The ERA De-Esser is a plug-in that identifies and removes harshness caused by consonants like “S”, “Z” or “Ch”. The acoustic energy of these consonants occurs at higher frequencies. This is what we call sibilance.
Removing sibilance with ERA De-Esser is simple:
- Open the plugin on a clip you want to repair
- Tweak the Processing knob
- Apply the effect
- Done!
Sometimes the final result can depend on factors like the gender of the speaker or his/her articulation. That’s when you have to consider changing between the 3 available modes or combine a mode with the intense option.
Narrow Mode
Use Narrow mode, when the sibilance is subtle. Think of the subtle sibilance like a whistling during consonants like “S” or “Z”. It occurs more often by speakers with characteristic articulation or female speakers. In this mode, the detection focuses on a narrower range of the high frequency spectrum.
Normal Mode
Normal mode (default) covers most of the real-world cases. The detection focuses on the frequency area, where typically fricative consonants have the most energy. This should be your starting point.
Broad Mode
Use Broad mode when the sibilance occurs in a wider frequency range. When that happens, the sibilant consonants might continue to sound harsh. At the same time, they give the impression that are “richer”. Typically, this kind of sibilance occurs by speakers with a distinct articulation, male speakers, or during intense speech.
Intense
The Intense option, affects the way that the plug-in detects and attenuates the sibilance. On a more technical note, the intense parameter will increase the top end of the frequency range that the plugin detects and attenuates sibilance. Moreover, it will apply an increased amount of attenuation. Enable Intense, when you need a more aggressive processing approach.