Linux Studio Plugins Project

# Graphic Equalizer x16 Stereo

Detailed: LSP Graphic Equalizer x16 Stereo (GE16S)

Formats: CLAP, GST, JACK, LADSPA, LV2, VST2, VST3

Categories: Multiband Equalizer

Developer: Vladimir Sadovnikov

Description:

Digital filters can be classified into two big categories - Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filters and Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filters.

Finite impulse response filters have limited impulse characteristic (the filter's reaction on the single pulse) in time domain. That causes that filters have weak resolution in frequency domain when the length of impulse response is short and have very good resolution in frequency domain when the length of impulse response is large. With large impulse response FIR filters can be times better than IIR filters but the main disadvantage of FIR filters is the necessity to do many calculations to perform convolution of input signal with impulse response of the filter. Thanks Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms the convolution may be calculated times faster rather than using direct convolution algorithm.

Infinite impulse response filters work as systems that process input signal and some part of already processed signal (feedback). Thanks such behaviour they have infinite impulse response in time domain. The final equation of these filters is times smaller than for similar by characteristics FIR filters, so they need less CPU time for processing. The disadvantage of IIR filters is that they are limited in form of their spectral characteristics. Also, IIR filters are mostly the digital representation of analog filters.

FIR filters can be zero-phase (only when performing offline processing), linear-phase and non-linear phase (when performing offline and realtime processing). IIR filters never can have linear phase characteristic while performing realtime processing, only in offline mode. The difference of linear-phase and non-linear phase of filters is that when summarizing the same signal processed by linear-phase filter, we become no phase distortion that can cause unwanted frequency peaks or pits in some frequency range. With IIR filters frequency distortion is often practice rather than exception. The disadvantage of FIR filters is that due to long impulse response of the linear-phase FIR filter (that is symmetric in time line with peak at center) we get noticeably delayed signal after filtering stage.

LSP Plugins provide three types of filters - already known IIR and two types of FIR filters - FIR and FFT. The difference between FIR and FFT filter modes is how these filters are built. FIR filters are built from impulse response of similar IIR filter, and then transformed so that they become linear phase characteristic. FFT filters are build by using frequency characteristic of FIR filter. Finally, both use FFT convolution to perform fast signal processing.

All filters are build by using well-known methods of analog filter design (complex polynomials in top and bottom) or directly as digital filters. When the filters are build from analog designs, plugins first of all calculate parameters of ideal analog filter by using Laplace transform and then digitize it by applying analog-to-digital transform also known as Z Transform. Each filter implements it's own set of poles and zeros, the configuration of poles and zeros can be controlled by using quality factor and slope parameters.

There are set of rules to perform Laplace to Z-space transformation, for example Simpson rule etc. In LSP plugins, two types of rules are used: the most popular Bilinear Transform and less popular Matched Z Transform. The difference between these transforms is how the frequency and ampitude characteristics are moved from analog form into digital.

Bilinear Transform is easy to implement, and in most plugins this type of transform is used. The main disadvantage of this transform is that it distorts the form of the filter's curve while moving it's poles and zeros from low to high frequencies. Also it's noticeable that low-pass filters transformed by using bilinear transform have -INF dB amplification level at the Nyquist frequency. This effect is also called cramping. To minimize such effect, one of the techniques applied can be oversampling.

Completely different is the behaviour of filters transformed by Matched Z Transform. These filters have identical to the analog filters frequency and phase graph but have another disadvantage: they have aliasing at high frequencies that is caused by reflecting high frequencies from the range limited by Nyquist Frequency.

Digital filters can also be generated directly in the digital domain, without needing to convert an analog prototype or by using design equations available in literature, often coming from digitalization of canonic analog filter prototypes, but with the advantage of not having to perform digitalization in real-time. This is the case of Direct design IIR filters.

Additional attention should be given to FIR filters because Bilinear Transform and Matched Z Transform advantages and disadvantages are only applicable to the IIR filters. FIR filters are free of this and just copy characteristics of IIR filters.

All filters are mostly of all frequently used filter types that can be required in studio production. There are available simple ideal RLC-filters (Resistor, Inductivity and Capacitor) that have very smooth frequency characteristics, Butterworth-Chebyshev-filters based on Butterworth-Chebyshev polynomials (BWC) and Linkwitz-Riley-based filters (LRX). So, shortly, RLC filters can be used for accurate frequency correction, BWC-based filters can be used for strong frequency correction and LRX-filters for extreme frequency correction.

All filters are designed to have clean sound and keep minimal phase shift if it's possible. They do not affect dynamics of the signal or colorize the original sound, they just perform correction in frequency domain. BT (Bilinear Transform) filters will have no distortion at high frequencies but will have distorted (relative to the similar analog filter) amplitude and frequency chart. MT (Matched Z Tranfrorm) filters can distort the signal at high frequencies because high frequencies can get reflected from Nyquist Frequency and that may cause aliasing effect. In fact, It's not audible in most cases.

This plugin performs graphic equalization of stereo channel. Up to 16 frequency bands are available for correction in range of 72 dB (-36..+36 dB).

Meters:

- Input - the level meter for left and right channels of the input signal.
- Output - the level meter for left and right channels of the output signal.

Controls:

- Bypass - bypass switch, when turned on (led indicator is shining), the plugin bypasses signal.
- Mode - equalizer slope and working mode, enables the following settings:

- BT48 - Filters with 48dB/oct slope, bilinear Z-transform.
- MT48 - Filters with 48dB/oct slope, matched Z-transform.
- BT72 - Filters with 72dB/oct slope, bilinear Z-transform.
- MT72 - Filters with 72dB/oct slope, matched Z-transform.
- BT96 - Filters with 96dB/oct slope, bilinear Z-transform.
- MT96 - Filters with 96dB/oct slope, matched Z-transform.
- IIR - Infinite Impulse Response filters, nonlinear minimal phase. In most cases does not add noticeable latency to output signal.
- FIR - Finite Impulse Response filters with linear phase, finite approximation of equalizer's impulse response. Adds noticeable latency to output signal.
- FFT - Fast Fourier Transform approximation of the frequency chart, linear phase. Adds noticeable latency to output signal.
- SPM - Spectral Processor Mode of equalizer, equalizer transforms the magnitude of signal spectrum instead of applying impulse response to the signal.

- Left - enables the FFT analysis for the left channel.
- Right - enables the FFT analysis for the right channel.
- Zoom - zoom fader, allows to adjust zoom on the frequency chart.

'Signal' section:

- Input - input signal amplification.
- Output - output signal amplification.
- Balance - balance between left and right output signal.

'Analysis' section:

- FFT - enables FFT analysis before or after filter processing stage.
- Reactivity - the reactivity (smoothness) of the spectral analysis.
- Shift - allows to adjust the overall gain of the analysis.

'Bands' section:

- On - enables the filter for the corresponding band.
- S - the soloing button, allows to inspect corresponding band.
- M - the mute button, allows to mute corresponding filters.
- Gain - the amplifiction gain of the band.