SA-2 Dialog Processor - Product Overview

Summary

The SA2 Dialog Processor by McDSP is an Emmy Award-winning plugin designed to enhance recorded speech by removing harsh elements, resulting in a polished, professional sound. Used worldwide by top audio engineers, it works not only on dialogue but also on vocals and instruments. The plugin features five bands of active equalization, offering control over thresholds, gain reduction, and frequency shifts. The SA2 is highly versatile with various modes and controls for precise tone shaping. The video explores how the SA2 can transform harsh, brittle tracks into smoother, balanced sound, showcasing its power across different audio types.

Takeaways

• 😀 The SA2 Dialogue Processor by McDSP is an Emmy award-winning plugin designed to improve the overall sound of recorded speech.
• 😀 The SA2 is effective for removing harsh elements in dialogue, making it sound more polished and professional.
• 😀 It's not just for dialogue; the SA2 is also great for taming vocals and instruments by adjusting their timbre.
• 😀 The plugin features five bands of active equalization, each with a threshold control, an enable button, and metering for input/output and gain reduction levels.
• 😀 The shift and range knobs expand the plugin's flexibility by adjusting the bands' frequencies and overall gain reduction.
• 😀 Mode and band mode selectors help tailor the attack, release, and ratio values to adjust the plugin's character and frequency response.
• 😀 The monitor mode button lets users hear the parts of the signal being removed, making it easier to assess the changes.
• 😀 Input and output gain knobs control the levels at the input and output stages of the plugin, affecting the overall signal.
• 😀 Each band has meters to show input, output, and gain reduction, with options to switch between percentage and decibel values for detailed monitoring.
• 😀 The SA2 is versatile and can handle a variety of audio sources like harsh voiceovers, vocals, drum buses, and electric guitars, refining their sound with tailored processing.

Q & A

What is the SA2 Dialog Processor by McDSP designed to do?

The SA2 Dialog Processor is designed to improve the overall sound of recorded speech by removing harsh elements and producing a more professional sound. It is particularly useful in post-production audio work for film and television.

How does the SA2 Dialog Processor affect dialogue recordings?

The SA2 listens for harsh elements in dialogue recordings and removes them, resulting in smoother, more polished speech. It is particularly effective for addressing thin, brittle-sounding dialogue and making it sound more rounded.

Can the SA2 Dialog Processor be used for instruments and vocals?

Yes, the SA2 is not just for dialogue; it is also highly effective for processing vocals and any instrument that needs to have its sharp edges softened. It can adjust the timbre of any track to reduce harshness.

What is the purpose of the five bands of active equalization in the SA2?

The five bands of active equalization in the SA2 allow users to target and adjust specific frequency ranges that may be causing harshness or brittleness in the sound. Each band has controls for threshold, enable, and metering.

What do the 'Shift' and 'Range' knobs do on the SA2?

The 'Shift' knob moves all of the SA2's bands up or down by one octave, expanding its flexibility. The 'Range' knob adjusts the amount of overall processing applied by the plugin, allowing users to control the total gain reduction across all bands.

What is the function of the 'Mode' and 'Band Mode' selectors?

'Mode' automatically adjusts attack, release, and ratio values to change the character of the processing, while 'Band Mode' modifies the frequency response curve of each band for more precise control over the processed sound.

How do the input and output gain knobs work?

The input and output gain knobs control the signal levels at the input and output stages of the SA2. They help users fine-tune the volume levels of the processed audio to match the desired output.

What is the 'Monitor Mode' feature used for?

The 'Monitor Mode' feature allows users to audition the parts of the input signal that are being removed by the plugin, which helps in understanding the specific frequencies that are being affected by the SA2’s processing.

How do the meters work on the SA2 Dialog Processor?

Each band on the SA2 has input, output, and gain reduction meters. These meters show the levels of input, output, and the amount of processing (gain reduction) being applied. Users can toggle between input and output meters for detailed monitoring.

What role does the 'Shift' knob play in the processing of harsh tracks?

The 'Shift' knob plays a key role in determining the frequency range where the SA2 applies its processing. When the 'Shift' is turned down, the plugin processes frequencies one octave below the default, which can help smooth out harsh elements more effectively.

Can you provide an example of how the SA2 is used in a real-world scenario?

In a real-world scenario, the SA2 can be used to process a harsh vocal track. For example, on a vocal that sounds too sharp, the SA2 would be used to reduce harsh high frequencies and create a smoother, more pleasant sound by adjusting the threshold and enabling specific bands.

Is the SA2 Dialog Processor available for trial before purchase?

Yes, the SA2 Dialog Processor is available for a free 14-day trial, allowing users to explore its features before making a purchase decision. It can also be purchased on its own or as part of various McDSP plugin bundles.