Dante: So what is 'Dynamic Parametric' processing?

Sonolive: We have been working a very long time on this kind of equalization, and we think it's the most musical way of equalizing.   As if it was to be a proven concept, we found many famous manufacturers had issued similar devices (both hardware and software) around the same time we released DynPara.

Dante: So what is the philosophy behind Dynamic Parametric processing?

Sonolive:  It can be understand as the mixing of two technologies that do not act on the same characteristic of an audio signal:

- Frequency : frequency domain - it is an Equalizer.

- Level : dynamic domain : it is a Compressor.

Dante: So how does it work?

Sonolive: Let's first talk about a standard parametric EQ.  When one (or more) frequencies contained in an audio signal is not at it's right level (too much or too less), then what do we do?  We boost or cut it, that means we increase or decrease its level, whatever the level of this frequency is.  We have got some sets of parameters to achieve this:

- FREQ pot that adjust the frequency on which we want to work.
- Q (quality factor) that acts on the width of the frequency band around the centered frequency determined by FREQ.
- GAIN Pot : that is used to increase or decrease the level of this given frequency.

This is how things work on a standard parametric EQ.

Dante: Ok, so what is so different about a Dynamic Parametric EQ?

Sonolive: The big difference is that you cut or boost the level of the desired frequency only when needed.  This is achieved with a dynamic section for gain control instead of a single gain pot.  The level of the defined frequency is controlled not only with a gain pot but a set of controllers similar to those on a compressor.  So we have:

- FREQ Pot (the same as on a Parametric Equalizer)
- Q Pot (the same as on a Parametric Equalizer)
- A set of dynamic controls: THRESHOLD, RATIO, ATTACK AND RELEASE that acts on the level of the centered frequency.

At this point, we can see that the level of the centered frequency is not affect all the time (whatever its original level is), but it is cut or boost only when needed and musical signals are full of situations where this can be very useful.

Dante:  Can you give us an example?

Sonolive:  Sure.  Let's say you have a vocal and you want to try and suppress an aggressive frequency that appears when a singer begins to shout.   Let's take as an example one of my friends, a singer with a sweet warm voice when he sings quietly. Fantastic every thing is ok.  But here it comes, he begins to shout!  At that point I can hear a very disagreeable 4OOO Hz that appears in his voice. So what do I do?  With a standard parametric equalizer, I would set the frequency on 4K, adjust the Q and cut this 4K to -4 dB.  Cool...it works.  A few measure later his voice calms down.  Damn I miss this 4K that made his voice so sweet.  What do I do?  I boost the gain to 0 dB?

Dante:  No, because then the whole process could now take too long, if you have to ride the equalizer controls from beginning to end by trial and error. 

Sonolive: Exactly, that's were we use the Dynamic Parametric Equalizer.  In this example, I set the frequency on 4K, adjust the Q and look for the good threshold/ratio/attack/release settings in order to adjust this frequency only when he shouts.  Fantastic, here it is and it works all time.  All along this song!!!

That is why we (and many others) think that Dynamic Parametric Equalizer is the most musical way of equalizing.  And not only does it work signals such as drums, bass, guitar etc but it also works very well on more complex signals such as those mixed as sub groups.

Dante:  Could you achieve a similar result using a Multiband Compressor? 

Sonolive:  Possibly it may work but it's not as easy to set up.  To achieve 4 dynamic parametric bands, you would need a 9 bands compressor.