Audio Editing Audio Effects and Plugins 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'latency compensation' in a DAW address?
- Timing offsets caused by plugin processing delays (Correct answer)
- Volume differences between tracks
- Pitch drift in recordings
- Sync issues between video and audio
Correct answer: Timing offsets caused by plugin processing delays
Latency compensation automatically adjusts track timing to account for the processing delay introduced by plugins.
Question 2: What is a 'multiband compressor' and when is it used?
- A compressor that applies compression to specific frequency bands independently (Correct answer)
- A compressor with multiple channels for surround sound
- A compressor that operates at multiple sample rates
- A compressor used on multiple tracks simultaneously
Correct answer: A compressor that applies compression to specific frequency bands independently
A multiband compressor splits the signal into frequency bands and compresses each independently, useful for mastering and problem mixes.
Question 3: What does a 'de-esser' plugin specifically target?
- Harsh sibilant frequencies (typically 5–10 kHz) in vocal recordings (Correct answer)
- Low-frequency rumble
- Room reflections
- Intermodulation distortion
Correct answer: Harsh sibilant frequencies (typically 5–10 kHz) in vocal recordings
A de-esser is a frequency-specific compressor that reduces harsh sibilant ('s', 'sh', 'ch') sounds in vocal recordings.
Question 4: What is 'bit crushing' in audio effects?
- Reducing bit depth and/or sample rate to create digital distortion and lo-fi textures (Correct answer)
- Compressing the dynamic range to zero bits
- Removing noise via dithering
- Increasing resolution from 16-bit to 24-bit
Correct answer: Reducing bit depth and/or sample rate to create digital distortion and lo-fi textures
Bit crushing reduces a signal's bit depth and sample rate, intentionally degrading quality to create lo-fi, crunchy digital sounds.
Question 5: What is the difference between 'insert' and 'send' effects in a DAW?
- Insert effects process the full signal in-line; sends route a parallel copy to a shared effect (Correct answer)
- Insert effects only work on MIDI; sends work on audio
- Insert effects are for EQ only; sends are for time-based effects
- They are the same thing with different names
Correct answer: Insert effects process the full signal in-line; sends route a parallel copy to a shared effect
An insert effect processes the entire signal in the signal path, while a send routes a parallel copy to a shared effects bus.
Question 6: What does 'wet/dry ratio' control in an effects plugin?
- The blend between the processed (wet) and unprocessed (dry) signal (Correct answer)
- The input and output gain of the plugin
- The attack and release of compression
- The frequency cutoff of the effect
Correct answer: The blend between the processed (wet) and unprocessed (dry) signal
The wet/dry ratio controls how much of the effected signal is blended with the original unprocessed signal.
Audio Editing Audio Effects and Plugins 2
What does 'latency compensation' in a DAW address?