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Copyright ACCUSONUS INC.

All rights reserved.

Accusonus Inc.

Lexington, Massachusetts

USA
Introduction
Welcome
Thank you for choosing accusonus ERA De-Esser Pro. In order to better understand the
main concepts and operation of De-Esser Pro, please take the time to read this user
manual.

Overview
De-Esser Pro is a sophisticated, yet easy to use audio effect plug-in that offers
precision-grade de-essing and customizable audio repair functionality without compromising
audio quality. Based on the multi-patented accusonus algorithms, De-Esser Pro simply
works and allows for efficient sibilance removal from audio recordings.

Accusonus ERA De-Esser Pro

Features

● Simple and streamlined user interface

● Automatic sibilance reduction
● Real-time Processing Display
● Adjustable processing focus range
● Sibilance shaping control
● Presets Menu
● Processing range audition
● Listen to the "ess" button
● Precision-grade audio repair functionality
● Uncompromised sound quality
● Minimal CPU usage
● Low latency
● Resizable UI
● Info button with tips & tricks

Installation
This plug-in is part of the ERA Bundle & Voice Changer installer and gets installed by default.
The instructions in the installer will guide you through the installation procedure.

System requirements
The ERA plug-ins can perform well on any modern Apple or Windows machine. For the optimal
experience, we highly recommend using the ERA plug-ins on machines with the following
specifications:

CPU
● Intel Core i7 - 6th generation or higher (For macOS users, we recommend machines
later than 2015)
● AMD Ryzen Series 1000 or higher
● M1 (macOS only)
RAM
● ERA plug-ins can perform even with 2GB of RAM as a minimum. However, all
video/audio editors nowadays require at least 8GB. We highly recommend having at
least 8GB of RAM.

GPU
● An entry-level dedicated laptop graphics card should suffice for the ERA tools to
perform normally in most video/audio editors
● Video Editors like DaVinci Resolve require a strong GPU in order to perform
optimally. You can check this page for more information.

Disk Size
● Windows: 700MB
● macOS: 400MB

Screen Resolution
● Minimum: 800 x 600 for all one-knob plugins, 1280 x 720 for Audio Clean-Up
Assistant

macOS
The ERA plugins are tested in the following macOS versions:

● 10.15.7, 11, 12 (both Intel & M1 processors)

Windows
The ERA plug-ins are tested in the following Windows versions:

● 10 (v1903)
● 10 (v2004 or higher) Recommended
● 11
Supported formats
This plug-in is available as a mono or stereo audio effect plug-in in the following formats:

Mac

● AU (64-bit)

● VST (64-bit)

● AAX Native (64-bit)

Windows

● VST (64-bit)

● VST 3 (64-bit)

● AAX Native (64-bit)

Supported sample rates

This plug-in supports the following sample rates: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz.
ERA De-Esser Pro Operation
Processing

ERA De-Esser Pro - Processing Knob

This is the main control of De-Esser Pro. Most of the time you don’t have to do anything
else. Just dial in the amount of processing you want and you’re done! The knob values
range from 0% to 100% and control the amount of processing applied to the audio signal.

Tip: You can double-click on the control to reset it to its default value.
Processing focus

ERA De-Esser Pro - Processing focus

On the left side of the processing knob, you will find the processing FOCUS control. Adjust
this parameter to specify the problematic frequency region that De-Esser Pro has to focus
on. The FOCUS value affects the sibilance detection and ranges from 1kHz to 8kHz.

Example: We are all familiar with the harsh “ess” sounds that singers or speakers can
produce during voice recordings. The energy of these sounds is concentrated in the higher
frequencies, but the actual range can differ depending on the source. For example, on a
female voice, the problematic sibilant region is usually between 6-8kHz. Adjust the FOCUS
slider accordingly to process only a narrower part of the spectrum without affecting the rest
of it.
Right next to the FOCUS parameter, it’s the Audition button. Using the Audition button, you
can listen to the selected frequency range, without any processing applied onto it. This way,
you can fine tune the FOCUS range and spot the problematic sibilance region precisely,
without affecting the regions out of it.

Info: The algorithm of De-Esser Pro always applies a transparent processing at frequencies
above 8kHz. When using the FOCUS parameter, you actually set the lower boundary of this
range, where the sibilance is most dominant.

Shaping control

ERA De-Esser Pro - Shaping Control

On the other side of the processing knob, you’ll see the SHAPING control. This is another
parameter you can use to fine tune the processing. Moving the slider towards the SOFT
side, a more gentle curve is applied onto the sibilance region, leading to a more natural
sound. Moving the slider towards the SHARP side, a more steep curve is applied onto the
sibilance region, leading to a tighter result.

