Effects Processor Pro v. 1.0

Effects Processor Pro is a shareware real-time audio effects processor for Windows and was written by Andrea Forlani and Massimiliano Tonelli

EPP overview

Installation & configuration

Using EPP

How to register

Future improvements & other ANWIDA Soft projects

Shareware, distribution, warranty & copyright

About the authors

Effects Processor Pro - Copyright © 1998  Andrea Forlani, Massimiliano Tonelli


Program overview

EPP is a shareware real-time audio effects processor for Win 95.

EPP offers a flexible palette of high quality modulation effects (phaser, flanger and chorus) to enhance any audio material.

A simple, accurate and customizable tool for your creativity.

- effective real time; really low latency time.

- no noise due to processing: all processing procedures and links between effects sections are made with 64 bit accuracy, this ensures truly clean and noiseless sound.

- fully user controllable effects patch

- three effects simultaneously.

- many, carefully scaled, control parameters.

- full 32 bit application

And all at a little fraction of a commercial program cost!


Main menu

To enter the main menu just click the right mouse button on the form representing the processor unit.

Command:

Open: 	open a .WAV file

Effects patch:	modify effect chaining order

Preferences:	choose a sound card or set latency time

Mixdown:	process permanently .WAV file on HD

Exit: 	exit EPP

Help: 	call this help

About... :	open “about” info window


Using EPP

Please, before using EPP read carefully the Installation & configuration section.

Usage:

Graphic interface is (we hope) easy and user friendly, and very similar to a real-world tool.

To start a processing session with EPP click the right mouse button on the form representing the processor unit to enter a menu containing "Open" command.

Open the .WAV file you intend to process.

Note:

We chose to limit the file formats only to .WAV files 16 bit signed, a standard for high quality audio processing under Windows systems. EPP is not meant to be an editor, or a converter.

It supports only the 16 bit format because we think the 8 bit format is not fit for serious audio applications.

For the same reason we put some limitations also to the sampling rate, in fact 16khz is the minimum accepted sample rate.

Now you are ready to process it.

Press play button to hear your audio file.

Turn on the current selected effect (the default one is phaser) clicking on the “On/Off”  button on the processor unit.

Now it has to be lighted (this means that this effect is active) and you should be able to hear the phaser factory preset.

Try to move the knobs to familiarize with their behavior (for accurate explanations on every effect, follow the links below)

To enter another effect you must use the spinning button called "Mode".

If you desire to modify the effect chaining order, choose the "Effects patch" command in the menu

The available effects in version 1.0 of EPP are:

Phaser

Flanger

Chorus

We advise you to use, at first, one effect at a time, so it'll be easier for you to understand its working.

When you have achieved a desired result, you can permanently process your audio file choosing the "Mixdown" command present in the previously mentioned menu. The program will ask you to enter the name of the destination file.


Effects patch

“Effects patch” command allows you to modify effect chaining order.

In the default setting, all available available effects are selected and positioned in the following order: phaser, flanger, chorus.

You must use the two list boxes to add, remove or change the order of an effect.

Select one effect from one of the two list boxes, then choose the desired button.

Use mouse double clicking, as a shortcut, instead of using the buttons.

Double clicking on an effect present in the "Available effects" box, will add it to "Effects patch" box

Double clicking on an effect present in "Effects patch" box, will remove it from "Effects patch" box

The “Clear” button removes all effects from the “Effects patch” list box.


How to avoid distortion

You should use the volume slider to prevent distortion. Remember that clipping is often caused by too high feedback values.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that digital distortion is particularly unpleasant, and very different in nature from the analog one. To obtain high dynamics and low noise, you should keep the volume as high as you can, without causing distortion.


Phaser

The phaser program produces stereo phasing. This effect, popular in the ’70s, creates a sound similar to a Flanger, but less metallic.

