A simple, specialized tool for quickly enhancing bass perception in your mixes.

The Precision Enhancer Hz plug-in for UAD-2 and Apollo interfaces lets you selectively add upper harmonics to bass fundamentals. Often referred to as "phantom bass," these harmonics stimulate a psychoacoustic bass-enhancing effect in the listener, giving even the smallest speakers greater translation of low frequency sources.

Universal Audio's unique approach to this common problem combines a simple control set that yields exacting results with minimal adjustment and allows the widest range of tonality available in its class, from subtle to decidedly audible.

• Easily extend bass response by up to 1.5 octaves for maximum thump
• Beef up individual tracks or an entire mix with easy-to-use controls
• Choose from five modes to best dial-in your source material
• Harness four different effect slopes for variations in harmonic density

Precision Enhancer Hz

Precision Enhancer Hz Controls

Control knobs for the Precision Enhancer Hz behave the same way as with all UAD plug-ins. Effect, Hz Frequency, and Output values can be modified with text entry.

Effect Knob

The Effect Knob controls the amount of processing that occurs in the plug-in. The available range is from 0.00 to 100.0%.

Technically speaking, Effect scales the input to the enhancer. Increasing this parameter makes the enhancer have a higher amplitude output for a given input level. Increasing Effect increases the overall enhancement effect.

Note: The signal level at the plug-in input will interact with the Effect control.

Effect Meter

The Effect Meter indicates the amount of signal processing that is occurring. More illuminated blue segments indicate more signal enhancement.

Effect Solo

Effect Solo isolates the generated signal and is affected by Effect level. Effect Solo is active when the button is red.

The Effect Solo signal is "pure" and contains no added original or filtered bass signal. Therefore the soloed signal may not sound "pleasant" when heard by itself. When Effect Solo is used in conjunction with Hz Solo, the complete "mixed" effect is heard.

Mode

The five Modes (A, B, C, D, and "All") optimize the plug-in internally to support the widest array of source material. The Mode control determines the type of enhancement that will be applied to the signal.

Tip: The active Mode can be selected by clicking the Mode button repeatedly to rotate through the Modes, or by clicking each Mode letter or LED.

Mode A (Bass 1)

Mode A is tuned for both acoustic and electric bass instruments. Adds low frequency emphasis when set to low frequency value, mid to high frequencies aid in phantom bass generation for smaller sound systems.

Mode B (Bass 2)

Mode B is primarily for electric and DI bass with balanced mid range harmonics to help the bass stick out of the mix.

Mode C (Synth)

Mode C is tuned specifically for synth bass and other full-range material. It produces a wider range of harmonics than the Bass modes A and B. Mode C also works well on sub-mixes and program material. Moderate compression is applied to the harmonics signal, increasing the amplitude of the harmonics and altering their timbre.

Mode D (Kick)

Mode D has a short decay, which makes this setting ideal for kick drum sounds and other percussive instruments. Moderate compression is applied to the harmonics signal, increasing the amplitude of the harmonics and altering their timbre.

All Mode

All mode offers a more exaggerated and audible effect for creative purposes or when less subtle results are desired. Compression is applied to the harmonics signal, increasing the amplitude of the harmonics and altering their timbre. The frequency range is similar to Mode A.

Tip: All mode can be selected by shift+clicking Mode letters or LEDs.

Slope

Slope changes the shape of the high pass filter that is applied to the effect signal. The high pass filter helps eliminate rumble/muddiness in the signal.

Slope can be set to 6, 12, 24, or 36 dB per octave. The active Slope can be selected by clicking the Slope button repeatedly to rotate through the values, or by clicking each Slope value or LED.

Note: When the Hz Frequency is set to a low value, Slope may have little or no audible effect.

Hz Frequency

Through filter isolation of the original bass content, the Hz Frequency parameter defines the cutoff frequency for the enhancement process. Frequencies below this value are enhanced by the processor. The available range is 16 Hz to 320 Hz.

Hz Solo

Hz Solo isolates the original bass signal and can be combined with Effect Solo. Hz Solo is active when the button is red.

Output

Output controls the signal level that is output from the plug-in. The available range is -20 dB to 0 dB.

Generally speaking, adjust the Output control after the desired amount of processing is achieved with the Effect and Hz Frequency controls. Output does not affect the amount of enhancement processing, nor does it have any effect when the plug-in is disabled.

Output Meter

The stereo Output Meter displays the signal level at the output of the plug-in.

When the plug-in is disabled with the plug-in Power switch (but not the host plug-in enable switch), the output meters still function.

Power

The Power switch determines whether the plug-in is active. This is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal or bypassing the plug-in to reduce the UAD DSP load (load is not reduced if UAD-2 DSP LoadLock is enabled).

Toggle the switch or click the UA logo to change the Power state. The UA logo is illuminated in blue when the plug-in is active.

Operating Tips

• The Precision Enhancer Hz effect can serve multiple purposes. When the frequency control is set low, the effect extends into the audible low end. Lower frequencies work well for adding a low end thump or beefing up percussive bass/kicks, but be careful not to overdo it. With the frequency control set to mid to higher frequencies, the effect is designed to add bass tone that would ordinarily disappear on smaller speakers.
• For the most predictable results, it is recommended to audition the mix on both full range systems with a subwoofer, as well as small consumer systems such as a boombox or computer speakers.
• A different effect response will be achieved when the plug-in is used pre-compression. It is recommended to experiment with processing order as results can vary substantially.