Waves LoAir User Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction

1.1 Welcome

Thank you for choosing Waves! In order to get the most out of your new Waves plugin, please take a moment to read this user guide. To install software and manage your licenses, you need to have a free Waves account. Sign up at www.waves.com. With a Waves account, you can keep track of your products, renew your Waves Update Plan, participate in bonus programs, and keep up to date with important information. We suggest that you become familiar with the Waves Support pages: www.waves.com/support. There are technical articles about installation, troubleshooting, specifications, and more. Plus, you'll find company contact information and Waves Support news.

1.2 Product Overview

LoAir is a plug-in which can be used to create LFE content from mono, stereo, and 5.0 source material, as well as to enhance and enrich the existing LFE content of 5.1 sources. LoAir generates subharmonic content by lowering and filtering designated audio content by one octave.

1.3 Concepts and Terminology

LoAir uses the following unique terms:

• RANGE: Determines the frequency range used to create LFE content.
• LoAIR: Controls the level of the generated (lowered octave) signal.
• LO: Controls the level of the filtered signal.
• DIRECT: Controls the level of the direct unprocessed signal.
• LFE OUTPUT: Controls the LFE level output.
• ALIGN: Delays the direct signal to synchronize it with the generated (lowered octave) signal.

Channel Order Standards

The channels used in Surround sound can be displayed in several arrays. The following are the most common Surround standards:

• 5.0 Film: L, C, R, Ls, Rs
• 5.1 Film: L, C, R, Ls, Rs, LFE
• 5.0 SMPTE/AES/ITU: L, R, C, Ls, Rs
• 5.1 SMPTE/AES/ITU: L, R, C, LFE, Ls, Rs
• 5.0 DTS: L, R, Ls, Rs, C
• 5.1 DTS: L, R, Ls, Rs, C, LFE

1.4 Components

WaveShell technology enables us to split Waves processors into smaller plug-ins, which we call components. Having a choice of components for a particular processor gives you the flexibility to choose the configuration best suited to your material. Waves LoAir includes four components:

• Mono-to-Mono
• Stereo-to-Stereo
• 5.0-to-5.1
• 5.1-to-5.1

1.5 Block Diagram

Textual description of block diagrams:

• Mono to Mono: A 1.0 input signal passes through the plugin and becomes a 1.0 output signal.
• Stereo to Stereo: A 2.0 input signal passes through the plugin and becomes a 2.0 output signal.
• 5.0 to 5.1: A 5.0 input signal (L/R, C, Ls/Rs) passes through the plugin, with the L/R, C, and Ls/Rs channels passed through, and an LFE channel generated.
• 5.1 to 5.1: A 5.1 input signal (L/R, C, Ls/Rs, LFE) passes through the plugin, with the L/R, C, Ls/Rs, and LFE channels passed through, and an LFE channel generated.

Chapter 2: Quick Start Guide

Mono & Stereo Sources

• Choose input source and desired output types (LFE only or Full Range).
• For LFE only sources, use LoAir to enhance sound; for Full Range sources, output can be LFE only or Full Range.
• Set the Range control to determine frequencies for LFE creation/enhancement.
• Adjust Lo and LoAir controls for amount and character of LFE content.

5.0 > 5.1

To create an LFE track from 5.0 sources:

• Use the Feed section (L/R, C, Ls/Rs faders) to set channel content fed to the pitch engine.
• Set the Range control for LFE creation frequencies.
• Adjust Lo and LoAir controls for amount and character of LFE content.

5.1

To enhance existing LFE channel content of 5.1 sources:

• Use the Feed section (L/R, C, Ls/Rs, LFE faders) to set channel content fed to the pitch engine.
• Set the Range control for LFE enhancement frequencies.
• Adjust Lo and LoAir controls for amount and character of LFE content.

Chapter 3: Interface and Controls

3.1 Interface

The LoAir plugin interface includes controls for:

• Frequency Range
• LoAir Amount
• Lo Amount
• Direct
• Align
• LFE Output
• Trim
• Preset A/B, Load, Save buttons
• Main controls: RANGE, LOAIR, LO, DIRECT, LFE OUTPUT, Align, Trim
• Feed Section faders for L/R, C, Ls/Rs, LFE channels
• L/R Feed, Center Feed, Ls/Rs Feed, LFE Feed controls
• Clip LED

3.2 Controls

RANGE

Controls the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter, determining the frequency range used to create the LFE content.

Range: 20Hz to 120Hz, in 1Hz steps. Default: 80Hz.

LoAIR

Controls the level of the generated (lowered octave) signal. Settings between 0 and 30dB cause signal saturation, which may be used as a creative effect. This will not clip the digital output.

Range: -inf to 30dB, in 0.1 dB steps. Default: 3.

LO

Controls the level of the filtered signal. Settings between 0 and 30dB cause signal saturation, which may be used as a creative effect, and will not clip the digital output.

Range: -inf to 30dB, in 0.1 dB steps. Default: 3.

DIRECT

(Mono and Stereo components only) Controls the level of the direct unprocessed signal.

Range: -inf to 0 dB, in 0.1 dB steps. Default: 0.

OUTPUT

(Mono & Stereo Components only) Controls the overall output level.

Range: -60 to 0 dB, in 0.1 dB steps. Default: 0.

LFE OUTPUT

(5.0 & 5.1 Components only) Controls the LFE level output.

Range: -60 to 0 dB, in 0.1 dB steps. Default: 0.

TRIM

Allows fine-tune of the output level by up to ± 12 dB.

Alignment: -12dB to +12dB.

CLIP LED

Indicates when clipping occurs. On Surround components, the Clip LED indicates the LFE channel only.

OUTPUT METER

Displays the LFE output levels.

Range: -50 to 0 dB.

ALIGN

Delays the direct signal to synchronize it with the generated signal. This control is inactive when the Direct Signal Filter is engaged, as there is no latency.

Range: On, Off. Default: Off.

Feed Section Controls (5.0 & 5.1 Components only)

L/R Feed

Controls the amount of Left & Right channels content fed to the pitch engine.

Range: -inf to 0 dB (-inf = no feed, 0dB = unity feed). Default: -6 dB.

Center Feed (C)

Controls the amount of Center channel content fed to the pitch engine.

Range: -inf to 0 dB (-inf = no feed, 0dB = unity feed). Default: -3 dB.

Ls/Rs Feed

Controls the amount of Left Surround & Right Surround channels content fed to the pitch engine.

Range: -inf to 0 dB (-inf = no feed, 0 dB = unity feed). Default: -9 dB.

LFE Feed (5.1 only)

Controls the amount of LFE channel content fed to the pitch engine.

Range: -inf to 0 dBFS, in 0.1 dB steps. Default: 0 dB.

3.3 WaveSystem Toolbar

The bar at the top of the plugin allows saving and loading presets, comparing settings, undoing and redoing steps, and resizing the plugin. For more information, consult the WaveSystem Guide, accessible via the icon in the upper-right corner of the window.