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Copyright ACCUSONUS INC.

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Accusonus Inc.

Lexington, Massachusetts

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

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

Accusonus ERA De-Esser

● Single knob operation

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
De-Esser 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 (32/64-bit)

● VST 3 (64-bit only)

● AAX Native (64-bit)

Supported sample rates

ERA De-Esser - Processing Knob

This is the main control of De-Esser. 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 from a
range of 0% to 100% and controls 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 mode

ERA De-Esser - Processing Mode

Under the processing knob, you’ll find the Processing Mode selector. You can toggle
between the two available modes to fine-tune the processing, depending on your case.
Each mode focuses the sibilance detection and reduction on a specific part of the signal’s
frequency spectrum. The two available processing modes are:

● Normal
● Broad

Tip: In most cases, the Normal mode is fine as it smoothly handles common voice sibilant
cases. Use the Broad mode, if you’re dealing with harsh sibilants such as heavy sounding
“ch” or “sh”.
Example: We are all familiar with the harsh “ess” sounds singers or speakers can produce
during voice recordings. These sounds are concentrated in the higher frequencies, but the
range could differ depending on the source. Use the De-Esser mode to focus the
processing only on the problematic frequencies. Broad mode will apply processing on a
wider frequency range, while Normal mode will apply processing on a narrower part of the
spectrum.

Output gain

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

Real-time Processing Display

ERA De-Esser - Real-Time Processing Display

At the bottom of the plug-in window, there is a real-time processing display. De-Esser will
show you where the sibilance exists (with light green) on the incoming signal’s waveform
(with black). The more processing you apply on the signal, the more sibilance regions will
be detected, hence more sibilance regions will be shown on the waveform.
Listen to the "ess" button

ERA De-Esser - DIFF button

On the right side, under the Output meter, you can find the DIFF button. Enable it to listen to
the "ess" that De-Esser is removing during 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 - 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, Output Gain and Mode) independently for the A and
the B setting. You can use the A/B switch to quickly compare two settings and decide which
one is better.
ON/OFF switch

ERA De-Esser - ON/OFF switch

The ON/OFF switch allows you to turn on or off the plug-in processing. When the switch is
at the OFF position, all processing is bypassed and the original signal comes through
De-Esser 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 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 - Window Resize

Warning: Low resolution screens such as 800x600 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
Right above the main processing knob, you will find the Quick Info button. Enable it and
hover the mouse over any control of De-Esser. A pop-up window will appear in the middle of
the plug-in, containing helpful information and tips for each control.

ERA De-Esser - Info Button

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