Auto Duck
Description and Usage
Auto Duck reduces (ducks) the volume of one or more tracks whenever the volume of a specified "control" track reaches a particular threshold level. It can be used to create voice-overs for DJ sets, for automatic "ramping" of the background music in radio productions, and translators can use it to turn down the original voice as soon as the translation kicks in.
To apply the effect, select the track(s) which should be changed ("auto-ducked") then place the control track below, and synchronized with, the selected track. Use Time Shift Tool to align the tracks exactly underneath each other if required. Then choose "Auto Duck" from the Effect Menu. Auto-Duck analyzes the control track first of all, then applies the effect to the selected track(s). This second stage takes longer to complete than the first, and the estimated time remaining in the progress bar may not always be entirely accurate.
Parameters
The following parameters can be set by inputting values in the boxes. All except "Maximum Pause" can also be set by dragging the graph line with the mouse:
- Duck Amount: The amount (default: -12 dB) of volume reduction in the selected track when a signal above the threshold level is detected
- Maximum Pause: This helps you avoid over-rapid volume changes by setting a length of time following the ramp down that must be exceeded before the volume is ramped up again. The default value is one second, but irrespective of the setting, volume will not ramp up unless the pause is at least as long as the fade down length plus the fade up length.
- Fade Down Lengths: The length of time over which the selected tracks fade down to the ducked volume (default: 0.5 seconds)
- Fade Up Lengths: The length of time over which the selected tracks fade up from the ducked volume (default: 0.5 seconds)
- Threshold: The level (default: -30 dB) used for detecting a signal in the control track.