Parameters:

Frequency: affects phasing timbre

depth: regulates the modulation depth.

rate: regulates the speed of the modulation.

feedback: controls signal recirculation. It creates a sharper timbre

degree: allows stereo enhancing of an incoming audio signal

mix: controls the unprocessed/processed signal ratio

Tips:

- If you put rate=0 (in this way no modulation takes place), this phaser works as a stereo allpass-filter (plus unprocessed signal added). This creates a sophisticated notch filtering action (for example, apply it on a clean trumpet and you will obtain, with a proper frequency and feedback configuration, a beautiful muted trumpet).

- please, read the note on how to avoid distortion


Flanger

Flanging is an effect produced by mixing a signal with a delayed time-varied copy of itself. This generates a typical “whooshing” sound.

This flanger program produces stereo flanging with two flanges that move in a user definable relationship with each other.

Parameters:

delay: affects flanging timbre.

depth: regulates the modulation depth.

rate: regulates the speed of the modulation.

feedback: controls signal recirculation. It creates a sharper timbre.

degree: allows stereo enhancing of an incoming audio signal.

mix: controls the unprocessed/processed signal ratio.

Tips:

- If you put rate = 0 (in this way no modulation takes place), this flanger works as a stereo comb-filter, and it can be useful to produce interesting effects

- If you choose big delay & depth values with a slow rate you obtain chorus like effects

- please, read the note about “detuning” in the modulation paragraph

- please, read the note on how to avoid distortion


Chorus

Chorus is an effect that creates the impression that a given part is being played by more musicians together. It is used often to sweeten and widen the sound of an instrument.

As for a flanger, it is produced by mixing the incoming audio signal with a delayed time-varied copy of itself. Unlike flanging, the chorus delay is wider (>8ms).

This chorus program is a four voice chorus (two stereo pairs).

Parameters:

delay: affects chorus timbre and dimension.

depth: regulates the modulation depth.

rate: regulates the speed of the modulation.

feedback: controls signal recirculation creating a sharper timbre, and a “small reverb” sensation.

degree: allows stereo enhancing of an incoming audio signal.

mix: controls the unprocessed/processed signal ratio.

Tips:

- you can use this effect as a spatial enhancer:

1) put rate = 0 (in this way no modulation takes place)

2) set a big delay, and a big depth value

1) 	increase degree (and feedback, if you want)

- please, read the note about “detuning” in the modulation paragraph

- please, read the note on how to avoid distortion


Modulation

Here are two examples on how delay, depth and rate parameters affect delay modulation over time. These should clarifiy how they work (The same applies to the phaser Just substitute delay with frequency).

In this case, we used a sinusoidal modulation that ensures smooth transitions. Surely, this is not the only possibility. You can choose almost any periodic wave shape, to modulate the delay value (more info in the “Future improvements & other ANWIDA Soft projects” section).

              Fig. 1   Delay modulation

Fig. 2  Different modulation settings

This second example shows two different modulation setting.

Modulation 1 (the blue one) is obtained with Delay=6ms, Depth=2ms and Rate=1Hz.

Modulation 2 (the red  one) is obtained with the same Delay but with Depth=1ms and Rate=0.5Hz.

Modulation 2 is slower and softer (less depth). This second modulation will cause also less detuning (pitch changing).

In fact, the more the modulation has steep fronts (fast delay changes) , the more the pitch modification will be audible.

So if you don’t want UFO like effects, decrease rate when you increase depth.

EPP has been already regulated to limit these “horrible” effects (that they are horrible is our opinion,  since many software developers are perfectly happy to obtain such stuff).  However in order to keep EPP flexibility, it’s still possible to obtain some “unpleasant” borderline effects.


Installation & configuration

Remember that an improper use of this program might damage your speakers. If you are not exactly sure of what you are doing, it's advisable that you keep the amplifier volume low.

EPP requires a Pentium  processor and a video board with at least 256 colors capabilities (optimal setup >=65536 colors).

