Neutrino Spectral Shaping - Neutron Elements Help Documentation

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Table of Contents

Overview

The Neutrino spectral shaping algorithm, available in both the free Neutrino plug-in and as a part of Neutron Elements’ I/O panel, is designed to improve the overall spectral balance of an entire mix by making subtle changes to each individual track on which it’s used. Built for the discerning audio engineer, Neutrino seeks to be one of your secret weapons. Much like you’d extol the virtues of incrementally better A/D converters or other such subtle improvements, Neutrino hopes to aid you in your quest for a better-sounding mix.

Though (as with any effect) it can be pushed too far, the spectral shaping is less concerned with making indulgent, audibly dramatic, or simply louder changes to an individual track (which would ironically unbalance the mix). Indeed, its greatest and most transformative strength is in the smooth sonic sheen that results when it’s used on each track within the mix. Similar to the methodology behind analog summing, the subtle benefits are increasingly noticeable the more audio tracks are run through the processing and ultimately summed together. Those with good ears will be able to hear the difference, and judge for themselves when and where it’s useful to use across many tracks.

Neutron Elements Neutrino Modes

What is Spectral Shaping?

Spectral shaping refers to real-time, dynamic adjustment of the frequency spectrum, falling somewhere between a Dynamic EQ and a multiband compressor. Neutrino has dozens of psychoacoustically spaced frequency bands, each with an adaptive threshold based on the audio signal’s RMS. The more a signal exceeds its adaptive threshold, the more frequency-specific attenuation is applied. Neutrino therefore dynamically adjusts the frequencies that contribute most to excess peaks, with modes that allow you to tailor its behavior for a variety of sources.

Spectral shaping can help bring balance to the sound of instruments and voices in a way that traditional compressors and equalizers have not been able to in the past. In the same way that transient shaping applies focused dynamics processing to just the transient portion of a waveform in the time-domain, spectral shaping applies focused dynamics processing to just certain areas within the frequency spectrum. It is a form of subtle, low-ratio compression that is employed individually across dozens of frequency bands as necessary, with unique time constants and automatic adjustment of thresholds based on the incoming audio signal.

When compared to other frequency-dependent dynamics tools like multiband compression, spectral shaping can offer far more resolution across the spectrum. By analyzing the signal across 32 mel-spaced frequency bands, each band is processed uniquely and without applying crossovers. You could imagine spectral shaping as a 32-band dynamic equalizer, with individual band shelf filters for every band, each automatically setting thresholds, time constants, and reduction amounts based on tuned models for each sound source. The result is a more transparent form of dynamic control that is constantly aware of the frequency content present in the incoming signal, and adjusts its processing accordingly.

Controls

Neutrino Modes

As engineers, we’ve grown accustomed to using a single processor on a variety of sources, like an 1176 for compressing vocals, drums, bass, and guitars. However, if you think about how each of these instruments sound, they are really quite unique. With an algorithm like spectral shaping, it’s possible to customize the behavior and performance of the processing to each type of audio source. Therefore, Neutrino offers four modes.

Because the modes are subtly focused on different areas within the frequency spectrum, you’ll likely notice that Neutrino subtly changes the timbral balance of the audio depending on which mode you have selected. You may find that for a particular guitar track, the Bass Mode works well. No problem! Use your ears and enjoy what works best for your music. If you’re happy with the sound then we have no business telling you what to do.

Detail

The Detail knob adjusts the granularity of processing across the frequency spectrum. Because Neutrino is constantly listening and adjusting to the incoming signal, we suggest that you make a small adjustment, pause, then listen to the effect it’s had on your signal.

It’s important to note that despite the analogies, Neutrino is not designed to impart its own particular “sonic character” to your audio in the way analog summing, transformers, or tape might. These analog devices often contribute some unique saturation characteristics. Neutrino is designed specifically to not add any distortion, preserving the original signal as transparently as possible.

Amount

The Amount knob adjusts how much of Neutrino’s dynamic processing is applied.

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