(sonicArts) convolution in dp – proverb

The last in a series of convolution how-to posts, this post covers using convolution in Digital Performer, using ProVerb.

Like the Convolution Reverb in Audition, ProVerb is a convolution-based reverb effect that allows you to load your own impulse files. You can also adjust dry/wet mix, input and output gain, reverb width, and impulse length – along with some other filtering and dynamics effects. Since ProVerb is an effect in Digital Performer, it processes sound in real time, non-destructively. I’ll assume you know how to load the effect into a track in the mixer and focus entirely on operation of the plugin. As with the other posts, I am also assuming that you want to use one of your own audio files as the convolution impulse, rather than using one of the built-in impulse files in Digital Performer.

Steps:

• Open the ProVerb plugin window (double-click the effect name in the insert portion of a mixer track).
• From a Finder window drag an audio file with the same sampling rate and bit resolution of the project onto the waveform display portion of the ProVerb window.
• Choose where to store the impulse (DP converts the impulse to split stereo files and stores in in one of three locations)
  • Shared (so that more than one user on the computer can access the impulse through DP)
  • User (in a user library folder that is independent of your project folder)
  • Project (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED; stored in the Plug-in Data folder of the current project)***
• Adjust settings (similar to Audition), paying close attention to output level. Damping works as expected, with higher damping percentages leading to more shorter decay times for certain frequencies.

***Storing the impulse in Project means that you will have the impulse files when you backup your project to another drive.

You do not need to render the effect, as it computes in real time on every playback. Some of the parameters can be automated as part of playback (the same way as you can with volume and panning). Pre-delay, Damping, and Length cannot be automated.

You can experiment with the length setting for some interesting effects. Changing the length of the impulse leads DP to time compress/expand the impulse using phase vocoding. Drastically shortening or expanding the impulse gives results in a much different convolved output.