Pro Expander

Overview

Give your mix more energy while eliminating noise with this unique high-quality expander—a sibling to the Pro Compressor—featuring “SMART” technology. Based on the Avid Channel Strip plug-in, which emulates the coveted dynamics characteristics of the renowned Avid System 5 console, the Pro Expander AAX plug-in goes even further, enabling you to expand, gate, and duck signals with the utmost precision, quickly and easily.

Features

Pro Expander offers a wide range of easy-to-use features and improvements that go way beyond what you can do with the Avid Channel Strip plug-in, plus some unique features not found in the Pro Compressor:

• Look ahead mode—Prevent the gate from cutting into the attack of upcoming audio signals, with up to 15 ms of “look ahead” time
• Upward mode—Increase the dynamics of the audio signal and use it creatively in combination with steep Q side-chain filter settings or an external key input to selectively modify parts of the frequency spectrum or re-emphasize the rhythm of the composition
• Four advanced expansion detectors, plus a unique SMART mode—Change how the expander sounds and reacts:
  • Average detector—Level sounds by calculating the average loudness
  • Peak detector—Optimize sounds based on a set threshold
  • Fast Peak detector—Smooth transient-heavy tracks (such as drums) using faster attack and release times
  • RMS detector—Improve tracks with this great “all around” enhancer/optimizer
  • SMART mode (default)—Breathe life into tracks fast; analyze audio and morph between the four detectors, enabling expansion without distortion or pumping
• Ducker—Emulate radio programming easily with this advanced ducker mode, which uses its own dedicated detector and optimized algorithm for smooth audio level changes
• Q with side-chain control—Target offending frequencies with ease to set up a de-esser, plosive remover, and more
• Solo—Isolate just the gain reduction part of your audio material, get a better understanding of what’s triggering the expansion, and adjust settings accordingly
• Mix—Blend the expanded sound with the unprocessed input for creative sound design, making parallel expansion easier than ever
• PPM metering—Get a more precise and responsive read on highly transient audio material
• Front/rear linking mode—Work with surround sound material more easily and link channels for more consistent level management
• AAX DSP optimized—Pro Expander handles monster-sized Pro Tools|HDX mixes with ease, delivering exceptional sound quality and DSP efficiency

System requirements

• Qualified Avid audio system:
  • Pro Tools|HDX (AAX DSP/Native)
  • Pro Tools|HD Native or other Pro Tools system running Pro Tools 10 or higher software (AAX Native)
• iLok USB Smart Key (for authorization; not included)

Compatibility

OS	AAX DSP	AAX Native	TDM HD Accel	TDM HD	TDM VENUE	RTAS	AudioSuite
Mac OS X
Windows 7
Windows XP