Example: Think of SHAPING as a character control that also affects the way that De-Esser
Pro applies processing. For example, it is likely that a recording of a very sibilant voice
directly on a condenser microphone, will make any sibilance sound even harsher. In this
case, moving the Shaping towards Sharp will cut the harshness and the sibilance will be
less annoying. On the other hand, engineers who mix drums, usually apply a gentle amount
of de-essing on the cymbals tracks to smooth out the harshness between the 2-5kHz
region. In this case, the processing should be transparent, so the Shaping option should be
closer to the Soft value.

Tip: You can dial in some excessive processing with the main knob, and then adjust the
SHAPING control till you get the sibilance character that you desire. You can therefore roll
back some processing, till you get a natural sounding result.
Input gain

ERA De-Esser Pro - Input Gain

Use the Input and Output sliders to adjust the level of the signal before and after the
de-essing process.

Warning: Note that input and output gain are bypassed when the ON/OFF switch is set at
OFF.

Tip: If the input signal is recorded too loud, you will see the clipping LED of the input meter
turning red. All you need to do is reduce the input gain and click on the clipping LED to reset
it.
Output gain

ERA De-Esser Pro - Output Gain

Due to the nature of sibilance reduction, the level of the output signal can be lower than the
level of the original signal. The output gain works as a make-up gain and allows you to
adjust the level of the output signal. Note that this gain is also bypassed when the ON/OFF
switch is set at OFF. This is very helpful when comparing the original and the processed
signals.

Right next to the Output meter, you will find the Gain Reduction meter. Keep an eye on this
meter to monitor the gain reduction applied on your signal during the processing.

Tip: You can double-click on a control to reset it to its default value.

Presets Menu

ERA De-Esser Pro - Presets

The Preset System of De-Esser Pro includes a set of factory presets that can help you
quickly find an effective starting point depending on the case. You can create custom
presets and store them in the preset folder as well. To open the preset menu, just click the
Preset button.

Tip: If you are a producer and work a lot with specific artists, you can create and save
dedicated presets for each one of them, so you can quickly load them at every session.

Info: Presets are stored by default at the following paths: Windows: MacOs:
Warning: When you uninstall De-Esser Pro from Windows, all factory presets will be
deleted. Your custom presets however will remain untouched!

Real-time Processing Display

ERA De-Esser Pro - Real-time Processing Display

Above the processing area of the plug-in, it’s the real-time processing display. Consult the
display to understand where the sibilance exists. The waveform with the white outline
represents the processed signal and the light green parts represent the sibilance detection.
The more processing you apply on the signal, the more sibilant regions will be detected,
hence more sibilant regions will appear on the waveform.
Listen to the "ess" button

ERA De-Esser Pro - DIFF button

On the right side, under the Output meter, it’s the DIFF button. Enable it and listen to the
removed sibilance while processing. In other words, you’ll hear the difference between the
input and the output signals.

Tip: Enable the DIFF button and adjust the main processing knob, until you listen to a bit of
the voice being removed along with the unwanted "ess". Turn the knob back a little bit,
choose the desired processing mode and there you are! This way, the signal will stay as
natural as possible.
A/B switch

ERA De-Esser Pro - A/B switch

There might come a time where you’re not sure which setting is better. Note, that you can
adjust the plug-in controls (Processing, Gains, Shaping and Focus) independently for the A
and the B setting. You can use the A/B switch to quickly compare two settings and help you
in your decision.
ON/OFF switch

ERA De-Esser Pro - ON/OFF switch

Use the ON/OFF switch to turn the plug-in processing on or off. When the switch state is
OFF, the entire plug-in is bypassed and the original signal comes through it untouched.

Tip: We suggest using the ON/OFF switch (instead of the DAW’s bypass control for the
plug-in). This will keep your audio in sync with the rest of your tracks in your DAW session.
Resizing the plug-in window
De-Esser Pro offers the option to resize the plug-in window. This can be especially helpful if
you have large or high-resolution screens or you just want to focus on a specific task. Click
the zoom icon at the top right corner and choose between three settings.

ERA De-Esser Pro - Window Resize

Warning: Low resolution screens such as 800x640 cannot correctly display the plug-in for
zoom options above 100%. Additionally, some hosts may clip the plug-in window in such
low resolutions.
Quick Info Button
On the left side of the A/B switch, you will find the Quick Info button. Enable it and hover
the mouse over any control of De-Esser Pro. A pop-up window will appear right below the
Info button, containing helpful information and tips for each control.

ERA De-Esser Pro - Info Button

Info: To hide the pop-up window, just click on the Quick Info button once again.