User manual FOCUSRITE MIDNIGHT PLUG-IN SUITE

[. . . ] 6 Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Threshold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [. . . ] If you are unsure how to do this, please consult the user guide for your DAW, or contact your DAW's manufacturer. On opening the plug-in an activation window will appear (see next page). 3 Music computer connected to the Internet: Step 1: Submit Activation Request. Click the `www' button and your computer will automatically open a web browser and navigate to the activation page. The Activation Code can be found on a sticker on the back of the installer CD wallet (if purchased as a boxed copy). If you purchased the Midnight plug-in suite on our E-Store, then the Activation Code will be emailed to you and also displayed in your browser at the time of purchase. Once you have entered your details press Submit and a licence file will be downloaded to your computer. A backup licence file will also be sent to your email address (please remember to disable junk mail filters or to check your junk mail folder). 4 Step 2 Install License File: Now return to the plug-in window in your DAW and click on this icon. Locate and select the downloaded license file to authorise your software. The file will be named: midnight_plugin_suite_Licence-XXXX-XX-XX. fnlf (where XXXX-XX-XX is the date of activation). Once you have selected the license file both Compressor and EQ plug-ins will be authorised and ready to use. Music computer NOT connected to the Internet: Step 1: Offline Activation Click the `Offline Activation' button and choose a location on your computer to save the Activation Request File. The file will be named: FFMidnightPluginSuite-Licence-Request Now copy this file on to some transferable media (e. g. a USB memory stick) and then copy the file onto an Internet connected computer. Whilst on the Internet connected computer, double-click the Activation Request File. Your web browser will open and automatically navigate to the software activation page (see previous page). Once you have entered your details press Submit and a licence file will be sent to your email address. (Please remember to disable junk mail filters or to check your junk mail folder. ) The file will be named: midnight_plugin_suite_Licence-XXXX-XX-XX. fnlf (where XXXX-XX-XX is the date of activation). Step 2 Install License File: Now return to the plug-in window in your DAW and click on this icon. Locate the Licence file (which has been downloaded to the computer, or transferred from another computer). Once you have selected the licence file both Compressor and EQ plug-ins will be authorised and ready to use. 5 Compressor A compressor essentially acts like an automatic volume control, turning down the volume of a signal if it gets too loud. This reduces variation between loud and quiet passages, as it automatically reduces the gain when the signal exceeds a given volume, defined as the threshold. The overall level can then be turned up to make the signal as loud as possible. Using the Compressor helps to even out a performance, preventing a signal from clipping and/or disappearing in the mix, and can also give it a whole new sonic character. The Midnight Compressor is modelled on the legendary Focusrite ISA 130 hardware compressor. The Midnight Compressor (as with the original ISA 130 compressor) has a warm, musical sound, and will provide sensitive compression to a wide range of musical sources without compromising the integrity of the original recording. The controls are as follows: In Gain The dial in the bottom-left of the plug-in window allows the user to control the level of gain at the input of the module. The accessible gain range is ­18dB to +18dB, with 0dB selected when the dial points vertically upwards (in the centre). Meters There are two level meters on the Midnight Compressor, labelled Threshold In/Out (on the left) and Gain Reduction (on the right). The Threshold In/Out meter has two possible meter sources, selected by toggling the Input/Output switch to the right of the meter. When set to Input, the meter shows the signal level immediately after the In Gain control, and the blue LED section of the meter lights up to show the static value selected by the position of the Threshold control. [. . . ] Faster attack times will be useful on instruments such as a slapped bass guitar, where the compressor is being used to create a very `punchy' sound. The result is that the required reduction in the dynamic range of the signal is achieved without an overly `squashed' sound being audible. The Blend control can also be used to great effect on signals where a very subtle compression is needed, such as on vocals. 7 EQ Equalisation of sound is an essential part of the recording process, necessary to remove or boost various parts of the audible frequency spectrum. [. . . ]