Coming soon, the v1.0 release of Naiant's UTools VST processing for U series microphone system!
UTools contains several processing functions for the U series microphone system. Options include multipattern control for the U-8S capsule, mid-side processing for U-8S capsule combinations, differential noise cancellation, and high frequency de-emphasis filters for capsule response correction.
Noise cancellation:
U series capsules can be directly connected to plug-in powered microphone inputs, commonly found in consumer-oriented recording equipment. Unlike professional phantom-powered microphone amplifiers, such inputs are unbalanced for the entire length of the cable. This can result in unacceptable interference.
In a recording situation where noise rejection is more important than stereo recording, a single U capsule may be connected to the plug-in powered input. This will result in a differential signal recording--the right signal will be inverted with respect to the left signal, but the interference signal will have the same polarity.
UTools' noise cancellation mode inverts the right channel signal and sums with the left channel, resulting in a mono output to both channels with some degree of interference signal rejection. This can be an extremely effective technique that does not possess the artifacts associated with other noise reduction techniques.
Noise cancellation may also be used with colocated stereo capsules, but the stereo image will be lost, and phase cancellation may occur depending on the separation of the capsules.
In noise cancellation mode, the pattern select buttons will increase or decrease right channel level with respect to left channel. The user should select the gain level that results in the best rejection of interference, ideally using a quiet selection of the source material to audition noise cancellation. UTools will display the amount of left/right channel offset, as well as a waveform view to assist in this process.
Pattern select (U-8S):
When connected to a U-A or U-X amplifier with split stereo output, or directly to a stereo plug-in powered microphone, each capsule of the dual capsule U-8S microphone will record discretely to one channel. The resulting recording may be processed with UTools to yield any polar pattern.
In Pattern Select mode, the derived polar pattern will display in the viewer.
Mid-side processing (U-8S):
UTools can decode a mid-side recording; route the mid signal to the left channel, and the side signal to right. UTools can vary the stereo width of the output signal by using the Pattern buttons. The derived stereo polar pattern will display in the viewer. Note that for the actual stereo pattern to match the indicated pattern in the viewer, the mid and side signals must have the same sensitivity (the U-8S and U-C capsules are so designed).
High frequency de-emphasis (U-D, U-L, U-M, U-S, U-W):
Many U series capsules have acoustic high-frequency emphasis, all such capsules (except the U-L) are designed with internal electronic de-emphasis filters to correct their response. This technique results in improved signal-to-noise ratio.
However, the frequency response of the U capsules' de-emphasis filters may be compromised if the capsules are not connected to a U system amplifier (or Naiant box series amplifier). In that case, the customer may order the U capsule without the internal de-emphasis filter, and apply the required de-emphasis in post-processing. This technique maximizes system signal-to-noise ratio, as noise sources after the U capsules will also be attenuated.
UTools provides the required de-emphasis filters; a 4x oversampled -9dB high-frequency shelving cut with a corner frequency of either 3kHz (U-W) or 10kHz (U-D, U-L, U-M, and U-S).
The de-emphasis filter applies equally to left and right channels and is routed after processing options above.
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