Overview
Vocal Assistant will intelligently create an optimal starting point for a vocal. It can also help a vocal stand out in the mix by communicating with IPC compatible iZotope plug-ins to unmask the vocal from other elements in the mix.
Click the “Vocal Assistant” button in the header of the plug-in interface to open the Vocal Assistant screen.
Assist and Unmask
Vocal Assistant offers two different paths: Assist and Unmask.
Assist and Unmask processing options can be selected simultaneously.
Unmask Requires an IPC source to work
Unmask requires a compatible iZotope plug-in to be inserted on another track in your session in order to work. Unmask analysis can occur when one of the following plug-ins is present as an insert on the track that is masking your vocal: Relay, Nectar, or Neutron.
After making a selection, click the next button.
Processing Options
The following sections assume both options were selected in the first screen.
Assist Options
You can inform the results of Vocal Assistant processing by changing the Vibes and Intensity settings.
Vibes
Informs the initial EQ and Dynamics settings applied to the vocal.
Intensity
Determines the amount of processing applied to the vocal.
Unmask Options
Selects the source IPC plug-in for Unmask analysis.
Tip: Choosing an Unmask Source
- Select a plug-in in the Unmask dropdown that is inserted on a track that is masking the vocal.
- For the best results, the source plug-in that is selected in the Unmask dropdown should be after all other inserts on the track it is inserted on.
- For example, Insert Relay in the last insert slot of a track that is masking the vocal. Select that Relay instance from the Unmask dropdown menu.
Analysis
After configuring the Assist and Unmask Options, ensure audio is playing back and click the “Next” button to continue to the analysis screen.
Note
- Vocal Assistant needs audio input: Make sure you are playing audio in your DAW.
- Vocal Assistant needs time to analyze your vocal. If you are trying to run Vocal Assistant on a clip shorter than 20 seconds, you should enable loop playback before starting Vocal Assistant.
Assist Analysis
The Assist analysis pass will run first.
Assist runs through the following steps during analysis:
- Analyzing input level to determine optimal input gain: Enables ALM mode and adjusts the input gain to ensure an optimal input level.
- Analyzing vocal signal to determine optimal settings: Analyzes your vocal to identify characteristics that will inform the processing applied in the subsequent steps.
- Applying settings based on vocal content: Applies an initial “character” EQ curve and Dynamics settings. These settings are based on a combination of the Vibes and Intensity selections and the results of vocal content analysis.
- Detecting vocal register to optimize pitch correction: Analyzes pitch information in your vocal track and uses that information to set the Vocal Register for pitch correction processing.
- Learning subtractive EQ parameters to improve clarity: Learns the frequency content of your vocal and sets subtractive EQ bands to frequency values that will help to improve clarity.
- Detecting vocal sibilance to set de-esser: Analyzes the frequency content of your vocal for harsh, sibilant frequency content. If sibilance is detected, Vocal Assistant will set the optimal cutoff frequencies and threshold value for De-esser.
- Applying dynamics for a controlled output level: Configures Compressor settings in order to control the output level of your vocal.
- Setting reverb mix level depending on selected assistant mode: Applies a subtle Reverb to your vocal to add a sense of space.
When the Assist analysis pass completes, Vocal Assistant will begin Unmask analysis (if Unmask is selected in the first Vocal Assistant screen).
Unmask Analysis
After Assist analysis has completed, Unmask analysis will begin.
Unmask analysis listens to the selected source and the current vocal track and compares them to detect the presence of masking.
If no significant masking is detected between the vocal and the Unmask source, the final Unmask step will state “No significant masking detected” and no EQ curve will be applied to the selected source plug-in.
If masking is detected, an EQ curve will be applied to the instance you selected in the Unmask dropdown.
Plug-ins that are unmasking Nectar will update to display an “Unmask” indicator and power button above the I/O level meters.
You can enable/disable Unmask by opening the source plug-in and toggling the power button to the left of the “Unmask” indicator.
If you are using NECTAR PLUS, you’ll have access to Advanced Unmask Controls in the source plug-in.
Advanced Unmask Controls
NECTAR PLUS ONLYExtended Unmask options are available in the selected source plug-in when they are unmasking the PLUS edition of Nectar.
A down arrow will appear on the right side of the Unmask indicator of a source plugin when advanced unmask controls are available.
Click on the Unmask indicator to expand the advanced unmask panel.
The advanced unmask panel includes:
- NAME: The Nectar Plus instance that is being unmasked.
- UNMASK EQ CURVE DISPLAY: Displays the unmask EQ curve being applied to the Nectar instance. Hover your cursor over the EQ curve to display EQ frequency and gain values.
- AMOUNT: Scales the intensity of unmask EQ cuts.
- DYNAMIC: Enables/disables dynamic unmask EQ.
- When enabled, unmask EQ cuts will be applied when the masking signal exceeds a fixed threshold. The EQ curve display will animate to reflect changes to the EQ curve when Dynamic mode is enabled.
- SIDECHAIN: Only available when Dynamic mode is enabled. Sets the dynamic EQ detection input to the sidechain input source configured for the plug-in.
Apply Settings
To apply the results of Vocal Assistant, click the “Accept” button.
To re-run Vocal Assistant processing before applying settings, click the back button.
To exit the Vocal Assistant screen without applying any changes, click the x button.
Nectar 3.7.0
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