Installation:

To install EPP you have to:

- create a proper  folder on your hard disk

- unzip “epp10.zip” (the zipped file you have found on the net) into that folder

- create a short cut to “epp10.exe”

Fine tuning (latency time):

now you have to tune EPP for maximum performance:

- enter “Preferences” in main menu

- choose the audio board you intend to use

- open main menu

- open a stereo 44.1 Khz .WAV file.(please, see the important note below about Sound Blaster)

- play it with all effects on (all mix values different from zero)

If you can't hear anything:

- check that your audio board is correctly installed. If it is (this means that it must work with other audio softwares) try to enlarge latency time as told below. If your audio board still doesn’t play anything, please, contact us.

If audio material is frequently chopped:

- enter “Preferences” in main menu

- increase latency time. This is the minimal time necessary to get the effect of a parameter change so it is desirable to get it as short as possible

- if necessary, repeat all the steps above until everything is OK

If EPP doesn’t work with all effects on, even if latency time is set to its maximum value, your machine is not fast enough (however we will soon release a more optimized version of EPP). This must not happen if your computer has a P133 CPU or better. In this case, please, contact us.

if everything is already OK:

- enter preferences in main menu

- decrease as much as you can (that is without encountering the above mentioned problems) response time

- when latency time becomes short for your hardware setup, some clicks of different nature, may also be caused by particular latency values. Please, try also to make manually changes to avoid this problem

Uninstalling EPP:

To remove EPP from your hard disk, simply:

- delete Effects Processor Pro folder and all its contents

- delete  “epp10.ini” from your Windows folder

Additional notes:

- response time is directly proportional to the length of the buffer sent to the audio board. Minimum latency allowed is strictly connected with the characteristic of your sound card (mainly), of your CPU power and of your hard disk transfer rate. Too short latency time might not work with your hardware.

- remember that many Sound Blaster boards (and similar) haven't got 48Khz sample rate files playback capability.

- the default setting of latency time, should work well with Sound Blaster (or similar boards). We have tried EPP with Sound Blaster 16 value PnP, 32 PnP, AWE 32, AWE 64, IBM Mwave, Turtle Beach Pinnacle (that works very well with very little buffers) and Pro Audio Spectrum boards. If you have some problems with some other models, please, contact us.

Perhaps it might be useful to show you, as an example, the latency values we use on our machines (that should be rather standard):

Pentium 133 Mhz  RAM 24MB

Hard Disk EIDE 1.7Gb

SB 16 value PnP

LATENCY=130 ms

Pentium 133 Mhz  RAM 16MB & 32MB

Hard Disk EIDE 2.1Gb

Turtle Beach Pinnacle

LATENCY=38 ms

With these settings EPP works well.


Version history

v. 1.0 (January '98)

First release

See Future improvements & other ANWIDA Soft projects to know what we have in store for you.


Future projects & improvements
Future improvements & other ANWIDA Soft projects

ANWIDA Soft has been working in digital audio software since 1995.

We have developed  Parametric Equalizer Pro (look for the most updated release and download it from our WWW site: http://www.anwida.com).

Our future goals include:

Improvements of EPP:

- better routines optimization (no wavetables were used in this version)

- add preset support

- add user definable modulation wave shape

- eliminate transition clicks due to real time changes of some knobs (as delay or depth).

- adopt ActiveMovie Audio plug-in architecture to make EPP available from many new commercial programs (many have adopted or are planning to adopt this standard interfacing method for plug-ins)

- midi external control over knobs and sliders

New projects:

- develop a real-time high quality mixing console (this is the natural extension of ParEq)

- develop a real-time high quality graphic equalizer

- develop a real-time high quality multitap delay processor

- develop a real-time high quality dynamic processor

- develop a real-time high quality reverb

Here is an extract from a letter to a customer. We think that it should clarify our intentions:

“....In the same time we are working at release 2.1 of ParEq.

It'll contain the following main improvements:

- presets support

- loop function

- forward rewind buttons

- more accuracy in Vu meters (Log. scaling)

.....Probably release 3.0 will be rewritten in C++ with the new user interface used for Epp.

