SAMPLE LIBRARY PREPARATION TOOL

Abstract

The modern audio production process is highly dependent on efficient workflows and pre-preparation of content. Fast turnaround is crucial. For this reason, it is standard practice for producers and sound designers to maintain libraries of pre recorded sounds. Whether those sounds have been purchased as sample libraries or recorded by the end user, it may be necessary that they undergo various types of signal processing to minimize any additional mixing required once they are loaded into to a production. A common example is that of a commercially available drum sample library. Often the hi-hat samples are monaural, or feature a very narrow stereo image, and can also contain unnecessary low frequency information. These issues can be remedied in the production session once the samples have been added, but this interruption to workflow can limit creativity and reduce operational efficiency. This product has been developed as a solution to this problem. It is intended to batch process large numbers of audio files to prepare them for later use. The signal processing modules are implemented in what is known as a multiband processing network, which consists of several sets of parallel signal processing chains that each work on a different part of the frequency spectrum. This allows for a higher degree of control than processing the entire broadband signal. The central concept is that what is considered a desirable sonic characteristic for one part of a signal’s spectrum, may not be desirable for another. An exaggerated stereo width effect for example, may be desirable in the high-mid frequency range of a bass synthesizer sound, and this can be created using an inter- aural time difference. In the low range however, the phasing introduced by this delay between channels will result in an unintended loss of low frequency information. Multiband processing eliminates this problem.