost value and mid-to-high release times, you can really pump the mix.

How much can the input be boosted?

As always, your ears are the best judge of that! With minimum release times you can often boost an uncompressed stereo mix by 6 dB or more without any noticeable side effects. Bear in mind that the more you boost, generally the longer the release setting you need to keep things smooth. Very high boost settings with very low release settings may not sound particularly good. A good technique for loudness maxmizing is to set the release time to 1 ms and then increase the boost until you start getting noticeable side effects, then either roll off the boost a little or increase the limiter's release time.

The POST GAIN knob allows you to attenuate the output level from -infinity dB (complete silence) to 0 dB (maximum volume). Unless you particularly want to reduce the mix volume (e.g. when equalizing different track levels on an album), leave this at 0 dB.

Fade Options

The effect includes options for fade-ins and fade-outs. Depending on your VST host, this may or may not be useful to you. You can manually fade in and out as you play back your track by clicking the buttons at the right time, but if your host supports effect parameter automation then you can automate your fades and bounce down your mix offline. The fades work in slightly different ways:

Fade In - set the fade in time using the fade time knob on the left (variable from 1 second to 60 seconds). At the very start of your track, preferably slightly before the music starts, click the 'IN' button (it will light up). This will silence the output. At the point where you want the fade in to begin, click the 'IN' button again (the light will go out again). The output will then be faded in exponentially from complete silence to the volume set by the POST GAIN knob.
Fade Out - set the fade out time using the fade time knob on the right, and click the 'OUT' button at the point where you want the fade out to start. The output will then be faded out exponentially from the volume set by the POST GAIN knob to complete silence. Make sure you leave the 'OUT' button swithced on to the very end of your recording.

It you intend to automate any effect parameters, particularly fades, then take note of the following: If your host does not give you the effect parameter names in your automation window, then the controls of the effect correspond to the first 7 parameters in the automation window, as shown below.

Parameter 1 - Boost
Parameter 2 - Release Time
Parameter 3 - Post Gain
Parameter 4 - Fade In Button
Parameter 5 - Fade Out Button
Parameter 6 - Fade In Time
Parameter 7 - Fade Out Time

The effect uses several other internal parameters that may be displayed in your automation window. Do not try to edit these!!! They are used for managing the internal state of the effect and you may crash your computer if you start messing around with them.

Example - creating automated fades in VST:

Insert the effect in the master mixer window. Set up the fade in and out times in the effect as required.
If you do not have a mix track set up already, go into the main mixer window, click 'write' once, then click it again to switch it off and then click 'read' once. A mix track should be created for you. In order for automation to work the 'read' button should be lit.
Fade In: double-click the mix track, then expand the Master FX list on the left. Assuming you inserted the effect in insert 1, go to MasterFX1Param 4 (fade in), and then draw in a value of 127 (this switches the fade in on) at the place just before your music starts. Then go to the place where you want the fade in to begin, and draw in a value of 0 (this swithces the fade in off again). If you play back the track from the beginning, the fade in should now occur automatically, assuming the 'read' button is lit.
Fade Out: At the very start of the track, set MasterFx1Param 5 to 0. At the place where you want the fade out to start, set it to 127.... you should now have perfect fades at both the start and end of your track. Parameter names may vary from host to host, but hopefully you get the general idea.

That's about it...... have fun! If you wish to buy the full (and extremely cheap) version without the annoying silences every 45 seconds, visit my Online Ordering Page for more details. Your comments, bugs and feedback are welcomed. Have a useful improvement to suggest? Get in touch!

Regards,

Dave
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david@davidmasonmusic.com
http://www.davidmasonmusic.com