We think that the next main problem we'll face (after we solved real-time processing [ParEq20], and custom controls developing [knobs, sliders, display...of Epp10]) will be ActiveMovie architecture. When we manage this, many new possibilities will be open to us. The main idea we are aiming at, is to build an integrated intuitive digital audio studio using PC. This is what we meant with "develop a real-time high quality mixing console".

Now we are building separated blocks [that will be able to function also as standalone modules or as third parties plug-ins].

In the future, we hope to put them together (so all the projects mentioned as graphic equalizer, reverb, dynamic processor etc. will be delivered........”


Parametric Equalizer Pro

Parametric Equalizer Pro is a professional real-time parametric equalizer that lets you shape the timbre of a sound by boosting or attenuating its frequency components. The high quality and flexibility of the program's filter bank, together with its intuitive user interface, enable you to make subtle or radical changes to your audio material.

Fig. 1   Parametric Equalizer Pro v 2.0

Look for the most updated release and download it from our WWW site: http://www.anwida.com.


About shareware & copyright
Shareware, distribution, warranty & copyright

Evaluation and Registration

This is NO free software.

EPP is a SHAREWARE application (JUST FOR $18 U.S.).

Subject to the terms below, you are licensed to use this software for evaluation purposes without charge.

Shareware distribution, in fact, gives users a chance to try software before buying it.

But if you try a shareware program (as EPP) - and continue using it - you are required to register it.

Registration numbers can only be given out by ANWIDA Soft.

To register and encourage further development, please follow the directions in this help file.

Distribution

As shareware, you can give copies of EPP to anyone you think might find it useful. You can also upload it to BBS, FTP or HTTP sites.

The package may be distributed on CD-ROM.

ONLY THE UNMODIFIED 'ZIPPED' FILE MAY BE DISTRIBUTED !!

EPP10.ZIP includes the following files:

EPP10.EXE	167.424 B	EPP application file

PLAYER.DLL	  48.128 B	EPP DLL

CHORUS.DLL	  32.768 B	EPP DLL

PHASER.DLL	  33.792 B	EPP DLL

FLANGER.DLL	  32.256 B	EPP DLL

FIT20.DLL	  50.176 B	EPP DLL

EPP10.HLP	213.679 B 	EPP help file

README.TXT	  10.395 B	EPP readme (.TXT format)

8 files in all.

You are prohibited from:

- permitting other individuals to use this software except for evaluation purposes;

- modifying, translating, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling, or creating derivative works based on this Software;

- renting, leasing, granting a security interest in, or otherwise transfering rights to this software;

- removing any proprietary notices or labels on this software.

Disclaimer of Warranty

EPP is provided on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including any warranties of fitness for a particular purpose. The authors shall not be liable for damages of any kind. Use of this software indicates you agree to this.

Copyright

The package is copyright © 1998 by Andrea Forlani and Massimiliano Tonelli

All trademarks/registered names acknowledged.


About the authors

Andrea Forlani.

I was born in Pesaro (Gioachino Rossini's birth-place) in 1970.

When I was six, I was presented with my first guitar.

At 11 years old I began to study oboe at Pesaro Conservatory "G. Rossini".

At 13 I started to program in Basic with small computers (VIC-20, Commodore 64).

I have been playing guitar in a rock band since I was 15.

In the mean time I worked with ATARI ST1040 in my small home studio.

When I was 20 I got oboe degree and I began to play as soloist or as a member of some classical ensembles ("Philharmonic Orchestra of Ancona", woodwind quintets, etc.).

In the same year I joined the course in electronic music at Conservatory.

In 1991 I taught oboe at Conservatory.

At 22 I entered the Computer Science Course of Bologna University where I studied several programming languages (Fortran, Prolog, Pascal, C++, etc..).

In 1995 I wrote SED, a sound editor for Ms-Dos.

In 1996 :

- I graduated in electronic music.

- I wrote Hetro Editor, a utility for Csound for MS-Windows.

This program allows graphic analysis of heterodyne filter output and permits accurate editing of it, morphing and resynthesys of sounds generating automatically Csound scores.

- I wrote ParEq

In 1997 release 2.0 of ParEq

In this year (1998) first release off EPP

E-mail: forlani@anwida.com

Massimiliano Tonelli.

8 years old, began to study classical music, playing flute.

11, entered conservatory. (studying.... studying......)

15, began to study electric bass; I liked rock very much at that time. (playing.....playing....playing.....)

17, began to study jazz; going ahead with bass.(playing......studying.......playing.....Trane-ing......playing......in the streets.....in pubs.........etc.)

19, began electronic engineering university, with audio applications in my head (a lot of math......a lot of math.....a lot of math.....perhaps too much math........in the mean -time playing.....)

22, worked as a programmer .

23, wrote music for a theater performance.

24 (1995-96), studying DSP.

Began composing music for a sextet ( if you want I'll send you some music).

Began ParEq

Played with my group in a musical festival in France (FIMU-Belfort - May 1996)

25 (1996 October),finished ParEq v. 1.0

1997 Release 2.0 of ParEq

1998 January, first release off EPP

E-mail: tonelli@anwida.com

As you can see we are both music experienced, and this is the foundation of our work.

If you (even unregistered users) need more information, please contact us, we will be glad of it.

ANWIDA Soft

E-mail

Information: info@anwida.com

Tech Support: support@anwida.com

Sales Info: sales@anwida.com

WWW

http://www.anwida.com


How to register

We offer two levels of registration:

Standard ($18 US): Password to remove shareware messages and unlock all features.

Deluxe    ($25 US): Password (as above) plus password for the next upgrade, when available.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE:

With "next upgrade" we mean a MAJOR RELEASE (i.e. 1.0, 2.0,...).

Standard and Deluxe registered users will be able to unlock all the intermediary minor releases (i.e. 1.3, 1.4,...bugs fixed, little changes, etc..) using their registration number.

Please contact us directly at sales@anwida.com for special package offers or large order discounts.

We accept two modalities of payment:

1) On-line: all major credit cards accepted; visit us at http://www.anwida.com for the latest on-line registering options.

2) By mail: send us the registration form available in this help, with money (US $) or checks (US $, payable to Andrea Forlani) enclosed to the address below. We will send by e-mail to you the password to unlock all EPP features.

Note:

If you haven't got an e-mail address, please, add 5 US $ for mail delivery.

Be sure to send your mail order to the address below

Andrea Forlani

Via Baracca, 16

61100  PESARO

ITALY

For more information about registrations, please,  contact us at

E-mail: sales@anwida.com

WWW: http://www.anwida.com


Registration form
Effects Processor Pro Registration Form

Name (first&last):_______________________________________________

[Company]:	 _______________________________________________

Address:	 _______________________________________________

 _______________________________________________

City:	 __________________State/Prov:_________Zip:________

Country:	 _______________________________________________

E-mail:	 _______________________________________________

Phone #:	 _______________________________________________

FAX #:	 _______________________________________________

Version of EPP

you are using:	 __.____

Choose the level of registration you prefer:

[  ]	Standard ($18 US)

Password to remove shareware messages and unlock all features.

[  ]	Deluxe ($25 US)

Password (as above) plus password for the next upgrade, when available.

You may answer these if you like !

Where did you find EPP ?	__________________________________________

What do you use EPP for ?	__________________________________________

CPU you are using:	__________________________________________

OS you are using:	__________________________________________

Sound Card:	__________________________________________

What kind of competence have you got in music?

[  ] None

[  ] Multimedia

[  ] Musician	Instrument(s):	__________________________________________

[  ] Sound Engineer

[  ] Other (please be specific):	__________________________________________

Comments/Suggestions:	__________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

°°° THANK YOU !!! °°°